The week beginning 7th June 2021 is the 13th Aromatherapy Awareness Week hosted by the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA), drawing attention to the extensive range of clinical benefits of aromatherapy.
This year’s main theme is inspired by the vast amount of research that has taken place during the pandemic, studying the beneficial properties of essential oils for our health.
With anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties, the power of essential oils is endless and has been a fantastic tool for both body and brain during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year’s Aromatherapy Awareness Week is celebrating the long list of benefits for our mental health and how aromatherapy can support our healthcare system, with each essential oil having its own unique healing properties such as;
Calming
Uplifting
Antibacterial
Anti-inflammatory
Stimulating
Regulating stress hormones
Antioxidants
Lowering Anxiety
Regulating emotions
Aromatherapy and Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has allowed us to shine a light on many areas Western medicine practices traditionally ignore and how we can use holistic therapies to support our struggling health care system.
But how can aromatherapy be used directly with conditions like Covid-19? What can you do at home to alleviate sickness and restore some balance to your body and brain whilst also keeping others safe?
Adaptogen essential oils such as Rose, Bergamot, Lavender, Geranium, and Ylang-ylang can help to regulate our stress hormones, improve our immune response, regulate our breathing, increase our stamina and lower inflammation.
Antioxidant essential oils such as Citrus, Ginger, Black Pepper and Oregano can help to improve our overall immunity and maintain a balance in our oxygen levels.
And to keep others safe, we’ve all learned plenty about how airborne infections can spread. So to keep the air free from infectious organisms, it can be beneficial to improve the air quality by spraying the air with essential oils. Clean your air and stimulate your immune system with a range of essential oils like;
Bergamot, which is an antiviral, anti-infectious and deodorising essential oil
Cinnamon Leaf is an air disinfectant
Eucalyptus has antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties
Peppermint is an air-purifying essential oil as well as having antiviral and antimicrobial benefits
Lemongrass is an antiviral and anti-infectious essential oil, as well as having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemongrass can also alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety, calming the nervous system and giving you time to recuperate.
Aromatherapy Research
Whilst we celebrate Aromatherapy Awareness Week, we must look at what campaigns are raising awareness around the benefits of aromatherapy too!
In 2018, the government received a report issued by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated Healthcare (PGIH) urging them to embrace more complementary and traditional medical approaches in order to support the increasing strain on our health care system.
And the Covid 19 pandemic certainly created opportunities for plenty of research around the benefits of essential oils for our health and wellbeing.
Research has taken place to study both the physiological and psychological benefits including research into reducing anxiety, responses to work-related stress, treating depression, fighting bacterial infection, their antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and much more.
Find out more about research and fundraising projects taking place by the hosts of Aromatherapy Awareness Week, the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) by clicking the link below
Corincraft products that contain the essential oils mentioned in this article:
Eucalyptus:
Rose:
Bergamot:
Geranium:
Lavender:
Ylang-Ylang:
Black Pepper:
Oregano: