Therapeutic effects of essential oils on stress

The  use of Essential oils and Aromatherapy can bring about well-being and and improvement of our overall health to our emotional, mental, and physical states. This will help when our bodies are over burdened with stresss, as essential oils have therapeutic effects this means that 

                           

Essential oils have health-giving properties that affect the body’s system.

We can use essential oils in our own practice of Aromatherapy at home, to help with our stress response and mental health. This can help to reduce stress and tension and calm the nervous system. 

Each essential oil is composed of a variety of different plant compounds, which have a range of therapeutic effects.
We know stress is a response in the body that can be triggered by a real or an outside threat. Hormones are released into the body, via our nervous system. Whenever there is a perceived threat our bodies go into fight or flight. Biological factors are affected including our heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, and immune function.

              

Common Effects of Stress in the body include muscle tension, sweating, heart-pounding, and shallow quick breaths.

The hormones involved are adrenaline and cortisol, both of which are released when a subject senses danger.

The long-term effects of stress can sometimes lead to chronic low-level stress and long-term health conditions, such as the risk of heart attack or strokes, weight gain, damage to the nervous system and blood vessels.

                     

Essential oils can help to reduce the effects of this stress and the hormones associated with it.

Aromatherapy is a natural remedy for stress and can provide relief for the following conditions. Different oils can have different therapeutic properties. 

However, here are some things essential oils can help with:

• Anxiety
• Reduce stress
• Induce calm
• Relax
• Help fight depression
• Boost self-esteem
• Uplift spirits
• Improve sleep
• Improve appetite
• Calm senses

As you can see, Essential Oils can help to alter moods and enhance mental health.

Essential Oils are absorbed through different systems of the body: Olfactory (Nose) and Topically (Skin)

Therefore, there are a number of ways we can use essential oils through the following modalities:

1. Inhalation - used as a diffuser, steam inhalation, or handkerchief. 
2. Topically - in a bath or with massage oil that is gently massaged onto the skin.

                           

5 Oils that are stress relievers and have a calming, relaxing and therapeutic actions are:

Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia) - Elevates mood and alleviates stress. Enhances feelings of positivity, therefore, can help fight depression and reduces anxiety.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) - Calms, soothes and helps elevate anxiety responses. Increases motivation, helps chronic depression. Calms the nervous systems, relieves the digestive tract (?)

Neroli (Citrus Aurantium) - Reduces stress, calms the nervous system, decreases blood pressure, decreases cortisol levels, balances the nervous system, increases sexual desire.

Rose (Rosa Damascena) - Remedies the following health concerns: anxiety, depression, headaches, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, migraines, aphrodisiac, sedative (?)

Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata) - helps with heart palpitations, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. Calms and soothes the nervous system.

Essential oils can be blended together to enhance their individual benefits and properties, for maximum effect. 

Blends for Stress

A blend to relieve headaches

• 2 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Rose
• 4 drops Chamomile

Neck and Shoulder Tension Relief

• 2 drops Eucalyptus
• 3 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Chamomile

To Calm and Soothe

• 2 drops Neroli
• 2 drops Bergamot
• 3 drops Chamomile
• 2 drops Frankincense

For Anxiety

• 2 drops Frankincense
• 2 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Sandalwood
• 1 drop Ylang Ylang