How to Use Aromatherapy

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed)
Mar 15th 2010 at 2:01PM

Most of us treat ourselves with aromatherapy without even thinking -- ever taken a whiff of your coffee as it's brewing and instantly felt more energized? Or lit a scented candle after a long day's work to help yourself relax? The world is full of fragrance, and aromatherapy is the art of harnessing specific smells and using them to improve a person's health, mood, and overall well-being. Here's a basic guide to which aromas are relaxing, which ones are energizing, and which ones can help give romance a boost.

If you want to relax:
Lavender, Chamomile, Vanilla, Rose, and Sandalwood all have calming and soothing properties, and especially when combined with relaxing activities can really help relax muscles and eliminate headaches. Try lighting a candle scented with one of these oils next time you sit down to read a book or take a long soak in the tub.

If you want more energy:
Lemon, Peppermint, Sage, and Sweet Orange can help boost energy and improve concentration. Try these in a reed diffuser on your desk for an instant and decorative 'pick-me-up' at work.

If you need help sleeping:
Besides helping people relax, Lavender and Chamomile have also been shown to help people fall asleep and stay asleep longer. Try a lavender pillow spray or sip a cup of chamomile tea before heading to bed.

If you're feeling stressed:
Lemon, Rose, and Ginger are all great for targeting tension, anxiety, and stress. Spritz perfume or a room spray next time you feel yourself winding up.

If you're looking for romance:
Jasmine, Vanilla, and Patchouli are sensual scents attributed with aphrodisiac properties. Find them in many perfume and personal fragrances, or in scented candles and room sprays.

One thing to keep in mind about aromatherapy is that scents don't always affect everyone the same way. Maybe because of a certain memory lemon is more soothing to you than lavender, or you find jasmine a real turn-off instead of a turn-on. Pay attention to how different scents make you feel and you'll really be able to make the most of aromatherapy.

Tags: aphrodisiac, aromatherapy, chamomile, diy, lavender, lemon, peppermint, reed diffuser, sage, sandalwood, scents, spas-pedia, stress, stress reduction, stress relief