The smell of lavender soothes me. When I’m stressed, I reach for my small bottle of lavender oil and dab a little on my wrists and neck. Instant relaxation.
I’ve been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of essential oils. But other than taking a whiff of lavender oil and putting it on like perfume, I don’t know what else to do with it. So I did some research.
What is an essential oil? The definition: a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.
Essential oils can be used to help fight a cold, the flu, and other illnesses. But I narrowed my search to those that are helpful for anxiety and depression. They have calming and relaxing qualities. And lots of delicious scents — jasmine, lemon, marjoram, rose, and roman chamomile, to name a few. Frankincense is known to be one of the best oils to slow down your breathing, which helps reduce nervousness and stress.ย Basil and wild orange have uplifting scents that help with feelings of sadness and anxiety.
What do you actually do with these oils?
One method is to put a few drops into an oil diffuser. There are several kinds to choose from. A nebulizing diffuser can attach directly to the bottle of the essential oil. This type is considered the most powerful because it doesn’t need water or heat to get the essential oil into the air.ย An ultrasonic diffuser uses water and essential oil to create a fine mist. There are also heat diffusers and evaporative diffusers.
Another idea is to rub some oil on the palm of your hands and inhale. I have high blood pressure and take my readings at home. I sit in a comfortable position and take slow breaths. Then I open my bottle of lavender oil and breathe in the calming scent.
Massage is a nice way to enjoy the soothing aromatherapy of essential oils. Mix 10-12 drops of your favorite oil, with two ounces of a carrier oil. A carrier oil is a vegetable oil that can be used to dilute an essential oil. Good ones to try are sweet almond, jojoba, or grapeseed oil.
I think massage is a great idea if you have an anxious child. Talee has always loved back massages. She could’ve benefited from an essential oil massage when she younger and having severe panic attacks.
I’m a lotion-a-holic. I’m always using creamy lotions on my dry hands and feet. So I love this next idea. Make a calming rub with two tablespoons of a natural, unscented lotion with 5-10 drops of essential oil.
A friend of mine mixes a few drops of lavender oil and water in a spray bottle and mists her pillow. That sounds lovely.
I can’t wait to try these techniques. Now to decide which essential oils to buy and which type and brand of diffuser. There are so many options, I’m confused and overwhelmed.
Maybe I should go rub some lavender oil on my wrists.
First image courtesy of: http://thespiritscience.net/2015/08/27/how-essential-oils-can-heal-brain-injuries/
Second image courtesy of: http://www.lafayetteorganics.com/essential-oils/
Thank you. Very informative. I will have to give it a try myself.
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Thanks!
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Very cool. Lavender is indeed my favorite scent…as my favorite state of being is relaxed and calm ๐ I have grown lavender in the garden just to catch the smell in the breeze. I have known for a while about the benefits of essential oils but haven’t really known how to use them, other than putting a few drops in bath water. Thanks for the suggestions. I might try some of them.
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Thanks! I’m the same as you.. I love the calming smell of lavender and have a few lavender plants. And until now I’ve been very confused about using essential oils. Now I want to get a diffuser ๐
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I have a peppermint essential oil, and it helps with congestion. I also use it once in a blue moon in order to calm myself. The grocery stores near me have a unique blend of oils for calming and relaxation. But yeah, I would like to try some lavender essential oil. ๐
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Peppermint sounds good! I never thought to look at the grocery store, but I will, good idea. Thanks for the comment!
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You’re welcome!
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Lavender is my all time favourite scent too, passed down from my Mum who has always grown pots of it and dotted the essential oil all over the house for as long as I can remember. My favourites ways of using it are, in the bath, a sprinkle on a freshly made bed or on my pillow before bedtime, a rub across the wrists and making it into a room spray. Love love! So calming, great added to an oil burner as well.
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Those are great ideas! I never knew it had all those uses. I’m going to put a little in my bath and sprinkle it on my clean sheets (just washed today, haha). Thanks for your lovely comment!
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Yes! That’s great too, so lovely on bath sheets. So many uses, I’m sure there’s some I forgot as well haha – we go through tons of the stuff!
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Neal’s Yard ‘Remedies To Roll’ have been my saviour whilst having anxiety, particularly Travel and Relaxation. They have a selection of essential oils and diffusers which might be of interest to you ๐
http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-oils-and-blends/essential-oils/
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Thanks SO much! I’ll check it out. Which diffuser do you like?
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No problem ๐ I haven’t actually used a diffuser myself and don’t really know much about them, sorry ๐ฆ but I’d be interested to hear how you get on with one!
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Maybe I’ll do an update after I’ve tried one out ๐
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I love the smell of lavender! I knew that it had some sort of healing qualities, but I didn’t look into it. Thanks for this! ๐
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Sure! I’ve been meaning to look into this for months! Glad I finally did ๐
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I’ve been using essential oils for a long time – tea tree oil for disinfecting and healing, lavender, eucalyptus, and bergamot for the bath, frankincense, myrrh, patchouli,
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(Continued) and lavender (diluted in carrier oil) for a facial serum, etc. I love using essential oils as a natural alternative!
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That’s so nice to hear all the different ones you use. Do you buy yours online or at a certain store? Thanks for the comment! Now I know who to ask if I have questions about essential oils! ๐
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I buy them online, but because I just moved back to North America (Canada) after many years of being abroad, I have not yet ordered any from American or Canadian websites. Enjoy your lavender! ๐
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Thank you! ๐
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I really want to get into essential oils. Thank you for the post! ๐
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Great, hope it helped! I’m excited to try new scents ๐
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oh, you and I are not olfactory compatible. lavender gives me migraines. and we have so of the largest lavender fielder in the states just a short little ferry ride away. i don’t go there often.
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Oh no! That’s unfortunate about the lavender field being near you then. I used to not like the smell of lavender but now I do. Not sure what changed ๐
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the fields aren’t much of a problem. it is in a rural part of the state that seldom visit. not to worry, my wife does that for me. (-:
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Lavender helps migraines, also moths, beetles larva if they get in your closet.
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Good to know, thanks! I had no idea about those uses ๐
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Thanks for the tips. I use nag champa. I put it on my wrists and inhale and I am immediately relaxed. Whenever I get anxious I smell it and ky breathing slows down. I carry it in my purse. It’s like my emergency mood tool.
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Hi Traci! I’ve never heard of nag champa, I’ll have to look into that. Sounds great. Thank you for the tip!
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Sure…it’s actually a flower from India.
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Hi Jenny! Just dropped by to let you know I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! You can see the details here http://sometimesicook.net/2015/11/16/the-blogger-recognition-award/ ๐
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Yay! Thank you Tricia, I really appreciate that! ๐
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You’re very welcome!! ๐
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I once read that if you put lavender in boiling water, you can sniff in the aromas in the steam to get rid of headaches. Have you tried this?
FYI my blog is now under the website laurietopin.com. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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I’ve never tried that, but another blogger said lavender is good for headaches. It’s worth a try! And thanks, I’ll stop by!
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Awesome, see you there!
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I add some scent to my pillow for a good night’s rest. Great post. x
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Thank you! And that sounds wonderful. Thanks for the comment and stopping by! I just visited your wonderful blog, and look forward to reading your posts!
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Thank you, Jenny. ๐
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Me too! Lavender is my favorite!
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I love lavender and use essential oils all the time. Thank you!
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I’m just starting to use them, so nice! Nice to meet you, I’m looking forward to your posts. Thank you for the comment and follow!
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Yes! And to you and yours.
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