Aromatherapy is one of my absolute favourite practices of alternative medicine and with the western world becoming more familiar with the power of holistic healing every day, I wanted to let you know just how it works. Here at The Spa at Bedford Lodge, we know the benefits that this practice can have on your wellbeing and that’s why a handful of our treatments utilise the natural healing benefits of aromatherapy.
So, what is aromatherapy and how does it work?
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic application or medicinal use of aromatic substances to positively influence the mind, body, and soul. In other words, certain fragrances can enhance our health and scent has the power to improve our wellbeing. It makes sense, after all, smell is our most primal senses. In aromatherapy, essential oils and natural substances are extracted from certain plants and distilled in a way that retains many of its powerful active ingredients. These oils can then be inhaled through the nose or physically applied to provide therapeutic relief.
If inhaled through the nose, the aroma will stimulate different parts of the brain to trigger healing benefits. Or, if you’re like me and you prefer the touch of the oil on your skin, physically applying it to your key pulse points (behind ears, temples, inside wrists) will act as a natural diffuser and allow the oils to travel through your bloodstream. That’s some amazing whole body healing right there!
*Please note, essential oils can never be applied to the skin in their absolute concentrated form, so if you do go down this route of physically applying, make sure the oil you’re using has carrier oil combined.
You may have seen aromatherapy being used in a whole variety of ways. Certain essential oils can be ingested, a lot are incorporated into body lotions or candles and you can even purchase aromatherapy jewellery pieces – perfect for taking healing energy with you wherever you go!
What are the benefits?
Aromatherapy uses an array of essential oils and each one provides a completely different health benefit. In general, they have been proven to relieve pain, improve moods and enhance cognitive function. Below I’ve listed out my top picks and why I love them:
- Eucalyptus: This is great for easing congestion in the nose and chest. I like to incorporate it into my skincare routine during the colder months
- Chamomile: I love to end my day with a warm chamomile tea before bed, it always leaves me feeling relaxed
- Frankincense: This woody scent is proven to slow and deepen breathing and is a great one to apply to your pressure points before a meditation or breathwork session
- Ylang-Ylang: Looking for a quick hit of confidence? Look no further than this essential oil which is shown to stimulate your self-esteem
It can be overwhelming to choose which essential oils to start your aromatherapy journey with but whether it’s a reset or boost of energy, just really feel into what you need at that moment.
My favourite Spa at Bedford Lodge treatments using aromatherapy are:
- Lavender Poultice Massage (lavender essential oil used)
- Deeply Relaxing Lavender Floatation (lavender essential oil used)
- Advanced Enzyme Facial (botanical extracts from pumpkin used)
Let me know in the comments what your favourite aromatherapy method and oil is!
Love,
Rebecca x