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Aromatherapy: Healing through the senses
By Rifaat Al-Nasser, Jordan News
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AMMAN — Aromatherapy is the use of certain plant extracts to treat a variety of conditions. This
form of medicine is known as complementary/alternative medicine. It is
different from traditional medicine in that it relies more heavily on the
chemical aspects of a drug and its target sites.اضافة اعلان
(Photos: Gaith Muhtadi)
While modern medicine focuses on treating a disease or its specific symptoms, alternative therapy focuses highly on holistic healing of the body and mind through nature. With aromatherapy, the aim is to use essential oils to improve overall health, both physically and emotionally.
Before the popularization of traditional medicine, natural remedies were often used as the sole way to treat many ailments. With the emergence of newer and more effective chemical treatments, the practice became less popular on its own.
Today it is recognized by many as a great addition to traditional medicine, due to its many proven benefits. If you’re new to aromatherapy, this will be a great way to learn how to use essential oils to help pave the way for a healthier lifestyle.
Essential oils are made out of different plant extracts. Inside the different parts of the plants (roots, seeds, flowers, bark) is a concentrated and very potent natural compound. This compound is extracted through various methods and made into what we know as essential oils.
There are over a hundred different types of essential oils extracted from plants like roses, lemons, lavender and many more. This offers you many choices when it comes to which scent you choose, depending on your preference.
Along with its health benefits, essential oils leave your home smelling strongly and pleasantly of the natural scent of your choice. Using essential oils is extremely traditional in the Middle East. Aromatic oils were highly used in ancient Egypt, less for their healing properties and more for their potent, long-lasting scents.
Essential oils such as oud (agarwood) are likely already part of your daily lives. It is a well-known Middle Eastern tradition to use oud regularly, as it also holds religious importance.
Aromatherapy can also be relatively cheap. You can find a large selection of different scents for affordable prices in downtown Amman.
(Photos: Gaith Muhtadi)
There are many ways to utilize essential oils and make aromatherapy part of your daily life. Diffusers or humidifiers are most commonly used to inhale the oils. They provide comfort and ease and can come in many different shapes to fit the aesthetic of your home. They can also be purchased from several vendors in downtown Amman.
Some prefer to dilute the oil with a vegetable oil to act as a carrier and apply it directly to the skin. By diluting it, you can also add it to your cosmetic products for a stronger scent, while also taking advantage of its benefits. Similarly, essential oils can be added to your bath for a relaxing and soothing time — perfect for that self-care day that you’ve been needing!
There are many benefits of aromatherapy, both generally and in relation to specific oils. They can be used to relieve pain, improve breathing and sleep, relieve congestion, and boost your overall mood. Here are some of the most common oils along with their benefits:
Lemon oil: Boosts immunity, improves circulation, contains antibacterial and antiviral properties
Orange oil: Helps with anxiety and stress (soothe nervous system)
Lavender oil: Contains sedative properties. Helps relieve anxiety, headaches, and insomnia (better sleep)
Oud oil: Natural sedative that improves the quality of sleep
Sandalwood oil: Calms nerves and helps with focus
Rose Oil: Improves mood and reduces anxiety
Of course, there are many more oils along with their benefits listed online for your convenience. Finding the right scent for you should be no problem, as there are many different options.
While they offer many benefits, essential oils should be used carefully, because they have a potent scent, and they can also be extremely allergenic (meaning that they can cause an allergic reaction). Always be sure to dilute oils before applying them to your skin, as well as doing a patch test. Adding a small amount to your skin will ensure that you do not have any reaction to the components of the oils.
Keep an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction such as rashes, skin irritation, asthma, or nausea. They should also be kept away from children as they must not be ingested.
That being said, most essential oils are safe to use and can be a great addition to your daily life, as well as a great way to enhance your overall health.
Read more Lifestyle
(Photos: Gaith Muhtadi)
While modern medicine focuses on treating a disease or its specific symptoms, alternative therapy focuses highly on holistic healing of the body and mind through nature. With aromatherapy, the aim is to use essential oils to improve overall health, both physically and emotionally.
Before the popularization of traditional medicine, natural remedies were often used as the sole way to treat many ailments. With the emergence of newer and more effective chemical treatments, the practice became less popular on its own.
Today it is recognized by many as a great addition to traditional medicine, due to its many proven benefits. If you’re new to aromatherapy, this will be a great way to learn how to use essential oils to help pave the way for a healthier lifestyle.
Essential oils are made out of different plant extracts. Inside the different parts of the plants (roots, seeds, flowers, bark) is a concentrated and very potent natural compound. This compound is extracted through various methods and made into what we know as essential oils.
There are over a hundred different types of essential oils extracted from plants like roses, lemons, lavender and many more. This offers you many choices when it comes to which scent you choose, depending on your preference.
Along with its health benefits, essential oils leave your home smelling strongly and pleasantly of the natural scent of your choice. Using essential oils is extremely traditional in the Middle East. Aromatic oils were highly used in ancient Egypt, less for their healing properties and more for their potent, long-lasting scents.
Essential oils such as oud (agarwood) are likely already part of your daily lives. It is a well-known Middle Eastern tradition to use oud regularly, as it also holds religious importance.
Aromatherapy can also be relatively cheap. You can find a large selection of different scents for affordable prices in downtown Amman.
(Photos: Gaith Muhtadi)
There are many ways to utilize essential oils and make aromatherapy part of your daily life. Diffusers or humidifiers are most commonly used to inhale the oils. They provide comfort and ease and can come in many different shapes to fit the aesthetic of your home. They can also be purchased from several vendors in downtown Amman.
Some prefer to dilute the oil with a vegetable oil to act as a carrier and apply it directly to the skin. By diluting it, you can also add it to your cosmetic products for a stronger scent, while also taking advantage of its benefits. Similarly, essential oils can be added to your bath for a relaxing and soothing time — perfect for that self-care day that you’ve been needing!
There are many benefits of aromatherapy, both generally and in relation to specific oils. They can be used to relieve pain, improve breathing and sleep, relieve congestion, and boost your overall mood. Here are some of the most common oils along with their benefits:
Lemon oil: Boosts immunity, improves circulation, contains antibacterial and antiviral properties
Orange oil: Helps with anxiety and stress (soothe nervous system)
Lavender oil: Contains sedative properties. Helps relieve anxiety, headaches, and insomnia (better sleep)
Oud oil: Natural sedative that improves the quality of sleep
Sandalwood oil: Calms nerves and helps with focus
Rose Oil: Improves mood and reduces anxiety
Of course, there are many more oils along with their benefits listed online for your convenience. Finding the right scent for you should be no problem, as there are many different options.
While they offer many benefits, essential oils should be used carefully, because they have a potent scent, and they can also be extremely allergenic (meaning that they can cause an allergic reaction). Always be sure to dilute oils before applying them to your skin, as well as doing a patch test. Adding a small amount to your skin will ensure that you do not have any reaction to the components of the oils.
Keep an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction such as rashes, skin irritation, asthma, or nausea. They should also be kept away from children as they must not be ingested.
That being said, most essential oils are safe to use and can be a great addition to your daily life, as well as a great way to enhance your overall health.
Read more Lifestyle
