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6 Essential Oils to Promote Mental Well-Being
Essential oils, distilled from plants, have been used for thousands of years as natural health remedies. Yet, their healing powers are unknown to many, lost amongst the packed shelves of self-care products all promising to…
Essential oils, distilled from plants, have been used for thousands of years as natural health remedies.
Yet, their healing powers are unknown to many, lost amongst the packed shelves of self-care products all promising to help us feel our best.
As well as smelling aromatic, costing very little and having antibacterial properties, essential oils are a must for anyone who wants to look after their mental wellbeing.
The aromatherapy experts at Lifestyle Packaging recommend the best essential oils to promote mental well-being, from improved sleep and stress relief to hormone balance…
Lavender
With its fresh, sweet and floral aroma, Lavender is one of the most popular and well-known essential oils. This wonder scent has been known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and sedative effects.
There’s a large body of evidence to show how inhaling lavender oil can calm the mind and body and improve the sleep cycle, helping to lower stress, improve memory and boost the immune system.
Adding a few drops of lavender oil to your bath water at the end of the day can help you relax and unwind, giving you a better chance of a quality night’s sleep.
Lavender oil can also be applied directly to the skin when you need a little helping hand. Add a few drops to your temples to provide relief from tension headaches and migraines, as well as to your shoulders where you’re likely to carry stress.
Bergamot
Extracted from the peel of the bergamot orange, bergamot oil has a light citrus scent with floral notes and is said to have therapeutic benefits.
Used in aromatherapy to elevate mood and alleviate stress, bergamot can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, transmitting a signal to an area of the brain that regulates emotions.
A recent study showed women receiving mental health support achieved 17 percent higher positivity scores when using bergamot oil over eight weeks compared to women exposed to a placebo.
Using bergamot oil can help to reduce blood pressure, heart rate and respiration and increase levels of the ‘feel-good’ hormone serotonin.
Rose Otto
Rose Otto is an extravagant essential oil, sourced from the Rosa Damascena plant, requiring approximately 4,000kg of flowers to produce just 1kg of oil.
The fragrant oil promotes relaxation, slows heart rate and reduces anxiety. A recent study saw an improvement in patients’ emotional state and levels of anxiety after inhaling Rose Otto oil for four weeks.
Due to its high concentration, rose essential oil should not be taken internally, instead it should be applied to the skin or enjoyed through a room diffuser.
Geranium
A gardener’s favourite, the geranium plant is famous for its long-lasting brightly coloured flowers during spring and summer.
But who knew its floral oil was so beneficial to the mind and body? In aromatherapy, geranium is used to promote emotional balance, treat insomnia and alleviate pain.
Enjoy high-concentrate pure geranium oil via a diffuser or vaporiser. When combined with a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond or avocado), geranium essential oil can be safely applied to the skin or added to baths.
Sage
In the Middle Ages, sage earned the nickname “Sage the Saviour” for its therapeutic powers.
With its strong earthy aroma, sage (yes, the same herb you enjoy on your roast dinner) is a natural mind stimulant which has a strengthening effect on the senses to help ease negative moods.
Sage is packed with composites that act as antioxidants, which have been shown to buffer the brain’s defence system and promote long-term emotional well-being.
Yuzu
The oil from yuzu, the citrus fruit that looks like it fell off a lorry, is famed for having a refreshing and uplifting effect on the body, while calming the mind.
Its scent, which resembles a combination of mandarin and grapefruit, calms the nervous system helping to relax the body and stop the fight or flight response.
Everyday stressors can lead to chronic nervous tension, fatigue and depression, affecting anyone at any point in their life. Help revive, restore and protect your mental well-being using essential oils, but if systems persist or become chronic, always seek the advice of a qualified health professional.