Managing stress and lack of sleep with Essential Oil Blends

“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” -Rumi

How often do we check our weather apps to see if we need a raincoat, gloves, or a cotton shirt? How often do we look at the radar before we start our day? All the time, right? And how does that affect our attitude and decision making during the day? But how often do we check our hearts? Almost never. Lack of sleep causes disruptions in our moods and attitudes, yet we don't take the time to check out the things that can help us most. Let's change that starting today.

One drop of essential oil such as Petitgrain Citrus x aurantium L., derived from the distilled leaves of the bitter orange fruit, can uplift the spirit and change unmanageable moods into periods of calm and control. The active constituent in this essential oil is linalyl acetate. It gives Petitgrain the ability to calm the central nervous system. Studies have shown that it improves moods and relaxes the gastrointestinal system. It also has been used clinically to help those with sleep disorders and stress related conditions. However, be advised. Petitgrain leaves must be rapidly steamed and distilled to create linalyl acetate in high enough concentrations to have beneficial effects, so make sure you purchase this essential oil from a reputable manufacturer who shows the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, GC/MS. It helps in assessing the purity and the identity of the essential oil. When you buy essential oils, good suppliers will provide a copy of the lab report to their customers. Clinically we use Petitgrain with people who have allergies and asthma. The sedative properties of this oil calm the respiratory tract, especially when used with German Chamomile or Fragonia. Fragonia Agonis fragans contains the constituent 1,8 cineole which has been found to break up mucus congestion, according to Daniel Penoel. The chamazulene (or blue color) in German Chamomile Matricaria recutita L. has anti-inflammatory effects and blends well with Petitgrain. Blended together at a 2% dilution in organic vegetable oil, these three oils have a positive effect on the nervous and respiratory systems when inhaled or used in a massage blend. All three essential oils are non-toxic and non-irritating.

“What if things were different than the way you have seen them in the past?” -Rachel Naomi Remen

Some of our clients who are professional health care workers have difficulty sleeping. The blended essential oils many nurses find helpful are included in this recipe:

Better Sleep Blend

* In a one ounce glass bottle, add 3 drops of German Chamomile Matricaria recutita L.

6 drops of Petitgrain Citrus x aurantium L.

3 drops of Fragonia Agonis fragans

* Fill the rest of the bottle with Grapeseed oil or Sweet Almond oil. Close and tighten the dropper lid.

* Roll the blend in the closed glass dropper bottle to mix gently

* Apply a few drops to your hands, rub them together and inhale deeply a few times after dinner ,and

apply a few drops of Better Sleep Blend on your forearms before bed.

The aroma will give you a sense of calm and comfort. Healthcare workers said they feel and work better when they get a good night's sleep. May the gratitude you have for plants, flowers, leaves and trees help you sleep better as you use essential oil blends to improve moods, attitudes, and health. If you have questions on on this blog or how to create your own Better Sleep Blend, or if you would like us to create this wonderful, comforting blend for you, connect with us. In the meantime, may your rainy days become sunny, winter days become spring, and your moods turn from sadness to joy.

References:

Battaglia, Salvatore, (2018). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 3rd edition. Brisbane, Australia: Black Pepper Creative Publishing.

Holmes, Peter, (2016). Aromatic; A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics: Volume 1: Principles and Profiles; Philadelphia & London; Singing Dragon Publishing.

Penoel, Daniel, (2006). Fragonia the Latest Promising Aromatic Gift from Australia: Aromatherapy Today; 36: 12-18.

Huang, L., & Capdevila, L. (2017). Aromatherapy Improves Work Performance Through Balancing the Autonomic Nervous System. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 23(3), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0061

Dosoky, N. S., & Setzer, W. N. (2018). Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(7), 1966. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071966

Miraj, S., & Alesaeidi, S. (2016). A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recuitta chamomile (chamomile). Electronic physician, 8(9), 3024–3031. https://doi.org/10.19082/3024

Photo Credits: Unsplash and WIX.

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