Aromatherapy
Updated Sep. 27th, 2023
Aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for both physical and psychological wellbeing ...
the principals of Aromatherapy share a common goal of helping clients to achieve a balance between body and mind
How does it work?
There are two proposed mechanisms. The first follows the theory that the aroma of the oils have a direct influence on the brain. Through the olfactory system, our nose, the aromas travel to the limbic system of the brain.
The limbic system is involved in various functions in the body such as emotional responses, memory storage and hormone regulation. It also plays a role in sensory perception and motor function, as well as olfaction, the sense of smell.
Versatile as a mode of treatment, aromatherapy offers improvement for mental and emotional issues such as anxiety, depression and insomnia while also treating symptoms like difficulty concentrating and muscle and joint pain. Acute conditions such as exhaustion, nausea and headaches can also be improved through the use of aromatherapy. Even chronic conditions like respiratory difficulties, stress and low libido can be treated. Aromatherapy has even been known to improve immune functioning.
Aromatherapy has many applications and is used to treat a variety of ailments with reported success. Unfortunately, there are limited scientific studies on the efficacy of aromatherapy due to the individualized nature of treatment.
Aromatherapy is a well known treatment for low libido and overall stress reduction. There are sadly few scientific studies to prove the effectiveness of Aromatherapy as medicine, simply because it is a difficult area to study as the treatments are designed for individual use.
What happens at a typical visit?
Most, although not all, aromatherapy sessions will include a massage with the oils that are specifically created for you throughout the session. The first session is likely to take between one and a half to two hours. The therapist will take a detailed description of your past and current medical history, as well as general information about your personality and temperament. It is common that the aromatherapist will take particular interest in how you feel on the day of your appointment, where you are feeling the primary concern in terms of location in the body and what you want to achieve during the session. Many aromatherapists will incorporate their knowledge of chakras and their energy, into choosing which essential oils to use.
A blend of essential oils will be mixed with base or carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, wheat germ or grape seed. The aromatherapist should take the time to sit down and discuss the oils and why each was chosen and the therapeutic effect they are meant to have. This blend will be specific for you and your condition on that day. If your goal is more long term, the blend may be used repeatedly throughout multiple appointments, or it may change form visit to visit depending on acute changes or as healing takes place over time.
Generally, you will be asked to lie face up or face down on a massage table for the remainder of your treatment. Aromatherapy massage differs from the more conventional Swedish or sports style in that there is very little deep muscle work, because the blend of oils should do the work for the therapist. Instead, it's likely to be slow, soft and rhythmic. The body absorbs the essential oils and they start to work, relaxing the muscles, stimulating the mind, improving appetite and so on depending on what you are looking to achieve. The actual massage might take a half hour up to an hour and a half.
Before you leave, the aromatherapist is likely to offer some advice for the next twenty four hours - helping the client to get the very best from the treatment. Longer term advice tends to begin after a few sessions, as the therapist and client begin to establish trust and rapport. Most therapists will offer advice on longer term preventative steps the clients could take to improve their quality of life. Often you are sent home with the oil blend that has been made for you, with instructions on how to incorporate the healing scents into your daily routine.
National Nutrition has a wide selection of essential oils and all at great pricing. I have purchased a lot of their EOs and I've not had any issues with any of them. The descriptions for each product are helpful in selecting the one that you need. Thank you National Nutrition!
Hello,
Thank you for your kind comment. We're glad you have been enjoying our aromatherapy selection; we work hard to bring you the best prices. Essential oils can be great for cleaning the air, decreasing stress and supporting a good nights sleep. It's important to know how your oils are extracted for purity and potency. We think you'll enjoy our articles on specific oils too, check this one out:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
Stay healthy & well!
First of all, I am not someone who knows a lot about aromatherapy. I went to a convention to learn more and found out it is quite complex, with all the interaction of molecules, the source of the essential oil as well (how it is cultivated, distilled, the purity of the oil, etc.), and the different ways to use them depending on the oil. Though, I kind of use it by following my gut feelings, since I discovered that depending of my mood, some scents help me for different kinds of emotional or mental states. I do like the orange one, and some mixes that help to relax before going to bed.
I use aromatherapy every day. I mostly use oils in nebulizers. I have four of them in my house. This article was interesting because I learned about what happens when you see an aromatherapist. I have never gone to one but have just used the oils on my own. I think it would be cool to find an aromatherapist in my area and have a visit. It would be a great way to relax - especially with everything going on these days.
Hello Joelle,
We're glad you enjoyed learning from this article. It would be a nice experience to visit an aromatherapist, very relaxing indeed. If you enjoyed this article, we think you'll also enjoy our articles on specific oils too.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lemon-essential-oil/
Have a healthy day.
I use a lot of essential oils for various ailments. Peppermint for headaches, lavender for sleeplessness, tea tree for skin issues and find essential oils are essential to have around.
Neat article! I feel like we all use aromatherapy in some way, even if it’s as simple as lighting a candle or cooking with aromatic herbs that soothe us. Interesting to read about these more classical applications of aromatherapy though.
I personally only use aromatherapy at home, simply by using essential oils in diffuser or directly applied on my skin (diluted in a carrier oils like jojoba oil).
When I have a headache or I’m stressed, I like to rub a little lavender EO on my temples (or a sachet in my pillow), or even simply a lavender scented lotion. I also use grapefruit EO in my facial moisturizer to help invigorate the senses in the morning after my shower.
Hello Andria,
Essential oils are used in many homes whether in diffuser or added to body or skin care products. Grapefruit oil has a nice invigorating and uplifting scent and supports the skin by contributing to a glowing complexion. Lavender is the most popular essential oil and is great for soothing and decreasing stress and insomnia. If you enjoy lavender oil, you will like our article with the history about it and many DIY's:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
Keep calm & carry on!
Yes even men like aromatherapy. My daily aromatherapy is Lavender. I use it first thing in the morning as I feel it relaxes me as I know I have a long day at work coming up. Lavender is my "safety net" that I go to when I feel overly stressed. I also use valerian as my night time ritual to promote sleep as I sometimes experience anxiety thinking about work. Other aromatherapy I have used are rosemary, orange, bergamot, sandlewood and all were good in their own way. I recommend aromatherapy to all men or women.
Hello Tyson,
Excellent, aromatherapy is for everyone! You may enjoy our roll-on, pre-diluted lavender oil so you can apply or inhale it throughout the day if feeling overwhelmed. Citrus oils can also combat stress and be energizing for the morning or afternoon. You can learn more about these oils in our other articles here, we think you'll enjoy the information.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lemon-essential-oil/
Have a healthy day
I really enjoy using essential oils. My favorite is to diffuse eucalyptus and lemon if someone is feeling an illness coming on (usually a sore throat or stuffy nose). There are so many wonderful uses for essential oils and National Nutrition has such a good selection.
Hello Stephanie,
We're glad you enjoyed this article. Essential oils have many benefits when diffused or used topically. If you'd like to learn more about some of your favourite oils, check out these articles too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lemon-essential-oil/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/eucalyptus-essential-oil/
Stay healthy & well!
I would love to combine aromatherapy with a massage someday, that sounds heavenly! This article offers a great run down of what to expect from an aromatherapy visit, but you can also enjoy aromatherapy at home using an oil diffuser and various essential oils to help before going to sleep or during meditation. I find that certain essential oils have really helped improve my anxiety and insomnia. I'm sure that the added benefits from an aromatherapy visit would be fantastic!
Hello Nicole,
Aromatherapy is great for calming, meditating, massages and other ailments. We have an essential oil series on our youtube channel you may enjoy, as well as other articles on specific oils here on our site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
Have a healthy day!
Aromatherapy has become a very important part of our health routine in our house. My daughter has PCOS and uses essential oils to help with pain and other symptoms.
Hello Robynne,
Thank you for sharing. We're happy to hear how aromatherapy has helped your daughter. It is great for pain related ailments, skin health and topical digestion aid as well as other applications on the body or around the house. If you'd like to learn more, we have articles on popular oils and videos on our youtube channel:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
Have a healthy day!
Great article! I love to use essential oils. I've used them for many, many years. They are gentle enough to use on babies and children you just have to know which ones to use. Some oils are to be avoided around pets. I love to diffuse peppermint essential oil in the mornings to help wake me up! The smell of geranium is one of my favorites. I put different oils in roller bottles and have used them on bottoms of feet, neck, stomach etc. I have quite a collection now!
Hello Raquel,
Thank you for your comment, we are glad you enjoy aromatherapy and found our articles informative. Indeed, some oil shouldn't be used around pets and must be properly diluted before applying to your skin, but when used correctly they offer amazing benefits and can definitely provide energy when diffused or put on the skin. We think you'll enjoy our other essential oil articles, we've linked some here for your convenience:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lemon-essential-oil/
The key is staying within a 15-to 60-minute sweet spot—never breathe in essential oils for more than one hour at a time. Always follow the instructions on the bottle, and if you are taking any medications or suffer from a chronic health condition, ask your doctor before you start practicing aromatherapy. Just as with any other medicine, essential oils must be used correctly to yield health rewards.
Hello Paul,
Thank you for enjoying our articles. Yes, like any supplement or health remedy, essential oils should be used according to proper directions on the label. It's also important to properly dilute essential oils before applying them topically and to never ingest them. We think you will enjoy our essential oil series on our Youtube channel as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
A good article! I like how it highlights the difference between a regular massage and an aromatherapy one. Essential oils are, indeed, magnificent and magical!
NN is a fabulous website: thank you for the great products, prices, information, and quality.
Hello Cher,
Thank you for your comment, we love hearing from you! Glad you enjoyed this article, we think you'll enjoy our essential oil articles too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
We also have a series on Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5 )
Have a healthy day!
I personally love aromatherapy before bed as it helps relax me and I personally love using the roll-on scents or the sprays instead of the diffusers because I like being able to control how much of the scent I can put on. I also find that after a while the scent itself reminds me its time to rest and relax which is so cool how scent and smells can make you feel relaxed and feel nice ways!
Hello,
Thank you for sharing, aromatherapy is definitely fun to get into. Since essential oils are concentrated, they contain all the constituents that offer health benefits and it is very interesting how smelling them can help support your health. Aromatherapy, in particular lavender oil, is excellent to incorporate into your nighttime ritual to help support a relaxed state. If you'd like to learn more about specific oils, check out our other articles too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/cedarwood-essential-oil/
Stay healthy & well!
I love love love essential oils and am astonished every single time I use any type at the effects from them! Today at work a woman came in smelling AMAZING and made me feel so warm and comfortable, when I asked what the smell was she told me it was just an essential oil blend that she had put on her neck that morning. Shocking how big of an impact it had on everyone I work with.
Hello Casey,
We love essential oils too! They smell amazing and can help your mood in so many different ways. Be sure to always mix them properly with a carrier oil before applying to your skin. If you'd like to learn more about them, check out our video series on essential oils on our Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
I have always been a huge fan of essential oils and their healing properties, although a lot of people don't really believe in it, I definitely do! I always notice a huge difference when I put my diffuser on at night, filled with some lavender oil, it definitely relaxes me and puts my mind at ease! Whether that is a placebo effect or not, it does the trick and that's all that matters! I will definitely continue to use and incorporate essential oils into my routines.
Hello, Rose With Thorns,
Essential oils are a great way to add a nice aroma and emotion to your home. Lavender is an excellent choice to help you relax, as is frankincense. If you're looking for energizing oils to diffuse in morning, explore citrus oils like lemon and orange. You can find more information in our videos as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
This is a great teaser for your essential oils article!! I wish that there was more research on aromatherapy as I wonder: would it be superior or equal to a standard or Swedish style massage for different medical conditions (ex: Ehler's Danlos, back pain, etc). I have never experienced professional aromatherapy before so I appreciate you including a description of what it entails. By the end of this artcile I was more interested in aromatherapy...and feeling like I should reread your essential oils article!
Hello, Rachel,
We are thrilled that you have enjoyed this article on aromatherapy! There is a lot of information about this modality and each oil specifically. We have essential oil articles that also include DIY's and an essential oil playlist on our Youtube channel. Check them out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
Have a healthy day!
I am a big fan of aromatherapy. I mostly use lavender oil to help me feel calmer and uplifted. I like rose a a massage oil. I cannot imagine a lofe without Essential oils.
Hello, L.D.
Aromatherapy is lovely, with all the aromas and their benefits, especially for relaxation. If you'd like to discover more, check out our essential oil video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
Have a healthy day!
Great Scents!! CITRUS, SPICY, MINT, HERBACEOUS, EARTHLY AND WOODY.
Hello. Jeanine,
Thank you for your comment, we love the scents of essential oils too, citrus ones are our favourite. Since you enjoyed this article on aromatherapy, we think you'll like our series on our Youtube channel too, you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5&pp=iAQB
Have a healthy day!
As a daily user of essential oils both personally and professionally, I found this article to be very thorough and informative to those whom might be new to aromatherapy and the many benefits it can provide. It's important to note that with essential oils a little goes a long way so always use sparingly. ; )
Hello Judy,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the article. It's great to hear that you found it thorough and informative, and believe it would be helpful to those who are new to aromatherapy. And yes, you're absolutely right about essential oils - a little truly does go a long way. If you have any other questions or need more information, feel free to ask and be sure to check out our essential oil series on Youtube. Happy oiling!
https://www.youtube.com/@NTLnutrition/featured
Lavender has a very good smell and helps to make me sleep at night, relax me and to reduce my stress. I still have lavender and bought it again with a pair from Naka castor oil which is very good deal thank you nutritionalnutrition.ca
Hello Belinda,
Lavender oil is the most popular essential oil and for good reason as you know. Thank you for sharing your experience with this oil and how you use it. Mixing lavender with castor oil is great for your skin and hair and offers a nice relaxing scent. If you'd like to learn more, check out our other article here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/lavender/