Soak up the Relaxation :: Holistic Healing

Soak up the Relaxation
by author Bev Gray, RA, CH

Long-term emotional or environmental stresses can be hard on the body, mind, and emotions. Quality essential oils have powerful yet subtle effects on emotions and can help relieve stress and anxiety when used in baths, massages, or in aromatherapy diffusers.

Essential oils can be delivered through the skin with the use of aromatic cremes or massage oils. Other methods include adding them to your bath and inhaling them through your olfactory system. The olfactory bulb receives minute pieces of information from your environment with every breath you take. It carries the fragrance molecules of an essential oil to the limbic system, the area of the brain connected with the body’s basic drives such as hunger, thirst, breathing, sleep patterns, sex, emotions, and memories.

Splish-Splash

Two ways to use essential oils are in the bath or with massage; they employ both inhalation and absorption. The molecules of essential oils are so small that they enter the bloodstream and are carried to all parts of the body, assisting it with its natural healing processes.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) has a sweet, spicy, citrus fragrance; it has a refreshing and uplifting effect on the emotions and is helpful for stress and anxiety.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) has a sweet, herbaceous, floral fragrance. It is balancing for the body and emotions and helps to relieve the anxiety, nervous stress, headaches, or insomnia caused by tension.

Sandalwood (Santalum album) has a deep, rich woodsy fragrance. It has mild sedative properties and gives a sense of peaceful relaxation.

Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) has a warm, slightly spicy fragrance. It has potent sedative properties, eases nervousness, tension, and irritability, and is helpful for stress-related disorders such as muscle tension and headaches.

Although some essential oils, such as lavender, can be used directly in the bath, others should be used more cautiously. Undiluted citrus essential oils like orange or bergamot can burn the skin. Using a carrying agent for all citrus oils is recommended. The carrier disperses the essential oil through the water. Carriers include vegetable oils such as almond and grapeseed, sulphated castor oil, powdered milk, sea salt, bubble bath bases, and soaps.

Balance Bath

Having an aromatic bath can not only help you relax but can also help your skin achieve a healthy glow and improve its natural appearance.

1 cup (250 mL) sea salt
6 drops bergamot
6 drops sandalwood
9 drops lavender
2 drops marjoram

Add essential oils to the salts, stir in, and use in bath. Store the excess in a glass jar.

Radiant Skin Body Oil

Grapeseed oil–extracted from grapeseeds–is odourless, lubricating, nonallergenic and contains the antioxidant pycnogenol, which has an antiaging effect.

2 Tbsp (30 mL) grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera)
6 drops bergamot
6 drops sandalwood
8 drops lavender

Add essential oils to the grapeseed oil and use as an all-over body oil.

Bev Gray, RA, CH, is a skilled herbalist, registered aromatherapist, and educator who loves to share her passion for medicinal and aromatic plants. She owns Aroma Borealis Herb Shop in Whitehorse, Yukon (aromaborealis.com) and is the recent recipient of the Yukon Business Person of the Year Award.

Source: alive #285, July 2006

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