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What are the Different Types of Aromatherapy Scents?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

Aromatherapy refers to the use of scents for therapeutic purposes. It is generally believed that different aromas can be used to treat different ailments. Popular aromatherapy scents include lemongrass, peppermint, and lavender.

Many people may be familiar with lemongrass because of its culinary significance. However, lemongrass is also one of the popular aromatherapy scents. When lemongrass is used for this purpose, an essential oil is often extracted by steam distillation. That oil may be placed in a special oil burner where it is heated and thereby diffused. Fever, depression, and muscle aches are ailments for which this scent is believed to be effective.

Aromatherapy oil.
Aromatherapy oil.

Peppermint is also likely to be more familiar to people as a food than as a medicine. There are a number of ways in which peppermint aromatherapy scents are used. Many people add peppermint to bath water to combat problems such as stress and headaches. The oil may also be burned when it is needed to promote concentration.

Bergamot is another of the aromatherapy scents believed to have a positive effect on concentration. This scent is also used to promote well-being, to eliminate anxiety, and to combat chronic fatigue. It is commonly found as an essential oil or in the form of candles.

A bergamot orange, which is often used to make aromatherapy scents.
A bergamot orange, which is often used to make aromatherapy scents.

Commonly known to be added to topical rubs and foot creams, eucalyptus is believed to be effective when used as aromatherapy, too. Those who suffer with congestion, allergies, and sinus problems may consider using it. One way of doing so is by adding eucalyptus oil to a facial steamer. This oil may also be added to bath water.

Lavender is considered a calming herb. It is used to fight stress, anxiety, and depression. This is likely to be one of the most popular aromatherapy scents. There is a wide variety of lavender aromatherapy products available. These include room sprays, body sprays, and candles.

Lavender is a favorite additive in aromatherapy due its pleasant and relaxing scent.
Lavender is a favorite additive in aromatherapy due its pleasant and relaxing scent.

Colds and flus are often combated with sweet orange oil. Although many essential oils are steam-distilled, sweet orange oil is one of the aromatherapy scents that are commonly cold pressed. This is because cold-pressed citrus oils tend to smell better and to be of much higher quality, which is something people should consider before buying any.

Orange is not the only citrus fruit that is used therapeutically. Grapefruits are also used to make essential oils. One benefit this oil has over its citrus counterparts is the lack of phototoxicity. An oil that is phototoxic is sensitive to sun because of radiation-absorbing substances and can therefore make a person photosensitive. For this reason, grapefruit is a good alternative scent for depression, headaches, and concentration.

Discussion Comments

pleonasm

@Ana1234 - I was very interested in aromatherapy for a long time and I picked up all sorts of little bits and pieces about how you can use it in crafts. If you really like the candles, it might be cheaper to make them yourself. Aromatherapy essential oils tend to be expensive also, but they last for a while since they are incredibly strong.

So strong, in fact, that you have to be careful not to put them directly on your skin unless you're sure it's safe, or they've been diluted properly. Don't put pure peppermint oil on your skin, for example or you will regret it. You can dilute it with base oils or water, although if you're going to do it with water remember to shake up the bottle before using it, as the oil will separate and drift to the top. And use a spray bottle so it won't end up concentrated.

Ana1234

@umbra21 - Well, peppermint is supposed to be a good aromatherapy scent for concentration and I know it's supposed to be good for alertness as well, so it would work well in an exam anyway.

Just be careful not to overdo it, since it's very strong and you don't want to end up being a bother to other students who might not appreciate the distraction.

I actually like using aromatherapy scented candles in my home because I think they give me a subtle long term perfume in general, in my rooms and also on my clothes and skin. But you have to use very high quality candles for it to work well and they tend to be expensive, so I don't use them too often.

umbra21

Apparently a really good trick for students is to chew mint leaves (or mint flavored gum) while studying a particular subject and then again when taking the test for it. Scent is closely connected to memory in the brain so it will help you to recall answers if you do this.

It's not quite the same as using peppermint as aromatherapy, but it's a way to utilize it without having to actually burn incense in a test situation.

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    • Aromatherapy oil.
      By: wasansrisawat
      Aromatherapy oil.
    • A bergamot orange, which is often used to make aromatherapy scents.
      By: Unclesam
      A bergamot orange, which is often used to make aromatherapy scents.
    • Lavender is a favorite additive in aromatherapy due its pleasant and relaxing scent.
      By: Kimberly Reinick
      Lavender is a favorite additive in aromatherapy due its pleasant and relaxing scent.
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