Aromatherapy did not become prominent in the United States until the 1980s, but essential oils have been utilized for almost 6,000 years. Ancient peoples used them in perfumes, cosmetics, and drugs for spiritual, therapeutic, and hygienic reasons. The modern western world has only recently been reintroduced to the benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils for the body and mind. Today, some corporations are taking advantage of the recent aromatherapy trend, marketing their products as such; however, oftentimes these products contain synthetic fragrances that do not have the same properties or effects as true essential oils. On the other hand, you can still find authentic aromatherapy products on the market such as real essential oils, organic bath salts, and other organic hygiene products. Pure essential oils can be relatively expensive because the process of creating them is slow and costly. To make just one drop of rose oil one needs to use over 30 whole roses. If used correctly, however, they can certainly be worth the money.
Bath salts have been proven to be beneficial for both the mind and body. As they begin to dissolve in the warm water, the essential oils are released into the air, acting as a calming agent for the bather. This is aromatherapy at work, and it does work. Furthermore, the minerals present in the bath salts are easily absorbed into the skin’s pores, purifying, softening, and healing irritations.
Whether it be an aromatherapy bath or just the regular sort, it has been found that taking a warm bath before bedtime allows you to fall asleep more quickly and obtain a better quality of sleep. Bathing is healthy on many different levels. A study has shown that individuals who suffer from diabetes are able to reduce their sugar and glucose levels by soaking in a hot tub on a regular basis. Taking a 10 minute warm bath can dry out the mucus in your throat, as well, relieving one of a persistent cough or flu symptoms. Finally, participants in a study found that soaking in a hot bath for around 30 minutes per day, six days per week, actually caused them to lose weight. Bathing combined with aromatherapy is not the cure-all we’ve been searching for, but it helps us stay healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally.