Essential Oils for Emotional Health and Well Being

1. Essential Oils for Emotional Health and Well Being

2. How essential oils affect the mind Aromatherapist Valerie Worwood notes that, “Essential oils come from plants and as humans we rely totally on plants for our existence. We are totally dependent on the plant kingdom- we eat plants and animals and also breathing air is made possible by plants.” • Essential oils are phyto-chemicals with specific biological and chemical properties. They come from the aromatic parts of plants such as flowers, citrus rind, seeds, roots, grasses, barks and resins. • Only 100% pure essential oils should be used in aromatherapy, which is a healing modality. They have the potential to help us heal physically, mentally and spiritually. • The effects can go from deep and penetrating to subtle and energetic. • In harmony with nature, essential oils strengthen the bodies ability to heal itself and to bring the body back to homeostasis

3. Olfaction via inhalation How it works-

4. Limbic brain and hypothalamus • Once inhaled the molecules of essential oils travel directly to the limbic portion of the brain crossing the blood/brain barrier • Perception of scent occurs in the hypothalamus which sends chemical messengers that release hormones and change blood chemistry. These neuro chemicals have the ability to affect our mood, sleeping patterns, and ability to focus, etc. • One example- Clary sage and grapefruit both secrete the neuro chemical known as enkephalins which are natural pain killers – they also produce a general feeling of well being. • Endorphins secreted by the pituitary gland are stimulated by Jasmine and ylangylang. • Serotonins are released by sedative odors such as lavender, sweet marjoram and chamomile.

5. Skin absorption • Essential oils have a lipid solubility and small molecular structure that makes them easily absorbed by the skin. They enter the blood stream through small capillaries, sweat glands and hair follicles. • Researchers have found that the body absorbs essential oils applied topically in 5-20 minutes and blood tests on participants who were massaged with lavender e.o. showed a high degree of linalool the primary chemical constituent in their blood. After 90 minutes most of the identifiable chemicals in lavender where safely excreted via exhale, urine or feces.

6. Scent, Memory and Emotion

7. Can Essential Oils Initiate the Release of Chemicals in The Brain? • The hippocampus is the part of the brain involved in memory and learning. There is a strong connection between scent and memory. • Emotions, memory, sexual feelings and learning can all be effected by various chemicals in the essential oils and their interaction with our brain receptors. • Our sense of smell is primordial and humans have it so that we could tell if our food is spoiled or there is a fire, however in 2004 Nobel prize winning scientist Buck and Axel found that we may have as many as 10,000 odor receptors. So when the scent of lavender makes you feel good because you associate that scent with a loved one there is a scientific reason for that! Scents we don’t like are also explainable, via association of people, events, etc.

8. The Mind Body Connection

9. Aromatherapy and Emotions • What is Emotional Health and Wellness? • Is it just the absence of disease? • What types of emotions do your massage clients or friends bring with them? • For over 4,000 years Egyptians, Greeks, East Indians, Chinese and Europeans have found that natural scents – flowers, herbs, trees, can all effect the emotions. In ancient Greece they used sweet marjoram, cypress and rose to ease grief. The Egyptians and Indians used Frankincense to ease anxiety through aromatic woods and incense to relieve mental fatigue, anxiety and help during panic. Each essential oil can contain up to 1,000 complex chemical compounds that can not all be replicated in a lab.

10. Research on Mind/Body • Dr. Candace Pert, former chief of the Brain Biochemistry Section of the American National Institute of Mental Health and professor at Rutgers University discovered that, “ your mind is in every cell of your body.” After 20 yrs. of research and her book, Molecules of Emotion, she reported that she found that the brain has receptors in the immune system, the nervous system, and the hormone system! • Valerie Worwood (A Fragrant Mind) find that it is impossible to separate the physiology and the psychology of the body; something ancient civilizations have always believed. • Now CAT scans, biofeedback machines and kirlian photography can make this connection visible. • Mind body therapies include: Aromatherapy, massage, guided imagery, meditation, biofeedback, yoga and more. The NIH shows that over 62% of Americans are seeking alternatives for stress related illness.

11. Stress and Emotional Health

12. Stress and Essential Oils • 4 main types of stress: Eustress – short term good stress, Distress-negative and harmful stress that is acute or chronic, Hyperstress- that completely consumes you/excessive, and Hypostress- insufficient stress and boredom. • Stress is the nation’s third most crippling disease! 75% of employees believe on the job stress makes them ill. It is said, life acts and we react. Our response to stress is based on several factors. • 4 main causes of stress: Emotional stress (acute illness, chronic health issues, safety issues, etc), • Mental stress- chronic worry over lack of control over your life and demands of others. Chemical stress is from caffeine, junk food, pollutants, chemicals, smoke, etc. and Environmental stress is occupational stress related to working conditions etc.

13. Signs and Symptoms of Stress • Digestive changes • Increase in heart rate, BP and blood sugar • Tense muscles and frequent headaches • Compromised immunity- sick/ill frequently • Trouble sleeping • Difficulty in relationships with family, friends and co-workers. • It can effect all aspects of our life and take away the balance and harmony in our life.

14. What can we do to help? • Aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage are both very effective in helping to relieve stress.* Research actually shows aroma massage is generally more effective than massage alone for stress. * Inhalers, Roll-ons, Sprays, Lotions @home initiate Pavlovian response. • Massage of feet and hands is very helpful as well as scalp and facial massage. • Meditation and Guided imagery during massage or pre/post massage • Breathing and breath work with client • Music for relaxation during massage and at home • Color therapy and using colorful felt applique for aroma

15. Essential Oils for Relaxation • Lavender, Atlas Cedarwood, Roman chamomile, Orange, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Melissa, Neroli, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver and Ylangylang

16. Essential Oils for Rejuvenation • Rosemary, Peppermint, Basil, Lemon, Grapefruit, Lime, Cinnamon leaf, Jasmine, Juniper, Thyme, Tea tree, Eucalyptus, Elemi, Clove bud, and Ginger

17. Essential Oils for Grief • Rose, Neroli, Bergamot, Chamomile, Jasmine, Sweet marjoram, Vetiverand Rosewood.

18. Essential Oils for Panic • Neroli, Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender, Geranium, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Juniper, Lavender, and YlangYlang

19. Essential Oils for Non Clinical Depression • Melissa, Petitgrain, Neroli, Palo Santo, Rose, Lavender, YlangYlang, Jasmine, Geranium, Citrus oils, Lemongrass, Benzoinand Vanilla

20. Focus • Rosemary, Peppermint, Basil, Atlas Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus citriodora, Tea Tree, Lemon, Grapefruit, and Thyme.

21. Sample Blends for Emotional Health • Lemon Zen: Eases depression like feelings and sadness • 4 drops of Melissa(Melissa officinalis) • 4-6 drops of Lemon rind • 3 drops of Vetivert • 2 drops of Lemongrass • In 4 oz spray bottle of water

22. Panic Blend • Blend 4 drops of Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara) or 3 drops of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) • 4 drops of Lavender (Lavendulaangustifolia) • 4 drops of Sandalwood (Santalum album) or Frankincense (Boswellia sacra/carterii)

23. Insomnia Blend • 4 drops of Roman chamomile • 4 drops of Clary Sage • 4 drops of Lavender • 2-3 drops of Sweet Orange • Use in 4 oz. linen spray or in an inhaler

24. Essential Oils – Nature’s Pharmacy • With emotional health issues it is especially beneficial to use natural products that are gentle and work holistically with the whole person. There are many essential oils and natural therapies to help on the journey to emotional balance and wellness.