You have probably seen the term "aromatherapy" going around a lot lately. You may have even been wondering what is this new trend that everyone is getting into now? Well, you would be surprised to learn that the use of aromatherapy has been in practice for thousands of years.
Aromatherapy is defined by Merriam-Webster as the “inhalation or bodily application (as by massage) of fragrant essential oils (as from flowers and fruits) for therapeutic purposes.” In other words, aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to enhances one’s overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Essential oils are the plant essences—oils extracted from various plants, herbs, bark, resins, flowers, and some citrus fruits. Modern technology allows for essential oils to be extracted from plants through steam distillation, cold-pressing (citrus fruits), and solvent extraction, among other increasingly popular methods. For thousands of years, humans have been harnessing these plant essences to help alleviate a wide array of physical and emotional concerns.
How you may ask? Well, essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic molecules, and, when inhaled or diluted and applied to the skin, they activate the limbic system in the brain which is responsible, among other things, for controlling our emotions. Scent is the only of our five senses that does not first travel to the nervous system, but goes directly to the limbic system. So when the aromas of a pure essential oil are inhaled, the molecules travel directly to your brain where the benefits of the oil can begin to affect your brain. When applied topically, diluted FIRST in a carrier oil, the essential oils are absorbed slowly into the epidermis which is lipophillic (fat-soluble substances, such as plant oils, permeate relatively easily). The oils are absorbed into the skin via pores and hair follicles, making their way to the dermis layer where blood capillaries distribute them throughout the body.
How exactly does it affect our emotions? Because it’s got good vibes! Really!
Everything in the universe vibrates at different frequencies, even the human body. The rate in which those frequencies are measured is megahertz (MHz). Our vibrational rate can change, based on a variety of factors (think what we are eating, how we are feeling, or our physical health).
In fact, the first machine used to measure frequencies and particularly the human frequency was invented in 1992 by Bruce Taino, who concluded that a healthy human body vibrates between 62-70 MHz. Essential oils, through the use of aromatherapy, have been shown to vibrate at much higher levels than our bodies do, measured as high as 320 MHz. When these oils entrain the cells of our bodies, they actually increase our frequency, elevating our moods!
Aromatherapy may seem like another hippie, new-age trend, but it is nothing new. Just like one of its favorite companions, yoga, the practice has been used for millennia across the world, and for good reason. However, aromatherapy should NEVER be used in place of prescribed medications, and you should always consult with your physician before substituting it for pharmaceutical drugs.
As always, do your research and find oils that are most attune to what your mind and body need. Be careful of inrreputable dealers and poor quality oils, which we will discuss further in another post. Stellar Moon LLC prides itself on working with essential oil manufacturers who provide GC/MS batch testing and point of origin disclosures to ensure the quality and makeup of every oil we use. We strive for quality, transparency, potency, and amazing fragrances in everyone one of our products, so be sure to check out our product page during our launch for more magical information on our scent-sational aromas.
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by any authorities. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. If the illness persists, please contact your doctor or pharmacist. The information provided by this website or company is not a substitute for personal advice from a medical professional and should not be construed as individual medical advice.