Modern medicine is great, but the negative side effects that stem from treatment with many drugs can be staggering. After a while, one has to wonder whether the harm drugs can do might actually outweigh the benefits of taking prescriptions. Because of these downsides, more and more people suffering from a variety of psychological and physical ailments are turning towards alternative methods for treatment.
Because it’s so useful, aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing forms of alternative treatment. Let’s find out more about aromatherapy items in Poplar Bluff, MO so we can truly understand what aromatherapy is and how it can benefit the user!
What is aromatherapy?
Let’s start off with the basics. We’ve found that a lot of people may have heard of aromatherapy, but they don’t really know what it is. Aromatherapy is basically the practice of using essential oils found in a variety of plants to cure (or help cure) everything from psychological problems like anxiety to physical issues like infections. Although the “aroma” part of the name suggests the essential oils are inhaled, they can also be applied to the skin during a massage to help cure and relax different parts of the body. Aromatherapy became really popular in America a few decades ago when candle makers began advertising and selling their products under the assumption that they work for aromatherapy. However, we’ve found that many of these candles contain synthetic fragrances instead of true essential oils—a big faux pas in the business!
Which plants are used for their essential oils?
“Essential oils” is another term that people have likely heard of or seen in health food stores, but they might not understand the meaning. As the name suggests, essential oils basically the essence of a plant. The oil is extracted from the roots, leaves, seeds or blossoms of a plant and used for their fragrance. Oil extraction for healing and calming patients has been going on for thousands of years. A few of the most commonly used plants and fruits include fennel, aniseed, sage, lavender, rose, orange, bergamot, lemon and sandalwood. The type of plant used depends on the condition that’s being treated. Professionals are the only people who should be applying essential oils, as some can be a bit harmful to the patient if used incorrectly.
How does aromatherapy work?
Truth be told, researchers aren’t entirely sure how aromatherapy works—it just does. One of the best theories is that the smells from the essential oils communicate with other parts of the brain to relieve stress and negative emotions stored in the hippocampus and amygdala. If a patient has a massage, the oils are thought to soak through the skin and relieve tension in the muscles and other parts of the body.
For more information about aromatherapy items in Poplar Bluff, MO, give The Bee Hive Natural Foods a call today. Members of our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff will be more than happy to teach you everything you need to know about the treatment. We look forward to getting you set up with all of the supplies you need to start feeling great again!