Stress Soothers

Therapeutic treatments using aromatic essential oils are both pleasurable and effective.  The oils draw on the healing properties of plants, and with regular use they can stimulate the immune system to strengthen the body against disease. 

One of today’s biggest health problems is too much stress.  Our bodies pump extra blood and the heart rate speeds up while the digestion slows down.  We all react to stress in different ways, but we can all benefit from the balancing and calming effects of essential oils.  

Essential oils, when inhaled, stimulate the limbic portion of the brain which is responsible for all of our feelings of well-being and discontent.  Aromatherapy can help reduce your levels of stress enabling you to lead a happier and more fulfilled life. 

- Anxiety can be reduced by using uplifting and calming essential oils such as: basil (uplifting), bergamot (uplifting), geranium (relaxing), lavender (soothing), neroli (sedative), and sandalwood (calming). 

- Mild shock is a temporary form of stress and needs a fast-acting remedy.  The following essential oils can help: chamomile (calming), Melissa (anti-depressant), neroli (relieves anxiety), peppermint (invigorating pain-reliever), and rosemary (stimulating).  (Please talk with your doctor first about this condition.) 

- Headaches are one of the first signs of stress.  Cold compresses of lavender or geranium across the forehead provide some relief.  Peppermint across the temples, forehead, and back of neck also provide some relief.

- Depression hits us all from time to time and if untreated, it can lead to lowering our immune system and worsening our mental and physical health.  These oils tend to lift our spirits: bergamot, cypress, lemongrass, and rosemary.  Oils that are soothing are chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang ylang.  Always consult a doctor.

- When you feel exhausted or can’t concentrate on one thing at a time, take time to unwind by taking a walk, deep-breathing exercises, or taking a bath.  Then, revive yourself with eucalyptus, peppermint, or rosemary.

- Sleeplessness is a common response to stress and learning how to relax can be difficult.  By getting into a more regular pattern by a healthy diet and regular exercise, will help.  Try drinking milk or tea with an essential oil in it like tangerine or lavender.  Taking a relaxing bath with any of the following oils that have sedative properties: cedarwood, chamomile, frankincense, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, Melissa, neroli, orange, patchouli, rose, sage, sandalwood, or ylang ylang.  Breathing the following essential oils will help to induce sleep: frankincense, lavender, marjoram, neroli, and peace & calming.

- Whenever you are under a lot of stress for any length of time, your body tenses up.  Your muscles ache, feel tired and are sluggish.  As you massage the aching muscles at the surface, the essential oils work at the deeper levels as they are absorbed.  Pepper and peppermint are good oils for aching muscles.  Clove is very anti-inflammatory.

Disclaimer:

- These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

- The information provided herein is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription for any disease or mental illness. The author, publisher, and distributors accept no responsibility for such use. Those who may be suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult with a physician.

- The names of the essential oil blends and nutritional supplements listed are trademarked by Young Living Essential Oils. Mention of Young Living products does not imply endorsement by Young Living. All content is the work of Young Living Independent Distributors.

Sources and resources: “The Illustrated Guide to Massage and Aromatherapy”

For more information: www.oilsforhealthyliving.net

Love and Romance

The season of love is here!

The hypothalamus is the hormone control center in the body, so regulates and stimulates sex drive, energy levels and healthy production of hormones. Aromas and scents are so tied in with memory and emotional associations. Essential oils for love can enhance your Valentine’s Day fun by assisting in opening the heart and acting as aphrodisiacs and mood enhancers.

Here are 5 essential oils that can help bring a little more love, beauty and sensual magic your way:

1. Sandalwood is specifically recommended as a fragrance for men. It's rich, sweet, warm, and woody aroma is enticing, erotic and soothing.

2. Rose is known as the “Queen of Flowers”. Probably the most common scent associated with love and romance. Rose is also the oil of the heart chakra, and associated with the archetype "The Goddess of Love." It carries a beautiful, strong floral and sweet fragrance that is highly romantic. It's also known to help balance hormones in the female reproductive system.

3. Ylang Ylang is a sweet, soft, flowery fragrance has become a romantic favorite. Ylang ylang elevates sexual energy and enhances relationships.

4. Jasmine’s floral fragrance is warm and exotic and has been used throughout history for romance and attraction. It helps balance the feminine energy of the body and is often used during childbirth.

5. Lady Sclareol is nicknamed “The Great Intoxicator.” This is a blend of some of nature’s most exotic and aromatic essential oils. It is a natural aphrodisiac for both men and women, calming and balancing, and can help unblock emotional issues associated with low libido, infertility and frigidity, as well as enhance romance. 

I'll have to say that my favorite oil to diffuser is a blend called Joy.

Sources and Resources:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7761/5-essential-oils-for-love-sensuality.html

For more information: www.oilsforhealthyliving.net

Focus and Relaxation

Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils, to relax, balance and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. It is both an art and a science.

Lavender contains aldehydes and esters that are very calming and sedating to the nervous system (including both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems). These substances allow us to relax instead of getting caught in our usual anxiety downward spiral. Some researchers at the University of Miami found that inhalation of lavender oil increased the beta waves in the brain, suggesting heightened relaxation! A 2001 Osaka Kyoiku University study found that lavender reduced mental stress and increased alertness.

All citrus oils contain d-limonene in varying amounts. D-limonene is an oil nutrient called a ‘terpene’ and is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory! This is great when it comes to stress, since most stress is ‘oxidative stress’ which is stress caused by oxidation from free-radicals. So when you add an oil to your body (internally or externally) that is an ‘anti-oxidant’ you are ridding your body of stress on a cellular level! A 1995 Mie University study found that citrus fragrances boosted immunity, induced relaxation, and reduced depression. Below is a list of citrus oils and their respective d-limonene levels:  Grapefruit: 88-95%, Lemon: 59-73%, Lime: 50-60%, Orange: 85-96%, and Tangerine: 85-93%

Valor contains Frankincense essential oil, which is high in sesquiterpenes. Sesquiterpenes can increase oxygen levels in the brain. The stimulation of both aroma and oxygenation seems to affect the amygdala (the part of the brain that controls your mental and emotional states) in ways that facilitate the release of stored emotional blocks! So next time you feel that nervous tension build up, grab your Valor (which even comes in a roll on!), take deep breath and keep on going. You never know what is around the next corner!

Oils that I recommend for relaxation Lavender and Peace & Calming for relaxation. Tangerine, which is in P&C, is supposed to help with relaxing your mind. It will help you slow down when your mind is racing with all of the things you have to do. There's also a blend called Joy that I really like when I have a little anxiety going on (Jasmine helps with that).

Oils that I recommend for focusing are peppermint (which is great to perk you up when you are sleepy especially when you rub it on the back of your neck), clarity, en-r-gee, and brain power.
The Essential Oils Desk Reference book suggests the following other oils: spearmint, black pepper, sage, nutmeg, pine, envision, valor, motivation, frankincense, cardamom, rosemary, vetiver, and cedarwood.

Diffusing the oils would be an excellent way to breathe it in. Also, apply a few drops to the brain reflex centers (forehead, temples, mastoids) and/or brain stem (back of neck) as needed. Applying the oils to the Via Flex points on your feet a few times a day would be beneficial as well. Any oil that is massaged on the bottom of our feet will touch every cell within your body within 20 minutes. It's amazing!

Young Living's oils are undiluted and are grade A (therapeutic grade) in which the plants are organically grown.


Sources and resources:
http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/ar_basicaroma.html
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/blog/2013/01/essential-oils-to-help-you-relax-reduce-stress-and-stay-calm-in-the-new-year

For more information: www.oilsforhealthyliving.net