Given the pressures of the pandemic that has taken us over the past 16 months, it is no surprise that many people are looking for new ways to relax and find comfort.
Holistic therapies have grown in popularity over the past year as more people use techniques such as aromatherapy to improve their daily lives.
But what exactly is aromatherapy and how does it work?
Millennia-old aromatherapy is a healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and wellbeing.
These extracts can come from different parts of a plant, including flowers, leaves, fruits, and bark – with different plants having different therapeutic effects and benefits.
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When inhaled, these extracts stimulate olfactory receptors in the nose, which then send messages to the limbic system of the brain via the nervous system. The limbic system is the part of the brain that controls emotions – and it is believed that certain oils can help lift your mood.
Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, has gained more mainstream recognition in recent years and is recommended as a complementary therapy by the NHS.
Heidi Sanders, an aromatherapist from Suffolk
– Photo credit: Robin Dey
One woman who understands the importance and benefits of such holistic practices is Heidi Sanders, a Woodbridge-based essential oil therapist.
After a long corporate career in London, Heidi finally sought holistic therapy training to deal with the sensory stresses associated with such a fast-paced lifestyle.
15 years later, she is now a recognized expert in clinical and holistic aromatherapy, who uses the therapy both privately and professionally.
“We all have a symbiotic relationship with nature and it is important to understand that aromatherapy is not just about smell, but also about how oils work. Understanding the chemistry of an oil is key to realizing its true potential and enabling it to have physiological benefits that support your emotional and general wellbeing. ”
Conditions that aromatherapists often treat with oils include stress, anxiety, PMS, musculoskeletal problems, menopause, allergies, skin conditions, and many more.
“I am a complementary therapist and fully support traditional medicine – when someone takes medication, I work with them to find an essential oil that will also help them if they want additional support. Recently, especially, more and more people have been trying to support their emotional wellbeing during lockdown.
If that sounds like something you’d like to try, Heidi has a number of time-honored favorites that she often uses with her clients, as well as for her own wellbeing.
“For my personal use, it honestly depends on how I feel and what to handle. There is a nice synergy within an oil that gives it the ability to provide many therapeutic effects, not just one. So it may be that I connect with a certain oil more than with another.
“For example, when I need help falling asleep, I use oils like neroli and real lavender. Or when I’m stressed, one of my personal favorites is black spruce which is very grounding, protective, and also a good breath tonic to aid in deeper breathing. I also love sweet citrus oils – they support emotional well-being, with bergamot being particularly helpful for relieving anxiety and nervous tension. ”
But aromatherapy isn’t one size fits all – and Heidi suggests experimenting to find out which oils will work best for you as you build and understand your collection.
“Smell is really subjective – it’s about tapping into the memory and feeling associated with a particular scent, so always play it safe. An oil you love may not please someone else. Perhaps start with flavors you know, like lavender, sweet orange, or tangerine. Or try something gentle like Australian sandalwood and a stimulating oil like rosemary or peppermint.
Lavender is a commonly used essential oil that is often associated with sleep
– Photo credit: Getty Images / iStockphoto
“It would also be beneficial to have a variety of oils from different parts of a plant, such as petals, needles, fruits, peels, wood, and resin. As you experiment with these various therapeutic benefits and their chemistry, you will gain a broader understanding and experience. ”
Before buying your oils, however, it is important to make sure that you are getting oils that are both safe and environmentally friendly. “Many oils on the market, especially those sold cheaply, can be adulterated, so it is important to know your oils and buy from a reputable supplier.”
Look for sellers who are registered with the Aromatherapy Trade Council and can offer GC-MS testing.
“Sustainability has also become an increasing issue due to the overuse and harvest of certain essential oils, particularly in industries such as perfumery, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is therefore important that we as aromatherapists have an awareness of sustainable business practices. ”
Make sure any oils you buy are not made from plants that could be classified as endangered, endangered, or critically endangered.
Once you’ve found your oils, there are a number of ways you can put them into practice.
Usually essential oils are inhaled directly through an inhalation stick or nasal spray, a steam mask, a skin patch, used as a balm, compress, massaged onto the skin or used in a bath.
“In the case of stress headaches, you can inhale the oils with an inhalation stick so that the molecules can get into the nasal cavity and the olfactory system of the brain. The oils then travel through the limbic part of the brain, which deals with mood and emotions, and eventually help you regain balance and relax.
“Diffusers are also a great way to use essential oils to support the whole family – why not try burning some lavender before bed so everyone can sleep better at night?”
It should be noted, however, that essential oils should never be ingested, applied directly to the skin, or poured undiluted into a bath – they must be mixed with a base oil beforehand. “Essential oils are volatile and can be irritating. Without proper mixing, they can cause skin burns, irritation, or skin sensitization. Always mix your oils with a vegetable base oil first before using them directly on the skin. ”
Caution should also be exercised when using essential oils in children, the elderly, during pregnancy, in epilepsy, or when taking certain medications. Always consult a doctor or qualified aromatherapist first.
Essential oils have long been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including insomnia, PMS, and back pain
– Photo credit: Getty Images / iStockphoto
How to make a digestive mixture
Start with 20 ml of a base oil such as sweet almond, sunflower or jojoba oil.
Add four drops of black pepper essential oil with four drops of cardamom essential oil and two drops of orange essential oil.
Mix everything before massaging it clockwise on your stomach to help relieve digestive problems.
Heidi’s top 12 essential oils
Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
Black pepper supports muscle aches and pains, as well as skeletal diseases such as arthritis.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Beneficial for balancing anxiety, stress, nervous tension, clary sage is also a fantastic support for your menstrual cycle, childbirth and menopause.
Eucalyptus radiata
This oil is beneficial for respiratory diseases and headache relief, and works well as an insect repellent too.
Eternal (Helichrysum italicum)
This helps relieve arthritic diseases, skin conditions like eczema, and respiratory diseases. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also good for skin care and helps with bruising.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterai)
Frankincense supports nervous tension and stress and helps relieve anxiety. It’s also good breathing support and helps with asthma and bronchitis.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint is a great digestive aid and helps with pain relief, especially headaches.
Rose (Rosa damascena)
Rose connects to the heart and relieves anxiety, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. It’s also great for skin care.
Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Roman chamomile, one of the gentlest essential oils and especially good for children, helps with anxiety and stress, headaches, insomnia and asthma. It is beneficial for digestive support and menstrual cycle symptoms.
Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
Australian sandalwood soothes skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It also has a relaxing effect on nervous tension.
Sweet orange (Citrus x sinensis)
A great remedy for children with sleep and stomach problems, sweet orange also helps with anxiety and nervousness. Thanks to its regenerative properties, it is also good for the skin.
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Tea tree is recommended for helping with respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and cough.
Real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Real lavender supports anxiety, insomnia, and asthma. It’s also a great skin tonic that helps with burns, cuts, skin irritation, and inflammation.
