Aromatherapy for Anxiety

A simple way to understand the meaning of Aromatherapy is to take it exactly as you hear it. Basically it's a therapy based on and around pleasant aromas and involving the usage of essential oils. These essential oils can be used either singly or as a blend which you can either make yourself or buy pre-blended. The decision depends entirely on your preferences as there isn't much of a difference between them.

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If you don't like perfumes or don't like oils then staying from this treatment method. If you do like it however, there's only one simple hard and fast rule - choose an oil or oils that you like and most importantly that smell good to you. Don't use an oil just because it's supposed to have certain healing properties, this won't work. If you don't like the smell you can never truly appreciate Aromatherapy. So while healing properties are also important the "smell factor" is more important since the aim here to become relaxed.

Fragrant essential oils have powerful effects on the emotions and can help to relieve stress and anxiety when used in baths and massages, or even by placing a drop or two on a handkerchief and inhaling the fragrance. The following essential oils are especially helpful for easing emotional distress.

Bergamot has a sweet, spicy, citrusy fragrance. It has a refreshing and uplifting effect on the emotions and is helpful for both stress and anxiety. Bergamot contains a compound called bergapten that can cause skin photosensitivity, so use a bergapten-free oil.

Frankincense has a warm, rich, sweet balsamic fragrance and has been used as an incense since ancient times to promote a sense of peace and to soothe the spirit. It has sedative properties and slows and deepens the breathing, which helps to relieve stress and anxiety.

Lavender has a sweet, herbaceous, floral, and balsamic fragrance. It is balancing for the body and emotions and helps to relieve anxiety, nervous stress, and headaches or insomnia that are caused by tension.

Marjoram has a warm, herbaceous, slightly spicy fragrance. It has potent sedative properties, eases nervous tension and irritability, and is helpful for stress-related disorders such as muscle tension and headaches.

Rose has a sweet, floral, intensely rose fragrance. it has mild sedative and balancing effects on the psyche, is soothing and comforting, and promotes a feeling of well-being.

Sandalwood has a deep, rich, woodsy fragrance. It has mild sedative properties, engenders a sense of peaceful relaxation, and is helpful for relieving anxiety and all stress-related complaints. Burning sandalwood incense creates a peaceful atmosphere.

Ylang ylang has a very sweet, exotic floral fragrance and has a sedative and slightly euphoric effect on the emotions. It is helpful for both anxiety and nervous tension. A drop or two of ylang ylang is sufficient-beware of overdosing, because too much can cause headaches or nausea.

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