Sometimes, it takes more than clinical pills and medicines to cure a disease or prevent it from coming back. The use of herbal oils through aromatherapy could be a great alternative in curing or preventing a person from usual diseases.

Aromatherapy has been around for decades as the art of holistic healing of the mind and body. This natural method basically uses highly potent oils derived from particular flowers, plants, and trees through a steam distilling process.

The chemistry of an essential oil may be made up of hundreds of components like terpenes, alcohol, and esters. These oils have minute yet strong molecular structures and are easily absorbed by the body through inhalation or direct contact to the skin. The healing process begins when these oils enter the bloodstream and get infused with the body’s chemistry.

The following is a short list of the essential oils often used in aromatherapy.

Chamomile. Chamomile oil is native to western and southern Europe and cultivated in countries like France, Hungary, US, and Belgium. Chamomile contains anti-anemic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, hypnotic, and analgesic properties. It can cure acne, burns, insomnia, stress-related disorders, PMS, earache, and headache.

Eucalyptus. Aside from being the favorite food of koala bears, the eucalyptus is also famous for its medicinal properties. It is known as an expectorant, diuretic, stimulant, prophylactic, antiseptic, and analgesic. Because of this, it is good for blisters, burns, chicken pox, insect bites and stings, cold sores, arthritis, and muscular pain. It is native to Australia and Tasmania, but is cultivated in Russia, Portugal, Spain, China, and California.

Lemongrass. Because of its cleaning and antidepressant properties, lemongrass is believed to help cure scabies, insufficient milk in mothers, indigestion, fever, and poor blood circulation. Lemongrass is native to Asia.

Lavender. Native to the Mediterranean part of Europe, Lavender has anti-microbial, antispasmodic, and anticonvulsive properties that help cure allergies, athlete’s foot, asthma, insomnia, colic, and nausea.

Jasmine. Jasmine is good for laryngitis, depression, labor pains, and stress, owing to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, and antidepressant properties. It is native to India, China, and the Middle East, but is cultivated worldwide.

Basil. Basil is known as an antiseptic, antidepressant, and antispasmodic substance. It can cure respiratory disorders, colds, flu, depression, muscular pain, and stress. It is native to Asia and the Middle East.

Bergamot. Bergamot has properties that make it an effective laxative, diuretic, stimulant, antitoxic, and antidepressant substance. It can cure cystitis, colds, flu, depression, and PMS. The oil is produced in Italy, but the plant is native to Asia.

The list doesn’t end here. There are more essential oils available out there that could suit your mood and your needs. So go ahead and inhale your way to cure and prevention through aromatherapy.