Aromatherapy is now regarded by traditional medicine as an effective therapeutic model for treating a host of mental and physical problems. Whether topically applied directly to your skin, ingested in some cases, or used in conjunction with aromatherapy, essential oil practices are now respected in the same professional circles where there were once mocked and ridiculed.
Since hype is usually the human way, it is important to honestly assess aromatherapy, or really any type of alternative or conventional therapy, treatment, or theory.
Unfortunately, there are still some untruths and misconceptions regarding these effective methods of treating so many diseases, injuries, symptoms, illnesses, and ailments. Don’t become disillusioned by the following 5 myths regarding essential oils and aromatherapy, and you can benefit from their therapeutic use as a natural alternative to conventional medicine.
1 – Scented, Perfumed Air Freshening Oils And Essential Oils Are The Same
This is simply and absolutely untrue. The strict definition of essential oil discounts for any oil, which includes man-made or chemically produced perfumes or aromatics. Essential oils are produced by a very specific distillation process that extracts natural oils from plants, flowers, and herbs, with no unnatural perfumes or chemicals added. 100% pure essentials oils are therefore deemed therapeutic grade, and no substitute will do. There are no synthetic components included in 100% pure essential oils.
2 – Aromatherapy Can CURE Certain Illnesses And Ailments
Using essential oils, aromatherapy is an effective TREATMENT or PREVENTIVE measure for an endless list of physical and mental health problems. Aromatherapy is also widely used to create or alter mood because the human sense of smell invokes specific responses in the brain based on the aroma. Therefore, the scent of roses, lemongrass, or lavender as just a few examples elicits the relaxation response in the brain, and in this way, aromatherapy essential oils support stress reduction and indirectly support healing. However, any essential oil or aromatherapy manufacturer that boasts its products can cure anything is making a dishonest and illegal claim. The FDA in the United States, and similar organizations around the world, disallow the use of the word “cure” where aromatherapy and essential oils are concerned.
3 – Aromatherapy Only Works On Your Physical Body
You need only replay certain events and occasions in your mind to debunk this essential oil myth. Different aromas can soothe or agitate, calm your mind, and allow you to focus your thoughts. The cinnamon essential oil has been proven as an effective treatment for impotence in men when inhaled. Lavender aromatherapy is mentally relaxing to many men and women. Rosemary essential oil helps you retain information, and other oils help treat a host of mental conditions.
4 – Higher Quality Essential Oils Are Thicker
You have to understand that different plants create oils of different consistencies. For instance, Myrrh essential oil is going to be thicker than Lavender oil, since it is derived from a thick, gooey substance. The same is true of Frankincense when compared to most other essential oils. The quality of any essential oil depends on the distillation or extraction process it went through to arrive at its present state and whether it has been diluted or not.
5 – If The Container Says 100% Pure Essential Oil, You Are In Good Shape
Unfortunately, in the United States and elsewhere, there are no restrictions regarding the declaration of essential oil purity. Talk with others in the aromatherapy community, and always perform your due diligence. The bottom line is that some manufacturers operate with more integrity than others do, and a “100% pure essential oil” label does not necessarily mean a thing.
For my pick on therapeutic-grade essential oils, click here. To receive 10% off, use code BEHEALTHY10. No shipping costs and no MLM’s to deal with! Try them out then let me know what you think :).
Grab my latest digital eBook on 28 Essential Oils For Pain Relief here.
Learn how essential oils can help with your skin and hair health eBook here.
Here are a few great essential oil videos to check out:
Change Your Mood with Essential Oils
Ease Indigestion with Using Essential Oils
Get Beautiful Hair with Essential Oils
Until next time!
-The Beautiful Nerd
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