Aromatherapy Teas - The Scent of Healing

Aromatherapy Teas - The Scent of Healing

Few scents are more enticing than those of freshly brewed herbal teas. The herbal teas used in aromatherapy contain hundreds of active ingredients. They are so powerful that inhaling their aromas can have a huge impact on your physical and emotional health.

Herbs contain concentrated oils called essential oils. When you make a cup of tea, some of it rises in the steam. As you inhale the vapor, individual scent molecules enter special “docks” or receptors in cells in your body. This triggers many changes that can benefit your health. The scent of lavender tea, for example, slows down nerve impulses and promotes relaxation. Aromatherapists often use concentrated oils stored in tightly sealed bottles. These oils are very effective, but can also be expensive. Aromatherapeutic teas, on the other hand, are completely safe to use at home and can have some impressive benefits.

Approximately 40 different herbs are used in aromatherapy either individually or in combination. Aromatherapists often add the essential oils into diffusers or special nasal inhalers. However, homemade aromatherapy teas can be just as effective and are made in the same way as other herbal teas. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 to 2 tsp. dried or fresh herb. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes, lean over the cup and breathe deeply. Allow the steam to enter your mouth and nose. The most popular aromatherapy teas have a pleasant taste as well as important healing benefits. These include:

chamomile. – Chamomile is one of the most popular herbal teas with its delicate taste and apple-like aroma. It contains oils that have a calming effect on the central nervous system. It is often used to relieve stress and anxiety as well as insomnia. It also aids digestion.

jasmine. – This fragrant tea has the opposite effect of chamomile. It increases brain waves called beta waves, which are associated with alertness. If you feel tired or moody, breathe in jasmine tea to help you recover.

eucalyptus. – This is a very popular tea for treating cold and flu symptoms. It contains a chemical called eucalyptol that reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract. It also loosens mucus in the chest and sinuses, relieving congestion and making breathing easier.

Rosemary and sage. – Each of these strong-smelling herbs is said to improve memory and stimulate the senses. Rosemary tea is often used for depression. Sage has been used in the past to relieve grief and a mild case of the blues. It is also a “cooling” herb that can help relieve hot flashes.

thyme. – This herb belongs in both the pharmacy and the spice cabinet. It contains two oils, thymol and carvacol, which help relax the muscles in the stomach and intestines. Thyme can be helpful if you suffer from gas, cramps, or other digestive problems and can relieve coughs and congestion.

Teas aren't the only way to get the full benefits of aromatherapy herbs. For example:

• Fügen Sie ein oder zwei Tropfen ätherisches Öl zum siedenden Wasser hinzu. Lassen Sie den Dampf die Luft füllen.
• Legen Sie frische oder getrocknete Kräuter in Badewasser.
• Geben Sie einen Tropfen Öl in einen Zerstäuber, verdünnen Sie ihn mit etwas Wasser und besprühen Sie die Luft um Sie herum.
• Verdünnen Sie einen Tropfen ätherisches Öl mit 1 Unze. Pflanzenöl und tragen Sie es auf die Pulspunkte Ihrer Handgelenke auf.

Remember that it's okay to use herbal extracts when making aromatherapeutic teas. Just make sure you don't confuse extracts with essential oils - they are completely different. Herbal extracts are prepared for internal use, and many people find them more convenient than dried herbs for making tea. Essential oils, on the other hand, are only intended for external use and can be toxic if taken internally.