Using Aromatherapy to Reduce Stress

Stressful days are no fun and it can be even worse when you have no way of alleviating the stress. Many many years ago, Egyptians and Greeks used the fragrant extracts of plants to lift the spirits. Today this is called aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses the oils from plants and herbs to relax, recharge energies and increase a person's sense of well-being. Using natural-essence oils will help you to deal with everyday stresses and strains. Environmental stress, physical stress, muscular fatigue, mental stress and chemical stress can all be combated by the use of aromatherapy. You can purchase essential oils in health, beauty, herb and natural food stores.

Once you purchase the essential oils, you can use them in a variety of ways. You can use them on your body by placing a few drops on your wrist or earlobe. You can put the oils anywhere that heat will get to them. Place the oil in small humidifiers that hand on radiators or sit on the floor, on cotton balls or light bulbs. You can also use the oils in water bowls, spray atomizers or room diffusers.

If you want to alleviate physical stress, you should look for clary-sage, cypress, eucalyptus, thyme, peppermint or rosemary oils. Oils that reduce environmental stress caused by loud noises and bright lights are basil, cedarwood, chamomile, cypress, coriander and geranium. Oils that counterbalance chemical stress caused by eating too much junk food or breathing polluted air are clary-sage, grapefruit, geranium, lavender, lemon and rosemary. If you suffer from mental stress, try using basil, bergamot, cardamon, grapefruit, geranium or sandalwood. Some people notice that the air in the home or office is stale and have benefited from using cypress, ecalyptus lemon, grapefruit, lemon, lavender and rosemary oils. Are you looking to increase concentration? Try using basil, bergamot, cardamon or grapefruit. Oils that stimulate creativity are birch, coriander, geranium, grapefruit, neroli and pettigraine. If you are feeling down and need to re-energize your body, try jasmine, juniper, lemon, spearmint, peppermint, rosemary or sage. On the other hand, oils that aid in relaxation are chamomile, frankincense, lavender, marjoram, pine, rose, sandalwood and tangerine.

Essential oils can also alleviate many illnesses that are caused by bacteria and viruses. Use these oils the same way that you would any of the other oils. the oils that help cobat illnesses are bergamot, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, tea tree and niaouli. For a dry throat, try using grapefruit or lemon oils. Headaches are often relieved by using lavender oils while stuffy noses can be relieved with tea tree or rosemary.