aromatherapy and the science behind
The term “aromatherapy” was first used in France in the 19th century by René-Maurice Gattefossé, a perfumer and biochemist who wrote on how to use essential oils to treat disease. Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. It uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain.
Of all five senses, it’s the one most closely linked to emotion and memory — likely, scientists think because the brain’s olfactory processing center is so close to the regions in charge of those other two functions. And there’s an extensive body of research suggesting smell can affect us physically, too.
The inhalation of aromatic molecules affect us on a variety of levels – physical, emotional and spiritual. When inhaled, aromatic molecules enter the nasal passages where they stimulate olfactory receptor sites and trigger nerve messages to the limbic center brain. The limbic area of the brain, also called the old brain, or rhinocephalon, it is thought to have evolved more than 70 million years ago and predates the neocortex.
It represents a complex area with 34 structures and 53 pathways that in turn stimulates physiological responses within the body via the nervous, endocrine or immune systems, affecting sensations of pleasure, pain centres of the brain, emotions, memory, sleep, appetite and sex.
Pure essential oils are free of aromatic compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which may be linked with cancer, but they do contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — otherwise, they could not be smelled. It is hence important to choose a good brand of essential oils to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, else it will only do more harm than good.
Why its worth a try?
1. improve sleeping quality
One of the many benefits of aromatherapy is it helps to improve sleeping quality. Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. The way you feel while you’re awake depends in part on what happens while you’re sleeping. A research in 2017 suggests that aromatherapy and acupressure massage with blended essential oil improve sleep and quality of life and may serve as the optimal means for career women to improve their sleep and quality of life. Aromatherapy for sleep can be applied in a variety of ways – through an oil diffuser, into a bath, like a mist to spray on your sheets and pillows, or applied topically to the skin.
2. aromatherapy for immunity boost
In the last few years, essential oils (EOs) derived from plants have aroused great interest due to their well-known antimicrobial activity.
A study in 2019 shows that essential oils are more than just a pleasant scent, certain oils particularly eucalyptus and ginger, seem to have immune function enhancing properties. Another study in 2019 also points out that both encapsulated orange and bergamot essential oils have good antibacterial activity.
According to a study conducted by Tisserand Institute, numerous in vitro studies have clarified the mechanisms through which certain essential oils and their chemical constituents block influenza activity. These essential oils could be used to reduce influenza spread.
That being said certain essential oils do boost the human immunity system, in other words aromatherapy can be use as a supplementary therapy as a prevention steps for sickness.
3. the benefits of essential oil in beauty products
Using essential oil in our daily beauty routine (facial, body, and hair) is called cosmetic aromatherapy. Different essential oils are great for different skin conditions (How to select essential oils for your skin type). Research conducted in 2009 shows that Palmarosa, Evening Primrose, Lavender, and Tuberose essential oil have antibacterial properties. These products are used for their various effects as cleansing, moisturizing, drying, and toning.
Research in 2017 shows that, certain oils like bergamot, cilantro, and spikenard essential oils primarily inhibited protein molecules related to inflammation, immune responses, and tissue-remodeling processes, suggesting they have anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.
The study also shows that healthy skin can be obtained by the use of essential oils in facial products. On a personal level, cosmetic aromatherapy of full-body or foot bath will be a simple and effective way to have an experience. Similarly, few drops of appropriate oil give a rejuvenating and revitalizing experience.
It is thus safe to say that selecting your essential oil wisely and incorporating it into your beauty routine according to oils user guidelines will give you healthy and glowing skin.
4. What the research says
According to a study in 2017, it suggests that all the oregano, thyme, clove, lavender, clary sage, and arborvitae essential oils might be used as broad-spectrum anti-microbial agents for decontaminating an indoor environment
According to a study in 2016, the beneficial effect of lavender oil on wound healing may raise the possibility of new approaches as complementary treatment besides conventional therapy.
According to a study in 2015, lavender essential oil increased the quality of sleep and reduced the level of anxiety in patients with coronary artery disease.
According to a study in 2003, essential oils of spices and herbs (thyme, origanum, mint, cinnamon, salvia, and clove) were found to possess the strongest antimicrobial properties among many tested.
Conclusion
As a conclusion, YES it is definitely worth to try! Use essential oil wisely and moderately as a natural aide is good to improve our lifestyle and wellbeing. As of my aromatherapy journey, I found that the scent of essential oils is very therapeutic, like lavender oil, it helps on relaxation and I always have a good night sleep if I diffuse it in my bed room for 20 minutes just before I sleep and the next day I will be fit and ready to be a multitasking all rounded mum. And apart from that, by integrating essential oil in my beauty and household routine helps a lot for my body and my living environment to “go clean”. Today I am proud to say that since one year of my effort discarding those industry made products, not only that we eat cleaner, live cleaner in a sense of less chemical products in our environment, but also less chance of getting sick.
So I am here to encourage you to join this journey with me, a small step today and the future you will thank you.
Calleigh
Hi, I am Calleigh, MEng Chemical Engineering and a process engineer, and I'm here to show you how to DIY your skincare and household products with the correct formulation and using only natural ingredients. I believe that eating good food (Yes I have cooking recipes too!) and living in a chemical-free environment are the keys to having a healthy lifestyle. And that doesn't need to be expensive.
