Insomnia: Get The Secret Reserved Only For The Elite Thousands Of Years Ago

What is the age old trick used thousands and thousands of years ago to treat insomnia? Drum roll please....aromatherapy.

You may not realize it, but there is a lot of power in aromatherapy especially when it comes to solving insomnia. The scents that we are inhaling can be tied to a memory or situation from the past, but it also can align with our emotional and behavioral patterns. By breathing in the appropriate scents, we can completely be in tune with our bodies and feel a newfound sense of peace.

The basis of aromatherapy is to stimulate olfactory nerves that connect directly with the brain. When the brain senses that these fragrances are pleasant and appealing, it will provide a direct emotional response. After a short amount of time, the body will feel comfortable enough to unwind and slow down to a truly restful state. This in turn will begin to slow the respirations, which of course makes us drowsy. Now who knew all that could come from inhaling something so great?

Well, how long has aromatherapy been around? What is its history?

The history of aromatherapy goes back thousands of years. Although not called aromatherapy until the early 1900's, essential oils were used in biblical times.

Cleopatra was known to use essential oils in her perfumery. Cleopatra loved to sink into an oil-scented bath to calm her nerves after a long day of lounging on the Nile. Ancient Greeks and Romans used the oils in their medical treatments. The Egyptians used aromatic plant essences to treat both physical and mental health problems. In the East, Chinese and India, doctors also knew the therapeutic benefits of plant essences.

French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse coined the term "aromatherapie". He was convinced that the oils had antiseptic properties and important healing abilities. While conducting an experiment in distillation he burned his hand and needing to cool it down, put his entire hand into a vat of pure lavender essential oil. The pain was gone almost instantly. Over the next few days his burn healed with no blisters, scars or infections. Thereafter he continued his research of this incredible phenomenon and uses of essential oils for other possible medical uses.

Is aromatherapy safe?

Yes, aromatherapy is a safe and highly effective way of calming the body down in order to achieve a full eight hours of sleep. There is nothing intrusive about this method, and it is not addictive like much of what you will find at your local drug store. It's not like you have to have your scents every night, but at the same time, no harm will come to you from breathing in pleasant aromas on a regular basis.

Aromatherapy is a stress-reliever, and a mood enhancer. So the benefits of using this method at night are not only finally being able to feel sleepy. You will certainly awake with a more pleasant outlook, feeling less tense and anxious about the day ahead. While it is certainly not meant to solve every problem, or be the definitive answer for chronic sleeping disorders, it is definitely a wonderful and harmless place to begin on your quest for a restful night.

The practice of aromatherapy goes beyond smell. Experiment with a wide variety of scents out there to find which one provides the most calming and relaxing atmosphere. Every person's body naturally responds to different aromas in different ways, so there is the perfect combination out there for you that will benefit you in the long run.