Aromatherapy
Despite being a term that's very trendy nowadays, aromatherapy has been used for a long time. There's evidence that the ancient Egyptians used it for medical, cosmetic, and religious purposes. Like any art, it has been refined and perfected over time and offers a wonderful opportunity to discover new ways to stimulate our senses and those of our partner.
Aromatherapy is the medical use of essential oils to restore our balance and harmony through a healthy and natural method. The oils are extracted from the essences of plants after undergoing various processes. The scent of these oils enters our bodies through smell and induces various emotional and spiritual states.
One of the most recommended methods for using the oils is the burner, which with a candle or similar heats a small ceramic bowl where water and a few drops of essential oils are placed. If you want to stimulate other senses besides smell (like touch ;)), you can use the oils in their massage or bath versions. This experience is highly recommended, and you can find references on massage techniques in other ideas on the website.
Here is a list of the main essential oils along with their effects. Keep in mind that you should not exceed the amount of oil used and that oils with opposing effects should not be mixed:
- Basil: used for headaches and migraines, also for mental fatigue. -Angelica: helps connect with the Divine. -Bergamot: uplifts the spirit, refreshes, and relaxes. Very useful for cases of depression, anxiety, and tension. -Cinnamon: is an aphrodisiac and mental stimulant. -Cedar: sedative effect indicated for stress. -Lemon Verbena: sedative, combines with lavender. -Cypress: used in mourning and other stages of change. -Clove: mental exhaustion, to quit smoking. -Juniper: acts on mental, emotional, and physical planes, relieves situations of confusion and fatigue. -Eucalyptus: acts on the respiratory system, is decongestant. -Geranium: antidepressant, relaxing, and for restoring and stabilizing emotions. -Ginger: rheumatic and muscular pains, sexual and physical exhaustion. -Lavender: is a very effective sedative, used for insomnia problems. Helps balance emotional states like hysteria, depression, calm, relax. -Lemongrass: used for mental fatigue, is a mental stimulant. -Lemon: mental stimulant, antiseptic, astringent, healing. -Mandarin: calming and sedative, brings joy. -Marjoram: improves states of loneliness, anxiety. -Mint: stimulates the brain, helps clear thoughts. -Orange: is antidepressant and restores, uplifting the spirit. Pine: stimulates the nervous system, provides energy and well-being. -Rosemary: stimulates memory, mental clarity, creative processes, is a psychic protector and physical stimulant. -Sage: relaxing, harmonizes sexuality by relaxing and releasing sexual energy. -Sandalwood: sensual properties, meditation, quiets thoughts, is anxiolytic and antidepressant. -Thyme: respiratory antiseptic and antitussive. Is tonic and energizing on the physical, mental, and emotional level, improves memory. -Vetiver: is a deep relaxant, balances group energy, can be an aphrodisiac. -Ylang-Ylang: antidepressant and sedative, acts on sexual difficulties due to stress and anxiety, is used in states of nervous tension, insomnia, and hyperactivity.
Lastly, some warnings you should keep in mind:
Do not use during pregnancy: basil, camphor, marjoram, myrrh, clove, hyssop, juniper, cedar, sage, rosemary. Do not apply directly to the skin: cinnamon, clove, bergamot, cinnamon, juniper, ginger, lemon, mint, pine, thyme. Do not use in case of epilepsy: rosemary, sage. Keep all essences out of reach of children. Do not sunbathe after using on the skin: bergamot, grapefruit, orange, lemon, lemon verbena, angelica.