Alternative medicine has influenced healing and the mind-body connection since the beginning of time. As society and Western medicine have evolved, the world of essential oils still seems prominent and fast-growing. Wellness has become an adamant part of our day-to-day lives, especially during the last year as we tackle this pandemic. The full potential of essential oils has been yet to be fully realized, and we tend to brush over how common they are in our daily routines, from deodorants to healing agents, to skincare and makeup. There is, and I do not say this lightly, an essential oil that most likely can help you in whatever realm of health and wellness you want to explore.
As we all find new activities through our time at home and quarantine, a lot of us have taken this time as a means to take care of ourselves. My mother recently went on a quest to become certified in aromatherapy, which could only mean one thing: I became her guinea pig. Part of her training was understanding the deep-rooted history of oil extraction from plants and how we can use them in our lives to accomplish our health goals and aid us in feeling our best. From stress, to focus, to skincare, we tested everything. I’ll go through some different oils that have been extremely beneficial for me and will give a glimpse into the world of aromatherapy.
Whether you are a student on campus stuck in a tiny living space, or a remote student trying to find a way for zoom and google meet to not kill your computer battery, we are all stressed. Not only are we having to pay extreme attention to the world around us, but we also are being expected to fully dive into our studies without hesitation. I personally have had many moments of stress and anxiety and found that incorporating essential oils into my routine made a significant difference. I have specific “blends”, which refer to a combination of different oils, to mix the effects. For stress, I use lavender oil either in my diffuser or topically on my temples and behind my ears. Some other options for stress relief would be chamomile, bergamot, sandalwood, and sweet marjoram, as these have been proven to act as a sedative for the central nervous system. Although these names can sound overwhelming, essential oils are extremely accessible and should require no more than a google search.
Stress and focus go hand in hand. Concentration has been a difficult task recently as there is so much going on for each and every one of us. When my mother approached me and asked if I wanted a “focus blend”, I was shocked. Till then, I only associated oils as having a calming effect and really only used them when stress or anxiety came about, but nonetheless, when I realized there were stimulating oils, I was intrigued. Jasmine, peppermint, basil, clove, and ylang-ylang are said to have a stimulating and uplifting effect. I highly suggest trying some of these to see if they work for you, but as noted before, essential oils can apply to so many different areas.
Skincare is a world I am still navigating, and I think there needs to be an emphasis on individuality in that all of us have different skin types and different reactions to certain products. I have always dealt with very sensitive skin and found that when I tried to uphold skincare routines I often fell short and could never find products that my skin liked. Once I really understood that essential oils couldn’t get more natural, I knew I had to try them and hoped it would not shock my skin. For dry and sensitive skin, Frankincense and Geranium help balance the skin’s natural oils. Rosemary and Clary Sage are good for controlling excess oil, and jojoba and tea tree oils are also light on the skin. There is so much more to explore with essential oils, but these basics could help get you started.
I have loved experimenting with different oils and testing out what works best for me. Every one of us will have different experiences and reactions, but because essential oils come from natural sources, you can be assured that you won’t be putting anything toxic or harmful into your system. I highly recommend diving into this world and seeing if it can help you as much as it has impacted me. You will not fall short on finding information about other oils that could be great for you.