Sometimes it’s difficult coping in this complex, fast-paced world. Couldn’t you use a hand in getting past the murky parts—naturally?

Essential oils provide a clean, safe pick-me-up. These plant-based babies do wonders in helping your body create its own natural balance. Essential oils are derived from the part of the plant that gives it a scent, contain hormone-like properties, and act as infection police, protecting the plant from disease and fungus. They also contain ingredients similar to human blood and tissue, making them compatible with our own physiology.

Our olfactory sense is highly attuned to our emotions. Notice that sometimes when you smell something, you are instantly brought back to another time. This could be a survival method that carried humans from long ago to the present day. It could be a way for us to tune into our sense of emotion, our own well-being. The bottom line is, our sense of smell elicits definite feelings and thoughts—it is a total immersion, an immediate reaction.

According to the Ananda Apothecary in Boulder, Colorado, researchers found that essential oils give a boost to various brain functions, including the limbic, or emotional, function. In a Korean study, it was found that by using essential oils in massage, patients experienced positive effects in mental aspects of wellness. While essential oils do not cure depression, they do provide a valuable get-out-of-bed-and-look-at-the-day attitude, which then enables you to concentrate on the source of your depression. Many naturopaths believe that, by using essential oils to help combat your depression, you are creating a balance within your body that allows you to heal quickly and more effectively.

Some essential oils for depression are:

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  Jasmine.

  
  


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  Lavender.

  
  


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  Neroli.

  
  


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  Bergamot.

  
  


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  Rose otto.

  
  


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  Rose absolute.

  
  


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  Chamomile.

  
  

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Chamomile has long been known as a powerfully soothing, relaxing herb, but you’ll find even more benefits of this potent plant when using it in aromatherapy. Chamomile is commonly associated with treating insomnia, and is often added to sleep aids as a natural relaxant. Most people find comfort in a cup of chamomile tea, but there are other ways to use the herb if you’re suffering from anxiety, nervousness, tension, or even skin problems.

What Is Chamomile?

Chamomile oil itself has a fairly sweet fragrance, and its essence is extracted from the flowers of the herb. It was used heavily during the Middle Ages as a natural soothing agent, to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritated skin. Egyptian cultures used it to treat fevers and heal wounds.

It is made from the flowers of the Matricaria recutita plant, and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Since it can soothe the body both inside and out, it’s one of the most versatile essential oils available.

Chamomile also contains the active ingredient azulene, which can help fight infection and speed up recovery time. This natural pain reliever has been shown to reduce joint inflammation and can even stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are essential for healing, and keeping the immune system in balance.

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Did you know that many over-the-counter and prescription medicines are derived from plants? For example, aspirin, recommended for everything from headaches to certain heart conditions, is made from salicylic acid. This is also the active ingredient in the herbal remedy willow bark—used by Native American people for thousands of years before Columbus made his famous journey.

Fortunately, though dosing yourself with herbs is best done under the guidance of an expert, aromatherapy is easy and safe. To choose the best essential oil for the job, you’ll first need to determine what triggered your headache.

Here are some of the more common types of headaches and the essential oils that work best to relieve them:

Chamomile. Used for centuries to relieve the pain of severe headaches such as migraines, chamomile oil provides a wonderfully calming influence that helps to dispel headache pain. Because of its gentleness, chamomile is considered safe enough for use in children; however, do remember that because chamomile is a member of the daisy family, people allergic to daisies can have an allergic reaction to this oil as well.

Eucalyptus. If your headache seems to be located in your forehead, eucalyptus oil may well provide the relief you seek, especially for headaches associated with head colds and sinus infections. Eucalyptus oil, a favorite ingredient in cough syrups and cold medicines, can help clear infected material from sinuses, thus reducing pressure and headache.

Lavender. Tension headaches, especially those caused by emotional tension, respond well to the scent of lavender. Lavender acts on the limbic brain to encourage relaxation, which in turn releases the tight neck and shoulder muscles that usually accompany a tension headache. By encouraging deep breathing, it increases blood flow to the brain.

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If you’re looking for relief from congestion or a quick pick-me-up when you’re feeling fatigued, eucalyptus is a great choice. Its clean, healthy smell is instantly recognizable and impossible to resist.

The Aboriginal people of Australia have used eucalyptus as a folk remedy for thousands of years. Some say it can even help detoxify the environment in a metaphorical sense so that disagreeing parties can reach accord. For these and many other reasons, eucalyptus is a favorite ingredient in aromatherapy and is now widely used in medicinal and personal-care products all over the world.

Eucalyptus is native to Australia and is perhaps best known as the favorite meal of koalas. The mammals live in eucalyptus forests and can subsist entirely on the trees’ leaves. In fact, koalas rarely have to drink water; they get adequate fluids from the eucalyptus leaves, which are 50 percent water.

There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus, ranging from small shrubs to full-sized trees. The evergreens are also known as gum trees in Australia because of their sap production. Eucalyptus trees have a high oil content. In fact, the oil production is so high that eucalyptus trees gave Australia’s Blue Forest its name—the evaporation of the oil results in a bluish haze.

Aside from coloring the landscape and providing nourishment to koalas, the eucalyptus is important to the Australian economy. The essential oil distilled from eucalyptus leaves is widely used in aromatherapy and as an astringent. The versatile oil is used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

Citronella is usually associated with candles for warding off mosquitoes and other insects in the summertime, but, as an essential oil, it has many other natural properties to offer. Taking advantage of the therapeutic benefits of citronella essential oil can help treat a variety of ailments and conditions. The oil is derived from the grass of the citronella plant, which is primarily found throughout Costa Rica. It has a fresh and lemony scent, and many people find that it has natural healing properties beyond a simple candle.

Why Are Essential Oils Important?

Essential oils have long been used in aromatherapy for their natural healing benefits and therapeutic properties. The oils are extracted from plants and leaves, then distilled and stored for use. Essential oils can be combined with carrier oils to be used in massage, or combined with products such as lotions and creams for topical application. Scented oils are often used in fragrances, candles, or room sprays; the aromatherapeutic benefits of essential oils can help enhance well-being and relieve illnesses. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever wondered if you can change your mood just from smelling something new? The scent of oranges, fresh flowers, spices, and the positive feelings you get from catching a whiff of cinnamon are just a few examples of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years as a holistic healing method. By making use of essential oils from plants and flowers, aromatherapy can help you get out of a bad mood, get a quick dose of refreshment, or even just help you relax.

History Lesson

Aromatherapy was used extensively throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, helping to fight disease and mental disorders. Physicians’ studies and research were undertaken at apothecaries, special chambers where herbs and fragrances were distilled for different purposes. Today, aromatherapy is commonly used as a natural health alternative to treat disease, illness, and other conditions. From relieving anxiety to helping with depression, different scents can be combined for their uplifting properties.

The use of the “power of scent” continues today with perfumes, fragrances, and natural oils. Combinations of aromatherapeutic essential oils in candles and room sprays can also help you create a refreshing environment. Read the rest of this entry »

While many people turn to aromatherapy for relaxation and stress reduction, it also offers many ways to increase energy and enjoy some instant refreshment. Orange essence and essential oils have long been used to stimulate circulation, open up the respiratory system, and help clear the mind.

If you’re looking for a way to perk up in the middle of a long afternoon, the scent of real oranges may be just what you need for an instant energizer. Orange oil may also help ease the symptoms of depression, providing a mood-balancing alternative to standard therapy and prescription drugs. Read the rest of this entry »

Anise, also called aniseed or sweet cumin, is related to dill, fennel, caraway, and cumin and is thought to be one of the oldest spices around. It has a unique sweet flavor reminiscent of black licorice and should not be confused with star anise, which is a different plant altogether.

Originally native to Greece and Egypt, this small annual herb is often used in home cooking for flavoring foods and beverages. It lends its distinctive taste to alcoholic drinks such as ouzo, a Greek favorite, and anisette. Its essential oils can be extracted and used for medicinal purposes and as a fragrance and flavoring agent in many products, including toothpastes and breath fresheners. Read the rest of this entry »

Essential oils have a definite effect on our emotions—and those essential oils that have traditionally been used to reduce emotional stress and quell feelings of anxiety can help you begin to feel better almost instantly by signaling your system to increase production of serotonin, the neurochemical that researchers say lifts moods and encourages a positive mental outlook. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you up all night tossing and turning? If so, you’re in good company. According to a National Sleep Foundation poll, nearly half of all Americans report dealing with sleeplessness some of the time, and more that 20 percent experience it nearly every night. Read the rest of this entry »