Overview
Aromatherapy–the use of essential oils therapeutically–is very helpful as a relaxation aid. Whether it consists of a few drops of soothing essential oils in a bathtub, as an atomizer spray, in an oil burner, or together with a massage oil, certain aromas can reduce stress and bring on a greater state of calm. According to the Sleep Aid Tips website, some of the relaxing and restorative oils that are useful for nervous tension include: basil, bergamot, camphor, chamomile, clary sage, jasmine, lavender, neroli, rose, ylang ylang and others.
History
Aromatherapy is one of the oldest methods of natural healing with origins dating back thousands of years. The Egyptians extracted oils from aromatic plants to use for medicines and cosmetics. The Chinese began using aromatics along with massage and acupressure, as well as burning incense. Aromatherapy has also been practiced for many centuries in India, as Ayurvedic medicine uses herbs and aromatic massage to treat a variety of ailments, according to Aroma Web. The Greeks and Romans, too, became famous for scented baths followed by massage with aromatic oils.
Research
Scientific research confirms what ancient healers discovered long ago. Certain essential oils are very beneficial in terms of relaxation. One study looked at heart function and lavender aromatherapy. According to the National Institutes of Health, in 2007 researchers from the Department of Cardiovascular Science and Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, in Japan, used four drops of essential oil diluted with 20 ml of hot water. Participants inhaled the lavender-scented steam for half an hour. Serum cortisol—the “fight or flight” mechanism in the body–was measured as a marker of stress. Both coronary circulation and levels of cortisol were improved by the aromatherapy, the researchers concluded.
Uses
There are many relaxing recipes that use aromatherapy. For example, lavender is not only very soothing, but also analgesic. If you suffer from aches and pains that keep you up at night, this oil is an appropriate insomnia remedy, according to Sleep Aid Tips. Try a few drops in a hot bath. Another relaxing recipe includes a blend of clary sage, lavender and chamomile oil. It helps to relieve nervous tension. Essential oils can be combined with carrier oils–like almond oil–to help create a massage oil.
Calming Oils
Neroli can assist in the treatment of depression, insomnia and stress, according to Aroma Web. Ylang ylang may help reduce anxiety, depression, hypertension and palpitations. Breathe in the vapors from a bowl of hot water and a few drops of oil, or simply put a couple of drops on light bulbs to create an all-around relaxing atmosphere.
Tips
An essential oil is most commonly extracted using a steam distillation method that produces an intensely fragrant substance nearly a hundred times more potent than the original plant. Look for the finest quality essential oils that you can find, and avoid chemicals. One example is that it takes approximately 4,000 pounds of hand-picked rose petals to make one pound of Bulgarian rose oil, making it one of the most expensive aroma oils on the market.
