By qualified Aromatherapist - Alissa Geddes
Winter is a time for inner reflection and hibernation. Our inner life can mirror nature; plant growth slows and the soil has a chance to rest and repair ready for the warmer active months ahead. The winter blues and melancholy can also feature during this season. Essential oils with uplifting and balancing properties can gently support and lift our spirits.
Begin by choosing essential oils with the desired properties and spend some time inhaling the healing scent from the bottle. The oils that resonate with us will be the ones to use, they will smell ‘divine’ and ‘delicious’. Now we can choose how to apply the essential oils in a way that will be simple, fit into our lifestyle and will allow us some restorative down time.
Essential oil recommendations
For irritability and anger:
- Chamomile: a go to for this emotional range. Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory for the mind. Gentle and sedating, this calming essential oil is perfect for children and adults alike.
- Mandarin: a slightly sedating citrus oil. Calming for children during temper tantrums and the fresh fragrance adds a note of lightness to the air.
- Bergamot: promotes and restores communication. Also has an uplifting anti-depressant property.
- Lavender: the cooling and sedating properties of lavender are supportive and calming.
For restlessness and anxiety:
- Ylang Ylang: a tonic for the heart, this essential oil helps to slow heart rate down during periods of anxiety.
- Lavender: a cooling sedative oil. Lavender slows the nervous system down to help support us during times of anxiety
- Geranium: a balancing oil to help calm the mind without slowing us down. Restores a racing mind.
- Frankincense: promotes a meditative state and slows breathing down. A grounding essential oil.
For stress and emotional burn out:
- Lavender: sedating and calming.
- Neroli: restorative and good for times of unexpected stress and shock.
- May Chang: a cheering essential oil. Helpful for times of emotional exhaustion.
- Cedarwood: a centering and grounding oil. Helps us to find a calm silent inner space.
Studies have shown that the effectiveness of an essential oil is increased if the person liked the aroma. During times of difficult emotions, you may choose to use your favourite essential oil to support you.
How to use essential oils
Quick fix: A few deep inhalations from the bottle of essential oil can help when you are at work, in the car or anytime you need a quick break from strong emotions.
Diffuser: Making a diffuser blend is a creative process that allows you to be active in processing unwanted or difficult emotions. As with a perfume blend inhale each essential oil you plan to use and reflect on your response to each scent. Follow the instructions of your diffuser.
Perfume: Create a personalised blend of essential oils. Add 10 drops to a roller bottle and top up with a carrier oil. Take a few deep inhalations from the bottle of your chosen essential oil and take a moment to notice how you feel, does the aroma appeal to you, does it bring any thoughts or memories to mind? Add the essential oil to the blend if you enjoy the aroma. Apply the perfume to the inside of your wrists for aromatic support throughout the day.
Bath: What could be more nurturing than lowering yourself into beautifully aromatic water? Add up to 8 drops of essential oil in a small amount of carrier oil to warm bath water. Relax and breathe in the healing scent of essential oils.
Massage: A customised body massage blend can be used for massaging yourself, find a helpful loved one or take to your professional massage therapist for them to apply to you. A 2.5% dilution in 30mls is 15 drops of essential oil. 30mls of carrier oil is usually enough for a full body massage.
Emotional Restore
Treat yourself to a balancing and nourishing aromatherapy ritual with ECO. Emotional Restore Pack including Bergamot, Geranium, Cedarwood & Frankincense essential oils.
Shop Emotional Restore Pack >
