Aromatherapy for Anxiety

Less tension, more flow!

Aromatherapy is much more than making nice smells. It is the practice of inhaling essential oils.

Each essential oil can contain hundreds of different ‘volatile’ (easily evaporated) compounds, most of which are very compatible with the physiology of the human body.

Different oils have different properties and have certain effects when inhaled.

Aromatherapy is NOT practiced at Nottingham Therapy. However, if you do like to create a relaxing atmosphere at home or in the workplace, using essential oils can change your states of being and rid you of anxiety or panic.

 Essential oils when inhaled directly effect our limbic system, the brain’s emotional centres. Therefore, inhaling them can relax you, and calm you and relieve anxiety. Never take in essential oils orally as some oils can be toxic. Also, don’t leave pure essential oils on bare skin for more than a few seconds, as you may feel a burning sensation.

Aroma therapy oil bottle

An aromatherapist advised me of the following two ‘recipes’ of essential oils that are effective in calming anxiety. Use either one or the other of the two mixtures and monitor the effects.

1)      Equal parts of Roman Chamomile, Bergamot and Orange.

2)      3 drops Lavender, 2 drops Neroli and 1 drop Bergamot.

 Once you have made the mixture of oils add to a burner of water so that the oils evaporate into the air that you breathe, or pour into a small atomiser to spray into the room where you are sitting.

 For the ultimate relaxation, run a long warm bath and spray the oils mixture onto a clean sponge.

Roll the sponge gently and slowly around your neck and shoulders and along your arms. Then gently submerge yourself into the water and rinse the oils off your skin.

Do the same with legs.

Relax in the bath for a while and then wrap yourself in a warm towel on emerging from the water.

You shouldn’t feel anything on your skin, but if skin begins to feel itchy, shower off lightly without rubbing the skin and pat dry.