How You Can Use Aromatherapy Benefits to Improve Your Overall Wellness

When it comes to your wellness, it seems that there are endless solutions to boosting your success and happiness.

Wellness can come in many shapes and sizes, but it seems that one common source of boosting wellness is with the use of aromatherapy and essential oils.

The aromatherapy benefits alone are amazing enough that your wellness could be greatly affected. With this in mind, consider the information below on some of the best aromatherapy benefits available.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is something that is used in a wide range of wellness sites and clinics all around. You can find this type of therapy in salons, spas, hospitals, chiropractor clinics, yoga studios, and meditation sites.

The wide use of aromatherapy is growing and for good reasons. Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils, which are derived from plants [1]. These oils are used in various ways to produce particular effects within the body, which changes depending on the type of oil used. While there is still more research needed to pin down the exact physiologic process, the aromatic compounds engage our olfactory receptors which then signals the brain and nervous system to react in some form. The way the brain and nervous system responds to this stimulation depends on the type of oil used. Let’s dive into this topic a bit further.

Aromatherapy Benefits for Wellness

Consider the information ahead as a guide to what aromatherapy can do for your overall wellness plan.

Reduces Stress

Perhaps one of the most widely known effects that aromatherapy brings is a calming effect within the mind and body. Upon the use of particular essential oils in aromatherapy, the brain signals the release of certain hormones in the body as a way to stimulate a calming effect.

Surprisingly, it seems that serotonin, endorphin, and noradrenaline are all signaled for release in the body with the use of calming essential oils [2] . Serotonin and endorphin are two compounds that serve a similar function to that of certain opioids, thus explaining the calming effect that you could experience with regular use.

Reduces Inflammation

Two great wellness perks that you may be able to take advantage of with aromatherapy are their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Certain essential oils, such as eucalyptus, have been shown to be anti-inflammatory, as well as contain ample antioxidant activity[3].

Boosts Energy

Millions of adults in the world consume caffeine and other products that are designed to give the body energy or fight fatigue. The issue with consuming too much caffeine is that it can have undesired effects on the heart and body, not to mention it can cause dehydration.

With this in mind, finding something to help fight fatigue in a safe and effective manner could have lasting effects on any wellness plan. The use of aromatherapy may help fight fatigue and improve physical performance.

Studies have shown that the use of eucalyptus essential oil in aromatherapy helped boost performance among swimming rats, in addition to reducing oxidative stress at the cellular level, which can lead to anti-fatigue effects[4]. This could have great potential for any wellness plan that is designed around being active and fit.

Maintains Healthy Respiratory Function

Given that aromatherapy involves smelling a fragrance, it is fitting that there are some respiratory benefits. Fortunately, studies have demonstrated that aromatherapy can benefit asthma symptoms. These studies have shown that lavender essential oil inhaled in aromatherapy can prevent inflammation in the bronchial passages that are involved with asthma[5].

Additionally, there is currently no cure for the common cold, and for centuries scientists have been working on cures for the condition. While there is no cure for the common cold, there are ways to help lower your risk of infection, which includes proper diet and hand washing.

However, it seems that aromatherapy can have an effect on alleviating symptoms of the common cold, which is also known as allergic rhinitis. Studies have shown that certain essential oils used in aromatherapy can help reduce fatigue associated with the common cold, improve the overall quality of life while sick, as well as alleviate some of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis[6].

Relieves Pain

One of the most grueling things that older adults experience is a knee replacement surgery, caused by osteoarthritis. The rehabilitation process of a knee replacement surgery is excruciating and often requires ample pain medication.

With this in mind, researchers explored the use of eucalyptus essential oil in aromatherapy in the setting of knee replacement surgery. These studies have shown that eucalyptus oil can be an effective strategy for decreasing patient pain following surgery, demonstrating the potential uses of aromatherapy for pain relief[7].

Conclusion

Regardless of your wellness goals, it’s important to know how aromatherapy with the use of essential oils can positively affect your life. As part of a wellness plan, aromatherapy offers a wide range of benefits that can boost your quality of life, as well as boost health along the way.