04/18/2024
Most people have heard at one point or another that certain smells can produce specific, desired responses. For example, walk down the bath aisle of any store and you will see the calming effects of lavender or the energizing effects of citrus on almost every label. Using the scents to achieve these effects (calming, energizing) is the purpose of aromatherapy.
Put simply, aromatherapy is a technique where essential oils are used to promote and improve mental and physical well-being. “As essential oils are inherently ‘aromas,’ a lot of their benefits come from simply inhaling them,” says Lorrie Hargis, a registered aromatherapist. “Their vaporized molecules travel through our nasal cavities to the olfactory bulb and trigger the hypothalamus. Smells also reach the limbic part of the brain, where our instincts, memories, and emotions of pleasure and pain are stored.”
More recently, several studies have started to substantiate some of the very real benefits of aromatherapy, including reducing fatigue and increasing energy, reducing nausea, relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving sleep quality, and decreasing stress.
The School for Aromatic Studies, explains how some of these benefits can further enhance a massage therapy session, especially today, when stress levels can be high and people are looking for more holistic ways to take care of themselves.
