Essential Oils for Relaxation

There are several methods for using essential oils for relaxation. You can use them in room sprays, linen sprays, diffusers, perfume or massage oils, facemasks, bath salts, smelling salts, body butter, and creams. 

 

 

The Diffusion Method

 

  • Add a few drops of essential oil to a small pan of simmering water on the stove.
  • Use an essential oil diffuser.
  • Use a humidifier (one that you can use essential oils in) 
  • Add 8-12 drops of essential oil to a cup of warm water in a spray bottle and spray around the house. 

 

Some essential oils are high-vibration oils, whose frequencies can lift the lower frequencies of people and spaces to a higher, healthier frequency. 

 

 

The Inhalation Method

 

Place a few drops of essential oil on a handkerchief, a small square of material, or gauze. You can place it in your pocket and take it out for a whiff whenever you need to relax. You can put the material in a small ziplock bag to keep it fresh. Vanilla, lavender, and sweet orange work well for this method. Or take 2-3 deep breaths of essential oil directly from the bottle. Another idea is to wear a small cork bottle on a necklace to inhale throughout the day.

 

 

The Topical Method

 

Another essential oil method is to apply them directly to the skin, especially along pulse points. However, never apply neat (undiluted) essential oils to the skin, place them in or too close to the eyes or bodily orifices, or swallow them (without sound advice from an expert). Also, avoid exposing your skin to the sun (and tanning beds) when using citrus essential oils topically, as you may experience sunburn.

    

To create an essential oil blend for use as a perfume or massage oil for relaxation, you'll need a dark-colored dropper bottle, essential oils (not fragrance oils), and a carrier oil, such as olive, coconut, or almond. The following recipe yields a 5% solution, the most substantial percentage recommended for safety in adults. 

 

Place one tablespoon of carrier oil into the small dropper bottle for adults. Add up to 15 drops of essential oil to the carrier oil, then cap. Swirl to blend well.

 

Inhale the scent from the bottle, or wear the oil as perfume whenever you need an emotional lift or to relax. This essential oil blend may also be used as a massage oil.

 

 

Essential Oils for Stress

 

Essential oils that work well to ease stress include lavender, vanilla, Roman chamomile, jasmine, basil, ylang-ylang, sweet orange, grapefruit, neroli, mandarin, clary sage, blue tansy, peppermint, bergamot, Oak moss, vetiver, frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, and cedarwood.

 

Scents have a way of triggering our memories. For example, the scent of a rose might calm you instantly because it reminds you of your grandmother, who always made you feel loved and safe. Your favorite scents will be the best essential oils for relaxation. If you don't like a scent, it won't help you relax. 

 

 

Combination Blends for Easing Stress

 

The following are relaxing scent combinations that pair well together.

 

  • Healing Blend: Cinnamon, clove, and myrrh.
  • Headache & Clearer Thinking: Peppermint (avoid if you have heart problems or high blood pressure), eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender. 
  • Anxiety: Basil, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, orange, and patchouli (any or all)
  • Improved Sleep: Lavender, orange, ylang ylang, spikenard, valerian, vetiver, marjoram, and petitgrain
  • Hopelessness: Orange, lemon balm (Melissa), and bergamot.
  • Spiritual Well-Being: Rose otto, sandalwood, frankincense, cypress, and cedarwood. 

 

You can also use incense made from these herbs and spices to help ease stress and promote relaxation. 

 

 

Do Allergies Have You Tensed Up?

 

Are allergies bothering you? Allergic reactions, triggered by histamine release, can be stressful for both the body and the mind. The following essential oils are known to help alleviate symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion. Inhale directly from the bottle as often as you like, or dilute with a base and wear as a perfume oil.

 

  • Lavender reduces inflammation and prevents the enlargement of mucous cells.
  • A combination of sandalwood, ravensara (not ravintsara), and frankincense helps to prevent allergic Rhinitis.
  • Peppermint (good with lemon and lavender) reduces inflammation and helps with headaches.
  • Lemon clears sinuses, reduces congestion, and minimizes seasonal allergies.