Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils, is a tool to help you create balance, happiness, and health on all levels — mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. When I was a child, the aromas of our kitchen and garden were my earliest connection with aromatherapy and using fragrances from the garden for health and well-being. Can you think of aromas that bring you comfort and joy?
Here are five essential oils to use with the intention of self-care. I recommend using the inhalation method (instead of application to your skin) and try not to use the same essential oil for prolonged periods of time for your safety. Be sure to check if an essential oil has any contraindications as they have real chemical components.
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#1. CHAMOMILE for overall health and well-being
- Botanical name: Anthemis Nobilis (Roman chamomile)
- Fragrance: fruity, herbaceous, distinctive apple-like scent, strong
The distinctive aroma of chamomile is well-loved for comfort and peace. This essential oil is calming and supports sound sleep and relief from inflammation. Inhale it to heal frayed nerves and relieve stress. Use chamomile when you need to go with the flow and be calm. Chamomile activates your connection with creativity, universal flow, and inner peace.
[For your safety: Avoid if allergic to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Roman chamomile should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy].
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#2. EUCALYPTUS for improved intuition and ease of communication
- Botanical name: Eucalyptus radiata
- Fragrance: medicinal, penetrating, peppery, powerful, stimulating
Eucalyptus, commonly used in saunas and spas, has a cooling quality and helps relieve stress and feelings of agitation and frustration. Eucalyptus clears negative psychic energy. Inhale deeply and let go of perceived blocks with the aroma in your atmosphere. Eucalyptus increases cerebral blood flow, which is why it increases alertness.
[For your safety: Avoid (or use small amounts) if epileptic or in cases of high blood pressure. May interfere with the efficacy of homeopathic remedies. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Avoid use on children under the age of two].
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#3. LAVENDER for love, friendship, and romance
- Botanical name: Lavandula officinalis
- Fragrance: clean, floral, fresh, green, herbaceous, light, mellow, sweet, warm, woody
Lavender’s physical benefits include relief of aching muscles, clearing infections, repelling insects, treating bacterial infections, healing burns and other minor wounds, soothing earaches, treating eczema, relieving fatigue, reducing fevers, relieving headaches, alleviating insomnia, easing menstrual cramps, balancing hormones in menopause, treating shingles, and relieving sinusitis. Inhale lavender essential oil to calm your emotions and find inner peace.
[For your safety: No known contraindications].
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#4. GRAPEFRUIT for happiness and self-confidence
- Botanical name: Citrus paradisi
- Fragrance: citrusy, floral, fresh, green, sweet
The fresh, sweet scent of grapefruit essential oil encourages confidence, clarity, and awareness. Inhale grapefruit to raise your consciousness. The mind-clearing properties of this oil are excellent when writing or working on detailed tasks that require focus. Grapefruit essential oil helps to open your heart to receive blessings, joy, and happiness. It is especially helpful to find joy after periods of grief.
[For your safety: This oil is phototoxic. Therefore, avoid exposure to direct sunlight when using topically].
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#5. SAGE for focus, grounding, and protectionÂ
- Botanical name: Salvia officinalis
- Fragrance: camphoraceous, fresh, green, pungent, strong, sweet, woody
Sage is the ultimate go-to oil for removing negative energy from your space and your personal energy field. Sage essential oil helps you to resonate with wisdom and inspiration. This grounding essential oil provides the ever-important mindfulness, awareness, and peripheral vision in spiritual practice.
[For your safety: This could have adverse effects on the central nervous system. Do not use it if pregnant or nursing].
