Sleepless nights making you unhappy? Is stress interfering with your daily life? You don’t have to put up with it. There’s an essential oil for everything, from lighting a lavender-scented candle to steaming up your shower with invigorating orange. There’s even more good news. At the same time, you’ll transform your home into a relaxing haven! Here, our experts guide you through the best essential oils for physical and mental health…
PEPPERMINT
It’s an excellent stimulant. ‘Use it to help overcome tiredness and increase your creativity and focus,’ says wuweiwisdom.com feng shui consultant Alexandra Lees.
According to research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, peppermint oil can also improve exercise performance, breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. That is not all. ‘Peppermint oil can be used to treat coughs and colds, as well as to relieve pain and stress,’ says Dr Tim Bond, a natural health expert from Puressentiel.
DID YOU KNOW? According to Iranian studies, sniffing peppermint before a workout can stimulate muscles and improve performance, while the scent of cinnamon can improve mental clarity.
LAVENDER
Do you have trouble falling asleep at night? According to research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, inhaling lavender can help you sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed. It can also help to alleviate anxiety. This is due to the fact that it influences the body’s stress response, also known as fight-or-flight.
Inhaling lavender can provide immediate relief. In fact, research indicates that it can be effective in as little as three minutes. Are you going to use it in a diffuser? To reap the benefits, leave it on for 10 minutes for scented room.
BERGAMOT
Dr Bond explains that bergamot oil is frequently used topically for its soothing effect on skin and hair. This is due to its fruity and refreshing scent, as well as its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Bergamot oil can also aid in stress relief. It has been discovered that inhaling it reduces anxiety, depression, and fatigue by signaling the brain to release happy hormones, dopamine and serotonin.
Massage one to two drops of bergamot oil mixed with carrier oil into your hands and inhale deeply through the nose and exhale slowly out through the mouth three times for a quick stress-buster.
Read Essential oils for a life of purpose and wellbeing
YLANG-YLANG
Do you need to boost your self-esteem? According to scientists whose work was published in the Journal of the Nursing School of the University of Sao Paulo, the soothing, exotic, and sweet scent of these delicate flowers is a very effective solution. When ylang-ylang inhalation was compared to a placebo, the results showed that ylang-ylang increased self-reported confidence. This fruity fragrance can also help boost your libido. It is regarded as one of Asia’s most powerful aphrodisiacs. Diffuse a few drops in your bedroom and watch the magic unfold.
ROSE
If you’re feeling down, a drop of rose oil can help lift your spirits. This is due to the sweet floral scent stimulating the release of dopamine, the feel-good hormone. To make your own scented room, combine a few drops of oil with water in a spritz bottle. Mix with lavender oil in a diffuser to specifically target low mood and anxiety.
GERANIUM
Hormones messing with your mood? Inhaling geranium oil could be the solution. This oil helps with menopause and menstrual irregularities by acting as a tonic for the adrenal cortex, which regulates hormone release. According to research, geranium oil can help reduce hot flushes and pain during menopause.
Geranium can help with low mood, nervousness, and fatigue because hormones have a direct effect on our moods.
WILD ORANGE
‘Orange essential oil can help lift a person’s mood or reduce stress,’ says Dr. Bond. According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, it can also help to reduce anxiety and pain. When they were admitted to an emergency room with a limb fracture, the participants inhaled orange essential oil. Those who inhaled the oil experienced significantly less pain and anxiety than those who did not.
NEROLI
Do you want to look slimmer? Try it with neroli! In one American study, men estimated a woman wearing a floral scented perfume – such as this aroma from the flowers of bitter orange blossom trees – to be 12lb lighter than she actually was. It has an uplifting fragrance and helps nourish your skin, so it has to be worth a shot!
The Essential Oils Science
‘Essential oils work on both physical and emotional levels,’ says Arwen Bardsley of evenstarwellbeing.com. ‘The smell of essential oils instantly activates the hypothalamus gland in the brain, producing hormones required for sleep, relaxation, energy, thirst, mood, hunger, and sex drive. These hormones act as chemical messengers, racing to specific parts of your body to keep your internal processes balanced and functioning properly.’
Natural isn’t always the safest option.
‘After the last few years, many people have reprioritized their mental health, and essential oils are an accessible way to support that,’ says Jennie Pinkhart, clinical aromatherapist and founder of Eve & Keel. ‘Remember that just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s always safe. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can buy pre-made blends or work with a qualified aromatherapist to create something unique.’ As demand grows, we can expect an increase in unsustainable harvesting practices. ‘When purchasing neat oils, always buy from a reputable supplier and choose certified organic whenever possible.’
REMEMBER
Before using essential oils topically, always dilute them with a carrier oil and perform a patch test.
Getting into your bath? Use a dispersing agent like Castile Liquid Soap Base.
Inhale for no more than 15-20 minutes. If you’re using a diffuser, set it for 30-60 minutes on and 30-60 minutes off.
Never ingest or apply to your eyes or ears.
How to Use for Scented Life
DIFFUSORS Essential oils of your choice can be added to these electric pods. Simply remove the lid, fill the reservoir to the ‘max’ line with water, and then add the specified amount of oil drops. The diffuser will emit fragrant mist into the air and make your scented space.
INHALE Add one to three drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Cover your head and the bowl with a towel. Close your eyes and inhale the steam deeply for several minutes. This can be done several times throughout the day.
Consult your dermatologist before using essential oils topically if you have a skin condition.
