Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants and flowers to help with healing. Aromatherapy can be done through inhaling the scents, by massaging the scents into the skin or in rare cases taken internally. Aromatherapy can have beneficial effects on the recipient, which can include improving sleep and depression. However, there can also be negative effects.
Depression
According to the University of Maryland Medical center, some researchers believe that breathing in essential oil molecules can have an impact on the part of your brain that influences behavior and feelings. As a result, the medical community believes this approach may be helpful especially in unison with other anti-depression medications to treat the depression. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is believed essential oils have a positive effect on emotion sensors in the brain and this can help to reduce levels of depression.
Improved Sleep
Insomnia can be a serious health issue that can lead to more serious illnesses such as heart disease. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, some research has suggested that aromatherapy has some sleep-inducing effects. Aromatherapy with essential oils such as lavender and chamomile can act as sedatives and help to lull you to sleep gently. This may be enough for some people who are struggling from mild cases of insomnia to get a better night's sleep. However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, more research needs to be done on this subject to be sure.
Negative Effects
Aromatherapy can have negative effects. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, pregnant women may want to avoid aromatherapy because of the effects of essential oils on the health of the unborn baby. Some essential oils, such as fennel and aniseed, can create a hormone-like effect so it would be best to avoid these because they may cause problems with the babies development. People who suffer from high blood pressure may want to avoid aromatherapy with stimulating essential oils such as rosemary because this may actually cause blood pressure to increase. In addition, according to Creighton University Medical Center, people who suffer from asthma or allergies (especially severe cases) should avoid aromatherapy because the use of certain essential oils (basil, lemongrass, fennel, verbena and rosemary) can cause allergic reactions and asthma to be triggered.
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