Improve Your Apartment Ambiance with Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a practice that has been around for thousands of years and is gaining more and more popularity in our society today. Put simply, aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils and specific scents, such as lavender, jasmine, lemon and vanilla, to improve one's mood and overall health as well as to reduce high levels of stress. It is defined specifically as, "The use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for physical well-being."

Our sense of smell is very well-developed, not to mention strong. Scents have a way of working on the brain to stimulate memory, relax and energize us and make a person feel just plain happy to be alive and kicking. As an example, lavender is an herb with a very calming scent often used to help individuals fall asleep. In days gone by, lavender was sewn into pillows to help encourage restfulness and it was also sprinkled on handkerchiefs to sniff whenever a person felt nervous or tense. A number of products for babies, such as lotions, powders and oils, contain lavender.

Aromatherapy's top 10 essential oils
The 10 most commonly used and recommended essential oils for the practice of aromatherapy include chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, marjoram, jasmine and neroli.

1. Chamomile is excellent for its calming properties and is often used to treat acne, eczema and other sensitive skin conditions as well as premenstrual pain and indigestion.
2. Eucalyptus is an antiseptic and is helpful for viral infections, coughs, colds and bronchitis as well as achy muscles and rheumatic conditions.
3. Geranium is mildly astringent and is therefore useful for many purposes, including fungal infections, cuts, sores and bruises. It also acts as an insect repellant, soothes skin problems (in particular eczema) and has mild diuretic and antidepressant properties.
4. Lavender is also very calming and is excellent for those who have problems falling asleep.
5. Rose is used as an antiseptic and is excellent for sinus congestion, sore throat, puffiness and insomnia and also acts as a mild sedative. It can also be used for premenstrual tension and pain, a low sex drive and symptoms related to menopause.
6. Rosemary is a mild form of a stimulant and comes in handy for respiratory problems, asthma and rheumatic aches and pains, as well as temporary memory loss and physical and mental fatigue.
7. Sandalwood is an antiseptic that is helpful in treating dry, chapped or cracked skin and acne. It is also an aphrodisiac and provides calming relaxation during meditation.
8. Marjoram is mildly analgesic and has a variety of useful properties including its ability to relieve headaches, menstrual cramps, sore throats, insomnia and acne. Marjoram is also a mild sedative, is very warming and aids in improving blood circulation.
9. Jasmine is an antidepressant that helps relieve problems related to many forms of depression, including postpartum depression. It is also an aphrodisiac and can be useful during labor to strengthen contractions.
10. Neroli is mildly sedative and is useful when it comes to backaches, premenstrual stress and pain, anxiety, bad nerves and mild forms of depression. It is also useful for insomnia, is mildly warming and helps to improve the circulation of blood in the body.