Disclaimer: This article is not suggested for treating or diagnosing medical conditions. It’s aimed at education and spreading knowledge on the popular uses of Essential Oils. Please consult your doctor before making any drastic changes.
Although most of us watch TV or play a game or two to relax, these activities stimulate us more than relaxing. On the flip side, meditation, yoga, or aromatherapy can relax or stimulate us.
We’ve already talked about meditation and yoga, but what are the best essential oils for relaxation?
The best essential oils for relaxation are:
Today, we will tell you the how, when, and why to use these essential oils for aromatherapy.
Ready? Let’s gets go!
Overview: Relaxation Through Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy influences our mind, body, and soul by regulating our olfactory system, which is connected to the emotional center of the brain.
Because essential oils, incense, and smudge sticks are concentrated forms of flowers and herbs, they have medicinal, fragrant, and clearing effects that may uplift your mood, creativity, focus, health, positivity, and more.
“When you smell something, the scent travels into your brain’s emotional center and further into an organ that registers it with your emotional state at the time. That’s why we associate certain scents with positive memories.”
Read more about why and how smell takes control of our emotions in this article.
Besides time travel and smell-evoked autobiographical memories, essential oils can slow down breathing, heart rate, heart palpitations, and anxiety.
So, according to science, how does aromatherapy relax your mind or body?
How to use Essential Oils for Relaxation?
Here’s a quick glimpse of all the ways Essentials Oils (EOs) can be used for relaxing:
- Topical Application (Also remember to ensure essential oils you buy are safe and hypoallergenic on the skin).
Do you know essential oils have been used since 4,500 B.C? Egyptians used EOs in cosmetics, medicines, and herbal concoctions, but even in prehistoric times, these oils were used for rock paintings.
Throughout history, some people used essential oils for physical healing, others for their antibacterial or bug-repellent properties.
An ancient Hindu text called Ayurveda or the (Scripture for the) Knowledge of Health comprises over 700 uses of aromatics for healing from 2,000 B.C, including medicinal EOs.
No matter which direction you go, every culture and history has a unique way of using essential oils.
In Arab countries, they are called Attar or Ittar and are used for perfuming the body, cloth, objects, and home interiors. When you go to the East, there are non-electric aroma burners and diffusers made from clay used since ages.
In the West, essential oils have been added to potpourri, aroma diffusers, and scented candles for ages for relaxation, positivity, and ambiance.
Another prominent way of using essential oils and herbs in South India is via Ayurvedic massages. It’s popular these days as aromatherapy massages. Plus, these are great for pain management, busting stress, or simply for winding down peacefully at the end of a hectic day.
I even add a few drops of Ohm Oil to my electric massager, and they combine all the goodness of essential oils, aromatherapy, and Ayurveda!
Using essential oils before stretches, yoga, or short meditation can relax your body and enhance the experience.
Which Essential Oils To Use For Relaxation?
I told you how EOs were used throughout the ages and how to use them easily from home. But which are the best essential oils for relaxation and peace?
Here you go:
Lavender
You have already read about the unique benefits of Lavender essential oils. It’s often recommended for relaxation because Lavender directly affects the stress hormone cortisol and the feeling of contentment.
You can add a few drops of Lavender EO to your aroma diffuser, pillow, or neck before sleep or stressful work.
Ylang Ylang
One essential oil for hair, skin, and mood, Ylang Ylang is native to India, China, Indonesia, and Australia. Its spicy and fruity notes are great for lowering blood pressure, particularly for general fighting anxiety.
You can enjoy Ylang Ylang essential oils with a massage or in diffusers for relaxation.
Sandalwood
Do you know some ancient temples in the East were made entirely out of Sandalwood? Some of the world’s most notorious crimes were also fought for Sandalwood.
As a medicinal oil, Sandalwood is prescribed by medical practitioners in medicine for the liver, UTIs, scabies, and digestive troubles. But they’re even better for enhancing mood and calm.
Simply adding Sandalwood essential oil to an aroma diffuser in your bedroom at night will help you sleep well.
Rose
Used in cuisines, cosmetics, and sometimes in medicine, Rose is an exceptionally aromatic essential oil. It gives a rich, luxurious, and revitalized feeling besides relaxation. Rose essential oil is particularly good for relieving stress and calming the nerves.
You can use them for massages, cleansing, and room freshening.
Jasmine
A refreshing scent that feels premium too, Jasmine essential oils are sedative too. But their most popularly-discussed effect is calmness and positivity. It helps you harmonize the vibes at your home and feel good.
The best way to use Jasmine scent for mood-enhancing effects is with incense. But you can also apply a few drops of Jasmine essential oil to your pillows or aroma diffuser for good sleep.
Chamomile
Chamomile is truly a divine scent apart from being one of the trending teas. You can use Chamomile EO to purify spaces and clear stressful vibrations from your body, mind, and space.
Chamomile EOs are especially good for relaxing before bed. For this, add it to your bedroom diffuser and enjoy restful slumber.
Cedarwood
Do you know Cedarwood essential oils were one of the first ever oils distilled by humans? Because of its sedative, healing, and antiseptic effects, many cultures used Cedarwood in medicine. Today, it’s widely used in aromatherapy for pain management, good sleep, and stress relief.
Cedarwood essential oil is perfect for aromatherapy with everyday meditation.
Basil
Considered Holy in Hinduism, Basil is used widely in Ayurveda for anxiety, tension, pressure, worries, and stress. Basil EOs has an uplifting scent that enhances the digestive and respiratory systems.
Moreover, it’s a refreshing scent to enjoy in living rooms, kitchens, and home entrances.
Rosemary
Do you know the Romans, Hebrews, Greeks, and Egyptians considered this herb sacred and holy? Perhaps that’s why it features widely in cuisine, cosmetics, and medicine.
You can add a few Rosemary essential oils for winding down at the end of the day. It’s also good for a little pick-me-up in the mornings.
Bergamot
A popular essential oil scent conventionally added to scented candles, potpourri, and room fresheners, Bergamot pleases people of all sizes, shapes, and tastes. It’s particularly relaxing for muscles too.
You can add a few drops of Bergamot oil to your car neck pillows for a refreshing long ride.
Add These Essential Oils To Your Relaxation Regimen
Aromatherapy is an ancient way of infusing relaxing, relieving, energizing, cleansing, and harmonizing aromas to bring calmness, positivity, and stress relief.
As we discussed, you can use essential oils in potpourri for massages or in aroma diffusers. They’re great for opening different chakras too.
Moreover, how essential oils affect our brain, nerves, emotions, and spiritual balance is enough to add them to our daily skincare or spiritual rituals.
While the above lists out my favorite essential oils for relaxation (and by industry experts), you might feel differently about Lavender, Rose, or Jasmine than most of us do.
Many even prefer a proportionate blend of different essential oils to one or two specific ones.
If you’re in the mood to experiment, get an Ohm Oil bottle and tell us how you feel!
