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Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses essential oils to help support the health and well-being. The oils are “concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor, or “essence,” of their source.” When inhaled the oils have a direct effect on the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls your emotional and behavioral responses. With over ninety different oils, you can be sure to find one that helps you with anxiety, energy, digestion and much more. So, check out the most popular oils and the health benefits to using aromatherapy.

10 Popular Oils & Health Claims

Entrepreneur smelling essential oil bottle for aromatherapy
Entrepreneur smelling essential oil bottle for aromatherapy
  • Peppermint: boosts energy and aids digestion
  • Lavender: relieves stress
  • Sandalwood: calms nerves and helps with focus
  • Bergamot: reduces stress and improves skin conditions like eczema
  • Rose: improves mood and reduces anxiety
  • Chamomile: improves mood and relaxation
  • Ylang-Ylang: relieves headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
  • Tea Tree: fights infections and boosts immunity
  • Jasmine: helps depression, childbirth, and libido
  • Lemon: aids digestion, mood, headaches

3 Health Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy oils used to help mood improvement
Aromatherapy oils used to help mood improvement
Migraine and Headaches

It was shown during a study in the ’90s that rubbing a peppermint oil and ethanol mixture relieved headache pain. A recent study in the last couple of years also revealed that rubbing peppermint and lavender oil into the skin reduced headache pain.

Sleep and Insomnia

Lavender oil has shown positive results to individuals’ sleep habitats across 15 studies. It aids women in sleeping after childbirth and those with heart disease.

Sleep and Anxiety

Although it is shown that 43% of people use aromatherapy to help them reduce anxiety, there have not been enough studies to show a conclusive report of this.

In the end, these oils have helped me immensely even if there is not enough conclusive data on the validity of essential oils. Personally, I am grateful for the day that I discovered them. As someone who suffers from depression, a mood disorder, using oils helps me feel better for a little while at least. You can find these oils in store such as Amazon and Bath & Body Works.

Have you tried aromatherapy before? Let us know in the comments below.

This article originally published on GREY Journal.