Have you ever heard of smelling salts? They’re what doctors of old would bring people to summon them back after they’d fainted, or to keep them from fainting.
Most of the time those smelling salts were either ammonia or Epsom salts with essential oils added.
That’s to say, people have been using aromatherapy for hundreds, if not thousands of years. And thanks to modern technology allowing us to get cleaner and more organic oils, there are more aromatherapy benefits than ever!
A Note on Aromatherapy and Science
Scientific studies haven’t shown that all essential oils have benefits when used in aromatherapy. Some oils, like lavender and peppermint, have more research than others.
Aromatherapy should not be used to replace any sort of medical treatment. If you have questions about the safety of aromatherapy, be sure to check the dilution levels and never take essential oils internally or apply them directly to the skin. With that out of the way, let’s get into the proven benefits and some assumed ones, below.
Studies Show Lavender Aromatherapy Can Reduce Anxiety
Lavender is one of the essential oils with the most research behind it, and the science supports what aromatherapy practitioners have always known: Lavender is good for anxiety.
That’s why you’ll find it sleep blends, from essential oils to different types of herbal tea.
As long as it’s high-quality tested oil, it is safe to diffuse in a water diffuser to help calm the mind before sleep for adults and kids alike.
Want to experiment with lavender before going out and buying a diffuser? Add one drop of lavender oil to about four ounces of water in a spray bottle and shake. Apply to the underside of your or your child’s pillow before bed.
Like to sleep with the window open? Spray this mixture on the window screen and enjoy a floral breeze every time the wind blows!
A Lavender Essential Oil Diffuser Blend We Love
Once you know you and your family don’t have any lavender-related allergies, you can start diffusing it before bed. Add 3 drops of lavender, 1 drop of vetiver, and 1 drop of orange oil to at least 100 ml of water.
Turn on when you enter your room to go to bed and you’ll likely sleep soundly through the night!
The Benefits of Peppermint Oil in Aromatherapy
Peppermint itself is a miracle plant. People have used its medicinal properties for thousands of years for everything from relieving headaches to soothing first-trimester nausea.
People even report that smelling it makes them feel more awake. That’s why a stick of chewing gum can make your eyes feel a little less droopy during a boring meeting – the smell of peppermint wakes up your brain!
We’re not just saying that. There’s scientific evidence that backs up those claims. The National Institute of Health finds that there’s some evidence showing that it can help with IBS and help treat headaches, but reminds us to never apply undiluted peppermint oil to the skin.
Since Peppermint has so many uses, we’ve got two usage suggestions for you. The first is easy – when you need a pick me up, whether it’s from a headache or you’re feeling a little queasy, take out your bottle of peppermint oil and apply two drops to a cotton ball, paper towel, or tissue.
Wave it back and forth under your nose at least six inches away. If you have a fan nearby, place the paper with peppermint oil on the back of the fan – the incoming air will keep the paper in place and you’ll be successfully diffusing peppermint oil!
Stuffy Nose Shower Saver
Feeling like your sinuses are full of concrete? Take two drops of peppermint oil and one drop of eucalyptus oil and drip them on the back of the shower wall – the one farthest from the running water.
As the room heats up the oils will help open your nasal passages and it should make you feel like you can breathe again!
Orange Oil
Need to reduce your anxiety levels but don’t want to feel sleepy? Orange oil may be able to help! It’s another oil scientists have found that may reduce anxiety levels.
A study showed that women in labor who were exposed to diffused orange oil rated their anxiety levels lower than the non-orange oil group. If it’s enough to calm down women who are about to give birth, it’s enough for us!
Orange oil is a lot stronger than many other forms of essential oil, so you’ll need to diffuse it extra carefully. Only add two drops of orange oil to 100 ml of water in a diffuser at a time.
Since oranges are citrus fruits, their oil is very acidic. Never ingest citrus oil or apply it directly to your skin, no matter how good it smells! This could lead to skin rashes or even chemical burns.
Aromatherapy Benefits Throughout the Day
When you’re shopping for aromatherapy essential oil diffusers make sure you get ones that use water, not just airflow. Water-based diffusers help dilute the oil to a more manageable level.
Pay attention to the volume of water your diffuser comes from, and dilute from there. Even the most headache-soothing essential oil will give you a headache if you over-do the number of drops.
You can use essential oils and aromatherapy benefits to keep you going throughout your day, especially now when most of us work from home.
Start off your day with a nice hot peppermint-eucalyptus shower, then diffuse some orange oil as that 3-o’clock slump hits.
Finally, wrap up your day with a lavender diffuser in your bedroom and you’ll be on your way to dreamland!