Dear Friends,
When people hear that aromatherapy is a key part of Ayurveda, the first question they often ask me is...
Is aromatherapy real?
Yes! Aromatherapy has real, profound benefits. The ancient Ayurvedic healers discovered over 3,000 years ago that which Western medical researchers are just now accepting as fact. Inhaling the fragrances of pure, all-natural essential oils can improve sleep, emotional well-being, and even body function such as digestion and circulation.
If you think about it, this is really common sense! We all understand that health is holistic: Your mental state affects how your body functions, and vice versa. So how could breathing in a pleasant, natural scent not be beneficial?
Western medical researchers believe that aromatherapy works because the smell receptors in your nose activate your brain’s nervous system to produce serotonin. Serotonin plays a huge role in allowing you to feel calm and happy and promoting restful sleep at night.
Why is it important to use pure and natural essential oils in aromatherapy?
It’s not important to use pure and natural essential oils in aromatherapy: It’s imperative. When diffused, essential oils are metabolized in your body the same way you metabolize fruit or vegetables. The nutrients are absorbed by your blood, and the waste is excreted.
If you are diffusing essential oils that are not pure, your body might respond to certain chemical components of the oils as foreign agents. This can lead to allergies or even an antihistamine response, causing your body to have to work extra to remove the toxins.
While fancy marketing has made the words “pure” and “natural” almost meaningless, we take them very seriously. All our essential oils are GC-MS purity tested twice: in-house, and through a third party. In this way, we can be sure every bottle of oil we produce really is what we claim. Our oils are made from plants grown without pesticides, and from non-GMO seeds.
What is the best essential oil for headaches?
No matter how much water I drink or yoga I do, I still get headaches from time to time. So based on both scientific research and personal experience, I can confidently say...
Peppermint!
Peppermint essential oil is an effective natural headache reliever due to its menthol content. Research suggests that diffusing just a few drops of peppermint essential oil may help improve blood flow in the body. Or with a carrier oil, roll it directly onto your temples.
Peppermint may also help soothe IBS and other GI maladies, and is also known to be a natural insect repellant. And it will make your home, office, or body smell wonderful all year 'round.
Namaste, Puneet
