For centuries, aromatherapy has been utilized for both pleasure as well as healing purposes. Essential oils provide an abundance of different health benefits. These oils have shown benefits to physical, mental and spiritual health all the same. Aromatherapy is utilized in western medicine as a non-invasive method of treating an array of ailments; in conjunction with other methods such as meditation, yoga, diet and exercise.

What are essential oils? The oil is a liquid that’s in most cases distilled (two most common processes being either steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. Contrary to popular assumption, oils usually are not all that oily. Most of the time, the oils are clear, but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemon grass are amber or yellow in color. The true ‘essence’ of a plant lies within the oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated even in their distilled form and very little is usually required to achieve the desired results.

How do they work? The scents of essential oils are closer to you than you may initially believe. Many of your everyday household items such as perfumes, air fresheners, and disinfectants utilize the many benefits of the oils. Although the scents of the oils are there, most of the time they contain the fragrance of the oil instead of the pure form of the oil itself. That however, is not to say that the pure form of the oil is never utilized. As mentioned above, you’ll find that household disinfectants utilize the oil form of an essential oil, as many essential oils possess disinfecting properties. What initially appeals to us as consumers, is usually the way a product smells, but bare in mind, These oils have almost a limitless amount of health benefits as well.

Aromatherapy has actually been practiced for many centuries. However, the actual date when aromatherapy was first introduced is still up for debate. It’s believed by many experts that ancient Egyptians were the first to practice aromatherapy. The Egyptians of ancient times were the first to become aware of the many benefits of Essential oils. Egyptians first discovered the benefit of Essential oils when they were using the oils during the mummification process. The priests became known as “healers” combining medicinal potions to treat all sorts of different ailments. It was during the fifteenth century that people started using these oils to disguise their natural body odor as well as to stave off illnesses.

Countries all over the world practice aromatherapy today. There are more than a thousand doctors in France alone, who utilize this method to treat all sorts of conditions. Aromatherapy is believed to be able to cure many different illnesses and conditions. Other practices of aromatherapy include weight loss, the treatment of depression, the treatment of many infections, and stress reduction. Aromatherapy is only one of the many forms of stress reduction that individuals partake in, however, it is one of the safest and most cost efficient ways to do so.