by J.D.G.

Created on: April 05, 2010

Ever wake up feeling stressed, "blah," or a just bit down in the dumps?  Have you ever been stressed out and overwhelmed by the mundane tasks of daily life? Or felt like you just didn't have to confidence to go after what you want?  Well relief may be right under your nose!

Aromatherapy is the natural technique of healing both mind and body through scent.  The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy describes aromatherapy as "the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit."  The modern title and practice of aromatherapy is attributed to French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse who suffered burns while working in his cosmetics lab in the early 1900’s. After using aromatic methods to speed his healing, Gattefosse coined the term ‘Aroma-therapie’ in 1937 and produced a Materia Medica of aromatherapy's therapeutic uses.

So what does this mean for you, and exactly which aromatic extracts can help uplift your mood and alleviate stress?

Here are a few of the aromatherapy oils that I have been using for years.  Each one can work wonders on its own, but they can also be blended together in various ways to create a unique aromatherapy experience.  Put a few drops of geranium and lavender into a diffuser, or put a few drops of rose and jasmine into your bathwater and see how quickly your mood improves.  If you need continuous mood boosting throughout the day, try using a few of these scents as part of a wearable perfume oil.

* Banish stress
You can ease away even the most stubborn stress with bergamot, chamomile, frankincense, geranium (especially helpful with hormone related stress), grapefruit, jasmine, lavender (a favorite stress reducer), mandarin, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, or ylang ylang.  
 
* Gain confidence and combat insecurity
Get your confidence soaring, experience self-acceptance, and gain self-esteem with bay laurel, bergamot, cedarwood, cypress, frankincense, grapefruit, jasmine, neroli, orange, rosemary, sandalwood, or vetiver.
 
* Beat the blues
Felling a bit blue or depressed?  For mild depression, and to chase away the blues and negativity, try clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, helichrysum, lemon, jasmine, juniper berry, neroli, orange, rose, sandalwood, or ylang ylang. 
 
* Get happy, get energized, and uplift your spirit
If you want to be happy, vibrant, energized, upbeat, and optimistic, try a few drops of grapefruit, jasmine, lemon, lemongrass, lime, neroli, orange, rose, sandalwood or ylang ylang.  Your spirit and overall mood will feel uplifted in no time at all!

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References:
National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. (2010). "What is Aromatherapy?" <http://www.naha.org/what_is_aromatherapy.htm>. April 1, 2010.

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