Although the modern term "aromatherapy," wasn't coined until 1937, ancient records dating back centuries document aromas being used for healing the body, mind, and spirit. Native American Tribes, Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all recognized the powerful healing properties of scents. Today, aromatherapy continues to be utilized to alleviate stress, relieve tension, and uplift your overall state of well-being.
Despite the common belief that vision is the most powerful of the five senses, the fact is our sense of smell is by far the strongest sense in the human body. Your olfactory neurons are the only neurons in your brain that come directly in contact with the outside world. Your sense of smell is so deeply connected to your cognitive functions, aromas are even viewed by some psychologists as the most effective method of triggering certain memories, hormones, emotions, and healing responses in the body.
Basically...we aren't smelling aromas. We're smelling molecules released by different we come into contact with. These molecules travel through the nose and latch onto olfactory receptors connected to the brain. Depending on what smell is recognized, the brain releases certain hormones and neurochemicals triggering physical reactions in the body. Lavender essential oil molecules have been shown to calm brain waves, relax the body, and help in reducing anxiety.
For hundreds of years, this salt has been used to treat ailments, such as constipation, insomnia, and fibromyalgia. Despite its name, Epsom salt is a completely different compound than table salt. It was most likely termed “salt” because of its chemical structure. When Epsom salt is dissolved in water, it releases magnesium and sulfate ions.
