Monday, March 12, 2012

Top 3 Essential Oils To Lift Your Mood

AttributionShare Alike Some rights reserved by CINNAMON VOGUE
It wasn't until the early 19th century that the research on the medicinal and aromatic characteristics of essential oils started. But its uses were already known to ancient Egyptians long before that.

Essential oils have a remarkable ability to affect a person's well being and can be very effective for natural stress relief. But they are not a magical potion or secret elixir. They are oils which have been extracted from flowers, leaves, stems, buds, branches and roots of plants.  Then they are made into concentrates so that the beneficial properties of those substances can be used to achieve a specific emotional, physical or spiritual effect to humans known as aromatherapy. So whenever you need to calm your mind or boost your mood, try these top 3 essential oils:

Lavender Oil
  • A common perfume fragrance, used commercially in fabric softeners and air fresheners, but it is also one of the most popular aromatherapy scents.

  • It has a sweet, balsamic, floral, herbaceous fragrance.

  • Exposure to the scent of lavender helps to slow down the activity of the nervous system which promotes relaxation and calm.

  • Known for its power to alleviate stress, a study in 2006 found that it reduced the severity of depression from 42 female college students.

  • The study also showed that it helped abate the students' insomnia.
Citrus Oils
  • Most common citrus oils are lemon, orange and grapefruit. They have refreshing, clean aromatherapy scent.

  • A study in 2008 showed that 56 healthy men and women had an increase in their norepinephrine (gives the body sudden energy in times of stress) levels after breathing in the fragrance of lemon oil.

  • Orange essential oil is a natural sedative, which gives relief from anxiety, anger, depression. This is exactly what you'll need to to cool down after a bad day at work.

  • Grapefruit essential oil is effective in uplifting your mood and fostering a positive state of mind. Diffusing it in the morning will energize your body for the activity ahead, while it will help relax your exhausted body when diffused at night. 
Rosemary Oil
  • It has a clear, powerful refreshing herbal smell that is great for stimulating the brain, improving memory and mental clarity.

  • Numerous studies revealed that it has positive effects on performance and mood, showing contentment, increased concentration and improved memory on participants.

  • It is perfect for de-stressing during the day when there is still work to be done. Just inhale rosemary oil to remove boredom and get fresh mental energy.
Here are 3 ways to use these essential oils to boost your mood:
  1. Place a couple of drops onto a tissue and inhale the uplifting aroma.

  2. Use an aromatherapy diffuser to fill and entire room with the scent of your chosen essential oil.

  3. Add a few drops to your bath or massage oil.
Important things to know before using essential oils:
  1. Please take note that essential oils are concentrated and potent, so even small amounts can be harmful if not used properly.

  2. If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breast feeding, it is important to consult your physician before using any essential oil.

  3. Do not take essential oils internally, unless under the guidance of a health professional.

  4. Consult your doctor if you have a medical condition or  if you're currently using any medication.

  5. Make sure you store essential oils out of the reach of children.

2 comments:

  1. Can you mix Rosemary with the citrus oils?

    ReplyDelete
  2. i dont see why not! =) rosemary and lemon would probably smell really nice together, in particular

    ReplyDelete

I hope you find the information here useful. I would definitely love to hear from you! Thanks!