Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Truly Work?
With a new world perspective on spirituality, health, and wellness, many are turning to aromatherapy and essential oils for things like: boosting immunity, curing a cold, ridding a headache, relaxing the mind, and boosting overall mood…
But do they really work? The short answer is: It depends.
While essential oils haven’t been proven to be effective for everyone, many anecdotal reports state otherwise. Nonetheless, essential oils are totally safe to try, so why not give it a shot? It can’t hurt!
So, what is aromatherapy and essential oils?
Well, in combination, “aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit.”. Additionally, essential oils are simply compounds extracted from plants via a distillation process. These oils, in essence, capture a particular scent or flavour of the plant. This method of therapy has been used for centuries and simply involves the inhalation of oils in order to elicit a particular brain or emotional response.
As mentioned prior, while there isn’t enough research to say for sure the effectiveness of aromatherapy and essential oils, the reported benefits are vast!
Below are just some of the many benefits that you may come to experience:
- Reduction in anxiety and depression
- Elimination of nausea and insomnia
- Overall improvement in mood & state of mind
- Increase in focus and mental clarity
- Minimization of headaches and migraines
- Improved sleep
- A subsiding of a cold
While the safety and efficacy of essential oils are generally adequate, there is certainly a spectrum of quality you should come to understand. Here are a few tips!
This one requires a whole lot of common sense, however, do not ingest these oils. Use them as recommended and you’ll be totally safe.
Second, always be aware of those around you. While essential oil diffusers are generally safe, they may cause irritation to some individuals. These individuals include those with allergies, adolescence, animals like dogs, and even people with an irregular heartbeat! With anything that hasn’t been overly studied like essential oils, a practice in precaution is always the best measure.
Lastly, purchase from a trusted source. Much like supplements, there is very little regulation on the packaging and development of these products. While the ingredients of essential oils are typically all-natural, it’s worth spending the extra dollar from a trusted brand or store just in case.
While some may place judgement on those that partake in aromatherapy, the reported benefits are undeniable.
While we’ve been in quarantine for a number of months at this point, many of us may be dealing with things like an increase in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and lack of motivation. Trying something like aromatherapy and essential oils may prove to help you tremendously, and at the very least – won’t hurt to try!
Place a diffuser on your home-office desk or near your bedside and let the results speak for themselves!
Disclaimer: If you have any medical condition or prior medical history that you may think be negatively impacted by essential oils, or you’re simply concerned for any reason, always consult with a doctor or medical professional prior to use.