I am a big fan of essential oils as there are so many helpful uses.
From reducing stress to improving your indoor air quality it seems that there is no end to how they can help you in your daily life.
But, have you ever stopped to think about how they work and why?
It makes sense that they would work since we have so many receptors in our body that sends signals to the brain.
So, when you match the right oil to the right receptor, it can have a very powerful effect.
Kumi Oils has an oil for any use and makes a great starting point to dive in and see how they actually work.
What is aromatherapy?
Our sense of smell is connected directly to the brain and into the limbic system.
This is the system that regulates our moods and emotions and even memory.
When you realize this, suddenly it makes sense how essential oils are so powerful.
They trigger these receptors that then trigger a response in the brain.
Think about how the smell of a food or perfume can trigger a very strong memory and you get the idea of how aromatherapy can work.
When you pair a specific smell with a certain response that you’re looking for, then you can manipulate your brain towards that goal.
So, aromatherapy is a great way to reduce stress, help you sleep at night or even give you an energy boost.
The research
Unfortunately, there haven’t been too many studies done on the effectiveness of essential oils and aromatherapy in general.
Which limits how much we can say for sure about their effectiveness.
Though, there are a couple of certainties that we can point to.
One is that there is definitely a placebo effect that occurs in a lot of people.
Which means that just believing that something is working creates the desired effect.
In itself this does suggest that essential oils work even if it is in the head of the person using aromatherapy.
If stress is reduced after using aromatherapy then it shouldn’t matter how it actually worked.
The other is that the studies on essential oil suggest a strong link between the use of lavender oil and reducing anxiety.
It seems that this oil does have a significant effect on calming the brain as people have known for thousands of years.
Is aromatherapy worth it?
In my opinion, anything that could help is worth trying out.
Maybe you are one of the people that doesn’t get much out of it, but you can only know after you’ve tried.
The key is to really make sure that you are using the right oil for the right outcome.
For instance, an oil that provides an energy boost like lemon or peppermint oil won’t help you get a better night’s sleep.
Likewise, if you want to get out of a rut and feel more energy then chamomile is the wrong answer.
Try a few different oils and also ways to use them and see what the results are.
You may find that diffusers don’t work well for you, but a few drops in a hot bath do the trick.