Aromatherapy for stress, anxiety and wellbeing
Scents are powerful—a simple smell can immediately trigger a powerful memory of a place or person. One of my favourite scents is cut grass on a hot summer's day.
It brings me straight back to my childhood, riding down our huge hill on pink roller skates outside my childhood home with no helmet on, no knee pads or elbow pads and not a care in the world. That was the 80’s, and things seemed to be pretty lax back then. Apart from some bloody knees, I lived to tell the tale!
Scents have the power to evoke strong emotions and memories instantly and can directly impact our bodies through our nervous system.
Studies have shown that specific essential oils used in aromatherapy can help relieve stress, relax the body, and promote better sleep. Essential oils, like lavender, have even been shown to interact the same way biochemically that many anti-anxiety medications do on neuroreceptors. That’s pretty damn amazing if you ask me.
So what exactly are essential oils, and how do I use them?
The use of essential oils (otherwise known as Aromatherapy) is a complementary and alternative medicine practice that taps into the healing power of scents from essential oils extracted from plants in order to balance your mind, body, and spirit.
The use of Essential oils dates back for thousands of years and were used by the Ancient Egyptians, where they were used by Royalty to cleanse the air and make offerings to the gods. They were also used in the burial and famous mummification process. Freaky stuff! Luckily we’ve come a long way since then!
Since the 70’s and 80’s there’s been a huge boom in natural medicine, and more recently, the rise in environmental concerns has kept essential oils growing in popularity– both for health and healing, and practical uses to replace harmful chemicals in the home.
In today’s blog post we’re looking at some basic Aromatherapy remedies to use at home to help with stress, anxiety and overall wellbeing.
How to use essential oils
1. Add a few drops directly into a warm bath. This is a great way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy with the added benefit of a sleep provoking soak in the tub.
2. Use a few drops in an essential oil diffuser (diluted with water or a carrier oil) and the calming scent will be diffused into the air. The amounts can usually be found on the bottle, make sure to follow the instructions.
Here’s our top pick of essential oils and remedies
Lavender oil is one of the most popular and well studied aromatherapy oils. One study found that lavender oil aromatherapy calmed the nervous system—lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature as well as changing brain waves to a more relaxed state.
Bergamot oil is produced from the peel of the aromatic citrus fruit. It is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance the flow of energy, fight bacterial infections and support digestive health. It is an effective antidepressant due to its mood enhancing qualities, promoting feelings of joy, freshness and energy. Bergamot essential oil improves blood circulation, stimulates hormonal secretions and digestive health, bringing balance to the body.
Rose essential oil is extracted from rose petals and its scent is renowned for soothing emotions, headaches and balancing hormones. Known for strengthening the heart in periods of high stress, grief, and depression, rose oil can be used in a warm bath or applied directly on to the skin to help with mood swings, hormones and emotions.
If you love chamomile tea, you will appreciate the calming effects of Chamomile essential oil. Chamomile promotes inner calm, reduces anxiety and calms the nervous system - helping to reduce stress levels. Combine chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil, and apply to the pit of the stomach (also known as the solar plexus) and belly button areas.
Jasmine essential oil is widely used in parts of Asia as a natural remedy for anxiety, stress, insomnia and depression. It acts as a natural sedative as well as having stimulating effects on the brain improving mood and energy levels. Add a few drops to a hot bath or apply directly to your wrists or neck.
Clary Sage has a beautiful earthy smell and is effective in calming stress and anxiety. The oil acts as an antidepressant by promoting feelings of wellbeing and inner peace. Clary Sage is also known to act as a great hormone balancer and help reduce symptoms of PMS. You should apply directly to the feet or pulse points to help balance hormones. Alternatively combine with a few drops of chamomile to enjoy in a hot bath.
Derived from the citrus fruit of the same name, Neroli essential oil can be used for a range of ailments, including anxiety relief. Ancient Egyptian priests used Neroli essential oil to heal their bodies, minds and souls. It acts as a sedative, which regulates the metabolic system and releases feelings of anger, irritability and worry. Add a few drops to a hot bath or massage directly on the skin to relieve stress and anxiety.
Basil Essential Oil is one of the lesser known essential oils but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. You can use basil oil to reduce anxiety and enhance mood. Basil essential oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing anxiety, fatigue, mental strain and depression. It also acts as a natural stimulant, promoting peace and clarity of mind. Add a few drops to your diffuser and enjoy the soothing and relaxing aroma.
Safety Disclaimer
It should be noted that essential oils are a highly concentrated and medicinal substance, so some safety precautions need to be observed. For a healthy adult, most essential oils are safe to use within an appropriate dosage (as indicated above). However, when using essential oils for babies, children, during pregnancy, for the elderly or for those with a serious illness it is prudent to do some research to ensure that you use oils that are suitable and that you use the correct dose. As a general guide;
The gentlest essential oils include Lavender, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Neroli and citrus essential oils such as Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot and Mandarin.
Citrus essential oils can produce an effect on the skin called phototoxicity. Citrus oils applied to the skin and then exposed to direct sunlight causes the skin to be more prone to sunburn. To avoid this either use citrus essential oils at night or if you plan to stay inside for most of the day or use them in a diffuser/ inhalation.
Essential oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to the skin.
