The Power of Aroma Therapy

We all have different reactions to the concept of homeopathy. Regardless of your beliefs surrounding this system of medicine, there has been much research done to support the powerful benefits of certain homeopathic practices. One such practice is aroma therapy, perhaps the most well known and widely practiced homeopathic treatment for a wide range of common ailments.

Stimulating our olfactory bulb with different scents can help with insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, pain management, heart problems, concentration and energy levels. Aromatherapy is an established practice that is commonly taught in medical schools across Germany and England, and is sometimes prescribed as a complementary treatment to use alongside traditional pharmaceutical medicines.

Aroma therapy works when scents reach your brain via two olfactory pathways – the main and accessory pathways. The main pathway directs the scent into our “creative” and “emotional” brain to be processed, stimulating the limbic system and thereby the release of certain hormones. Our accessory pathway plays a role in our ability to sense pheromones and aphrodisiac scents, which are associated with sexual behaviour.

Smell is the first sense that we developed so many millions of years ago when we were but microscopic amoebas. It dictates so much of the way that we react to our environment, including its ability to powerfully enhance memory recall. Our olfactory bulb is closely linked with our amygdala and hippocampus, where our memories are stored. This as well as the fact that scents are initially processed in our right brain is why aromatherapy can so powerfully affect our emotions and mental state, both of which are inextricably linked to physical and spiritual wellbeing.

There are a multitude of ways in which you can practice home aromatherapy. Try adding a few drops of essential oil to your bath or shower, investing in an oil diffuser or candle or using it in a massage ritual. You could even incorporate aromatherapy into your cooking by using fragrant ingredients and making aromatherapeutic teas. There are two primary classes of oils to try depending on what you wish to achieve – relaxants and energizers.

Relaxants include lavender, ylang ylang, rose, chamomile, geranium, sandalwood, frankincense and jasmine. Try these to soothe anxiety and sleeping issues among other things.

Energizers include peppermint, citrus, eucalyptus, rosemary and orange blossom. These scents will aid cognition and are great energy boosters to use in your morning routine or whenever you need a pick-me-up.

Our senses are powerful, beautiful additions to our bodies that aid us in experiencing all that the world has to offer. Harness them and use them to your advantage.