Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is a holistic treatment method that uses natural plant extract to help improve one's physical health as well as emotional health. I am familiar with the term aromatherapy and have heard about people using scents such as lavender to help them destress or to help them sleep. I personally have never tried using essential oils to get these benefits but I was given a candle for Christmas from Bath&BodyWorks and it has a label that claims it is scented with black chamomile and natural essential oils to help you relax. I’ve used it multiple times however, I wasn’t noticing any changes and I didn’t think I was feeling any more relaxed than I typically do. I never really believed that essential oils could be effective in helping with things like memory or pain but I always thought that they could at least be used to help boost one’s mood or to help someone relax. After looking at the lecture for the class, I realize that there is no evidence to support the broad claims made by aromatherapists and that essential oils don’t seem to have any benefits at all. I don’t see any harm in someone using them if they really believe it helps them with their insomnia or stress however, I don’t think anyone should rely on them or use them for serious injuries instead of receiving care from a doctor.
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Hi Autumn! I have tried aromatherapy and essential oils for relaxation, and I honestly never found it helpful. I will say though that I love using peppermint oil when I get migraines, but this is really because it physically cools the area, not because the scent is helpful to me in anyway. I only really use the aromatherapy candles when I am already relaxed because I enjoy calming scents, but again they don't make me feel relaxed otherwise.
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