Your sense of smell can be a powerful tool for lifting your mood, treating aches and pains, and relaxing your mind and spirit during even the most stressful of times. Our remembrance of certain smells can bring back fond memories of pleasant events.

Although research is still being completed to confirm the medical benefits of various essential oils, it’s almost certain that scents may have the power to calm you down, wake you up, or loosen tight or knotted muscles. Drop a few of these essential oils in your next hot bath or blend a small amount into a lotion or oil for a heavenly massage aid, then follow your nose to sensual bliss!

Lavender: The ultimate relaxing oil, lavender oil is thought to also be helpful in treating wounds and burns, and generally improving the look and feel of your skin.

Lemon/citrus: Citrus scents are very uplifting yet calming. The oils can be helpful in caring for wounds and infections, and the scent of lemon is great for cleaning and deodorizing your home.

Clary sage: This scent is very relaxing and may work to balance your hormones. Because it’s a natural painkiller, you can also try clary sage oil to help relieve muscular aches and pains.

Rosemary: Stimulating and uplifting, rosemary wakes up your mind and may give your immune system a boost. It’s also been used to stimulate the digestive system and to help lessen muscle tension.

Geranium: The fragrance of geranium can be both relaxing and uplifting. Some people theorize that geranium may have antidepressant and female-hormone-balancing properties, though these have not been scientifically proven.

Can Aromatherapy Improve Your Health?

Aromatherapy, the use of pure essence distilled from volatile plants can be an effective, complimentary health therapy. The modality has been in use for the last thousand years and used in many groups for the psychological and physical benefits it can have on someone, as long as you are using Aromatherapy safely and properly. Aromatherapy is used for treating common ailments and promoting good health as well as giving us a feeling of well being. Do you have a scent from your childhood that makes you feel good? Mine is the horse barn. I have fond memories of riding horses and spending long happy days at the barn. Now when I step foot into a horse barn I get an immediate sense of being uplifted. Have you been to a spa lately for a spa or beauty treatment? Does the smell invoke a sense of tranquility? The scents of essential oils can have an amazing effect on us.

Essential oils can be inhaled or applied but there is a lot of false advertising and you must be sure you are using Aromatherapy properly and safely and are using the real thing.

Used properly Aromatherapy can be used to:

1. Support the immune system.

2. Act as an antiseptic and healing agent.

3. Can support the hormonal system.

4. Can stimulate opening an emotional block.

5. Provide an uplifting feeling and sense of well- being.

More specifically aromatherapy can be used as a complimentary health therapy for;

1. Wounds

2. Bruises

3. Inflammation

4. Indigestion

5. Acne

6. Skincare

7. Hygiene

8. Premenstrual syndrome

9. Stress reduction