A Beginner's Guide to Aromatherapy: What is Aromatherapy and its Benefits?

Aromatherapy is a complementary health practice that can be used for healing in addition to any medical treatments you already use. Aromatherapy has a wide-range of uses—from relieving stress to helping with joint pain. 

It is important to note that aromatherapy should never be used in place of any treatments prescribed by your doctor. It is meant to supplement any traditional medical treatments you might already be prescribed. 

This post will walk you through the history of aromatherapy, the science behind essential oils, and will offer an in-depth look at the uses of the various essential oils we offer with our Lava Stone Aromatherapy element. 

What is Aromatherapy? The Definition of the Complementary Health Practice 

First, let's talk about what aromatherapy is. Primarily, aromatherapy is the practice of using scents to heal various ailments. In an article released by Johns Hopkins, aromatherapy works by a person inhaling the scent of an essential oil which travels through the olfactory system and eventually reaches the emotional center of the brain. The emotional center of the brain is what dictates whether we feel stressed, depressed or anxious. 

Aromatherapy doesn't just work through inhalation, however. A lot of people apply essential oils to the skin to reap their therapeutic benefits. Many massage therapists will incorporate essential oils when they are massaging clients to help relive joint pain and contribute to overall feelings of relaxation. 

The article from Johns Hopkins also discusses the safest ways to practice aromatherapy: 

1. Use accessories. The first way to practice aromatherapy is by using an accessory that absorbs the scent of an essential oil. Our Lava Stone Aromatherapy Element is an example of this practice, you just add a couple drops of your chosen essential oil and smell the lava stone throughout the day. 
2. Use body oil. The second way you can practice aromatherapy is by using a body oil that has essential oils in it. You can massage it into your skin, dab it on your wrist, or place it behind your ears to smell your desired scent all day long. 
3. Use an aroma stick. Finally, you can use an aroma stick to practice aromatherapy. Aroma sticks are similar to accessories in the sense that they absorb the smell of an essential oil and allow you to take your aromatherapy on the go. It's not something you wear, however, so if you're someone who forgets things easily, you might prefer an accessory over a stick. 

Some essential oils can be harsher than others, which is why a lot of medical professionals prefer those methods over inhaling straight from the source. Direct inhalation can be dangerous to infants, pregnant women, and people with severe asthma so it's important to conduct your research or consult with a medical professional before deciding that direct inhalation is the method for you. 

What is Aromatherapy? The History of Aromatherapy

Now that you know what aromatherapy is, let's talk about the history of the practice. We can't talk about aromatherapy without first talking about how essential oils came to be. According to a post made by Mount Sinai Hospital, essential oils have been around for nearly 6000 years. Nearly all ancient civilizations used the oils extracted from plants for a variety of healing purposes. Their practices that reaped the therapeutic benefits of essential oils have been passed down from generation to generation, eventually becoming a staple of current civilization. 

Even though the practice of using essential oils has been around for thousands of years, the science of aromatherapy wasn't actually founded until 1928. According to that same article from Mount Sinai, aromatherapy was founded by a French chemist named René-Maurice Gattefossé when he used lavender oil to treat a burn wound caused by an explosion in his lab. 

Aromatherapy then began to make its way into massage parlors and doctor offices in the 1950s for various health purposes. The practice of aromatherapy finally become popular in the US in the 1980s and has remained a health practice since. 

What Exactly Are Essential Oils?

Another term we've been using throughout this post is "essential oils". Essential oils are what you use when practicing aromatherapy. At their core, they're just extracts from plants. 

In an article from the Cleveland Clinic about essential oils, they point out that the chemicals that structurally make up a plant are the same chemicals that provide health benefits to people. They do point out that it takes a lot of plant material to make an essential oil which is why many are incredibly expensive or diluted to make them more affordable. 

Which Essential Oils are Used for Different Healing Purposes?

There are a ton of essential oils out there that provide a lot of different health benefits. We offer five different essential oils to use with our Lava Stone Aromatherapy Element that can either be bought individually or as a pack of five. Below are the oils we offer and their associated health benefits:

1. Bergamot. Bergamot has a zesty, citrus scent and is found in Earl Grey Tea. It is mainly used to uplift your mood—it can be a great pick-me-up to have throughout the day to provide a boost of energy to help you through the day. It has also been used to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. It is important to note that if you're using Bergamot topically, it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. 
2. Lemongrass. Lemongrass has a fresh, light scent and has antibacterial properties. It is great for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. It can be helpful to get you through particularly stressful days or periods of your life. Its antibacterial properties also makes it a natural remedy to heal wounds and kill bacterial. 
3. Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus has hints of mint and wood and is nice to have during cold season. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help with decongestion and relieving joint pain. It is also known for providing an extra boost of energy during the day like bergamot. 
4. Peppermint. Peppermint smells exactly how you would imagine it to smell. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. It can help with concentration and focus, which would be perfect for someone who struggles to pay attention during school or gets side-tracked easily at work. Peppermint has also been used to ease headaches, fight fatigue, support digestion, and improve memory. 
5. Lavender. Lavender also smells exactly how you would imagine it to smell. It is one of the more gentle oils which is why it helps with stress, pain, and sleep. It is perfect for people that struggle to relax—use a few drops of this oil to help unwind at the end of the day. After days when your mind has been active, it could be beneficial to use some lavender oil while decompressing at the end of the day to help you fall asleep.

All of these essential oils have their own benefits that can help you decide what might be right for you. You could get the set of five to have all on-hand when you can use a holistic moment of healing.

We want to note again that these are not intended to replace any medications or treatments that have been prescribed to you. They are meant to be used as a complementary remedy to what your doctor may have prescribed. They should also not be used as a solution to any ailment you've been experiencing. Seek medical attention if you're experiencing any discomfort that might make you want to use essential oils. 

Start Healing With Aromatherapy Fidget Jewelry

Now that you know the basics of aromatherapy, you're ready to start using essential oils! Remember, it's important to fully understand best practices and uses for essential oils before you begin experimenting. 

Get started with our Lava Stone Aromatherapy Element and Essential Oils to see if this health practice is right for you!