Remember Andrea from last weeks awesome Essential Living giveaway? Well she’s back today giving us an inside peek (literally – there’s a video below) of one of the recipes from her book!
Aromatherapy is all about the therapeutic use of essential oils—highly aromatic substances that occur naturally in plants. Essential oils are made up of naturally occurring chemical components that have all sorts of therapeutic properties. Through decades of research, scientists have identified hundreds of these chemical components and learned what they do. Some are antibacterial, some are sedative, and some are antispasmodic. These chemical components contribute to the overall effects of essential oils.
Essential oils also affect people on emotional levels that can be harder to define through research. This is where the brain and sense of smell come in to play. We know that lavender essential oil has properties that calm the body—but we also know that the smell alone can be emotionally comforting and calming.
Supporting Mental Health
Essential oils can be used to support your emotional well-being and mental health in many ways. Sometimes it’s as simple as diffusing an aroma you love or wearing a blend with calming base notes when you meditate.
When using essential oils for your mood, rely on a combination of basics and the way they make you feel. For example, citrus aromas are naturally bright, airy and uplifting while deep base notes from resins are calming, centering and grounding. While we can identify through experience and science that certain essential oils have certain effects on your emotional state, it still comes down to individual experience and response. You may end up tweaking these blends or creating your own blends to help you focus, reduce negative feelings or to calm down in times of anxiety.
Focus & Concentration Inhaler
Makes:
One therapeutic aromatherapy inhaler
Ingredients:
- 5 drops Rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. camphor)
- 10 drops Lemon essential oil (Citrus limon)
Tools:
- One blank aromatherapy inhaler
Directions:
- Add drops directly to the blank cotton component of the aromatherapy inhaler.
- Attach lid carefully.
Notes: Use while working or studying to assist with focus and concentration.
If you haven’t already gotten your copy of Andrea’s book, be sure to do so! It is packed full of so many amazing recipes for life and home!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Her book is on my Christmas Wish List. :)
Andrea is an excellent instructor and has a ton of knowledge concerning the therapeutic uses of essential oils. I also use essential oil inhalers daily for immune support and emotional well being.
Yolanda