Category Archives: Emotional Well-being

Beat the dread of winter: 4 ways to combat winter blues with essential oils

Winter can be frigid and downright bleak sometimes. This is possible especially in the United States where winters are becoming colder than ever. But winter is not an all-bleak season. It is actually the season of holidays and festivities. A season where we get together with friends and family to celebrate life and love. But this also is the season where people can fight with depression, mood changes or blues. Devoid of the natural light of the sun, people can lack the pep and energy to do things or be as active as they are in summer time. No wonder Shakespeare asked his lover, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” With so much scope for seasonal stress, it is better to be prepared to beat the winter blues. This article will elaborate on how to use essential oil blends to combat depression that strikes during winter.

Essential oils for winter blues: Winter blues do not strike all and sundry. It is mostly caused due to heavy stress, jam-packed schedules, overeating of unhealthy food, lack of exercise, reduced sleeping hours or too much of traveling. People who are away from families (during Christmas) or those who have lost their loved ones, or ones who have painful memories of the past, stressful health issues or financial stress etc. may also go through winter blues. In brief, the cause can be overdoing the holiday season or not being able to be enjoy well or physiological changes on account of bleak weather and dropping temperatures. The shorter daylight hours can too have a huge impact on your psyche and body.
Beating the winter blues is possible with aromatherapy. By aromatherapy, we do not mean the fragrance oils that are shelfed neatly in stores, we mean the essential oils that are pure extracts from plants, herbs, barks, flowers and other plant parts. Why is aromatherapy useful? There are several reasons. Aromatherapy gives instant relief from body pain or any other problem in the physiology due its close communion with the limbic system of the brain. Essential oils for stress or fatigue, relax you, uplift you and energize you with liveliness. Aromatherapy can warm up your spirits and fight out any blues syndrome you may have. Above all, they are natural, pure and do not have any side effects, whatsoever.

Blends for beating winter blues: When you live in a gray-skied, bleak winter world, you can naturally become subject of blues. Blues do not mean depression, but lack of energy, activity or vivacity in life. You feel moody, unwilling to do tasks and unhappy or down in the dumps. To fight the sadness, your first respite should be Citrus oils. Essential oils like Orange, Lemon and Grapefruit are ideal to rejuvenate you with enthusiasm and life. You can use such oils in diffusers or add them in bath water or  as massage oil.

1. Winter Blues Blend 1: Add 3 drops of Orange to 2 drops of Grapefruit and combine well. Mix with carrier oil if you want to massage on to body. A total of 10 drops of the blend will do for massaging, while you will need about 20 drops for diffuser use.

2. Winter Blues Blend 2: Orange is the prime ingredient here. Combine 4 drops of Orange with 1 drop of Ylang Ylang. You will be refreshed and ebullient on using this blend.

3. Winter Blues Blend 3: This is a Bergamot special. Use 3 drops of Bergamot oil with 1 drop of Neroli and 1 drop of Jasmine. Add to a carrier oil for use as massage oil. Or, pour into diffuser and perfume your living space.

4. Winter Blues Blend 4: Add 3 drops of Grapefruit to 2 drops of Cypress. Combine well and add the blend in your diffuser for your advantage.

Afraid of your own shadow? 8 essential oil blends for fear and loneliness

Fear is a constant in the lives of many people. Some people can be easily frightened so much so that almost anything can make their blood run cold. Living with phobias and fears will paralyze your day to day life and completely annihilate your sense of happiness in the long run. A life of panic is worse than a life of disease and all those who have had several panic attacks would know what is meant here. There are several therapies to treat fear and most of them are psychological, involving help from a psychologist. Though this therapy helps most of the time, there are times when the patient becomes completely dependent on his or her psychotherapist. This is dangerous as absence of the therapist can set off another series of panic attacks in the patient. It is during these times aromatherapy can help. Essential oil blends can act on the limbic system and relax your tensed nerves, thereby, relieving you for fear and loneliness.

Aromatherapy for treating fear:
Essential oils cannot offer a complete cure for fear. But they sure can help by providing a temporary relief to the situation. Below are a list of essential oil blends which can assist in relieving you of fears and phobias:


1. Fear Relief Blend 1: This blend is ideal for use in times of fatigue and depression. If you are down in the dumps because of your fears, you should never think of anything but this blend. Add 3 drops of Grapefruit with 2 drops of Bergamot and use it in your diffuser, bath water or as massage oil.

2. Fear Relief Blend 2: If you are extremely nervous or panicky and in dire need of relaxation or peace of mind, you can use this blend. Combine 2 drops of Clary Sage with 2 drops of Roman Chamomile and 1 drop of Vetiver to get this aromatic blend.

3. Fear Relief Blend 3: This Jasmine blend is aromatic and invigorating. Add 2 drops of Jasmine or 2 drops of Neroli with 2 drops of Frankincense and 1 drop of Clary Sage. Use the blend as diffuser or add it in bath water. You will feel relaxed and calm after inhaling these aromas.

4. Fear Relief Blend 4: This is a simple blend, but is most effective. Add 3 drops of Sandalwood with 2 drops of Orange and use it in bath water or in massage oil preparation.

Aromatherapy for loneliness: Loneliness is often a cause or a byproduct of fear. If you are afraid to the core, you also feel lonely and dejected to your wit’s end. Try the following blends to treat loneliness:

5. Loneliness Blend 1: Add 1 drop of Rose with 2 drops of Frankincense and 2 drops of Bergamot. Rose activates and uplifts your spirit, making you feel more sociable and lively.

6. Loneliness Blend 2: This blend too involves Bergamot. Take 2 drops of Bergamot and combine it thoroughly with 3 drops of Clary Sage. Ensure that the ingredients are blended well and then use via diffusers or add in bath water.

7. Loneliness Blend 3: It’s Bergamot again. If you feel fatigued, lonely and depressed, then this blend is the ideal recipe. Add 2 drops of Roman Chamomile to 3 drops of Bergamot and mix it with your bath water or massage oil preparation.

8. Loneliness Blend 4: Frankincense can also lift your spirits and make you more jovial and friendly. Add 2 drops of Frankincense with 3 drops of Clary Sage and use it in your diffuser or add in your bath water.

You can use the above blends as diffuser blends, massage oils, bath oils, bath salts or air fresheners. You will need the following quantities of the blend for use – 20 drops for diffuser oils, 15 drops for bath oils, 5 drops for bath salts, 10 drops for massage oils and 30 drops for air fresheners.

Scent your life with love: 5 fragrant essential oil blends you’ll adore

Essential oils are not just healing oils, they are fragrant oils too. They have the aromatic potential to scent your life with love, joy and happiness. A waft of Lavender can lull you to sleep, a streak of Rosemary can brighten your mood, while a strain of Peppermint can make you feel enthusiastic and happy about life. Essential oils have strong aromas which cannot be replicated effectively by synthetic or chemical perfumes. Since the intensity of their aromas are highly concentric, their scents last long, more than synthetic aromas. On delving deep, you would understand that it is the aromas or scent of essential oils which brings forth an instant reaction from your brain. This article will provide recipes on how to make fragrant blends using essential oils.

Fragrant essential oil blends:
The memory of a scent is far-fetched. It can rise up a whale of emotions, a series of unexpected associations and even conjure up something from your childhood. A fragrance has such power and hence essential oils should not be handled with care. The following blends will invoke, cure and heal a number of emotions (from love to playfulness to fun) and help to attain a state of peace and calm.


1. For your man: The man of your life will surely love this. You can massage it on to him, or if you are a man, do a self-massage. This blend yields a deep, mysterious and masculine scent which is strong and powerful. To make the blend, add 4 drops of Frankincense to 4 drops of Myrrh, 2 drops of Sandalwood and 1 drop of Vanilla. Use the blend in your massage oil preparation for best results.

2. For stunning aroma: This blend idea was created by Jenine Stanley and this yields a stunning, aromatic perfume for daily use. Add 10 drops of Cedarwood to 5 drops of Juniper, 25 drops of Bergamot Mint and 10 drops of Lavender. Mix the ingredients and use Jojoba oil to blend everything well. Use as perfume or pour into diffuser to scent your living space.

3. Sweet diffuser blend:
If you are the kind who would use essential oils only in diffusers, you would surely like this. This is a sweet, aromatic blend that has a Florentine streak to it. To make the blend, add 1 drop of Jasmine to 6 drops of Sweet Orange and 3 drops of Patchouli. Combine the ingredients well and use in your diffuser. This would make a huge difference to your home environment and make home sweet and pleasant.

4. Intimacy blend:
An intimacy blend that would set you in mood for a romantic evening with your loved one. To prepare this blend, add 6 drops of Rose Absolute (diluted with Jojoba oil) with 6 drops of Sandalwood, 4 drops of Black Pepper, 2 drops of Ginger CO2 and 2 drops of Ylang Ylang. Combine the ingredients well and blend into Jojoba or any other favorite carrier oil of yours. Massage on to the body and tune yourself for a romantic evening.

5. Valentine blend:
This is a fragrant blend to pep up your desire for love. To make the blend, add 2 drops of Sandalwood to 2 drops of Ylang Ylang, 1 drop of Jasmine and 1 drop of Black Pepper. Combine the ingredients well and use in your bath water or inhale through a diffuser.

7 all-time-useful aromatherapy blends for self and family

Aromatherapy is not an one-time remedy for ailments. It is an ongoing therapy wherein we use essential oils to alleviate symptoms or treat disorders and thereby, reduce our pain or suffering or health related problems. Aromatherapy blends are used in  skin care, personal care, as cure for major diseases, as aromatic air fresheners, bath salts and for massaging purposes. It is a diverse field comprising of oils made from plant substances like extracts, herbs, barks, resins, roots and other plant parts.  It takes a lot of time to analyze and use such a multifarious science and hence, a novice may need guidance on which oils are important and which cure the common ailments. This article will throw light on the most commonly used essential oil blends for emotional, physical and family well being.

All-time-useful essential oil blends: All these blends are formulated by Dr. Carolyn Selby. These are essential oils blends which help with common conditions like emotional downs, physical stress or body pain, disruptions in family relationships or infected home environment etc.


1. Stress Buster blend: This blend is ideal for improving your emotional well being and is best used as a massage oil. Add 2 drops of Clary Sage to 2 drops of Frankincense and 1 drop of Sandalwood. Blend with 1 tbsp of Almond or Grapeseed oil and mix the ingredients well. Apply the prepared blend on the back, neck and shoulders for a relaxing and soothing effect.

2. Relaxing Bath blend: If you are down with the blues, nothing can cheer you up as a well-prepared aromatic bath. For a stress-buster bath, mix 4 drops of Bergamot with 4 drops of Geranium and 2 drops of Vetiver and disperse the oils well in a warm bath water. For unscented bubble bath, blend the oils with 1 tbsp of Grapeseed. Soak for about 15-20 minutes in the bath water and inhale the vapors that emanate. You will feel extraordinarily refreshed and stress-free after the bath. Do not let the water get into your eyes as it may sometimes cause irritation.

3. Concentration Tonic: The power of focus is a gift not found in many. To improve your power of concentration and clear your head of worries and fears before exams or interviews, put 1 or 2 drops of Basil or Rosemary in a tissue and sniff before the event/exam/interview.  You will feel confident and focused on the job at hand.

4. Nasal Congestion clearance: For clearing nasal congestion (a common condition with many), use 4 drops of Niaouli with 2 drops of Rosemary and 2 drops of Tea Tree oil and disperse into warm bath water. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes and inhale the vapors. Your nostrils will be cleared and you will feel relieved after this.

5. Headache Relief Massage Blend: Headache is one of the most common ailments with everyone in the family. Aromatherapy can help treat headaches with essential oils. Add 2 drops of Lavender with 2 drops of Marjoram and 1 drop of Peppermint. Blend the mixture with 1 tbsp of Almond or Grapeseed oil and massage on to the upper back, neck and shoulders. Apply to temples and other painful areas. You can alternatively put these on a tissue and also inhale.

6. For Insomnia Relief: Many people are afflicted with the insomnia bug. To cure sleeplessness, add 4 drops of Roman Chamomile to 4 drops of Clary Sage and 2 drops of Neroli and disperse in warm bath water. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes, inhaling the vapors. You will feel sleepy after this treatment.

7. Anti-aging Cure: Aging is a chief skin care issue these  days. This aromatherapy blend can help in reducing wrinkles and act as a base cream for nourishing skin. To prepare the cream, add 4 drops of Frankincense with 4 drops of Petitgrain and 3 drops of Rose Otto. Mix the oils with 5 ml of Evening Primrose oil, 5 ml of Wheatgram oil and 25 ml of plain base cream. When the blend is done, store in an airtight glass jar and apply to the face and neck daily in the morning and night.

Pursuing the elusive: 4 essential oil blends for peace and happiness

Happiness is the will-o-the-wisp of our lives. The more we pursue it, the less we attain it. At one time, we feel like we have it in us, at another time, there is a complete blackout and life looks grim and sober. Happiness and peacefulness are indeed two important factors that mark our well-being. Success itself is often a measure of happiness and even the most successful find it difficult to stay happy. Essential oils can bring in happiness and joy to the restless minds. Citrus oils are often boosters of the mind and they create a pleasant, happy environment free of worries and problems.

How essential oils can bring joy: Essential oils can be used to make you happy in the most versatile ways. Whether you use them as diffusers, as bath salts, in massage or for inhalation, a few essential oils can pep up your mood and escalate you from a state of sobriety to instant joy and amusement. Some of the few essential oils that can be used to increase your joy:


1. Orange: A perfect anti-gloom oil that can induce a sense of joy and playfulness in you. It is ideal even for couples who want to share a romantic evening.

2. Mandarin: This oil is all about simple fun. It brings with it laughter, humor, child-like energy and playfulness. Inhale the oil and you are in the midst of fun.

3. Grapefruit: You see more fun and happiness in everyday life when you use Grapefruit oil. It enhances your energy, amusement levels and excitement quotient.

4. Lemon: Lemon is all about humor. Add the oil in your bath water for a refreshing bath or enhance your energy, mood and happiness with a whiff of lemon.

5. Lime: If you are all negative or dumped in blues, Lime should be the oil of your choice. Bring humor to yourself and vivify your life by using this oil in a diffuser or bath salt.

Essential oil blends for happiness:
Many essential oil blends can help you gain stability and happiness in lives. You can use the below blends in a diffuser, as a massage oil, as a bath salt or in bath water.

Essential oil blends for bliss: Add 2 drops of Bergamot with 1 drop of Jasmine, 1 drop of Rose and 2 drop of Sandalwood. Mix the blend and inhale it or use it in a diffuser at your home. All the people in your home can benefit from this.

Essential oils for joyfulness: To be happy requires skill and confidence. But you can make you mood light with the following blend of essential oils – 2 drops of Basil, 1 drop of Geranium, 3 drops of Melissa and 2 drops of Sandalwood. Mix the ingredients for an aromatic blend.

Essential oils for warmth: Experience a sense of warmth with this essential oil blend. Add 2 drops of Black Pepper to 3 drops of Patchouli, 4 drops of Rosewood and 3 drops of Ylang Ylang. Mix the ingredients well to create a fragrant blend and use in it your diffuser or bath water.

How to use: For diffusing blends, you need to add 20 drops of the chosen blend in your diffuser. For bathing, you need include 15 drops of the blend in your bath oil recipe or 5 drops of the same in lukewarm bath water. For massaging, use 10 drops of the chosen blend in your massage oil recipe. If you wanted to freshen your atmosphere, use 30 drops of the chosen blend in your air freshener recipe.

Don’t bite heads off: Aromatherapy blends for anger management

Your boss. Your neighbor. That infuriating talk show host. Your teen’s shoddy behavior. Your spouse’s irresponsible drinking habit. The traffic on the way to your office. Your incorrigible in-laws. Your stupid colleague. Your oft-disconnected WiFi network. And above all, the hell a lot of noise your neighbor’s poodle makes at night. Just think. What are the things that drive you up a wall? How many people infuriate you with their behaviors? How aggressive are you when you become angry?

Anger management is not that easy. People who have been there and done it, know. Though research, therapies and medications are there to help with controlling your anger, nothing helps without you taking the first step. Often, this involves being dumb about your anger and loading the hurt inside. This can be more harmful as you can explode at one point if you keep suppressing your fury. It can also affect you physically and psychologically if you are not taking care of yourself. Research has found out that people with high blood pressure saw a jump in their pressure when they were angry. For some, anger can lead to asthma symptoms and angina attacks. In brief, anger can be all-consuming if you are not careful or do not know how to manage it.


Aromatherapy for anger management: Essential oils can do a lot in controlling anger. With their calming and soothing effects, essential oils reduce everyday anger and make you peaceful and at home with yourself. The following aromatherapy blends can help control anger:

1. Rose oil: Rose is a symbol of beauty and love. The very thought of the flower or a whiff of the oil can bring peace in you. You can inhale the oil directly from the bottle or rub it on to your pulse points for better performance. If possible, you can add a few drops on to your handkerchief and use it all through the day. A more economical way of using the oil is to use a candle diffuser. This would be more beneficial as you can share it with everyone at home.

2. Aromatherapy blends: You can use the following blends as diffuser oils, bath oils, massage oils, air fresheners and bath salts. Before we look at the proportions of the blends to be used, let’s get an overview of the blends:

Blend 1:
For most calming effects, mix 1 drop of Rose with 3 drops of Orange and 1 drop of Vetiver.

Blend 2: For a pleasant atmosphere, add 3 drops of Bergamot to 1 drop of Ylang Ylang and 1 drop of Jasmine

Blend 3: For a sense of peace and refreshment, add 1 drop of Roman Chamomile to 2 drops of Bergamot and 2 drops of Orange.

Blend 4: For easy everyday use, add 3 drops of Orange oil to 2 drops of Patchouli.

3. How to use aromatherapy blends for anger: Once you have prepared or experimented with your blends, you can use them in the following ways:

Diffuser oils: Add 20 drops of your blend (can be got by multiplying your blend 4 times) to your diffuser following your manufacturer’s instructions.

Bath oils: Bathing is a great way to temper your anger. Multiply your blend by 3 times and add 15 drops of it to your bath oil recipe.

Massage oils: Use 10 drops of your blend, mix it with a good carrier oil and massage your body with it. Massaging can relax your tensed muscles and bring you peace of mind.

Bath salts: Adding anger-controlling oils in your bath salts recipe is a good idea to bring in a sense of peace. Add 5 drops of your chosen blend to your regular bath salt recipe.

Air Fresheners: To make the whole room or living area aromatic and bring in a sense of peaceful atmosphere, add 30 drops of your blend to your air freshener recipe.

All brawn, no brains? 4 reasons to improve memory with aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, as all know, uses essential oils to cure ailments, subside chronic symptoms and alleviate pain or stress. Ok, aromatherapeutic use of essential oils can improve your physical health and well-being through the nose-limbic system. But, does it help with gaining mental clarity or minimizing memory loss? It does, if you know how to use essential oils in the right way. This piece will focus on how aromatherapy helps in boosting brain power and establishing one’s happiness, productivity, creativity etc.

Essential oils and fragrances: Fragrances have the power to influence the physical functions of a body. Like every other cell, they add to the vitality of the body, making it more alert and active. Researchers have found out that essential oils connect to the nose-limbic system faster than injections or drugs. This approach is a quicker and more beneficial medicinal approach than engaging in a series of blood-sucking drugs. Since the limbic system is the seat of hippocampus or the memory engine of the brain, smells can also affect our memory. A smell has in fact, the potential to raise memories and emotions, stirring up even a distant past.


Below are a few reasons are on why we should use aromatherapy to cure brain ailments or improve memory:

1. Essential oils feed the brain: Unlike regular drugs, aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine which feeds the brain with a great supply of nutrients. A simple inhalation or massage can do wonders to clear your mental tension or problem.

2. Cross the blood-brain barrier: It takes a lot of time for other medications or drugs to reach the mainstream of blood. Since the odor molecules are both a mixture of tiny and large compounds, they find it easy to overcome the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain directly.

3. Clear toxins: Essential oils are great toxin killers and eliminators. It cleanses the body and brain of toxins and heavy metals like aluminum that maybe lodged in the brain. Usually these toxins and metals  can cause heavy duty damage to the brain and can contribute to memory loss and lack of mental stability.

4. A visit to the past: Essential oils bring to memory all that you forgot before. It triggers areas that are emotional, involves memory growth and stores trauma/pleasure. This is because the limbic system is associated with memories about past. Some of the oils are used to release fears, change belief systems and recall a number of buried information. Usually the ‘amygdala’ is triggered for the above purposes.

Essential oils for memory loss and mental clarity: There are several oil blends for improving memory and enhancing mental clarity. Here are a few:

  • Frankincense oil stimulates many items in the limbic system as well as the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands and has been treated for cancer and depression.
  • Rosemary oil is said to increase alertness, according to a study conducted in 2003.
  • Eucalyptus and Peppermint oils are used to enhance your cognitive performance and have a muscle-relaxing effect on the body
  • Lavender is a great anti-anxiety oil. High on relaxation quotient, lavender reduces stress that may get in way of studying improve concentration
  • Ginger oil stimulates cognition,  while Citrus is highly energizing. You can even use Lemon oil to nullify the post-lunch sluggishness in your office.
  • Vetiver is a rich oil which can provide grounding and stability to the mind. A tonic to the mind, Vetiver helps treat depression patients and children with ADD and ADHD to learn again. Stress-relieving, Vetiver oil can be used to calm aggressive children and bring in mental clarity while dealing with day to day affairs.

Mind, moods and aromas: A glimpse at the mood properties of essential oils

Have your ever noticed why things happen the way they happen during an aromatherapy session? Ever wondered why we are drawn to things that are smelly (in a positive or negative way) rather than things that are bland in scent? Mind can be influenced by the smell or scent of something as the olfactory nerves have a close relationship with the limbic system of the brain. Hippocampus, fornic, singulate cyrus, thalamus, mamillary bodies, amygdala and olfactory bulb are parts of the limbic system which influence the brain and controls various important parts/functions of the body.

The smell brain: Before the limbic system was discovered, this part of the brain was referred to us the “the smell brain” It is this smell brain which brings about mood changes in a person. When inhaling an essential oil, olfactory sensations immediately work on the brain and cause it to set off a series of changes in the emotional plane. Let’s take a look at the mood properties of popular essential oils and which oil can be used for changing or bringing about a particular mood:


1. Alertness: To become alert, you can inhale blends with Basil, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Peppermint and Rosemary. These oils invigorate the brain and make even a dullard hyperactive and mentally agile.

2. Concentration: The power of focus is extremely necessary for success and to achieve this, use the following oils – Lemon, Basil, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Frankincense, Chamomile Roman etc.

3. Confidence: Some children can lack confidence due to peer pressure or parental pressure. To help such children with low self-esteem and self-confidence, add Cypress, Fennel, Ginger, Grapefruit, Orange, Jasmine and Pine to your bath water or essential oil blends.

4. Creativity: Creativity is a will o’ the wisp and cannot be easily achieved. To improve your creativity or usher in creative thoughts, use Bergamot, Lemon, Frankincense, Neroli, Jasmine, Cloves and Rose oils.

5. Peace: To lead a peaceful life or to calm yourself during stressful situations, use Chamomile Roman, Neroli, Juniper, Melissa, Yarrow and Frankincense oil blends in your bath water or inhalations.

6. Happiness: Happiness is the most elusive thing in the world. One moment you have it, another moment, it is not there. To bring about happiness into your life, use Orange, Rose, Jasmine, Ginger, Cinnamon, Geranium and Cloves.

7. Rest and relaxation: To rejuvenate yourself and bring about complete sense of relaxation after a long tiresome routine or hard day at office, use Lavender, Geranium, Clary Sage, Neroli and Sandalwood oils.

8. Self-esteem: To build your self-esteem and face the world with confidence, use Jasmine, Geranium, Cedarwood, Sandalwood and other oils. You can also work on your self-image with Orange, Lavender, Melissa, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Bay, Pine and Nutmeg oils.

What is it to play the older guy? 4 essential oil blends for parents

Playing the older guy or parent in the house is extremely difficult. This is more so if you are dealing with teens at home. From your rosy, young baby, your boy or girl transforms into a privacy-seeking, adolescent with peculiar behavior and temper tantrums. As a parent, you maybe faced with dichotomies and may yourself be confused on how to deal with your teen. You may feel that you need to restrict your child but at the same time want him or her to grow independent. If you are a parent trying to cope with your boy or girl, understand that it takes time for your child to learn things and the best way for you is to accept them as they are.

Essential oil blends for parents: Of course, as a parent, you can find many good books in the market on raising children. To apply the advice you get from those books, you would need patience and peace of mind. The below essential oil blends can provide just that in case you are too troubled to discuss your parenting problems with others. When you use aromatherapy on a daily basis, you gain balance and more insight into your teen’s problems. This would help you deal with issues in a compassionate and consoling manner instead of taking the stance of a tyrannical parent.


Prepare the below recipes in a 10 ml bottle. After pouring the essential oil blends, fill the bottle with base vegetable oils or carrier oils.

1. For balance and tranquility: Sometimes as a parent, you can lose patience with your kids. Though what your children do can be irritating and annoying, you need to maintain your calmness and peace of mind to see things in the right perspective. Add 6 drops of Sandalwood, 7 drops of Lavender oil, 2 drops of Marjoram with 2 drops of Rose otto. Apply the blend on your solar plexus or abdomen or pour about one third of the blend into your bath water. If you respond to the blend with a very positive effect, pour some on the palm of your hand and inhale deeply.

2. For assertiveness: This blend will help you stay grounded and assertive in your stance as a parent. Add 6 drops of Rosemary, 5 drops of Cypress, 6 drops of Cedarwood and 4 drops of Sandalwood. Massage the blend on to your solar plexus and lower back. You can also use the blend in your bath water or inhale it by rubbing on to the palm of your hands.

3. For communication: As a parent you need to be poised in your approach to your children. This blend will help you soothe your emotions like anger, resentment, guilt or frustration held within the body and mind. Add 4 drops of Lavender, 5 drops of Sage, 4 drops of Chamomile with vegetable or carrier oils. Massage your neck, throat and shoulders with the blend or pour into warm bath water or inhale by rubbing on to hands.

4. For emotional security: This blend is ideal for improving your sense of emotional security and comfort. Add 3 drops of Rose, 5 drops of Sandalwood, 5 drops of Orange and 4 drops of Pine and blend it with vegetable oils. Then, massage the blend on to solar plexus and abdomen. You can even add it to your bath water or inhale deeply.

At your wit’s end? Aromatherapy for relief from stress and insomnia

Are you tensed, overstressed and drained out completely? Do you wake up in the middle of nights never to sleep again? Are you anxious about what will happen next even when you know that it is silly to be anxious? Maybe you are caught in the web most Americans are in – the vicious cycle of stress, insomnia and anxiety which occur mostly in hyperactive and over-worked individuals who do not know what it is to relax. In this post-modern era, we are constantly working to exceed ourselves. We strive, slog and do everything in our capacity (and not in our capacity) to achieve what we deem to be phenomenal at the expense of our health.

Stress and insomnia cure: Traditional medicine recommends oral drugs for the cure of stressful conditions and sleeplessness. Though these drugs work, the problem with them is, they inflict a curse of side effects on patients who take them. The medications actually cause more stress than what was already there. Some medications also take patients into a chain reaction, where they are helpless without a particular drug. This causes acute withdrawal symptoms in drugs.


Aromatherapy is a god-send medicine when it comes to curing illnesses or relieving stressful conditions. An effective pain relief therapy, aromatic essential oils work wonders on your body, without any side effects.

Aromatherapy for stress relief: As you all know, aromatherapy oils are natural essence oils that can relieve you of physical, emotional, chemical and mental stress. It alleviates muscular fatigue, combats physiological pain and fights stress-related insomnia in patients.

1. Physical stress: Physical stress is caused by the over-exertion of the body, physically. Though complete rest would rejuvenate a tired body, essential oils aid in such revival. You can try clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, thyme, peppermint and rosemary oils for relieving physical stress.

2. Environmental stress caused by loud noise, bright light, drive through heavy traffic, constant annoyances, pollution etc. can be treated with oils like basil, cedarwood, chamomile, geranium and coriander.

3. Chemical stress
can occur when you overeat or subject yourself to a lot of medications. Abuse of drugs or over-use of oral medications can result in chemical stress due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. This can be cleared off by inhaling clary sage, lavender, lemon, rosemary, grapefruit, geranium and lemon.

4. Emotional/mental stress
is caused by depressive thoughts, sufferance of painful emotional problems for a prolonged time and very low self-esteem. Basil, chamomile, bergamot, grapefruit, sandalwood and geranium can be used to get relief from mental stress.

You can use essential oils to even clear unwanted materials or substances in your environment. Cypress, eucalyptus lemon, grapefruit, lavender and rosemary oils can cleanse stale air at your home or office and help you breathe aromatic air. Basil, bergamot, birch, coriander, geranium, grapefruit and neroli can improve concentration and make you more creative.

Essential oils for insomnia: Tisserand, an aromatherapist, studied the effect of several oils in hospital patients and found the following essential oils to be effective in treating insomnia: lavender, marjoram, geranium, mandarin, and cardamom. With sedative properties, these oils induced sleep in insomniacs.