Essential Oils for Emotions

There are many studies that have been done on the benefits of using scent to enhance mood. Essential oils impact our emotions and energy levels. Aromatherapy, sometimes referred to as aromatics, provides the ability to create personalized treatments that take into account the physical, emotional, psychological and energy-based attributes that uniquely make a person who he (or she) is.

If you are feeling stressed, some essential oils that may provide relief include chamomile, ylang-ylang, marjoram, lavender and neroli (note: this last one is a $precious oil$ extracted from beautifully-scented orange blossoms). Each oil may work differently on each person. Some people may experience immediate relief from a single oil, while others may find it takes a combination of two or more of these oils to alleviate stress levels.

Some days, we may experience different “mental challenges”. For instance, if you are having trouble staying focused, you may find some relief from sandalwood, myrrh, frankinsence and / or spruce. If you are feeling confused and your memory does not seem to be as sharp as usual, some good essential oils to try include peppermint, rosemary and / or petitgrain. And when you are feeling forgetful and require some stimulation, basil, rosemary and / or juniper may be helpful.

For sadness or depression, some essential oils that can be very helpful include jasmine, rose, benzoin and clary sage. These oils are very uplifting and soothing, especially if you diffuse them into the air.

Experimentation is recommended when working with essential oils. My personal preference is diffusing oils because inhaling the essential oils through the air is psychologically uplifting to me. But if you prefer to make your own fragrances, lotions massage oils, etc., be aware that every fragrance - even nature’s pure essential oils - has the potential to irritate sensitive skin.

I recommend experimenting with small batches. Less is always more - it only a few drops of a pure essential oil is needed for any application. For example, if you want to try adding a few drops to a body lotion or oil, do not exceed 3 - 4 drops per 2 oz.

Whatever you choose, have fun and enjoy!