Essential Oils
As a taxing year gives out, prep for the New Year with essential oils – it is a great way to destress, relax, and calm your nerves.
Bindu Gopal Rao
As we stay confined during the pandemic, home fragrance can soothe your senses. And what better way to do it than with essential oils known to have calming effects?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that have unique aromatic compounds that give them their distinguishing essence. These oils are obtained through various methods, including cold pressing, or steam or water distillation. Essential oils work wonders for your hair, skin and for your mental and physical health, and can help you stay safe and protected during the pandemic.
According to ModMonk Anshul, a business psychologist, spiritual coach, healer, mystic, and founder of Soul School, “In my years of practicing various healing modalities, psychic readings, channeling, and meditation, I always use oils/ fragrances, as they help us open and activates different areas of our mind and senses. Different fragrances offer different purposes depending on the smell; sweet, pungent, soothing, minty, or citrusy might serve for protection, third eye opening, cosmic connection, love, and relaxation on the nature of the oil.”
Here are six oils and their uses.
Cedarwood Essential Oil
It is known to have a calming effect and improve sleep patterns. Cedarwood oil has numerous benefits, among other things being antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal. In fact, it is used medically to fight bacteria and soothe coughs. Its woody scent is known to clear the mind and has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce aches and stiffness. This oil can also be blended with oils like lemon, patchouli, cinnamon bark, sandalwood and vetiver. Check out this link from Helias.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a purifying, cleansing, immune-boosting oil that can be used on skin and hair. Eucalyptus essential oil’s sweet aroma rejuvenates and relaxes your body and mind.
“With its signature fragrance, eucalyptus oil has antifungal properties that help in infection, cold and coughs,“ says Natasha Tuli CEO, Soulflower. “It clears scalp build-up or clogged pores and promotes healthy breathing. The pandemic is causing numerous negative impacts on people. Using such soothing oil will facilitate you in a lot of areas, including both physical and mental peace ”
Essentialoil.com has this great option.
Turmeric Oil
Indians have used turmeric for its curative properties for ages. You can use it many ways: add a few drops to your daily bath, diffuse it in a diffuser to breathe clean air, use it with your daily moisturizer for your skin, or mix a couple of drops with your regular hair oil and massage your scalp. “With anti-inflammatory properties that can treat various skin conditions when used topically, turmeric oil is rejuvenating and energizing for the mind, body and spirit,” says Dr. Jazzy Nepram, director of CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru. Walmart sells this turmeric oil.
Lavender Oil
A popular and versatile essential oil in aromatherapy, lavender has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
“Lavender oil can be mixed with any carrier oil before applying on hair and skin and needs to be massaged gently. Add 2-3 drops with a carrier oil for nail care or apply a tiny amount to your pillow for a relaxed peaceful sleep,” Tuli says. The anti-inflammatory properties of lavender fights bacteria that cause acne and inflammations and heal minor burns and bug bites and relaxes muscles and boosts blood circulation. COVID-19 has promoted the sale of lavender essential oils for to these very reasons. In fact, you can blend lavender with geranium, bergamot, and neroli to create your own relaxing blend. Buy this oil from Frankie & Myrrh.
Peppermint Oil
This helps boost energy and creates an immediate burst of energy in the mind.
“The menthol present in peppermint oil can assist in the treatment of headaches induced by stress, excess use of digital screens and headache caused due to common cold. Topical application of the oil can help alleviate these,” says Nepram. With a strong fragrance it is known to have relaxing properties that works well when you are stressed. You can create a blend of peppermint oil with oregano, marjoram, geranium, lemon or rosemary. The combined fragrance is a great way to relax, too. Amazon has this good option.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense addresses respiratory disorders as it relieves symptoms of cold and cough. It can also be topically applied on sore joints and muscles to manage the pain.
“This oil helps one connect with the higher conscious state of one’s being and is a must-have for meditation practitioners,” says Anshul. Essential oils and their uses are myriad, and understanding how to use them can hold you in good stead in uncertain times like these. Essential oils can certainly change not just the fragrance of a room but also uplift your mood. Young Living retails this oil.
Tips
- Keep the quality and purity of the essential oils in mind before choosing them.
- Mix a few oils and create a blend that relaxes you.
- Do not mix essential oils with water.
- Do not apply essential oils on masks.
- Less is more applies to essential oils.
- Read the usage instructions on the bottle before using them.
