Aromatherapy benefits many of us seeking a natural way of dealing with the stress of modern living

It was a gift of an Aroma cushion that first introduced me to aromatherapy benefits and I have been fascinated to watch as the practise of Aromatherapy has grown into a popular complementary treatment.

You may think of it as new, but like so many natural health remedies the history of aromatherapy is lost in antiquity. Ancient Egypt and other civilisations took full advantage of the benefits to be gained from essential oils.

Today the pressures that preoccupy most of us - work, money, relationships, travel etc. can take a toll on our health.

Headaches, backaches and many common ailments can be alleviated by using aromatherapy oils.

What is Aromatherapy?
It can be defined as the use of naturally occurring plant material, specifically the use of essential oils and other aromatic compounds from plants, for the use of improving moods.

Aromatherapy benefits come from using these oils in a soothing and relaxing way through massage or inhaling the often calming fragrance.

Essential oils are mostly distilled liquid from leaves, stems, flowers and even the bark or roots of a plant.

Despite the name, aromatherapy oils are not actually oily to touch.
Often they are clear or like those from lemongrass, patchouli or orange are amber coloured.

A few introductory aromatherapy recipes worth trying out are: -

• Add a small quantity of Eucalyptus or Chamomile to your Bath and this will have a calming and soothing effect at the end of a hectic day.

• Indian ladies will often bush their hair with a comb laced with Jasmine oil, which both perfumes and creates a relaxing state of mind.

• Lavender oil in small quantities sprinkled on a pillow has long been used as an aid for sleeping.
  This was my Aroma cushion introduction mentioned at the outset of this article.

• Sandalwood essential oil is well known as an aid for physical problems like Bronchitis and Laryngitis, but also helps when inhaled as a lifter of spirits for those in depression.

Most of us are subject to the commercial understanding of Aromatherapy benefits through the use of aroma to give us a sensory boost, whether this is the use of Bakeries in Supermarkets or the using of perfumes to create a good reaction.

You want to know more?

I recommend viewing the following sites.

Aromatherapy Direction is definitely worth looking at.

and

more about aromatherapy and the benefits of essential oils,
visit AromatherapyNaturalHealing