Uses of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing art that uses essential oils to treat certain conditions and create mental states. In her book "Natural Beauty at Home," Janice Cox says that aromatherapy has been used for more than 5,000 years and dates back to ancient Egypt. The ancient Romans, Babylonians and Greeks also used essential oils in incense, perfume and massage oils to heal and to induce specific moods.

Relaxation

Essential oils are commonly used to induce feelings of relaxation and to provide relief from symptoms of stress, anxiety and tension. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that specific essential oils are known to have anxiety, stress and tension-relieving properties, such as lavender, rose and frankincense. Using these oils in an oil diffuser, massage oil or bath can promote feelings of relaxation. In several clinical studies with pregnant women as reported by the UMMC, when these oils were used by qualified midwives, the pregnant women felt less anxiety and fear, had a stronger sense of well-being and had less need for pain medications during delivery.

Depression Relief

According to the UMMC, certain essential oils can provide relief from symptoms of depression when combined with medication or therapy. Certain scents, such as ylang ylang or orange blossom, are reported by the Wellness Directory of Minnesota to have soothing, calming properties that are useful in alleviating feelings of depression and can be balancing to the nervous system. These oils are also thought to be useful for depression when used in massage therapy.

Pain Relief

Essential oils such as peppermint have been shown to have a beneficial effect on people suffering from muscle aches and pains and headaches. Cancer patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and headaches required less pain medication when using peppermint and chamomile in aromatherapy, according to the UMMC. Additionally, many essential oils can be mixed with a carrier oil such as grapeseed, almond or olive oils and applied directly to the skin on sore areas of the body. The Wellness Directory of Minnesota lists lavender, Douglas fir, elemi and wintergreen, among others, as essential oils known for their ability to soothe sore muscles and sprains.