Improve Your Apartment Ambiance Instantly with the Help of Aromatherapy!

Brief Overview:
Definition of Aromatherapy
Top Ten Essential Oils

The Definition of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a practice that has been around for thousands of years and is gaining more and more popularity in our society today. Put in a very simple and easy to understand way, aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils and specific scents, such as lavender, jasmine, lemon and vanilla to improve one’s mood and overall health as well as to reduce high levels of stress. It is defined specifically as “The use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for physical well-being.”

Our sense of smell is very well developed, not to mention strong. Scents have a way of working on the brain to stimulate memory, relax and energize us and make a person feel just plain happy to be alive and kicking. As an example, lavender is an herb with a very calming scent often used to help individuals fall asleep. In days gone by lavender was sewn into pillows to help encourage restfulness and it was also sprinkled on handkerchiefs to sniff whenever a person felt nervous or tense. A number of products for babies, such as lotions, powders, and oils contain the ingredient lavender.

Whether it really is soothing to the nervous system or works because of the power of suggestion, nobody really knows for sure. But aromatherapy does do the trick and is fast becoming more and more recognized as a viable method of calming down and reducing a heavy stress load.

Aromatherapy's Top Ten Essential Oils

The ten most commonly used and most recommended essential oils for the practice of aromatherapy include chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, marjoram, jasmine and neroli.

1. Chamomile is excellent for its calming properties and is often used to treat acne, eczema, and other sensitive skin conditions, as well as premenstrual pain and indigestion.
   
2. Eucalyptus is an antiseptic and is helpful for viral infections, coughs, colds and bronchitis as well as achy muscles and rheumatic conditions.
   
3. Geranium is mildly astringent and is therefore useful for many purposes including fungal infections, cuts, sores and bruises. It also acts as an insect repellant, soothes skin problems (in particular eczema) and has mild diuretic and anti-depressant properties.
   
4. Lavender is also very calming and is excellent for those who have problems falling asleep and also mild forms of depression.
   
5. Moving right along, the next most popular essential oil is rose which is used as an antiseptic and is excellent for sinus congestion, sore throat, puffiness, insomnia and also acts as a mild sedative.
   
6. Rose has other uses as well. It can be used for premenstrual tension and pain, a low sex drive and symptoms related to menopause.
   
7. Rosemary is a mild form of a stimulant and comes in handy for respiratory problems, asthma, rheumatic aches and pains, as well as temporary memory loss and physical and mental fatigue.
   
8. Sandalwood is an antiseptic that is helpful in treating dry, chapped or cracked skin and acne. It is also an aphrodisiac and provides calming relaxation during meditation.
   
9. Marjoram is mildly analgesic and has a variety of useful properties including its ability to relieve headaches, menstrual cramps, sore throats, insomnia and acne. Marjoram is also a mild sedative, is very warming and aids in improving blood circulation. Jasmine is an anti-depressant, which helps relieve problems related to many forms of depression, including postpartum depression. It is also an aphrodisiac and can be useful during labor to strengthen contractions.
   
10. Finally, the last is neroli. Neroli is mildly sedative and is useful when it comes to backaches, premenstrual stress and pain, anxiety, bad nerves and mild forms of depression. It is also useful for insomnia, is mildly warming and helps to improve the circulation of blood in the body.

~Anika Logan

Anika Logan has lived in her share of apartments over the years and has plenty of decorating ideas, not to mention pearls of wisdom to pass on to you. If you have an apartment question/dilemma, look no further-Anika will provide the answers!