Aromatherapy from the Forest

Aromatherapy is the use of your sense of smell to treat mild medical problems like dry skin, headaches and arthritis. Although not all doctors agree on the effectiveness of aromatherapy, many people find that they help to ease symptoms.

To make aromatherapy work, essential oils are distilled from aromatic plants and herbs. This means that using steam, pressure, or other methods, the oils that give plants and herbs their smells are taken out of their flowers, roots, bark, and leaves.

These oils are inhaled using a vaporizer or lamp, or they can be combined with a vegetable or nut oil and massaged into the skin.

Although aromatherapy has only recently become popular in the U.S., people have sought relief using the scents of plants and herbs for years. Lavender is commonly used for relaxation, while camomile is used for help in sleeping and for increasing appetites.

The Ojbiwe people, Native Americans who live in the Upper Great Lakes area, also incorporate aromatic plants into their traditions. They use tobacco for prayer, cedar for cleansing, sage for purification, and sweet grass for safe travel.

To learn more about aromatherapy, check out these links:

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