EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF ESSENTIAL OILS (CALMING)
A Series – Treatments
on Various Conditions
by Jeanne Rose
We must first understand
that every person may have a different reaction to the odor of an
essential oil. Should you have had a bad experience, say with Thyme,
an odor that is prevalent in hospitals, it is quite possible that
you will never feel comfortable, calmed or stimulated with Thyme,
only sad or unhappy, if you smelled Thyme and the person you were
visiting got well, then you might like this odor. The emotional
effects of essential oils are individualistic, while the physical
and therapeutic effects will persist whether the person 'likes' the
scent of the oil or not. However, in all cases it is wise to choose
an essential oil that will work both positively on the emotional
center as well as it will work on the physical problem. Our best set
of Calming
or Stress Relief Oils is in the
Stress
Relief Kit by Jeanne Rose Aromatherapy
There are many
Calming Essential oils.
Foremost, is Lavender, that is, if you can get a good quality 'blue
light' Lavender with a soft and sweet scent that is high in the two
components that make lavender a good Lavender; linalyl acetate
(soothing externally), linaloöl (sedating when inhaled or taken).
There are also the wonderful calming oils from the leaves and
immature fruits of the Citrus; Petitgrain of Orange, Mandarin or
Combava. Lemon and Grapefruit also produce a delicious Petitgrain,
however these are not as easily available as the Orange and
Mandarin. These oils are in the
Lavender Kit, the
Citrus Kit
and the
Woman’s Kit.
Orange Petitgrain
is derived from the leaves of the sweet Orange, Citrus aurantium
or C. sinensis (family Rutaceae). You will often see this listed
under other Latin binomials but the Citrus family is very diverse
and has been botanically crossed many times. Orange leaves are
Orange leaves. When freshly distilled the scent is fresh, somewhat
vegetative, floral, dry and a bit leathery. It is low viscosity and
clear to pale, pale yellow. The scent can be very floral if the
leaves are distilled in copper; when large quantities are distilled
in the commercial stainless steel, the scent can be very vegetative
and not so satisfactorily calming until the still note has
disappeared.
Components include 10%
monoterpenes, 35% monoterpene alcohols, 50% esters, and sometimes
methyl anthranilate.
Properties,
Indications and Uses: Antispasmodic—to balance the nervous
system and soothe spasms; Calming—when inhaled for nervous
exhaustion, fatigue or stress, PMS or menopause; antisudorific—reduces
excessive perspiration and reduces oil secretion. This is a great
addition to many skin care products as it acts as a toner and
cleanser of greasy hair and skin. Good to add to anti-acne blends
for facial or chest care. This essential oil can also be used as a
respiratory inhalant.
Mandarin Petitgrain,
Citrus reticulata type Italian. The scent is more floral with a
distinct Tangerine or Mandarin citrus note.
Components of the peel
(and leaves ?) include up to 40% monoterpenes with alcohols and
esters and more importantly up to 50% methyl anthranilate.
Properties,
Indications and Uses: Properties are antidepressant, calming and
uplifting. It is indicated for anxiety, depression including pre-
and post- natal depression, irritability. It can be used by
inhalation and ingestion (1-2 drops per cup of relaxing tea) to
treat insomnia. For the digestive system with cramps and spasms, the
essential oil can be used externally in a massage blend or taken,
(1-2 drops per cup), in a antispasmodic herbal tea.
Combava Petitgrain
is derived from the leaves and stems of Citrus hystrix. There is no
essential oil from the peel as the fruit is eaten whole or used in
cooking. The scent is a bit clove-like with overtones of Citronella
grass but more pleasant than Citronella.
Properties,
Indications and Uses: Combava is anti-infectious, antiseptic,
neurotonic and calming as an inhalant. It is indicated for the liver
as a decongestant, taken internally, soothing to the nervous system
when inhaled and calming in blends with other calming oils. The
scent is useful in many types of essential oil blends to give a lift
to the blend. Only up to 5% of the blend need be Combava.
Other calming
essential oils include Bergamot, most of the Citrus fruit
oils Cumin, Eucalyptus citriodora, Lavender, Marjoram,
Spearmint (calming and joyous),and their comparable hydrosols. These
are available in a nice handy kit form, called “Stress
Relief Kit” from Jeanne Rose Aromatherapy.
Hydrosols
of all sorts are very calming when used in the bath or inhaled as a
spray in the face or used as a facial or body spray. In particular,
the
Aromatic Plant Project hydrosols of
Lavender, California Lavandin, Rose Geranium, and Linden are very
excellent in these capacities.
Calming herbs
include teas made of Chamomile flowers, Linden blossom,
Valerian root, and Passionflower. The hydrosols can be added
to the teas to increase the calming effect. St. Johnswort can be
used internally for mental health. The use of a Hops pillow
can be helpful. Baths can be taken — using the above same
herbs and adding hydrosols of Rose Geranium, Chamomile and Linden.
This material and knowledge of it is available in The Herbal Studies
Course by Jeanne Rose or by
Special Order from the website.
Check The
Herbal Body Book and
Herbs &
Things for many baths for health and well-being.
Calming foods
include simple pastas and rice or other carbohydrates such as mashed
Potatoes. Foods that are simply made or remind one of simpler times.
Take time for yourself.
Sometimes the simplest addition to your lifestyle can be the most
effective for calming your life. See our article called
SALEM.
Source:
Jeanne
Rose Aromatherapy & All Things Herbal
Bibliography:
Books, home-study
Herbal Study and Aromatherapy Study courses,
and products are available from Jeanne Rose Aromatherapy.
Seminars
are held throughout the year in San Francisco and other areas.
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All rights reserved 2000. No part of this article may
be used without prior permission from Jeanne Rose.
© Authors Copyright Jeanne Rose,
info@jeannerose.net
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