Aromatherapy for Health: The Nose Knows

geograph-4068969-by-Lewis-Clarke

 

Aromatherapy has been widely used throughout history. Ancient cultures recognized and often harnessed the power of scented ointments and oils to aid in healing, cleansing, and spiritual rituals. Anthropologists believe that primitive perfumery started with use of gums and resins as incense as well as oils and smudges (a type of smoked burning with fragrant plants like sage and sweet grasses). Today, aromatherapy is often used to help with stress, energizing, improve sleep, and even breathing.

 

 

 

What is Aromatherapy?

According to Wikipedia, “Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering one’s mood, cognitive, psychological or physical well-being.”

De-Stress with Aromatherapy

Tara, who specializes in energy work and mindful life coaching, recalls the first time she took in the aroma of wild lavender in her early 20’s, “I was preoccupied with some recent drama and feeling very stressed. I caught the scent long before I saw the plant. I remember my body relaxed so fully. I was acutely aware of my senses opening. I can still smell the unique qualities of that particular beautiful plant.”

Now, after many years working as an energetic healer, Tara understands that all living things have a vibrational quality to them. In aromatherapy, the essential oils have energetic bodies as well that emit vibration. It is this vibrational frequency that affects us first, even before the aroma enters the limbic system.
Tara’s favorite recipe for de-stressing from a hectic day is with a calming mind/body melting bath. The recipe for which, we’ve included below.

  • 1 cup sea salt
  • 1 cup epsom salt
  • 4 drops lavender essential oil
  • 3 drops cedar essentials oil

Mix together in a clean ceramic bowl. Draw a warm bath, add the mixture as the water flows into the tub. Sink into the warm fragrant scent of lavender and cedar and bliss away.

Happy soaking!

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