What Is Aromatherapy And How Can You Use It?

What is aromatherapy and how do you use it? Whether you choose to introduce beautiful smells into your home by means of scented candles, or room mists, or prefer to have it on your person in the form of an eau de parfum, it can make all the difference in how you feel and conduct yourself. However, there is a school of thought that believes that the impact of smells go beyond that. This is called aromatherapy.

What is aromatherapy?

By definition, the term ‘aromatherapy’ refers to the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing and cosmetic purposes. Although it’s having a bit of a moment in the limelight at the moment. This approach to selfcare is by no means a new idea – it’s been around since ancient times.

In fact, you can even trace it back to prehistoric times. Plant material like juniper berries were used as an antiseptic and a food flavouring. However, the first person to call this application of natural extracts and oils by this term was French chemist and perfumer Rene Maurice Gattefosse. He coined the term in 1937.

These days, aromatherapy and essential oils are big business. The market value of essential oils worldwide is expected to grow from around 17 billion U.S. dollars in 2017 to about 27 billion dollars by 2022. Additionally, a recent market report estimated that the overall aromatherapy market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% between 2020 to 2029.

In short, whether you believe in aromatherapy or not, there are enough people who are enjoying its positive effects to spur on great growth in this market.

How to use aromatherapy in your day-to-day life

The best way to tell if aromatherapy works for you is simply to try it. While there are plenty of expensive essential oil diffuser and so-called ‘essential oil starter packages’ out there, you don’t have to make such a big investment straight off the bat if you don’t want to. Here are a few ways you can incorporate it in your day-to-day life:

1. Add a few drops of essential oil to your body cream before you put it on . This works best if you use an unscented cream or body oil of course.
2. Put a little essential oil in your hair. If you use it sparingly it won’t make it oily. And you will enjoy a lovely whiff of fragrance every time your hair moves.
3. Diffuse an oil of your choice in your home. There are inexpensive burners on the market that work with a tea candle. Or burn a scented candle.
4. Add some oils to your bathwater at night.

Please note: Essential oils should not be consumed or applied directly to the skin without a carrier oil or being diluted in another way. These oils are highly concentrated and can be toxic if it’s not used in the intended way.

CONCLUSION

Aromatherapy refers to the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing and cosmetic purposes. There is a big market for essential oils and other fragrances at the moment. Although, there is plenty of speculation about whether it really works. The only way to tell is to try it yourself. Add some fragrance to your life to see if it improves your mood and wellbeing. 

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