AROMATHERAPY 101 (A Quick Session)

Essential Oils are best known for counteracting stress, with properties which can effect the mind and emotions to calm, sedate, or uplift। The immediate and profound effect of essential oils on the central nervous system makes aromatherapy an excellent method for stress management Aromatherapy also makes us feel good in part by releasing certain mood-inducing chemicals in our brains. It relieves stress by promoting mental relaxation and alertness, quality sleep, physical relaxation, and by increasing overall energy. How does Aromatherapy work? How many times have you smelled something like perfume or a food and had the taste of it instantly in your mouth? The volatile molecules of the perfume or food enter your nose and can be tasted in your mouth. When inhaled, the aromas stimulate a release of neurotransmitters, chemicals responsible for pleasant feelings and pain reduction. The scent of apples and cinnamon, for example, have a powerful stabilizing effect on some people, especially folks suffering from anxiety. Next time you are out, pay close attention to all of the smells that you can identify and how the change your mood. We compiled a list of some essential oils that will help you in you in your everyday. Its nothing like smell goods that are good for you too..Enjoy...Be Well..Bless...

Calming, relaxing oils to reduce stress:

-Lavender: induces sleep, calms the heart, lowers high blood pressure, and pain relief for headaches.

-Marjoram: Calms anxiety, a warming analgesic for pain, stiff joints, asthma, menstrual cramps, etc. *Take a break after 30 days of usage*

-Sandalwood: Natural aphrodisiac, excellent meditation and sleep aid, assist in kidney problems, healing and moisturizing for cracked and dry skin, etc.

-Clary Sage: Calms edgy nerves, uplifts the mind, hormone balancer, PMS, muscle spasms, helpful for all types of skin inflammations, aging skin, and wrinkles.

Just some other oils that we like:

-Bergamont: Uplifting, eases digestion, helps with eczema, psoriasis, and acne. An antiseptic for wounds and urinary tract infections. *Avoid hot sun right after use on the skin*

-Geranium: has both stimulating and calming effects. It depends on what the body needs. Acts as an anti-depressant and tonic for the nervous system to reduce stress. Helpful in overcoming addictions. Helps w/ menopause symptoms, PMS, enhances circulation to the skin, burns, and shingles. Its a good skin cleanser so, look for soaps or body washes w/ geranium oil. *Please avoid during pregnancy*

-Lemon: Uplifting to the psyche. Cleanses and refreshes the skin. (good for oily skin as well)

-Neroli: Relieves stress, depression, anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, headaches, useful for dry sensitive skin.

-Jasmine: Uplifting, soothing, hormone balancer, menstrual pain, uterine disorders, respiratory difficulties, bronchial spasms, cough, and hoarseness.

-Ylang Ylang: Eases feelings of anger, shock, panic, and fear. Hormone balancer for women especially. Helps with high blood pressure, insomnia, and balance sebum flow to stimulate the scalp for hair growth.

-Cypress: Calms irritability, helps release cellulite, good for nose bleeds, sore throats, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, etc. *Avoid during pregnancy*

-Ginger: Sharpens senses and aids the memory. Helps with digestion, colds, flu, reduces fever, motion sickness, nausea, gas. *Ginger may irritate the skin, must dilute with a carrier oil*

-Rosemary: Encourages intuition, enlivens the brain, helps exhaustion, weakness, lethargy. A sinus decongestant, pain relieving properties for arthritis and gout. *Avoid during pregnancy*

-Peppermint: Energizes, all around stomach tonic, eases headaches, etc.

-Fennel: Stimulates circulation from your heart to your fingertips.

-Rose: Influences hormonal activity and glandular function.

*When preparing your essential oils for topical use, you always want to add them to a carrier oil like, jojoba, almond, or a favorite massage oil. The oils are highly concentrated, one drop applied directly to the skin may cause irritation. You can also use a diffuser or steam inhaler if you want to infuse them into the air.

* Also, don't take essential oils internally, unless administered by a practitioner. There is a brand of essential oils that are safe to use internally. Young Living is the brand and they have a list of essential oils that are cool for cooking.

*Inhale essential oils for short periods only, run a diffuser for 5-10 minutes at a time*

*Use glass containers for all of your blends.

*Follow the directions for aromatherapy blends carefully. Never add more than the recommended number of drops.*

*When making blends for infants and children, be sure to dilute.*