Aromatherapy, or essential oil therapy, is a holistic medical practice that uses aromatic oils made from plants to naturally support health and wellbeing. It may sound like a recent trend, but using essential oils to promote both physical and emotional health has actually been around for thousands of years.

But what are they?

Essential oils are extracted from plants by either distillation or cold pressing, which allows them to retain the plant’s scent. These oils are then diluted by combining them with carrier oils which are also plant extracts, like coconut oil or jojoba oil. This creates a product that can be used without irritating the skin - as essential oils on their own can be too potent.  

As the oils retain their plant’s scent, each essential oil ‘flavour’ that you come across can offer different benefits and uses, depending on their original plant. In fact there are more than 90 different types of essential oils, each with their own unique uses and health benefits. For example, some of the most popular essential oils include:

Lavender, one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy, it is known to promote relaxation and is thought to help treat anxiety, insomnia and stress.

Ylang Ylang has been used to treat high blood pressure, anxiety and skin conditions.

Neroli is used as a base in many skincare and body products and is thought to improve the suppleness of your skin and support healthy hair growth. It can also be used to relieve menopausal symptoms, increase sexual desire and reduce stress.

Bergamot is also known for promoting relaxation and studies have shown this oil can have a positive effect on your mental wellbeing.

Orange with its sweet, fresh and citrusy aroma can be used to help reduce stress and anxiety and positively impact moods.

And that's not all, there are so many more including Peppermint, Chamomile, Jasmine and more.

But how?

We don’t receive the benefits of essential oils by swallowing them, in fact ingesting essential oils at all is not recommended and doing so can be harmful. So how can they support our health, mood and wellbeing?

Essential oils are most commonly used in aromatherapy through inhaling their scent. These scents stimulate the receptors in our olfactory systems, which sends signals to our limbic system, the emotional centre of the brain which deals with memory and emotions. Scents can strongly affect this part of the brain and can trigger both emotional and psychological responses. This link between the limbic system and scent is why familiar smells can often elicit memories and emotions.

Several studies have found that certain fragrances have the ability to evoke positive emotions, lowering stress levels and impacting a person’s overall emotional wellbeing. The limbic system also plays a part in a number of physiological workings including breathing, blood pressure and heart rate, which is why certain essential oils, such as Ylang Ylang, have been shown to help treat high blood pressure.

Although the most popular application of aromatherapy is through the inhalation of scents, with the use of diffusers and candles, there are alternatives. Studies have found that direct application to skin, through massages and roll-ons, may help reduce stress and promote relaxation as well. Moreover, certain essential oils have been used to help treat skin conditions. However, essentials oils can cause skin irritation for some people, so it's important to test new oils on a small batch of skin before you start using it.

Are there any side effects?

It’s important to read the directions provided and use essential oils as directed. Never ingest essential oils as this can have harmful effects on your health. 

Some people may experience irritation due to allergies and sensitivities when applying essential oils to your skin. If you’re using an essential oil for the first time, try a skin test first to determine whether you might have any adverse reactions.

It’s important that we look after ourselves during troubled times. Our senses are a powerful tool and essential oils can often trigger emotions and feelings within our bodies. We have used the powerful fragrant benefits of essential oils in our aromatherapy range of candles, diffusers, beauty and skin care at The Naturality Lab to help you relax and relieve stress, aid mood and wellbeing, support the immune system and circulatory health and have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.

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Sources: Malcolm B J & Tallian K (2017) Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time?; Lillehei A S, Halcon L L, Savik K & Reis R (2015) Effect of Inhaled Lavender and Sleep Hygiene on Self-Reported Sleep Issues: A Randomised Controlled Trial; Tan L T H, Lee L H, Yin W F, Chan C K, Abdul Kadir H, Chan K G & Goh B H (2015) Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivities of Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang); Choi S Y, Kang P, Lee H S & Seol G H (2014) Effects of Inhalations of Essential Oil of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara on Menopausal Symptoms, Stress and Oestrogen in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial; Han X, Gibson J & Parker T L (2017) Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Essential Oil Inhalation Improves Positive Feelings in the Waiting Room of a Mental Health Treatment Centre: A Pilot Study; Mannucci C, Calapai F, Cardia L, Inferrera G, D’Arena G, Pietro M D, Navarra M, Gangemi S, Spagnolo E V & Calapai G (2018) Clinical Pharmacology of Citrus aurantium and Citrus sinensis for the Treatment of Anxiety; Sowndhararajan K & Kim S (2016) Influence of Fragrances on Human Psychophysiological Activity: With Special Reference to Human Electroencephalographic Response; Steflitsch W, Steiner D, Peinhaupt W, Riedler B, Smuc M & Diewald G (2015) Health Promotion through Prevention of Stress and Burnout with Essential Oils for All Professionals at the Otto Wagner Spital in Vienna;