{guest post written by Stacy Mcdonald}
Did you know that scent can powerfully affect our emotions? Out of all five senses, our sense of smell is the only one directly linked to the limbic system in the brain, our emotional control center. What this means is that scent can impact not just emotion, but the body’s physical response to it. Mood matters.
When our nose detects a scent, it means that tiny molecules have evaporated from an object and entered the nose. Since an essential oil is volatile (it evaporates at room temperature), its molecules literally leap into the air! When we inhale essential oils (or anything else), their molecules are channeled through our nostrils sending messages to the olfactory system through receptors. The receptors in turn transfer the information they receive from these molecules to the brain. This results in the “sense of smell.”
The olfactory bulb, which is part of the limbic system, captures information through the sense of smell, helping to record a memory. That’s why you can walk into an antique store and have flashbacks of your grandma’s house; or smell a certain perfume and it reminds you of someone. Because of this, and the healing nature of essential oils, there are some who believe that essential oils are extremely helpful in dealing with traumatic memories or post-traumatic stress disorder.
In 1989 researchers agreed that the amygdala—one of several structures in the cerebral cortex—plays a major role in storing and releasing emotional trauma and that aromas have a profound affect on triggering those responses.Since the limbic system is directly connected to the parts of the brain that control heart rate, digestion, blood pressure, breathing, stress levels, sexual arousal, and hormone balance, the use of therapeutic grade essential oils in aromatherapy can have profound physiological and psychological effects on our physical and emotional well-being.
Joseph Ledoux, M.D., of the New York Medical University [and author of The Emotional Brain] was one of the first to suggest that the use of aroma could be a major breakthrough in helping to release hidden and suppressed feeling and memories of emotional bondage.
What happens when you’re stressed? There is an actual, measurable, physical response to it. Stress and anxiety are known to sap our energy, affect our skin, aggravate our muscles and nerves, disrupt digestion, affect our sleep, and make us more prone to illness and disease. So, the stress-related health issue you’ve been dealing with isn’t “all in your head.” But what is in your head, along with essential oils, may help you deal with it!
Therapeutic grade essential oils may offer a powerful and safe form of therapy for emotional healing without the dangerous side effects of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications.
The following is a list of just a few Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil singles and blends that have been helpful to others in dealing with mental and emotional challenges.
Oils for Emotional Healing
Singles:
Bergamot – Agitation, Anxiety, Depression
Frankincense – Used to treat depression. Frankincense contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system of the brain and the hypothalamus, penial, and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the human body, producing many vital hormones including thyroid growth hormone.
Neroli – Hypertension, anxiety, depression, hysteria, insomnia, skin conditions. A natural relaxant used to treat depression and anxiety.
Vetiver – ADHD, anxiety, depression (including postpartum), insomnia. Helps with stress and recovery from emotional trauma.
Lemon and Orange – Stress
Spikenard – Insomnia, nervous tensions, anxiety
Tangerine – Contains esters and aldehydes that are sedating and calming helping with anxiety and nervousness.
Valerian – Tranquilizing to the central nervous system
Ylang Ylang – Anxiety and Depression
Blends:
Inner Child – Stimulates memory response, allowing you to prayerfully deal with unresolved traumas
Peace & Calming – Stress relief and insomnia.
Sara – Helps in dealing with traumatic memories, specifically those related to abuse.
Stress Away – Helps to relieve daily stress and nervous tension. Improves mental response, restores equilibrium, promotes, relaxation, and lowers hypertension.
Tranquil – Contains lavender, cedarwood, and chamomile. All three of these oils have been well documented as effective in reducing restlessness, decreasing anxiety, and inducing a calming feelings.
Trauma Life – This blend combats stress and helps uproot trauma that cause insomnia, anger, restlessness, and a weakened immune response, so that it can be dealt with.
The Essential Oil Desk Reference Recommends the following oils for the following specific emotional challenges:
Anger – bergamot, Cedarwood, frankincense, sacred frankincense, lavender, myrrh, orange, Rose, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang
Anxiety – Orange, Roman chamomile, Ylang Ylang, lavender, sacred frankincense, frankincense
Abuse -Singles: geranium, Ylang Ylang, galbanum, palo santo, ocotea, frankincense. Blends: Sarah, Hope, Joy, Peace and Calming, Inner Child, Grounding, Trauma Life, Release, Valor, Forgiveness, White Angelica
Depression – Cedarwood, spruce, sacred frankincense, lavender, geranium, lemon, orange, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, Ylang Ylang
Despondency – Galbanum, geranium, sacred frankincense, ginger, orange, rose, Ylang Ylang, Idaho balsam fur
Fear – Palo Santo, cypress, Roman chamomile, geranium, juniper, myrrh, spruce, orange, sacred frankincense
Grief/Sorrow- Singles bergamot, palo santo, galbanum, Roman chamomile, Clary Sage, eucalyptus, juniper, lavender,
Mood Swings – Idaho balsam fir, clary sage, sage, geranium, juniper, fennel, lavender, peppermint, rose, jasmine, rosemary, lemon, spruce, Ylang Ylang, Progessence Plus (hormone related)
Obsessiveness – Clary Sage, galbanum, ocotea, palo santo, cypress, geranium, lavender, Ylang Ylang
Panic – Bergamot, Idaho balsam fir, galbanum, Roman chamomile, myrrh, frankincense, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, Ylang Ylang, Spruce
Shock – Helichrysum, basil, dorado azul, copaiba, Roman chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary
The Feelings Collection includes blends specially formulated for those combating anxiety, stress, and emotional turmoil..~ Stacy M.
In addition to using essential oils, remember to give your body other "tools" that it needs to aid in the healing and restorative process:
- Get consistent amounts of sleep!
- Increase your intake of water daily.
- Get plenty of sunshine.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Avoid processed foods, dyes, white flour/sugar, MSG.
- Detoxify your home
- Have your hormone levels checked.
- Increase your intake of Probiotics, Vitamin D, C, and an assortment of B Vitamins, as well as essential minerals like Magnesium.
- Never underestimate the company and fellowship and company of supportive and positive friends and family members.
I only use Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils because of their high purity. Many essential oils on the market today are adulterated and are not put through a Seed to Seal process that Young Living lives by. I highly recommend these essential oils for their outstanding purity and also because, simply put, they really work. I began my journey over two years ago with Young Living EOs and have never looked back. They are remarkable!
To get started using therapeutic grade essential oils for you and your family, I recommend purchasing the Premium Starter Kit! You can begin enjoying wholesale prices AND a large selection of essential oils at the same time. This is a great way to begin incorporating the most versatile essential oils into your daily life. I also personally gift you with an essential oil when you become a wholesale customer under me. It's my way of saying "thank you!" and supporting you in building your own natural medicine cabinet.
By the way, I am not a doctor. I just a woman who uses essential oils in her daily life with family and friends. The information provided on Ancient Essentials is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.
Message me at ancientessentials@yahoo.com.
