Posts tagged: essential oils

Top 6 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends For Well Being

Top 6 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends For Well Being
Top 6 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends For Well Being. Graphic: © herbshealthhappiness.com. Oil / flowers photo – Pixabay (PD).

When it comes to essential oils, the possible aromatherapy combinations are nearly endless. But the wide range of options can also leave you confused. To ease your troubles, here are 6 of the best essential oil diffuser blends for different scenarios.

1. Calming

Ingredients:
⦁ Lavender – 3 drops
⦁ Geranium – 3 drops
⦁ Roman chamomile – 2 drops
⦁ Clary sage – 2 drops
⦁ Ylang-ylang – 2 drops

Try this to calm down after a long stressful day. Some of the essentials oils have been shown to improve sleep, remedy pain & inflammation, and balance the heart rate. [1][2][3]

2. Bliss

Ingredients:
⦁ Wild orange – 3 drops
⦁ Grapefruit – 3 drops
⦁ Lemon – 2 drops
⦁ Bergamot – 1 drop

This essential oil blend is perfect for relaxing your mind and uplifting your mood. Consider using the blend when you have visitors over for a fun experience.

3. Stress be Gone

Ingredients:
⦁ Lavender – 4 drops
⦁ Clary Sage – 3 drops
⦁ Ylang-ylang – 2 drops
⦁ Marjoram – 1 drop

Feeling drained? Research shows that some of the ingredients in this essential oil diffuser blend help relieve emotional stress, nervous tension, depression, headaches, and anxiety. [4]

4. Joyful

Ingredients:
⦁ Joyful blend – 4 drops
⦁ Invigorating blend – 4 drops

Looking to boost your energy, optimism, and feeling of well-being? The joyful essential oil diffuser blend might be what you need. It contains euphoric and refreshing scents that elevate your mood and vitality.

5. Energy

Ingredients:
⦁ Peppermint – 4 drops
⦁ Wild orange – 4 drops

Use this peppermint and wild orange blend to reduce fatigue and improve energy levels. [5]

6. Focus

Ingredients:
⦁ Frankincense – 2 drops
⦁ Vetiver – 2 drops
⦁ Grounding blend – 4 drops

This blend of ingredients is designed to improve brain function and help you focus on a task. For example, a study in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, suggests that inhaling vetiver oil may help you focus and improve brain alertness. [6]

Please note that this content should never be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

References:

[1] Effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality and anxiety of patients https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nicc.12198.

[2] Patented antiinflammatory plant drug development from traditional medicine https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.1475.

[3] Salamati A. et al. 2017. Effect of Inhalation of Lavender Essential Oil on Vital Signs in Open Heart Surgery ICU https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5423266/.

[4] Malcolm BJ. 2018. Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29955514.

[5] Kennedy D. et al. 2018. Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30087294.

[6] Modification of sleep-waking and electroencephalogram induced by vetiver essential oil inhalation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4805151/.

Oregano Oil Is One Of The Most Effective Natural Antibiotics

Oregano Oil Is One Of The Most Effective Natural Antibiotics
Graphic: © herbshealthhappiness.com. Photo: Pixabay (PD).

At an age when antibiotic-resistant bacteria are spreading at an unprecedented pace, could it be the time to go back to the basics of mother nature? Some plants, such as oregano, have been shown to possess potent antibiotic properties with none on the side effects associated with their pharmaceutical counterparts. Read on as we discuss the antibiotic properties of oregano oil, and why it’s worth your attention.

Health Benefits of Oregano Oil

When concentrated into an essential oil, oregano is loaded with powerful compounds that have science-supported health benefits. The therapeutic uses are attributed to its composition of thymol and carvacrol, which are potent antifungal and antibacterial compounds. Below are some studies on the antibacterial properties of oregano oil:

⦁ According to an animal study appearing in the Journal of Toxicological Mechanisms and Methods, oregano oil significantly improved the survival rate of mice infected with the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. [1] These bacteria are associated with several ailments, including skin infections and food poisoning.

⦁ Another 2012 study by Polish researchers showed that oregano oil may be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [2]

How to Use Oregano Oil as a Natural Antibiotic

1) Remember to consult your doctor regarding possible interaction with other medications or other health concerns
2) Obtain 100% pure organic oregano oil.
3) Take 1-2 drops, highly diluted in a glass of water
4) Alternate method – Oregano tincture can be obtained, for example Herb Pharm Oregano Spirits. Instructions for use are on the bottle. It’s very intense and you will want to wash it down immediately with a glass of water so have this already prepared!

Please note that this content should never be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

References:

[1] Preuss, H. G. et al. 2005. Effects of Essential Oils and Monolaurin on Staphylococcus aureus: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20021093.

[2] Sienkiewicz, M. et al. 2012. [The antibacterial activity of oregano essential oil (Origanum heracleoticum L.) against clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23484421.

How Essential Oils Enhance Your Well-Being

How Essential Oils Enhance Your Well-Being
How Essential Oils Enhance Your Well-Being. Graphic © herbshealthhappiness.com. Essential oils photo © AdobeStock 52333950 (under license)

Aromatherapy is the practice of using natural plant oils for improving the physical well-being of a person. These aroma-producing oils come from flowers, leaves, stalks, rind, and roots. Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine that considers your sense of smell’s influence over your thoughts, emotions, moods, memories, behavior and physiological functions.

Plant-based oils contain biologically-active and volatile compounds that have been found to provide therapeutic benefits. While each essential oil has its own virtues and unique qualities, combining them may create a much more powerful effect. With aromatherapy, you can harness the olfactory power of essential oils for healing, simply to enhance your state of well-being and also through health-supporting effects that have been attributed to the oil molecules themselves.

The versatility of aromatherapy is immense. For this article, we will be discussing some of the therapeutic uses of oils for common complaints. There are oils that treat more than one problem including lavender and peppermint. Several scientific studies have been cited to support how these essential oils offer means for emotional and physical healing and rebalancing moods.

1. Essential Oils For Pain:

Lavender, chamomile, clary sage, juniper, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, lavender, and green apple

Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils that are commonly used to relieve headaches and neck pain. Its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were confirmed by a study [1] published in the August 2015 issue of Brazilian medical journal Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias. Another study [2] supports the effectiveness of lavender oil in treating pain when combined with conventional treatments such as acupressure.

2. Essential Oils For Insomnia:

Lavender, chamomile, jasmine, benzoin, neroli, rose, sandalwood oil, sweet marjoram, ylang-ylang, lemon

A Korean study [3] combined lavender, roman chamomile, and neroli oils to assess its effect on anxiety, sleep, and blood pressure of coronary artery disease patients. It found out the value of this blend as an independent nursing intervention for improving the sleep quality of these patients. In another study, [4] the oils of ylang-ylang, lavender, neroli, and marjoram were effective in improving the sleep quality of middle-aged women with hypertension.

3. Essential Oils For Stress:

Lavender, lemon, bergamot, jojoba, clary sage, peppermint, vetiver, pine, ylang-ylang, chamomile

In 2016, University of Montana undergraduate student McKinley June Sangwin investigated the effectiveness of aromatherapy as stress reduction tool [5] for college students. He pre-mixed a dram of chamomile, clary sage or lavender oil with jojoba oil for the study – which revealed the potential of aroma inhalation in reducing stress among college students.

4. Essential Oils For Anxiety:

Lavender, bergamot, rose, clary sage, lemon, Roman chamomile, orange, sandalwood, rose-scented geranium, ylang-ylang, and pine

One study [6] mixed lavender and bergamot oils to evaluate the blended oil’s aroma-therapeutic effects in treating anxiety. The study confirmed the relaxing effect of the synergistic blend and its potential use in medicine for curing depression or anxiety in humans. In 2006, a study published in Phytotherapy Research [7] provided evidence for the usage of ylang-ylang oil as a therapy for depression.

5. Essential Oils For Nausea And Vomiting:

Mint, ginger, lemon, orange, ginger, dill, fennel, chamomile, clary sage, lemon, and lavender

Yavari and colleagues [8] conducted research in 2014 to determine the effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnant women. Results showed the positive effect of lemon scent in reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. In another study, [9] a blend of essential oils of ginger, spearmint, peppermint, and cardamom was proven to be another effective aromatherapy treatment for postoperative nausea.

6. Essential Oils For Memory And Attention:

Sage, peppermint, rosemary, lemon, and cinnamon

The effect of peppermint on memory performance has been widely explored. The International Journal of Neuroscience published a study [10] in 2008 that offered evidence for the impact of peppermint on increasing alertness of healthy participants. In 2009, another study [11] posited the potential of aromatherapy for improving the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study used rosemary and lemon essential oils.

7. Essential Oils For Low Energy:

Black pepper, peppermint, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, angelica, jasmine, tea tree, rosemary, sage, and citrus

In 2013, an experiment [12] was conducted to explore the effectiveness of peppermint essential oil on exercise performance. The stimulating effect of peppermint was attributed to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

8. Essential Oils For Fatigue Exhaustion And Burnout:

Basil, bergamot, clary sage, jasmine, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, ginger, cypress, sandalwood, grapefruit, and grapefruit

Inhaling a mixture of essential oils [13] including peppermint, basil, and helichrysum was found to be effective in reducing the perceived level of mental fatigue or burnout. This study first appeared in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

How To Use The Essential Oils?

As mentioned above, the most common ways to use essential oils are aromatically, topically, internally, and externally. You can diffuse the oils into the air, inhale them directly, use as perfume or cologne, or as a natural room deodorizer. Essential oils are applied topically through massage, hot or cold compress, or bathwater. Certain oils may be used in cooking or as supplements, but they should typically NOT be taken internally unless accepted as a food-grade substance, and even then in minute quantities.

Around the home, essential oils have also found applications in sprays, carpet deodorizers, insect repellent, and household cleaners.

References:

[1] Silva GL et al. 2015. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias. Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26247152

[2] Lakhan SE et al. 2016. Pain Research and Treatment. The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5192342/

[3] Cho M-Y et al. 2013. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Effects of Aromatherapy on the Anxiety, Vital Signs, and Sleep Quality of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients in Intensive Care Units https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3588400/

[4] Ju M-S et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Effects of Aroma Massage on Home Blood Pressure, Ambulatory Blood Pressure, and Sleep Quality in Middle-Aged Women with Hypertension https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570933/

[5] Sangwin MJ et al. 2016. A Study on Stress and Aromatherapy Intervention Efficacy https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1079&context=utpp

[6] Hongratanaworakit T et al. 2011. Natural Product Communications. Aroma-therapeutic effects of massage blended essential oils on humans https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21922934

[7] Hongratanaworakit T1, Buchbauer G. 2006. Phytotherapy Research. Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16807875

[8] Yavari Kia P et al. 2014. Iran Red Crescent Medical Journal. The effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24829772

[9] Hunt R et al. 2013. Anesthesia & Analgesia. Aromatherapy as treatment for postoperative nausea: a randomized trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22392970

[10] Moss M et al. 2008. The International Journal of Neuroscience. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18041606

[11] Jimbo D et al. 2009. Psychogeriatrics. Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer’s disease https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20377818

[12] Abbas Meamarbashi and Ali Rajabi. 2013. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. The effects of peppermint on exercise performance https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3607906/

[13] Varney E, Buckle J. 2013. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Effect of inhaled essential oils on mental exhaustion and moderate burnout: a small pilot study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23140115