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5 Essential Oils to Help You Turn on, Tune in, Drop out

Okay, so I’m not referring to the use of any illegal substances here… Or for that matter the “Turn on, Tune in” part of that famous coined phrase – more the focus on “Drop out”… Or, in other words… RELAX!

Essential Oils to Help You Relax

Everyday life can be stressful stuff. So we need to learn how to relax – destress – and just chill out a little.

Uhh… Essential Oils?

Hey, these things are natural and good for you – that’s my very worthy opinion anyway. However, people do react differently to certain types of oils and aromatics; so it’s worthwhile testing and experimenting to see which ones work best for you.

History tells us that essential oils have been used for thousands of years by many civilizations. They have been used for everything from ancient Egyptian perfumes, to real alternative medicines used throughout the Far East (here’s the science bit if you’re interested wikipedia).

Here are my top five essential oils to help you relax and improve your well-being:

1. Chamomile Oil (Roman)

Used by the Egyptians and now right up to this current day. This widely used herb is native to Southern and Western Europe and cultivated in Belgium, Britain, France, Hungary, Italy and the USA.

Aroma: It has a distinctive fruity, warm, sweet-herbaceous scent.

Extraction Method: Chamomile essential oil by steam distillation of the flower heads.

How to Use at Home or in Aromatherapy: Can be used as an alternative treatment for the following ailments and conditions:

Circulation, muscles and joints – Arthritis, inflammation of joints, muscular pain, rheumatism and sprains.

Digestive System – Colic, Dyspepsia, indigestion and Nausea.

Skin Care – Acne, boils, burns, chilblains, earache, eczema, insect bites, rashes, sensitive skin, toothache and wounds.

2. Juniper Oil

The juniper shrub has berries, small flowers along with stiff needles and also famously used to flavour gin! This evergreen plant is native to the Northern Hemisphere and produced mainly in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Canada.

Aroma: It has a sweet, woody, fresh and balsamic aroma.

Extraction Method: Juniper essential oil by steam distillation from the needles, wood and berries.

How to Use at Home or in Aromatherapy: Can be used as an alternative treatment for the following ailments and conditions:

Circulation, muscles and joints – Arteriosclerosis, cellulite, gout, obesity, rheumatism and build up of toxins.

Nervous System – Anxiety, nervous tension and stress related conditions.

Skin Care – Acne, dermatitis, eczema, hair loss, hemorrhoids, oily skin surface and wounds.

3. Clary Sage Oil

A herb that was held in high esteem during the Middle Ages for treating various disorders. This plant has large hairy leaves, small blue flowers and is native to southern Europe and produced in Britain, France, Russia, USA and the Mediterranean Region.

Aroma: It has a nutty, sweet herbaceous odour.

Extraction Method: Clary Sage essential oil by steam distillation from the leaves and flowers.

How to Use at Home or in Aromatherapy: Can be used as an alternative treatment for the following ailments and conditions:

Circulation, muscles and joints – High blood pressure, muscular aches and pains.

Digestive System – Cramp, dyspepsia and flatulence.

Nervous System – Depression, impotence, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders.

4. Myrrh Oil

The Commophora are the shrubs that yield myrrh, and is used prolifically in China for treating various medical conditions. This species of shrub and tree has knotted branches, aromatic leaves with white flowers and is native to south east Asia and north east Africa regions.

Aroma: It has a very spicy, rich, warm, balsamic aroma.

Extraction Method: Myrrh essential oil by steam distillation and solvent extraction.

How to Use at Home or in Aromatherapy: Can be used as an alternative treatment for the following ailments and conditions:

Circulation, muscles and joints – High blood pressure, palpitations and tachycardia.

Nervous System – Depression, frigidity, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders.

Respiratory System – Asthma, bronchitis, coughs, gum complaints, mouths ulcers, and sore throats.

5. Ylang Ylang Oil

The tree’s flowers and oils are used in many different traditions and treatments around the world. A tall tropical tree with highly aromatic pink or yellow flowers that is native to tropical areas of Asia and produced in Madagascar and Reunion & Comoros Islands.

Aroma: It has a deeply sweet, creamy, soft, floral scent.

Extraction Method: Ylang Ylang essential oil by steam or water distillation.

How to Use at Home or in Aromatherapy: Can be used as an alternative treatment for the following ailments and conditions:

Digestive System – Diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, hemorrhoids and loss of appetite.

Nervous System – Depression, impotence, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders.

Skin Care – Acne, hair growth, hair conditioning, insect bites, oily complexion and overall skin care.

There are many other, literally hundreds, of essential oils with many different types of influencing properties. The above five essential oils are said to work in harmony with each other and are often blended, or mixed, to work well and compliment each other.

How to Use Essential Oils for Relaxation

Massage using Essential Oils

Often used in aromatherapy, pure essential oils can be used very effectively in massage for supreme relaxation.

Here are some more ideas for using essential oil at home and for making your own blends.

Another easy way to benefit from them, is to warm the fragrant oils using a purpose made diffuser or essential oil burner. You can also use the oils for a luxurious pot pourri fragrance.

Once you get into using essential oils you’ll find many ways to experiment to create the perfect blend for your total relaxation.

Tags: chamomile essential oil, clary sage essential oil, Essential Oils, juniper essential oil, myrrh essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil