Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of liquid aromatic plant extracts, often referred to as essential oils, to affect mood or health. The use of plant essential oils in aromatherapy has been recorded for thousands of years for a multitude of symptoms ranging from insomnia to depression to infection.
More recently, research has brought us from the time when Florence Nightingale famously anointed the foreheads of wounded soldiers with lavender oil to the current day exploration of clinical aromatherapy.
Clinical Aromatherapy
Clinical aromatherapy, which is the therapeutic use of essential oils supported by research, is a growing trend in nursing care in Australia, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the United States. Studies on the use of essential oils, whether as dilute concentrations applied topically or inhaled as ambient fragrances, have shown beneficial effects for anxiety and insomnia.
The use of aromatherapy is particularly effective for short term relief from stress-related problems when combined with massage. There have also been varying reports of relaxation or exhilaration depending on the essential oil used.
For example, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint, basil and cinnamon were found to be stimulating while sandalwood, rose and lavender were found to be relaxing.
It may be that a specific essential oil tends to evoke a particular response, however response variations are not entirely surprising. Our sense of smell is strongly tied to our emotions and previously learned associations between a scent and an emotion may have already been established. You may wish to experiment with different aromas to see which ones you prefer.
