The essential oils used in aromatherapy stimulate the part of brain that deals with emotion and memory, promoting the release of feel good chemicals. They can lift your mood but their healing properties can also soothe and relieve a host of physical and emotional problems from depression to headaches.

Low mood: Citrus oils have bright, fresh and zesty oils that can lift spirits.

DIY recipe: Blend two drops of lemon and orange essential oil in a vapouriser. Or three drops of grapefruit in a carrier oil added to the bath can also have a positive effect on mood. Bergamot and valerian are also good uplifting oils. Avoid using citrus oils before going out into sunlight as they can make your skin sensitive.

 

Irritability: Geranium, frankincense and rosewood can help combat mood swings.

DIY recipe: Add three drops of geranium, four drops of frankincense and three drops of rosewood essential oils to 20 ml of grape seed oil and massage into the skin after a bath. Lemon is also known for its mood calming effect so try adding a drop to a bath or massage oils.

 

Stress: To induce a more harmonious way of life try incorporating aromatherapy into your daily routine.

DIY recipe: Put two drops of peppermint oil or lemon essential oil onto a tissue and  inhale when stressed to help invigorate or burn in a vapouriser and place on your desk. Add two drops of soothing lavender, relaxing lavender or calming ylang ylang to the bath to help you wind down.

 

Everyday ailments: Niggling day to day ailments can deplete your energy so why not try these DIY remedies.

• Headaches: rub two drops of lavender essential oil onto your temples
• Blocked sinuses: Sniff the vapour of two drops of eucalyptus oil in boiling water
• PMS: Use two drops of grapefruit in a carrier oil as a tummy massage for bloating.
• Insomnia: Mix three drops of lavender and tree drops of rose wood into a bath before bedtime to help you switch off.
• Indigestion: Add two drops of peppermint essential oil to a teaspoon of vegetable oil and massage into the tummy in a circular, clockwise direction.

 

The five aromatherapy essentials

 

These five oils should be in every first aid cabinet. To use mix a few drops of the oil in 20 ml of a carrier oil and either burn in a vapouriser or inhale in a tissue, use as a massage oil or add to a bath.

 

• Tea tree is a natural antiseptic with antimicrobial properties which help treat spots, cuts, bites and stings.
• Peppermint is ideal for digestive troubles such as nausea and flatulence.
• Rosemary can help with painful periods, headaches and muscular pains.
• Eucalyptus is a powerful decongestant and can help with coughs, colds and catarrh.
• Lavender is a soothing oil, excellent for relieving stress and inducing sleep.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 6:10 pm and is filed under Alternative therapies, Stress. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.