And while we're talking — what is essential oil?
Often, the first thought about aromatherapy is a product that smells good, but aromatherapy is so much more than that!
Aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant extracts, primarily consisting of essential oils, to enhance physical and psychological well-being. Essential oils are highly aromatic, concentrated oils distilled from the leaves, needles, stems, flowers, bark, roots, and other plant parts by either steam , CO2 , or cold-pressed extraction. Not all plants produce essential oils, but lucky for us, there are so many that do!
While plants are storing their essential oils, they serve a variety of different purposes for the plant. Some essential oils help plants attract pollinators, ward off invasive plants, defend themselves against insects and animals, and protect the plant with their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial constituents.
Essential oils help the plant heal and help it maintain a happy, healthy balance in some of the same ways they help us heal!
Essential oils can help us find our emotional and physical balance. We can benefit from essential oils’ anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and use them for all natural treatments for cuts, bruises, inflammation, etc.
We can also use them for emotional well-being; by using certain oils to feel more grounded, energized, more peaceful, less stressed, and so on.
With such a vast supply of essential oils, you can find the perfect oil to fit or alter just about any mood. As the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy has perfectly stated, “Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of using naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process.”
Essential oils have a vast range of uses and can be used by taking internally, topical applications, inhalation. The most common routes of absorption are inhalation and topical applications. Internal usage needs to be taken with extreme care.
Aromatherapy is a 100% natural, holistic practice that helps individuals heal emotionally and physically. Someone may be using essential oils to help with back pain and inflammation, but haven’t realized that due to the holistic nature of essential oils, they are simultaneously treating their emotional stress and frustration that is intrinsically tied to their physical ailment. Our minds, bodies and spirits are connected, and essential oils work to assist the physical body, but bring harmony to the emotional, mental and spiritual body at the same time.
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