Aromatherapy - All Good News

Herbs encompass a mass of natural benefits. Probably the area least known about are the positive affects from the scent they produce. It is a fact that we can identify herbs by their distinctive aroma in most cases. These individual aromas actually affect us in different ways by triggering senses in our brain making changes in how we feel. The more we understand about the brain and how reactions from our sense of smell, aromatherapy will play a more significant part in medical practice.

Everyone has heard of aromatherapy and many dismiss the idea of using smells that achieve medical results as ridiculous. I can see why many think this, many because lots of information about aromatherapy that comes from eccentric people who preach about it on a spiritual belief basic. Much is not scientifically based from detailed medical studies. Aromatherapy is still a new alternative medicine and there's still plenty to learn about it.

The basis of aromatherapy comes from the use of essential oils many of them herbal-based oils. These are extracted from plants using a distilling system. The result is a concentrated liquid that are often very fragrant.

Aromatherapy is used in France in combination with other traditional medical practices. The most successful use to date is for the antiseptic properties the essential oils have. Essential oils are sometimes prescribed and administered by French physicians to targeting harmful organisms that may lead to bacterial, viral or fungal infections.

In many developed westernised countries there are traditional medical practices where the scents of different compounds result in the curing of symptoms of many illnesses. An example of this is the well known 'Vicks VapoRub' or 'Halls Cough Lozengers'. These help clear clogged sinuses and throats from the aroma given off. Aromatic chemicals from natural herbs and plants such as menthol and eucalyptus ease those symptoms, which are often associated with colds and flu.

Aromatherapy is also associated with reducing symptoms of stress. Basil oil is a classic example; this is often suggested to ease the effects of depression and to help you to concentrate. Lavender is used for relaxation and calmness. There are even now attachments into USB ports for laptops are being produced that heat up a little essential oil giving off an aroma to help relax the user. A combination of one of the oldest therapies in tandem with the most up to date technology.

Although not aromatherapy is currently not scientifically conclusive in proving its benefits, it's easy enough to notice that pleasant scents can make you feel cheerier, happier and much more at ease. You don't need to be a professor in aromatherapy to work that one out. If the 'proof is in the pudding' so to speak, it wouldn't hurt to practice a little aromatherapy as we all know it does have an effect. What’s more it can’t do any harm unlike many other unpractised medication that can possibly give negative side affect. The worse case scenario with the practice of aromatherapy is that you will be left with being surrounded by beautiful scents. Whether you use aromatherapy for medical purposes or just to relax you will also have some form of benefit.