Many essential oils have aromatic qualities that can reduce stress and aid meditation.
Essential oils are concentrated aromatic compounds that extracted from plant parts such as leaves, blossoms, seeds or bark. Essential oils are considered an important element around the world in aromatherapy, natural perfumery and in various fields of natural medicine, psychology and cosmetology. Many are useful for abating symptoms of common colds, muscle aches, stress and fatigue. There are more than 150 species of plants used for essential oils, and they grow worldwide.
Stress Relief
Common plants that people use to make essential oils for stress relief, best used via massage, bath, diffusion or direct inhalation, are chamomiles, lavenders, ylang ylangs, cedars, rose, bergamot, sandalwoods, neroli, clary sage, frankincense, lemongrass, jasmines, orange sweet, basils, litsea, cardamom, palmarosa, angelica, melissa, vanilla, vetiver and verbena.
Aphrodisiacs
Essential oils associated with increasing sensuality and romance are made from plants such as jasmines, ylang ylangs, clary sage, rose, clove bud, ginger, neroli, patchouli, sandalwoods, vanilla, champaca, tuberose and vetiver. These work best in a massage oil -- fractionated coconut oil works well as a massage oil base -- or perfume.
Meditation
Essential oils have been used as a meditation aid for centuries. Often the essential oil is directly inhaled or added to a balm with carrier oil in it and applied to the temples. Some common plants that go into the making of these essential oils are frankincense, myrrh, patchouli, sandalwoods, cedars, rosewood, spikenard, vetiver, champaca, elemi, and basil sanctum tulsi.
Headaches
Headaches may result from tension or minor ailments, lack of sleep, or things such as seasonal allergies. You may ease the common headache directly by inhaling the essential oils made from Roman chamomile, sweet marjoram, rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint, spearmint, mint, grapefruit, valerian and yarrow. "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Natural Home Remedies" suggests chamomile for minor headaches, whereas basil is suggested for migraines.
Skincare
You can find essential oils in body oil, lotion, bath salts or compresses. They can also be added to lip balms and hand salves. Lavenders, chamomiles, geraniums, rose, neroli, ylang ylangs, carrot seed, rosewood, and rosemary are helpful for toning, conditioning and rejuvenating skin. Chamomiles, lavenders, yarrows, blue cypress and geranium are best for sunburned skin when used via mist, compress or a cool bath.
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