Happy Wellness Month! Let's Learn More About Aromatherapy!
The Benefits of Aromatherapy
The term “aromatherapy” was coined by French perfumer, René-Maurice Gattefossé, in 1937. While the name may be modern, the practice of using oils for healing is ancient.
Thousands of years ago, Chinese, Indian, and Egyptian cultures blended aromatic plants in salves and oils. Used for both medicinal and religious purposes, the distilled oils were known to have physical and psychological benefits. Their wisdom was corroborated in the 19th century, when French and German physicians began integrating aromatherapeutic oils into their practices to treat disease.
Aromatherapy is activated both through the olfactory system and our skin. There are several ways to reap the benefits of oils:
Diffusers
Aromatic sprays
Deep inhales of a roller or blend
In bath salts
In bath salts
Body oils, creams, or lotions
Facial steamers
Hot and cold compresses
Clay masks
There’s an almost endless list of possible essential oils to add to your daily routine. Not sure where to start? Take a look at some of our favorite aromatherapy benefits, and which oils to use.
Improve sleep
Ylang ylang and chamomile have a relaxing, sedative effect to help you wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Ylang ylang helps decrease blood pressure, and chamomile is proven to reduce symptoms of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder.
Reduce stress or anxiety
Stressed out? Try sandalwood and clary sage. Earthy and warm, sandalwood boasts anxiolytic properties that have been shown to help reduce anxiety. According to a 2014 study, clary sage was effective at decreasing cortisol levels when inhaled through diffusers and sprays. To help center yourself during a hectic day, apply Bella GLOW's PEACE Roller to your wrists and temples. It’s rich with clary sage and sandalwood, plus Bulgarian lavender and bergamot for added relaxation.
Assist with meditation
Like sandalwood, orange essential oil has anxiolytic properties that have been shown to decrease tension. Combined with the bright citrus scent, the relaxing effect is supplemented with heightened senses that help you focus on your practice. Similarly, lemon essential oil provides that boost of clarity and calm (we recommend our Clarity Roller for a deeper meditation!).
Relieve headache pain
Peppermint oil is an effective treatment for managing and reducing headaches. The menthol in peppermint has long been used as an analgesic, numbing pain by triggering pain fibers. Triggering the pain fibers supersedes that actual sensation of the headache pain to provide fast, chemical-free relief. Our Relief roller combines peppermint, spearmint, and Bulgarian lavender to alleviate pain and tension.
Ease nausea and digestion issues
For hundreds of years, ginger has been used in teas and tinctures to treat symptoms of an upset stomach. Next time you feel queasy, try inhaling ginger oil. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that people who inhaled the scent after abdominal surgery reported less nausea and vomiting than subjects in a placebo group.
Improve immunity
A combination of oils known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties are great for boosting immunity during cold and flu season. Frankincense, rosemary, lemon, lavender, orange, and cinnamon bark work together to support a healthy immune system and stave off sickness. Before your next trip or big event, apply our Protect roller to your wrists, temples, and shoulders to bolster your health.
We always recommend researching oils prior to purchase to validate that they are good quality. All of our oils and aromatherapy blends are 100% pure distilled from natural ingredients, so that you can feel confident using them on your body or in diffusers.