The National Recliner

Aromatherapy is probably a word you have heard many times before. There is a science behind the term, it does not simply mean, “things that smell good make you feel good,” even though that is true. Aromatherapy and the related science of aromachology are actual studies of scent and the psychological effects of scent on human health, emotion, and behavior.

Aromachology is defined as the “psychology of scent.” It focuses on the effects of certain herbal essential oils on humans, which include relaxation, improvement of work and behavior, stimulation of memory, and the reduction of stress. The actual use of these essential oils for these benefits is what is known as aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy can be useful for an array of specific uses. For example, scents like peppermint, lemon, and lily of the valley are known for their mentally stimulating properties. Truck drivers can use these scents to keep them alert on a drive across the nation, and college students or people who work late hours can enhance their work performance. Also, since scent is closely related to memory, one could study while burning a peppermint scented candle, and later on, that scent may trigger memories of the subject studied.

Mood Enhancement and Stress Reduction

Many fragrances are useful as mood enhancers, such as ylang ylang, which is becoming common in stress-reducing body washes and shampoos, as well as basil, rosewood, and lavender. Lavender is well known for its stress reducing capabilities and is now often found in home fragrance products to help create a relaxing environment in which to escape from your hectic workday. Vanilla is also a popular relaxant and stress reducer.

Aromatherapy may seem like a silly buzzword, a trend that could come and go, but in reality, it is an ancient practice that has persisted for thousands of years. The Chinese were among the first to recognize the power of fragrance, as they burned incense to create a spiritual and harmonious atmosphere. Myrrh and frankincense are fragrant oils famous for being two of the gifts presented to the baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men as told in the Holy Bible.

The Egyptians used myrrh, with which they embalmed their pharaohs, along with the oils of cedar wood, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. When tombs are first opened, sometimes the scent of these oils still lingers faintly in the air, thousands of years later. It is thought that Egyptians were actually the ones to coin the word “perfume,” from the Latin per fumum, “though the smoke.”

By the Middle Ages, the time of the plagues, aromatherapy was a commonly practiced form of medicine. Aromatherapy became even more popular when a method for distilling, or creating more highly concentrated forms of fragrances, was perfected around the 19th century. This also led to the rise of perfumes not just for health reasons but for the beauty and pleasure that fragrance brings.

Practical Benefits

Now, as we seek new ways to find peace and comfort, aromatherapy is again becoming popular. Aromatherapy is no longer just a branch of herbal medicine, it has become mainstream with its use in common household products, such as soaps, shampoos, candles, air fresheners, and even cleaning supplies. The scent of pine, which is a common cleaning supply fragrance, is said to have both sanitizing power and power as a relaxant, making it good for you and your kitchen floor.

Aromatherapy has moved out of the crowded, bottle-filled shelves of old-time apothecaries and into our modern supermarkets. This ancient method of maintaining health and well being is finding a resurgence in these hectic times. Today, we practice an ancient form of medicine as we light a lavender candle, soak in a ylang ylang bubble bath, sip on some chamomile tea, and just relax.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Herbal Sleep (5min.com)
• Advantages and Benefits of Aromatherapy (e-prescribe.biz)
• Review: Crabtree & Evelyn’s Skin Conditioning Body Wash and Body Lotion (agirlsgottaspa.com)