Benefits of Aromatherapy
The use of aromatherapy in the bathroom makes the room smell great, but it also has additional benefits. Careful choice of the right scents can relieve minor physical discomforts, boots the respiratory, circulatory and immune systems, provide stress relief and encourage relaxation, and enhance your mood and overall feeling of wellness.
What Exactly Is It?
Aromatherapy is a term that's thrown around a lot in conversation, but surprisingly few people fully understand exactly what it is.
Basically a term used to describe how the natural oils from plants, fruits and flowers can improve mental and physical well being. The term "aromatherapy" was first used to describe this process in 1928 by a French chemist named Rene Gattefosse.
The story goes that Gattefosse accidentally burned his hand while conducting experiments in his laboratory. Without thinking, he plunged his burned hand into the nearest pot of liquid to see if he could get some relief from the pain. Thankfully what he plunged his hand into wasn't anything corrosive. It was a vat of lavender oil which ultimately ended up helping his hand heal faster with practically none of the scarring he expected.
Today aromatherapy is commonly practiced as a way of alternative medicine therapies. Some would say it's one of the fastest growing fields of natural or alternative medicine available. Advocates of aromatherapy say the reason for this is that careful selection of essential oils can overall support and strengthen a person unlike modern drugs that are meant to treat a particular disease or symptom.
Some Aromatherapy Scents for Your Bathroom
You can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy in your bathroom through the use of essential oil-based candles, soaps (which you can hand make to be more natural) and bath and body oils and soaps. But you need to make your selections wisely. Aromatherapy won't do you much good if you're choosing a scent simply to have a pleasant smell in your bathroom. To be effective, it's important to make sure you choose scents made directly from essential oils and not the cheaper, synthetic versions of the scent.
Lavender: Studies have shown that this essential oil reduces cortisol levels which can make a person feel calmer and more content. Some studies also suggest that lavender can sometimes help cognitive improvement. Have it in your bathroom as body oil that you can apply after your morning shower. Buy it as an aromatherapy mist (where it's usually combined with mineral water) and spritz it in the air to make the bathroom a soothing place as you brush your teeth, shave or complete other personal grooming tasks. Classic candles can also be used and so can lavender bath beads. Those who don't like baths can use lavender aromatherapy shower tablets that are added to your shower head allowing you enjoy a soothing lavender-scented experience.
Rosemary: This essential oil can produce feelings of contentment. It also reduces cortisol levels which helps a person de-stress. Rosemary can make a trip to the bathroom a rejuvenating experience which can help re-energize you for the tasks you still need to do. Rosemary oils are available in the same forms as lavender essential oils.
Peppermint: Peppermint is known as a pick-me-up. Studies have shown that peppermint essential oils can increase alertness and memory. In our busy lives, a little peppermint aromatherapy might be just what's needed to help us get through the day. Common forms of peppermint essential oil aromatherapy for the bathroom include a mint mist (often used with ginger), candles, foam bath beads and creams.
Lemon: There's a reason why many cleaning products smell like lemon, albeit a synthetic version of this essential oil. The smell of lemon tends to reduce stress and can help make a person feel happier. It's also good at covering toilet-related odors. Try using real lemon oil, in mist form, as a bathroom air freshener. The real oil provides more benefits than the synthetic version and also causes fewer allergic reactions.