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Sit Back, Relax and Indulge in the Many Benefits of Aromatherapy!

July 31, 2013
Denarii Lavender Spa Gift Basket

Denarii Lavender Spa Gift BasketA spa gift basket filled with fragrant lotions, soaps and more isn’t just a cute decorative item for your bathroom. It’s also a gift of wellbeing! Research suggests that aromatherapy products boast tons of physical and emotional health benefits. So when you surround yourself with those mesmerizing scents, you’ll feel not only pampered, but healthier too. Here’s everything you should know about aromatherapy, from its history to how different scents affect your mood and health.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils—that is, oils extracted from the roots, leaves, seeds or flowers of plants—in a therapeutic way. The healing aroma of these oils can be inhaled directly from the oil, or it can be inhaled indirectly when spa products are applied to the skin. It is said that these fragrances stimulate sensory receptors in the nose, which in turn send pleasing messages through the nervous system and straight to the parts of the brain that control emotions and memory. Because each essential oil has different ingredients from different plants, each has a different affect on the body.

The History of Aromatherapy

The practice of using scented oils to improve quality of life has been around for ages—almost 6,000 years, to be exact. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and Chinese used essential oils in everyday items like perfume, medications and cosmetics. But the official science of aromatherapy as we know it today wasn’t founded until 1928, when French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the healing power lavender oil has for treating burns. Health care professionals all over the world became more and more interested in aromatherapy by the 1950s, and the craze finally reached theU.S.in the 1980s.

Muir Woods Scented Soaps for HimEmotional Benefits of Aromatherapy

Because the sense of smell is so closely tied to the center in the brain that’s in charge of memories and emotions, using aromas to relax and unwind can make a positive change in how we feel. When it comes to emotional benefits, aromatherapy:

  • Helps you balance your emotions and boost your mood, making you feel more positive and happy
  • Increases your confidence
  • Calms your nerves and reduces tension
  • Triggers positive memories and past emotions
  • Improves focus and concentration
  • Reduces feelings of anxiety and depression

Physical Benefits of Aromatherapy

The effects that aromatherapy has on our wellbeing aren’t just limited to our emotions. The positive signals sent to the brain through the sense of smell make some positive changes to our body too. Physically, aromatherapy:

  • Relaxes muscles and eases pain
  • Balances skin moisture levels and helps minimize conditions such as acne
  • Stimulates blood circulation, enhancing your immune system, energy levels and more
  • Soothes an upset stomach
  • Helps fight conditions such as hair loss, constipation, insomnia, psoriasis and more
  • Battles bacteria and helps remove toxins from the body
  • Promotes rest and encourages deep sleep

Aromatherapy Benefits of Different Scents

Because every scent affects you differently, the soothing spa aroma you choose for your day of relaxation really depends on what problem area you want to target. Here’s a list of a few popular fragrances and how they help you:

Lavender: Treats insomnia and headaches; relieves stress; promotes feelings of positivity and happiness; helps improve cognitive performance

Rosemary: Relieves muscle pain; increases blood circulation, boosts feelings of happiness; reduces stress

Cherry Blossom: Calms and rejuvenates

Spearmint: Aids digestion; eases nausea and vomiting

Citrus: Decreases feelings of depression; reduces stress; enhances mood

Peppermint: Improves memory; increases alertness

Jasmine: Balances hormone levels; nourishes skin; relieves anxiety, depression and muscle tension; brings out feelings of love

Ylang-Ylang: Promotes calmness; reduces stress; enhances memory and information processing; eases upset stomach

Sandalwood: Relieves congestion and nausea; reduces inflammation; alleviates depression; quenches dry skin

Which aromatherapy scent do you and your friends love to unwind with at the end of a stressful day?

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide & Quiz

May 3, 2012

Welcome Back!

Still stuck on what to get or do for dear ol’ Mom? Do our fun little quiz to help pick the perfect gift for your special Mom called: GUESS THAT MOM! Answer the questions below to figure out what kind of Mom you have and a special gift we’ve lined up for her. It’s simple and silly (and I was very close to just making this into a quiz about which Spice Girl we all were) but we’re almost at the end of the week, so it’s time for a little fun.

When you’re done taking our little Mother’s Day Gift Quiz, tell me in the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) which answer you got and come up with your own gift idea that would fit!

Q: What is the one object your Mom can’t live without?

A) Her gardening gloves
B) She’s named the oven
C) Her all new organic shower scrub and exfoliator kit
D) An always full chocolate dish in the kitchen

Q: It’s party time! Where is your Mom?

A) Setting up a beautiful floral centerpiece on the table
B) Cooking all the food and playing hostess to the guest
C) Sitting back and enjoying the party, grabbing treats as they come
D) Eagerly awaiting which desserts they bring out

Q: If your Mom had her own TV show, what would it be?

A) Redesigning yard spaces on HGTV
B) Move over, Giada! Mom has a new cooking special on Food Network!
C) Definitely a reality show
D) Think Anthony Bourdain, but with only desserts!

Q: What is Mom’s favorite holiday? (Besides Mother’s Day of course!)

A) Earth Day
B) Thanksgiving
C) Does Summer count as a holiday?
D) Halloween or Valentines Day

Q: What’s Mom’s favorite color?

A) Earthy Green
B) Fiery Red
C) Tranquil Blue
D) Warm Chestnut

Q: It’s Sunday afternoon, where is your Mom?

A) Out in the garden, of course!
B)
Cooking up a gourmet brunch
C)
At her spa appointment
D)
Whipping up a sweet Sunday confection

Did you get…

Garden Tote with ToolsMostly A’s: She’s a nature woman! You can always find her out in her garden tending to the flowers or enjoying the greenery around her. We’re sure she’d love this Gourmet Garden Tote Gift with Tools.

 

 

 

Cucina Rustica BasketMostly B’s: A natural born chef, you really mean it when you say there is nothing like Mom’s home cooking! Get her a great gift that she’ll love to use like this Cucina Rustica Italian Gift Basket.

 

 

 

Apres Ski Spa Basket

Mostly C’s: No one knows how to be more relaxed than Mom. She takes “treat yourself” to a whole new level! We know that she’ll love this pampering Apres Rain Spa Gift Basket.

 

 

 

Spring Godiva Chocolates BasketMostly D’s: It’s no secret: Mom is an absolute chocolate lover! The best way to Mom’s heart this Mother’s Day is with her sweet tooth! (To be fair, all of her is pretty sweet). She’ll definitely love this Spring Elegance Godiva® Chocolates Gift Basket.