Harmonious living is based on the balance in your feelings and perception of the world. However, countless factors can upset this balance and thus cause stress both at work and at home.
Lifestyle change on a global scale, urgency – contributes to the deterioration of both mental and physical conditions. New ways to deal with stress are being sought and found. In recent years, the topic of anxiety and panic has also emerged from the shadows, and the public is beginning to take these feelings more and more seriously.
Types of essential oils
Here are the essential oils that are effective in reducing bad emotions.
Lavender oil
One of the most common stress-relieving oils is lavender oil. This plant is always associated with the promotion of sleep and rest as a stress reducer. Dozens of varieties of lavender are known. Some are more aromatic and some are more suitable for cooking. The quality is also influenced by the region from which the plant is obtained: the soil and the time and method of harvesting are essential.
Lavender oil restores the nervous system by lowering blood pressure. It also helps with insomnia and generally improves the quality of sleep – for this purpose, you can place pads with dried lavender next to the bed or use a spray with lavender aroma. Bath products or body care products with lavender are also common, so that before bedtime, in the evening ritual, this fragrance removes the worries of the day.
The oil can be applied to wounds or insect bites and it will also soothe the skin.
Rose oil
Rose oil has a role not only in aromatherapy but also in alchemy. These links can be traced back to the 10th century when the Arab physician Avicenna obtained this oil from rose petals. It is believed that the rose is the first flower from which an essential oil has been tried.
The scent of roses is known for its ability to soothe emotions, relieve headaches, and balance hormones. This flower oil is known for its ability to strengthen the heart in times of high stress, including mourning and depression. This oil is especially valuable for women with emotional experiences related to the reproductive system or sexuality.
Studies have shown that using rose oil in a foot bath can reduce anxiety even during pregnancy.
Ilang-Ilang oil
Saying the name of this flower, the first associations could be yellow flowers. Although the best oil is obtained from the yellow flowers, this tree called Cananga (Cananga odorata) has pink and lilac flowers.
This oil has a euphoric and calming effect on the nervous system, and the word “euphoria” also hides other impacts of the oil. In Indonesia, for example, Ilang-Ilang flowers were believed to have aphrodisiac functions and were therefore spread on the newlyweds’ bed. The oil of these flowers is also used to balance the oiliness of hair and skin, not only to reduce nervous tension.
It goes well with lavender oil and is a fragrance often used in perfumery as a floral note.
Bergamot oil
This oil is obtained from the peel of ripe fruit; the fruits themselves are similar to small oranges. The name of the plant comes from the city name Bergamo, which is a city in Italy, where this plant was first cultivated. The cold pressing method is used for production.
Bergamot essential oils act as an effective antidepressant because it improves the sense of smell, promotes feelings of joy and energy. It is known as the most effective oil for improving mood, and it is precious in emotionally tricky moments. When feeling tense and anxious, it is good to use bergamot oil in the massage.
It goes best with lavender oil but is compatible with almost all essential oils. Attention! Used externally, this oil can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
Chamomile oil
Roman chamomile (anthemis nobilis) and German chamomile (matricaria chamomilla) are types of chamomile the best known in aromatherapy. Moroccan chamomile or wild chamomile (anthemis mixta) is also often used.
Chamomile tea is recommended to drink before bedtime, it is widely used not only as a sedative but also to regulate the activity of the stomach. Chamomile is also a good disinfectant (often used for urinary tract diseases) and widely used to reduce skin irritation. Because chamomile narrows blood vessels, it can also be used on the skin of the face if the blood vessels are close to it and tend to rupture frequently.
As for the anti-stress effect of the oil, it promotes inner peace. Mix chamomile oil with a base oil and massage in the stomach area around the navel to reduce stress. Use this oil in steam therapy to calm the nervous system, reduce headaches and migraines. This oil is considered one of the mildest, therefore it is suitable for children.
Jasmine oil
Jasmine oil is obtained from the white flowers of the jasmine bush. Originally from Iran, this shrub is often found today outside the tropical climate. Jasmine oil, like rose oil, is costly because the process of obtaining these oils is complicated, meaning that it takes a lot of plants to get a small amount of essence.
This method of the second method is used to obtain a cheaper jasmine product. Although the product obtained in this way will have the aroma of jasmine, it does not contain valuable essential substances. Therefore such a product is rarely used in aromatherapy.
This oil differs from other stress relievers in that it calms the nervous system, but does not cause drowsiness. For example, inhaling it will stimulate the brain to improve mood.
Neroli oil
This sensual fragrance oil is considered a symbol of fertility and youth, a wedding. It is another of the essential oils associated with citrus plants, as neroli is derived from orange blossoms. This oil has a sweet-bitter, intoxicating and sensual aroma, so it is often used in the preparation of perfumes and perfumes. By the way, the name of the oil itself originated in honor of the Italian princess, who used it for her favorite fragrances.
Neroli essential oils can be used to reduce stress, insomnia (best used for a bath before bed), nervous tension (before stressful situations), as well as as an aphrodisiac. Other oils with aphrodisiac properties are based on hormonal stimulation, but neroli is considered aphrodisiac because it calms nervous tension.
The oil is also attributed to the anti-aging effect, as it helps against cell aging, and can also be used to care for mature or simply dry skin. Even against stretch marks.
Basil oil
The word “basil” will undoubtedly be primarily associated with the culinary world as a herb, but it’s different varieties also have different uses. Aromatherapy uses oil from both the basil varieties used in herbs and, for example, ocimum tenuiflorum, which is widely used in Ayurveda.
The oil of this plant is also extracted by steam distillation. Basil oil helps to focus on goals and eliminate indecision and doubt from the mind, thus making it easier to resolve disputes and conflicts. In addition to its nerve-calming effect, basil oil also has an antispasmodic effect, it reduces and prevents bloating, as well as promotes digestion. Bad appetite can also be reduced, especially in children.
Excellent compatibility with citrus oils, bergamot oil, but this oil should not be used during pregnancy or epilepsy!
Final thoughts
Essential oils can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. However, it is important to remember that they should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. And remember, do not to be tempted by low prices because truly valuable oil will pay accordingly.
I hope you find this article helpful, and if you are experiencing stress at work or in your daily life, I invite you to take a look at the other articles where we address serious topics such as anxiety and depression.
