Can aromatherapy heal your spirit, and help you bounce back from a devastating situation?
Mainstream medicine is starting to recognize that essential oils can exert a positive pull on our emotions. There still aren’t a lot of studies. But the little research we do have indicates these highly concentrated plant extracts can improve your mood.
Here’s what we do know about essential oils. Some of this information is being disseminated by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Unlike most mainstream establishments, this one appears to have a more open-minded approach to the value of alternative medicine.
Aromatherapy Essential Oil Uses
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Essential oils can exert a positive effect upon our emotions, according to the UMMC website, which stated, “Aromatherapy, or using essential oils in massage therapy, may also help treat depression.”
Not surprisingly, a number of anti-anxiety essential oil blends, such as Plant Therapy’s Worry Free Synergy Blend have come onto the market. Although no one can guarantee these formulas will make you feel better, they offer a low-impact way of potentially regaining your equilibrium.
Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit
Essential oils are something I use every day. I use them to focus while I work. At night, they help me relax and unwind, so I can get a good night’s sleep.
They’ve changed my life. For years, I’ve had trouble sleeping. (I’ve also experienced a fair share of emotional trauma.) Putting a few drops of essential oil on my pillowcase, or on a tissue that I place near my head, appears to have solved the problem. I still have occasional nights where I don’t get enough rest. But I can pretty much count on a good night’s sleep most of the time.
Essential oils have been used for centuries. In the last 10 years, they’ve become extremely popular. I like to think that God has made them readily available, to help us through these unsettling and unprecedented times.
Essential Oils and Trauma
Nearly everyone I know is having difficulties. These may be financial or health related. But, oftentimes, bad relationships are the root cause. There seems to be an epidemic of narcissism. The upswing in this maddening personality disorder has even been documented.
The hallmark of narcissism is extreme selfishness. Oftentimes, this is mixed with antisocial behavior, including ruthlessness and disregard for others. A malicious narcissist leaves a trail of destruction.
It’s important to point out that men are not the only ones capable of such deviant behavior. There’s a growing realization that some women have psychopathic traits as well.
Essential Oils for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sometimes, it’s the death of a loved one that breaks our heart. But, oftentimes, it’s a bad relationship that causes chronic low-level stress. This is the kind that eats away at us, and can cause a negative emotional reaction. Workplace bullying has reached epidemic levels. Currently, about one-third of all workers reporting abuse on the job, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute.
In fact, animal studies have shown that unpleasant and unpredictable events, can cause the equivalent of human PTSD. Anyone who’s ever dealt with a narcissistic bully is very familiar with the games designed to keep you off balance.
Aromatherapy Oils for Trauma
Aromatherapists often recommend various essential oils to help counter the effects of trauma. Essential oils have a history of use for both physical and mental conditions. Although I can’t promise they’ll help, I can tell you what aromatics are commonly used, and share with you how they’ve made a positive difference in my own life.
In order to find the best specific oils for trauma, I called Plant Therapy, an Idaho-based company that sells incredible 100 percent pure oils. I was given a few recommendations, including the Worry Free Synergy Blend, which contains lavender, marjoram, ylang ylang, sandlewood, vanilla and Roman chamomile. It’s believed that mixing certain oils together creates a positive synergy.
Frankincense for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The lovely customer service representative at Plant Therapy also reminded me about frankincense, an aromatic that’s considered good for psychological trauma. Frankincense has an uplifting invigorating scent. It’s highly regarded for it’s alleged ability to dispel negative emotions.
When my children were teenagers, I’d often heat frankincense resin on the stove. I got this tip from another mother, who used frankincense whenever her teens began behaving badly. Although I can’t say conclusively that it helped in our house, it did seem to dispel negative energy fast.
Anyway, here is Plant Therapy Frankincense Serrata, an aromatic I personally own. I use this for skincare, as well as natural pain and stress relief.
Plant Therapy Frankincense Serrata
One thing to remember with essential oils is that rotating them is best practice. This potentially reduces the likelihood of developing a sensitivity to a particular oil. Also, I’ve noticed that rotating my oils seems to make them work better.
The woman from Plant Therapy also pointed out that everyone is different. So certain oils may work better for some people than for others. She also suggested something called Let It Go Synergy Blend, which seems appropriate if you have lingering anger, resentment or painful memories. This formula contains tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, patchouli and blue tansy oils.
Plant Therapy also makes another blend that might be useful for someone with a broken heart, and suffering from a mild case of the blues. Appropriately, it is called Blues Buster Synergy Blend, and contains an uplifting blend of citrus and geranium oils.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a healthcare professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
Photo Credit: Thufir/Bigstockphoto.com (On one of the images attached to this article.)
For Additional Reading
Essential Oils for a Broken Heart
Post Traumatic Stress in Animals
