Aromatherapy is the practice of inhaling the scents of essential oils to promote relaxation and well-being (Farrar & Farrar, 2020). Studies have shown that inhaling essential oils can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, promote better sleep, and even boost your mood (Gong et al., 2020). You can use essential oils in diffusers and inhalers to fill your space with the aroma of your favorite essential oils from sweet orange to geranium.
Essential oils have been used for centuries to support health and wellness. Essential oils are derived from various parts of the plant, which can include the flowering parts of the plant, resin or even elements of trees/shrubs (Farrar & Farrar, 2020). They are used in many ways, including through massage, candy, common cleaning agents, and skincare products.
When applied topically, I recommend to dilute essential oils in a carrier oil. Because of the concentration of essential oils, they can cause dermal (skin) irritation when applied directly. You can read more on by clicking here.
There are some safety considerations when it comes to using essential oils. More information can be found by clicking here.
You also want to be considerate of using essential oils around small children and pets; however, this will be discussed more in an upcoming post. In the meantime, you can click here to review safety considerations for children and pets.
References
Aromatherapy for Animals and Pets. (n.d.). Aromaweb. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/aromatherapyforpets.asp
Farrar, A. J., & Farrar, F. C. (2020). Clinical Aromatherapy. Nursing Clinics of North America, 55(4), 489–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015
Gong, M., Dong, H., Tang, Y., Huang, W., & Lu, F. (2020). Effects of aromatherapy on anxiety: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders, 274, 1028–1040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.118
Tisserand, H. (2021, April 9). Recommended dilutions for children. Tisserand Institute. https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/recommended-dilutions-for-children/