If you’re not familiar with the term “bible,” not in its quintessential definition, but from ‘Keeping Up With Kardashians;’ it means, with all its divine interventional connotations- I swear. But, that’s not why I bring up the bible. Did you know that there are 188 references made to essential oils in the bible. The three wise men brought essential oils of frankincense and myrrh to Baby Jesus. We’ll get a little more into that in a bit but here’s the important question,
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are oils extracted from plants and trees, that have the ‘essence’ of the plant’s fragrance. So if we extract oil from a rose plant, essentially, the oil will smell like a rose. It’s not only the fragrance; essential oils are often used for aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine in which healing effects are ascribed to aromatic compounds.
Did you know that frankincense oil is now being researched and used therapeutically in European Hospitals. Clinical research now shows that it contains very high immune stimulating properties. So not only does it heal you, but it smells great!
Sometimes, because of the kind of stress we deal with on a day-to-day basis, we tend to normalize the situation to a point where you can’t tell that you’re going through an anxiety disorder. Signs such as persistent fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, feeling agitated, overthinking and worrying, restlessness, panic attacks and even avoiding social situations are some of the signs. These may be caused by any reason and it’s very easy to look at these signs and slide them under the carpet; but with time, all of these symptoms can get worse. We think that taking care of your mental health is more important than the cause of the stress (whatever the cause might be). Essential oils like Lavender, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang are some examples. You will discover some more oils later in the blog.
The oils quite literally tell you that they are essential! And essential oils are so handy and easy to use. They could be inhaled, directly from the bottle or you could use a humidifier. You can also dilute them with a carrier oil and apply it directly onto your skin. You can also add drops of essential oils to your body wash and shampoo.
On Stress Awareness Week, we bring to you tranquilising ways you can shake that stress off your shoulders, and while you’re at it, do a happy dance!
Here is a list of the best essential oils that are a must have:
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Lavender
Okay seriously, it would be ironic to stress on this, but lavender is the best essential oil out there. It is the most studied essential oil in terms of its relaxing effects. Lavender used during aromatherapy has found to have calming properties that helps lower blood pressure, heart rate and somehow, changes brain waves to a more relaxed state. It’s you own personal therapist in a bottle! Lavender also induces sleep and helps with insomnia. Lavender aromatherapy has been found to reduce anxiety and depression in women with postpartum depression.
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Rosemary
Rosemary Oil helps reduce stress levels and nervous tension, boost mental activity, encourage clarity and insight, relieve fatigue, and support respiratory function. It is used also used to improve alertness, eliminate negative moods, and increase the retention of information by improving your concentration level. The scent of Rosemary Essential Oil stimulates the appetite and is also known to reduce the level of harmful stress hormones that are released when involved in tense experiences. Inhaling Rosemary Oil boosts the immune system by stimulating internal antioxidant activity, which in turn fights alien substances in your body, and it relieves throat and nasal congestion by clearing the respiratory tract.
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Lemongrass
A study has discovered that 3-6 drops of lemongrass drastically reduces anxiety and drops tension levels. If you find yourself in an extremely stressful situation, keep with you a bottle of lemongrass essential oil and trust us, you will start to feel a little better in just five minutes.
Rich in linalool (a complex compound found in most citric fruits, mangoes, grapes, basil etc), aromatherapy practitioners often use lemon and lemongrass essential oils to improve your sleep cycle, boost your mood and ease symptoms of depression. In the UK, this oil have been used in a cancer center to promote relaxation and prevent nausea.
Yuzu essential oil is another citrus fragrance that has been used for eons in aromatherapy.
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Yuzu Oil
The Japanese yuzu essential oil, along with possessing the same properties as lemon, can suppress sympathetic nervous system activities (the flight and fight reactions; if you remember your biology) and in turn activates the parasympathetic system to promote relaxation.
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Ylang Ylang
Stress and high blood pressure go hand-in-hand. Ylang Ylang, used so often in aromatherapy, helps to bring down your blood pressure and boost you heart health. A study held in 2012 found that breathing in the scent of ylang ylang brought down the blood pressure of many Americans. It also helped in bringing down the stress-hormone levels.
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Frankincense
Mentioned in the bible, frankincense essential oil can be used best with a carrier oil; such as jojoba, sweet almond, or avocado oil. When combined, its aromatic properties reduce stress. You could also combine it with oils like lavender, rose, and orange drops onto a cloth or tissue and use it to help calm you down. Baby Jesus uses it, and you should too.
- Clary Sage
Mentioned in the bible too, Clary Sage is for people who are often times controlled by their system with difficult hormonal shifts in their body. It helps with menstruation and pregnancy. Clary Sage oil reduces your cortisol levels by 36 percent and has an antidepressant-like effect. If you're bored of lavender, this is your go to fragrance!
These are just a few of the best essential oils that we would recommend. Emily Dickinson does too! She wrote a whole poem about essential oils and how the smell of these oils will always linger in your drawers even after you die.
Essential Oils—are wrung—
The Attar from the Rose
Be not expressed by Suns—alone—
It is the gift of Screws—
The General Rose—decay—
But this—in Lady's Drawer
Make Summer—When the Lady lie
In Ceaseless Rosemary—So what are y'all waiting for? Head over to our website and go to the essential oils and massage oils section. This Stress Awareness Week, get yourself a bottle of your favourite fragrance and with it; discover the benefits of aromatherapy. Jesus uses them and so should you. Say bye-bye to that stress, and why wouldn’t you, it’s so easy! Bible! Told you you’ll need these essential oils.
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