Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Among the most popular uses of essential oilspotent and fragrant oils that are extracted from plantsis in aromatherapy, an approach or a practice of healing that makes use of aromatic plant oils.

Earliest civilizations used these fragrant extracts in healing; however, it was only in the early part of the 20th century when the word aromatherapy was first used by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French cosmetic chemist. He used it to describe the use of lavender extracts in healing.

Benefits of aromatherapy essential oils have long been proven by modern scientific studies. The aroma of these oils helps alleviate both psychological and physical ailments as they stimulate the brain and revitalize various parts of the body, especially the lungs.

The essential oils can be blended to provide more pleasing fragrances and more efficient therapeutic effects. When blended in proper proportions, essential oils can be of greater help to the person undergoing aromatherapy.

Take note, however, that not all oils marketed as aromatherapy essential oils are pure essential oils or all-natural essential oils. Most aromatherapy products you can buy in the market are mixtures of pure essential oils and artificial ingredients. Although they provide the same or even better aroma, they may have lesser therapeutic benefits, or even none.

Pure and undiluted aromatherapy essential oils are known as therapeutic grade. These may be used even without diluting them with carrier oil like olive oil. Only a very small fraction of the essential oils out in the market are true therapeutic grade essential oils that can effectively improve the immune system, stimulate senses and prevent infections and diseases.

If you are interested in aromatherapy and are seeking effective aromatherapy essential oils, make sure to look into the products components. It should not contain chemicals and artificial fragrances that do not have health benefits.

Price does not necessarily determine the quality of the aromatherapy oils. Essential oils that are hard to extract but are not truly effective can be more expensive. Organic essential oils are among the expensive ones. These are obtained from plants grown without the use of fertilizers and chemicals. It is believed that organic essential oils are superior to non-organic essential oils.

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What is aromatherapy?

The use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.
A system of caring for the body with botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender (used to soothe cuts, bruises and insect bites), and peppermint. These essential oils can be added to a bath, massaged through the skin, inhaled directly, used with teas, or scented in a room. This therapy is intended to relieve pain, care for the skin, and alleviate tension and fatigue.
The use of fragrant, natural, botanical essential oils from plants, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, resins and flowers as a healing art. Aromatherapy refreshes and relaxes the skin while soothing the mind by helping to induce a sense of well-being. Each individual essence is used to produce a specific beneficial effect. Used in massage and facials.
The use of essential oils from aromatic plants to restore and enhance health and beauty as defined by the American Aromatherapy Association. Aromatherapy uses as its basic ingredients essential oils, which represent the highest herbal energy. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile extracts retrieved from aromatic herbs, flowers, seeds and trees; they contain hormone-like properties, vitamins, minerals and natural antiseptics.