Essential Oils of well-being have been getting a lot of buzz on social media recently for their ability to help with everything from sleep to mood. These highly concentrated natural extracts are obtained by steaming or pressing different parts of a plant (flowers, roots, leaves, trees) and they contain the ‘essence’ of the whole plant with powerful healing properties and scents.
When inhaled, they stimulate positive signals to the limbic system in the brain that can leave you feeling energized and optimistic. They can also be diluted with a carrier/base oil and put on the skin to relieve sore muscles, soothe rashes, improve skin conditions, ease headaches, and even aid digestion.
Essential Oils for Sleep: Your Ticket to Sweet Dreams
A few drops of a chosen oil can also be applied directly to emotional trigger points in the body (emotionally) to reduce negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, or depression. For example, to ease an angry temper try ylang-ylang, or for a depressive mood try lavender.
It’s important to note that if you don’t dilute the oils correctly, they can cause reactions on the skin. This is why it’s recommended that you use them with a carrier/base oil and do a patch test on your skin first before using them. It’s also highly recommended that you avoid contact with eyes, inner nose or ears and don’t use on sensitive areas of the body such as the face or neck. People with hormone-related ailments, pregnancy or heart-related issues are also advised to consult a medical practitioner before use.