You should avoid some oils and never swallow essential oils. As you explore the uses of essential oils, pay attention to how the different oils and methods of use affect you. Always talk to your doctor before starting any aromatherapy treatment.

Remember that aromatherapy is meant to be a complementary therapy. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

If your asthma treatment regimen is no longer working, you may consider using an alternative. Find out if essential oils like peppermint and clove, or…. A diffuser is one of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils while making your home smell amazing.

Some people use essential oils for their antibacterial properties. But which ones to pick? Learn more about which oils have these properties, proper…. Invite spiritual well-being with these sacred scents. doTERRA's On Guard is an essential oil blend said to support the immune system and kill off bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about the benefits and…. Looking for relief? Check out these three essential oils and the specific hangover symptoms they may help with. The ylang ylang flower is used to make several types of essential oil, used in fragrances and for medicinal purposes.

Raindrop therapy is a healing technique involving essentail oils, but it's riskier than it sounds. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

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They can also lead to interactions with other drugs, and they can undergo unexpected changes while in the gut. Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy. It does not provide a cure for diseases, rashes or illnesses, but it can support conventional treatment of various conditions.

Some types of psoriasis may find relief with aromatherapy, but a healthcare professional should advise about use and application. Tooth ache and mouth sores can be relieved by clove oil, but this, too, should only be applied topically and not swallowed. Supporters claim that these and a wide range of other complaints respond well to aromatherapy, but not all of the uses are supported by scientific evidence.

The aromatherapist should take a thorough medical history, and a lifestyle, diet, and current health history. Aromatherapy involves a holistic approach, so it aims to treat the whole person.

Based on these needs, the aromatherapist may recommend a single oil or a blend. Depending on patient needs and preferences, the practitioner may recommend a single oil or a blend.

According to the National Cancer Institute NCI , aromatherapy products do not need FDA approval as long as there is no claim that they treat a specific disease.

An aromatherapist is not the same as a massage therapist, although a massage therapist may use aromatherapy oils. Each essential oil has its own chemical makeup and reason for use, so it is important to speak with a trained aromatherapist, nurse, doctor, physical therapist, massage therapist or pharmacist before applying or using an oil for healing purposes.

A trained professional can recommend and teach how to use each product, giving proper instructions on application or dilution. Consumers should also be aware that the U. Food and Drug Administration does not monitor aromatherapy products, so it can be difficult to know whether or not a product is pure or if it is contaminated or synthetic.

Some beauty and household products, such as lotions, make-up, and candles contain products that may appear to be essential oils, but they are really synthetic fragrances. Like medications, essential oils must be treated with respect.

It is important to seek professional advice and to follow instructions carefully. Since essential oils cause reactions in the body, not all the oils will benefit everyone. Chemical compounds in essential oils can produce adverse effects when combined with medications. They may reduce the effectiveness of conventional drugs, or they may exacerbate health conditions in the individual.

A person with high blood pressure , for example, should avoid stimulants, such as rosemary. Some compounds, such as fennel, aniseed, and sage act similarly to estrogen , so a person with an estrogen-dependent breast or ovarian tumor should avoid these.

Concentrated products may be poisonous before dilution and should be handled with care. A maximum concentration of 5 percent is recommended.

Some oils produce toxins which can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, especially if taken internally. Swallowing essential oils can be hazardous, and fatal in some cases. Individuals with any of the following conditions should be extra careful when using aromatherapy:.

If the oil is to be mixed with a carrier, the individual should tell the aromatherapist or massage therapist about any nut allergies, because carrier oils are often obtained from nuts and seeds. Use of aromatherapy by pregnant or nursing mothers has not been proven safe by research, so it is not recommended.

During the first trimester of pregnancy, aromatherapy may pose a risk to the developing fetus. Women who are breastfeeding should avoid peppermint essential oil, as it may be expressed in breast milk. Essential oils derived from citrus may make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light, increasing the risk of sunburn.

Some oils may affect the function of conventional medicines, so people who are using medications of any type should first check with a qualified pharmacist or doctor.

Finally, when storing essential oils, it is important to be aware that light, heat, and oxygen can affect the integrity of the oil.

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A partner VDI , at Ecosystem Laboratoire, is an advisor who will answer your questions or requests if you have any. We wish you good browsing on our site! Notre complexe aromatique! Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts.

They have been used for thousands of years for their therapeutic properties. These aromatic substances offer a natural approach to improving our well-being. In this article, we take a closer look at the many benefits of essential oils. Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic method that uses essential oils to improve well-being.

The benefits of this practice are many and varied. Essential oils promote relaxation, reduce stress, improve digestion and promote restful sleep. However, it is important to point out that they are not intended to replace medical treatment.

Relieving common ailments:. Essential oils offer a natural alternative for relieving many common ailments. Peppermint essential oil is effective for relieving headaches and nausea. Tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils are used to treat respiratory infections and skin conditions.

Each essential oil has specific properties, so it's essential to use them correctly and follow the recommendations. Improving emotional well-being:. Essential oils play an important role in improving emotional well-being. Certain essential oils, such as bergamot and frankincense , are renowned for their relaxing properties and can help reduce stress and anxiety.

This is also true of lavender essential oil, which is renowned for its soothing properties and can help reduce insomnia. Other oils, such as lemon or grapefruit essential oil, are invigorating and stimulating, ideal for boosting energy and improving mood.

By using essential oils appropriately, we can create a positive atmosphere in our environment, promoting emotional well-being. Skin and hair care:. Essential oils can be used aromatically, topically and internally provided they are certified pure, therapeutic-grade oils.

A word of caution — not all essential oils are safe to take internally. When using internally, be sure to only use pure, therapeutic-grade oils. Oils of a lesser quality can compromise your health. Essential oils embody the regenerating, oxygenating, and immune-strengthening properties of plants.

Essential oils are so small in molecular size that they can quickly penetrate the skin and enter the blood stream. In fact, essential oils can affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and then be metabolized like other nutrients.

Essential oils are very powerful antioxidants, creating an unfriendly environment for free radicals. Essential oils prevent all mutations, work as free radical scavengers, prevent fungus, and prevent oxidation in the cells.

Aromatherapy essential oils are antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antitumor, antiparasitic, antiviral, and antiseptic. Essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses while simultaneously restoring balance to the body.

Plants possess various constituents which give each essential oil different properties; some can be very energizing and uplifting while others promote feelings of peace and relaxation. Essential oils containing sesquiterpenes have the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier, something traditional water-based medicines cannot do.

Essential oils can be utilized for much more than aromatherapy and health benefits, they can be used to clean and purify your home, auto, workplace, and more. Our Essential Oil Quick Reference Guide can help you find the right essential oil for your application.

Looking for a quick way to find the right essential oil to use? We've put together this essential oil quick reference guide just for you! The more you learn about essential oils and their properties, the easier it will be to select the right oil.

Learn more about Aromatherapy essential oil properties and use our Essential Oil Quick Reference Guide to find the right essential oil for your application. Essential oils offer support for the body and more.

Here are some of the benefits that this alternative therapy offers:. Diffusing essential oils provides air purification and other health benefits. When diffusing pure essential oils they provide air purification by:. Are you looking to relieve stress and anxiety with Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy essential oils are a natural and effective way to relieve stress and anxiety. In this article I've included many different Aromatherapy essential oils that have properties known for reducing and relieving stress and anxiety.

These essential oils can be used topically or aromatically to alleviate stress and anxiety naturally. Read full article Over the years I've had many customers ask me where they can learn more about essential oils and access accurate information.

One of my favorite essential oil reference guides is Modern Essentials 5th Edition. Though a bit older than the latest Modern Essentials Handbook which is the 11th Edition, the 5th Edition is still a favorite go-to when I need to look up essential oil information.

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The practice of aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts, such as essential oils, hydrosols, and carrier oils, in a variety of ways to heal the body, mind and spirit.

It is the promotion and harmonization of emotional, physical and spiritual health through the application of these extracts. Aromatherapy is described as both an art and a science because it takes the knowledge of the scientific aspects of the plants and oils and combines it with the art of producing a beneficial blend.

Aromatherapy can be used topically and via inhalation. Internal use of aromatherapy is essentially a branch of aromatic medicine and using aromatherapy this way is only advised by an experienced and qualified therapist, or by using products professionally formulated for internal use e.

Since time began, aromatic plants have been used in various ways to perfume and to heal. They have taken many forms such as infused oils, extracts, and distilled oils although not necessarily in the way that we see essential oils distilled today. The ancient Egyptians revered scent in many forms, as a cosmetic, medicinal, and as part of their religious practice.

and rose Rosa spp. in everyday life. The Romans helped to spread the knowledge of aromatic plants throughout the Roman Empire to places such as Great Britain, which led to a wide use of aromatic plants during Medieval Europe.

However, the modern-day term of aromatherapy, or aromathérapie as it is known in French, was only devised by the French perfumer and chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé in Gattefossé is most well-known for the incident in which he accidently burned his hand in his laboratory and plunged it a vat of lavender.

To his surprise, his hand healed and did not bear the scarring he feared, if the hand had been left untreated. Today the practice of aromatherapy incorporates the use of essential oils, hydrosols, and carrier oils for holistic healing.

Aromatic oils and water are used for their therapeutic properties to heal the mind, body and spirit, returning the body to a state of equilibrium. Aromatherapy is part of a larger field called phytotherapy plant therapy. True aromatherapy is the skilled use of genuine essential oils for therapeutic purposes.

However, in most cases, scientific evidence is still lacking. Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms of plants. Each contains its own mix of active ingredients, which determines the use of the oil.

Some oils are used to promote physical healing. For example, to treat swelling or fungal infections. Others are used for their emotional value, they may enhance relaxation or make a room smell pleasant. Orange blossom oil, for example, contains a large amount of an active ingredient that is thought to be calming.

Essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for nearly 6, years. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs. Essential oils were also commonly used for spiritual, therapeutic, hygienic, and ritualistic purposes.

More recently, René-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist, discovered the healing properties of lavender oil when he applied it to a burn on his hand caused by an explosion in his laboratory.

He then started to analyze the chemical properties of essential oils and how they were used to treat burns, skin infections, gangrene, and wounds in soldiers during World War I. In , Gattefossé founded the science of aromatherapy. By the s, massage therapists, beauticians, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, and other health care providers began using aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy did not become popular in the U. until the s. Today, many lotions, candles, and beauty products are sold as "aromatherapy" products. However, many of these products contain synthetic fragrances that do not have the same properties as essential oils. Researchers are not entirely clear how aromatherapy works.

Some experts believe our sense of smell may play a role. The "smell" receptors in your nose communicate with parts of your brain the amygdala and hippocampus that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories. When you breathe in essential oil molecules, some researchers believe they stimulate these parts of your brain and influence physical, emotional, and mental health.

For example, scientists believe lavender stimulates the activity of brain cells in the amygdala similar to the way some sedative medications work.

Other researchers think that molecules from essential oils may interact in the blood with hormones or enzymes. Aromatherapy massage is a popular way of using essential oils because it works in several ways at the same time. Your skin absorbs essential oils and you also breathe them in.

Plus, you experience the physical therapy of the massage itself. Professional aromatherapists, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, and massage therapists can provide topical or inhaled aromatherapy treatment. Only specially trained professionals can provide treatment that involves taking essential oils by mouth.

At an aromatherapy session, the practitioner will ask about your medical history and symptoms, as well any scents you may like. You may be directed to breathe in essential oils directly from a piece of cloth or indirectly through steam inhalations, vaporizers, or sprays.

The practitioner may also apply diluted essential oils to your skin during a massage. In most cases, the practitioner will tell you how to use aromatherapy at home, by mixing essential oils into your bath, for example.

Aromatherapy is used in a wide range of settings, from health spas to hospitals, to treat a variety of conditions. In general, it seems to relieve pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of relaxation. In fact, several essential oils, including lavender, rose, orange, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood, and others, have been shown to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression.

Several clinical studies suggest that when essential oils particularly rose, lavender, and frankincense were used by qualified midwives, pregnant women felt less anxiety and fear, had a stronger sense of wellbeing, and had less need for pain medications during delivery. Many women also report that peppermint oil relieves nausea and vomiting during labor.

Similarly, preliminary studies suggest aromatherapy may be an effective approach for post-operative nausea. Other studies suggest aromatherapy in conjunction with massage can help reduce symptoms of colic in infants.

Massage therapy with essential oils combined with medications or therapy may benefit people with depression. The scents are thought by some to stimulate positive emotions in the area of the brain responsible for memories and emotions.

But the benefits seem to be related to relaxation caused by the scents and the massage. A person's belief that the treatment will help also influences whether it works. In one study, Neroli oil helped reduce blood pressure and preprocedural anxiety among people undergoing a colonoscopy.

In test tubes, chemical compounds from some essential oils have shown antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some evidence also suggests that citrus oils may strengthen the immune system and that peppermint oil may help with digestion.

Fennel, aniseed, sage, and clary sage have estrogen-like compounds, which may help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome PMS and menopause.

However, human studies are lacking. Pregnant women, people with severe asthma, and people with a history of allergies should only use essential oils under the guidance of a trained professional and with the full knowledge of their doctors. People with high blood pressure should avoid stimulating essential oils, such as rosemary and spike lavender.

People with estrogen-dependent tumors such as breast or ovarian cancer should not use oils with estrogen-like compounds such as fennel, aniseed, sage, and clary sage.

As with any new therapy, people receiving medical care for any illness should talk to their doctors about any aromatherapy they are planning on using. Most topical and inhaled essential oils are generally considered safe.

You should never take essential oils by mouth unless you are under the supervision of a trained professional.

Some oils are toxic, and taking them by mouth could be fatal. Rarely, aromatherapy can induce side effects, such as rash, asthma, headache, liver and nerve damage, as well as harm to a fetus.

Oils that are high in phenols, such as cinnamon, can irritate your skin. Add water or a base massage oil such as almond, coconut, or sesame oil to the essential oil before applying to your skin.

Avoid using oils near your eyes. Essential oils are highly volatile and flammable. So they should never be used near an open flame. Animal studies suggest that active ingredients in certain essential oils may interact with some medications.

Researchers do not know if they have the same effect in humans. Eucalyptus, for example, may cause certain medications to be less effective, including pentobarbital used for seizures and amphetamine used for narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

While there are currently no boards that certify or license aromatherapists in the U. To locate a qualified aromatherapist in your area, contact the National Association of Holistic Therapy at www.

Many aromatherapists are trained in some other form of therapy or healing system, such as massage or chiropractic, and include aromatherapy in their practice. Although essential oils have been used for centuries, few studies have looked the safety and effectiveness of aromatherapy in people. Scientific evidence is lacking and there are some concerns about the safety and quality of certain essential oils.

More research is needed before aromatherapy becomes a widely accepted alternative remedy. Atsumi T, Tonosaki K. Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva. Psychiatry Res.

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