Aromatherapy is a popular form of holistic treatment that is gaining more popularity every day. The sense of smell is our most primitive sense and the regions of the brain that process smells are very close to the parts of the brain responsible for our most basic functions such as respiration, circulation, and digestion. Therefore, most practitioners and recipients of aromatherapy believe that certain smells can stimulate the brain in such a way as to bring about responses in the brain that can help to relieve certain symptoms.
While the uses of aromatherapy essential oils vary between individuals and cultures, practitioners of aromatherapy have isolated certain essential oils that are effective in the treatment of some common disorders. For example, rosemary and thyme are believed to be effective in the treatment of baldness. While the exact mechanism for the efficacy of rosemary and thyme in the treatment of baldness is not well understood, some have postulated that rosemary and thyme are useful for their ability to reduce stress, which is a common cause of baldness. Lemon, juniper, and lavender are thought to be useful for the treatment of hay fever and other common nasal allergies and basil, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil are used in the treatment of influenza and the common cold. Chamomile and lavender are often used to treat mild to moderate skin injury caused by excessive sun exposure.
The uses of aromatherapy essential oils are as varied as the oils themselves. The skillful application of essential oils is believed to be highly effective in the treatment of certain injuries and disorders.
