Is Aromatherapy Worth the Rave?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils that consist of extracts from natural plants for holistic treatment of the human mind, body, and spirit, improving one’s health and well-being. Properly employed and when the right oils are used, it enhances one's emotional and physical health, leaving them feeling refreshed and balanced. 


The essential oils are not ingested but rather applied to the body using nasal inhalation or absorption by the skin using clay masks, bathing salts, hot and cold compresses, and diffusers, as well as body creams, oils, and lotions used in massages.

Even though this technique has been around for as long as they invented the wheel, it has remained a matter of debate as to whether it’s actually effective and worth trying for the various benefits. All the same, there has been a staggering increase in the use of aromatherapy products over the past few years according to sales statistics. This means that before shunning it for one of those trends or embracing it just because others are using it, it’s worth having a look at the various ways aromatherapy could benefit you.

On this note, here are the various ways aromatherapy can benefit you.

Improving sleep quality

Being sleep-deprived is a feeling that no one really loves, especially in the busy world of today. However, thanks to essential oils like jasmine and lavender, that feeling can become a thing of the past. In an article published on Amrita Aromatherapy’s website, Dr. Christoph Streicher says that pain, physical tensions, discomfort, stress, depression, and anxiety are often the main culprits behind insomnia and sleep deprivation. Luckily, these can be treated using aromatic oils such as lavender, red mandarin, roman chamomile, and sweet marjoram. They provide a calming and soothing effect on your body, leaving you chilled and ready for a trip to dreamland. Some of these oils also have a direct sleep-inducing, so you can wave goodbye to insomnia.

Managing pain and body aches

When used in aromatherapy, clove, rosemary, and black pepper essential oils have been shown to reduce body aches and pains by stimulating proper blood flow throughout the muscles and joints. By relaxing muscles and reducing blood pressure, some essential oils can help relieve headaches, toothaches and ease arthritis pain. They also have an added bonus of preventing muscle spasms and support circulatory and nervous system functionalities, leaving you feeling less pain in your body. Common essential oils used in pain relief include chamomile, tea tree, lavender, birch, and Helichrysum Italicum, just to name a few.

Combating fatigue

Essential oils like basil, peppermint, ginger, and lemon have been found to soothe fatigued muscles. Muscle fatigue often results from the build-up of lactic acid in muscle fibers, especially after strenuous activities. When used in aromatherapy, these essential oils work by promoting blood flow to enhance the release of built-up lactic acid. They also sharpen your concentration by stimulating focus and mental vigor, leaving you feeling livelier and with great mental clarity.

Aids digestion

Been having problems of vomiting and feeling nauseous for no apparent reason? Well, fear not, for there are essential oils that can make those issues go away. Clove essential oil greatly reduces nausea and prevents vomiting while its odor reduces gas buildup in your gut, leaving you free to eat without any stress. Bergamot essential oil helps keep the urinary tract in tip-top shape, preventing blockages that may make your life uncomfortable.

Reduces stress, agitation, and anxiety

With the world getting busier and busier every passing day, our lives seem to be a never-ending fast-paced race to finish something or accomplish a set goal. This, inevitably, takes a toll on a person’s body, which explains the rise in cases of depression, anxiety, and mental health issues among all age groups of our society. While jobs have to be done, you can use essential oils to help cope with the pressures of the world. Jasmine, oregano, catnip, and lemon essential oils have been found to help improve mood, balance emotions, promote positive thinking and inner calm by relaxing the mind while also improving blood flow throughout the body.

While people remain skeptical of the benefits of aromatherapy, the writing is on the wall about what you can gain from essential oils. In addition to the above, aromatherapy can help provide relief from allergies, fighting inflammation, improving mental alertness, and boosting your spiritual well-being. These are some of the reasons why aromatherapy is all the rage these days and why you should try it.