How to Use Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
February 25, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Aromatherapy is one of the best remedies for mood enhancement because smell has a powerful connection with the brain. Think of your favourite smell, and don’t you get an instant feeling of pleasure? For me it can be freshly brewed coffee or new mown grass. Using aromatherapy for stress is a very powerful way of calming your nerves, relaxation or helping you to drift off at the end of the day.
While there are many aromatherapy oils specifically useful for stress, you need to choose the one you feel most happy with. For many women, geranium or clary sage are great favourites, and most people love the soothing aroma of lavender. If you haven’t used aromatherapy oils before, start off by buying one or two of the less expensive oils as follows:
Lavender oil - one of the least expensive, but most useful and effective oils. Every medicine cabinet should include a bottle. It is also one of the only oils you can use neat on the skin. Lavender is calming and soothing and will also help you to sleep at night. Put a drop on your pillow - or rub a drop into your temples for a stress headache.
Geranium - has a pleasant fragrance, often used in perfumes and other toiletries. Geranium has a balancing effect so is very good for mood swings, PMT or menopausal problems.
Rosemary - this is a stimulating oil and is best used in the case of emotional exhaustion or when worry has left you feeling drained.
When you are ready to try a few more oils, I recommend the following:
Clary sage - This is a very uplifting oil so is good for feelings of depression and is also very effective for tension and insomnia. Also an excellent oil for PMT and exhaustion.
Chamomile (Roman) - Soothing and relaxing, this oil is very good for a restless mind and anxiety.
Sandalwood - a beautiful fragrance also used in perfumes, this is helpful in cases of fear and anxiety, irritability and nervousness.
Neroli - One of the best oils for stress and shock, and extremely useful in the case of bereavement, hysteria, mental strain and restlessness.
How to use the oils.
The three most effective methods of using oils are:
Massage - blend 2 or 3 of your favourite oils with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil or sunflower oil. You only need about 5 drops per 10ml of carrier oil. Get someone to massage your whole body, or massage your shoulders and neck.
In the bath - add around 4-5 drops of your favourite oils to your bath. Light some candles, play some soft music, slide in and enjoy!
Diffusers & burners - burn a blend of 2-3 oils in an oil burner.
You can also buy ready made blends specifically for stress or other conditions. Have a look in your local health shop.
Using aromatherapy for stress is probably one of the most pleasant ways of treating yourself, especially when combined with a hot bath or slow massage!
Ros Bott
Aromatherapy Stress Relief
April 24, 2009 by admin · 2 Comments
Lavender
Our sense of smell is is very powerful and can influence the mind far more than we may imagine. Think how evocative certain scents are: the smell of new-mown grass, fresh coffee, Christmas trees, for example, and how good they can make you feel. This is why aromatherapy stress relief is extremely effective. Aromatherapy uses our sense of smell to uplift us, relieve stress and also to revive flagging energies.
Aromatherapy is of course completely natural and uses the pure essential oils of plants. There are various ways of using essential oils; you can mix them with carrier oils for massaging, you can use them in burners or infusers or you can put a few drops into your bath.
To use aromatherapy oils for stress, you should start with two or three of the recommended oils and incorporate them into your life as much as you can. After a while, you can choose one or two more until you get to know which are your favourites and work best for you. Combining two or three oils together often seems to make them more effective.
Essential oils vary in price due to the different processing methods for each plant. You will find lavender, which is one of the best oils for stress, is generally one of the cheapest, whereas jasmin or rose tend to be at the top end and are a real treat!
The best oils for anxiety and stress are as follows:
For emotional stress (caused by grief, loss, relationship problems etc): Geranium, Sandalwood, Palma rosa, Bergamot, Vetiver, Rose, Cardamom.
For mental stress (caused by over-achievement, exams, unemployment, financial stress, doing too much etc): Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Basil, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Cardamom, Patchouli
For physical stress (caused by over-exertion, driving long distances etc): Rosemary, Chamomile Roman, Marjarom, Lavender, Bergamot, Thyme, Geranium, Fennel
For chemical stress (caused by too much coffee, over-drinking, junk food, antibiotics, pollution, smokers etc): Lavender, Patchouli, Pettigraine, Geranium, Clary-sage, Grapefruit, Lemon, Rosemary
For environmental stress (caused by bright lights, noise, cramped living or working space etc.): Cedarwood, Coriander, Geranium, Cypress, Chamomile Roman, Basil, Bergamot
You can also buy ready-made blends, or make up your own blends to treat particular symptoms.
Aromatherapy is a lovely way to reduce stress, but make sure that you read how to use essential oils before you start. It is important to use the right strengths. Using too much can actually have a reverse effect, and if you are pregnant there are some oils that you should not use.
Aromatherapy stress relief is very effective and easy to use at home once you understand how to use the oils. It can also be reasonably inexpensive if you stick to the cheaper oils such as lavender and geranium.
Ros Bott
You can buy aromatherapy oils here: Thymely Solutions
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