Making the Most of Aromatherapy

One of the best parts of being able to experience all four seasons is the changing flowers, scents and beautiful colors. Since the seasons are officially beginning to change, there’s no better time to talk about all the amazing benefits of aromatherapy!

Aromatherapy is the use of extracts and oils to help relieve stress and benefit one’s health. In other words, it’s the perfect air freshener solution for any health-conscious consumer. So, why all the hype? Aromatherapy not only smells wonderful, but it can also help boost your mood and lighten up your home environment. It helps many unify their psychological, spiritual and personal processes and ultimately helps promote a healthy healing process. Whether you're boosting your energy levels or using aromatherapy to help ease your mental health, check below for some of my favorite ways to make the most of your next aromatherapy experience.

You Can Relieve Stress Levels

One of the most common uses of aromatherapy is for stress relief. The mix of different aromatic compounds you get from essential oils helps promote relaxation and ease your mind. So during your next Sunday night bath or maybe just after any long day, try using a mix of lavender, bergamot, and peppermint essential oils to help ease your mind and unwind!

Help Boost Your Memory

One of the lesser-known functions of aromatherapy is how it can help boost brain function and ultimately change your brain’s memory capacity. Studies have found that, in younger patients, consistent use of aromatherapy can help improve memory for a certain amount of time after use. Try adding a little sage oil into your next late-night study session to test out its memory-enhancing effect.

Finally Catch Some Zs

If you’re the type who’s tried all the all-natural sleep remedies the holistic health world has to offer, maybe try switching to a different method that can help you develop a better-balanced sleep schedule. That’s right, aromatherapy can help you reset your circadian rhythm so that your body begins to relax naturally around your desired bedtime. It’s as easy as adding lavender, chamomile, or rose essential oils to your aroma rotation!

Boost Your Immunity

There are fewer things more important than staying strong and healthy, which is nearly impossible when your immune system is low. But did you know that aromatherapy can play a role in boosting your immunity? Well, it most certainly can! Some oils to pop in your diffuser include eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, lemon and oregano.

Provide Energy

We've all had those days where it's nearly impossible to get up and moving, much less think about working and having a productive day. Again, aromatherapy can help in to ensure that we can perform at our best, with a clear mind. Some oils that are great for providing a burst of energy include peppermint, orange, spearmint, rosemary and lemongrass.

You Can Make Your Own

If the idea of trying aromatherapy excites you, why not try it out! The best part is that the ingredients you need won’t be hard to find. Start by finding the right aroma diffuser for you, and from there you can choose from dozens of scent options to find the one that works best for your lifestyle! Destressing and boosting your quality of life just became as easy as 1,2,3!

Some people like to blend two oils together to create a scent that works just right for their individual needs. While you can definitely experiment with the scents that you prefer, but some that really blend well together include:

• Rosemary and Peppermint
• Lemon and Tea Tree
• Frankincense and Clary Sage
• Juniper Berry and Frankincense
• Rose and Cedarwood
• Lavender and Eucalyptus
• Lemon and Pine
• Patchouli and Citrus
• Sandalwood and Lavender
• Cypress and Lemon

Ways to Emit Oil

While you may have gleaned some ideas on how to best utilize oils, there are several methods that people use on a regular basis.

Candle Burners - This is a very simple, budget-friendly way to burn essential oils. It is basically a small, ceramic piece that holds a candle under a bowl that rests on top. You light the candle and drop a bit of oil in water that is poured into the bowl.

Electric Burners - These work in much the same way as candle burners, except that, instead of using a candle to burn the oil, the burner has an electrical plug.

Diffusers - In preparation, the oil is dropped into the cannister that holds water. These plug into an electric outlet, and it pushes the oil out in a stream of vapor. 

Oil Candles - There are also candles that are made from essential oils, which will also fill the air with the scent of the chosen oil.

And if you need a little something extra to help get a good night's sleep, then try Balance Blends’ Quiet Please capsules, which contain eight TCM herbs and more. 

The Quiet Please capsules will not disappoint. They help to naturally reestablish healthy sleep rhythms without the unpleasant side effects that pharmaceuticals may cause.

Additionally, if you need help reducing stress, you may also want to try Just Breathe - also from Balance Blends.