To begin this post, it is important to mention what aromatherapy is.
This type of therapy, which emerged from herbal medicine (use of plants for medicinal purposes), began to progress, becoming not only the use of aromatic substances for medicinal purposes, but also a holistic therapy that can encompass the mental and physical health of the patient. patient, and can use different application methods.
The main methods are inhaling essential oils, vaporization, direct application (such as insect bites, but these are very specific cases), aromatic baths or massage application.
It is a type of therapy that can be used in hospitals, due to the scientific research that has been carried out on the topic, and has become more relevant due to clinical trials, patient results and clinical audits. It is considered one of the most popular forms of complementary and alternative medicine.
Within this topic, it is important to warn that some types of essential oils are toxic when ingested, so if it is necessary for the patient to ingest any oil, they must have a prescription from their doctor who will work together with an aromatherapist for the best administration of essential oils.
And how it works?
So, basically, the aromas of essential oils have substances, these substances release particles that can stimulate nerve cells, these cells activate areas of the brain that are linked to emotions.
So, what is it for?
It mainly serves to alleviate discomfort and pain, and even induce more relaxing and stimulating sensations. An example is lavender oil, which contains relaxing properties, while lemon oil is linked to cognitive development.
Aromatherapy has objectives such as relieving symptoms of anxiety, inducing the individual to relax, helping with sleep health, as well as promoting an invigorating sensation and easing muscle pain. It can also help cognitive development and concentration.
But does it have results?
A meta-analysis (statistical method for grouping data on the same topic) proved, by 17 women in low-risk labor, that aromatherapy reduced labor pain, during the transition phase and the duration of the phase, until the third stage of labor.
For example, in women who are going through menopause, it can be a method to alleviate anxiety and depression, even though it is not a treatment that can control women's symptoms of nervousness.
It is possible to see its importance in improving people's quality of life, due to the constant anxiety that everyday life causes.
Written by Beatriz Pereira
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