Essential Oils for Relaxation

There are several methods for using essential oils for relaxation. Here are few suggestions, along with a few precautionary measures.

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, which are oils whose frequencies can lift 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 undiluted (neat) 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, keep your skin out of the sun (and tanning beds) when using citrus oils topically  or you'll "sun" burn.

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

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

Inhale the scent from the bottle or wear the oil as a perfume whenever you need an emotional lift or need 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 are lavender, vanilla, Roman chamomile, jasmine, basil, ylang ylang, sweet orange, orange, grapefruit, neuroli, 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 relax you. 

Combination Blends for Easing Stress

Relaxing scent combinations that go well together are as follows.

• 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 from these herbs and spices to ease stress and encourage relaxation. 

Other Ways To Use Essential Oils

• Room spray
• Linen spray
• Cotton Ball or tissue
• Personal aroma stick
• Diffuser
• Bath salts
• Smelling salts
• Perfume or massage oil
• Facemask
• Body butter
• Creams

See The Herbal Remedies Recipe Guide for ideas!

Do Allergies Have You All Tensed Up?

Are environmental allergies stressing you out and keeping you from sleeping well at night? Essential oils can help eliminate watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion. Inhale directly from the bottle as often as you like.

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