Aromatherapy can help people cope with a variety of ailments and illnesses. The inhaled scent of certain essential oils and herbs can trigger certain positive feelings within the body and mind, making aromatherapy a useful, nonmedicinal way to achieve better heath. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that aromatherapy can help improve the quality of life for cancer patients suffering from some of the symptoms of cancer and side effects of its various treatments. Different essential oils can bring about different reactions in aromatherapy, so choose the aroma, oil or herb that best suits your needs.
Anxiety, Stress and Panic
A busy lifestyle, family or relationship problems or a high-profile job can all leave you feeling anxious, stressed out or even in a state of panic. While aromatherapy doesn't purport to cure these symptoms, it can help you manage these stressors as part of a personalized stress management program. Using scents such as frankincense, lavender, bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, patchouli, rose, clary sage and ylang ylang can help you feel calm and relaxed.
Sadness and Depression
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in any two-week period, as many as 5.4 percent of Americans over the age of 12 suffer from some form of depression. Depression is commonly treated with prescription drugs, and aromatherapy can work with Western medicines to help you feel less depressed. Try using bergamot, grapefruit, geranium, orange, neroli, sandalwood, jasmine, lavender or orange essential oils as a way to combat your depression symptoms and boost your mood.
Happiness and Confidence
To promote a greater feeling of well-being, aromatherapy can work with your senses to make you feel happier and more confident. Ideal for those looking for a quick boost, certain smells are naturally mood boosting, notes AromaWeb.com. Try grapefruit, lemon, ylang ylang, bay laurel, cypress or rosemary. Choose perfumes with notes of these various scents and apply it for a mood lift that can stay with you throughout the day.
Fear and Insecurity
No matter how naturally confident you are, sometimes feelings of fear and insecurity can enter your mind, making you feel helpless. Try aromatherapy to obtain a greater sense of confidence and banish insecure and fearful thoughts. Oils like cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, Roman chamomile, orange, neroli, rosemary and clary sage can help lessen thoughts of inadequacy and self-doubt when inhaled individually or in pleasing combinations.
Memory, Focus and Concentration
Improve your concentration and performance, whether at work, while studying or while taking on a complex task or chore, with a variety of essential oils that can help you gain and maintain focus through effective aromatherapy. Scents derived from herbs like pepper, basil and rosemary, as well as essential oils like cypress, hyssop and peppermint, can help you keep alert and focused.
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