WRITTEN BY TABITHA MCAIN | PUBLISHED MAY 7, 2021

Aromatherapy is an excellent way to support your health and wellness. So what exactly is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the controlled use of volatile plant oils to support the physical well-being of a person along with their psychological and mental health as well. Plant oils are extracted from different plant parts through different methods. The end product is what we call essential oil.

Aromatherapy is all about olfaction which is the scientific term for smelling. The olfactory membrane is made up of nerve endings that interact with the molecules we smell. The olfactory membrane contains 10-20 million olfactory receptors. The message from your nose is sent to your brain almost instantaneously. The parts of your brain receiving this information are the limbic system and the cerebral cortex. 

According to The Khan Academy “The limbic system is a set of structures in the brain that deal with emotions and memory. It regulates autonomic or endocrine function in response to emotional stimuli and also is involved in reinforcing behavior.” The cerebral cortex is an information-processing center in the brain. 

dōTERRA Lemongrass Essential Oil (Cymbopogon Flexuosus :

Lemongrass has origins in India, Nepal, and South Africa. The extraction method used is steam distillation and it is considered to be a top-middle note when creating aromatherapy blends. 

Therapeutic properties:

• Airborne antimicrobial-meaning the vapor has antifungal activity 
• Anti-inflammatory activity
• Antidepressant properties
• Antifungal properties
• Antiviral properties

In addition to its therapeutic properties it also has emotional or energetic qualities:

• Uplifts your mood
• Offers emotional protection
• Eases difficult emotional transitions
• Reduces fatigue
• Help strengthen and restore vitality and well-being

When it comes to using lemongrass for skincare you can reap the following benefits:

• It may be used to alleviate allergic and inflammatory skin problems
• It is also useful in blends for pain and inflammation

An amazing skin treat is the No 1 Ensō Bar Soap and No. 4 Yoga Bar Soap by Ensō Apothecary. Both soaps are formulated with organic coconut oil, detoxing clays and include lemongrass essential oil that will cleanse and soothe all skin types. This soap eliminates dead skin cells so that newer, younger skin can grow giving your skin a revitalizing glow.  

Lastly, remember if you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor's care, consult with your physician. Keep all essential oils and essential oil products out of reach of children. 

Sources:

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/teachereducationx92x1/chapter/cerebral-cortex/

https://www.khanacademy.org/

Andrea Butje, Aromahead Institute

Photo Credits:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Head_Olfactory_Nerve_Labeled.pnghttp

s://snappygoat.com/s/?q=bestof%3Acerebrum

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/lemongrass-oil

Tabitha McCain is a certified aromatherapist, to find out more about her and her work, please visit her website InnergyTemple.com Coming Soon!