There are several essential oils that could help you combat anxiety, whether you experience it on a daily basis or just occasionally. They not only smell incredible but when you add a few drops to your bath water or spray some onto your pillow or apply them topically onto your skin, they can leave an immensely positive effect.
According to Dr. Naazneen Ladak, Psychiatrist, AXIS Hospital, Mumbai, Aromatherapy also called essential oil therapy is the use of essential oils or other aromatic substances to improve your mental and physical health.
It promotes relaxation of body and mind and also helps in relieving tension or stress. It is also used to treat insomnia, depression, high blood pressure, etc. Aromatherapy acts as a complementary therapy and does not cure any diseases.
Essential oils have been used by those looking for anxiety relief for thousands of years. They are extremely concentrated fragrant extracts.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are extracted from plants, flowers, peels, roots, etc., and are naturally made. The oil captures the plant’s essence and properties. There are 90 types of essential oils each of them has a unique smell and benefits. There are several most common and widely used essential oils which are Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint, Frankincense, Sweet Orange, Lemon, Chamomile, and Cedarwood.
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How does essential oil help in relieving stress?
According to Dr. Ladak, these oils activate certain areas of the brain such as the limbic system that play a role in our emotions and helps in easing stress. There are several aromatherapy techniques such as Swedish massage that helps in sore muscles, neck, shoulder, etc.
It activates areas in your nose called smell receptors, which send messages through your nervous system to your brain. These also have an impact on your hypothalamus, which may respond to the oil by creating feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin, she said.
Some experts think that when you put essential oils on your skin, they cause a response in your skin and other parts of your body, like your joints.
What are the side effects of Essential Oils?
Dr. Ladak said, though essential oils are safe, but they can cause some side effects too. Some oils can irritate your eyes, skin, or mucous membranes in your nose. They can also cause mild allergic reactions.
According to some reports, if you drink essential oils, it can hurt your liver or kidney, though it is very rare that people take essential oils by mouth, and you shouldn’t do it unless your doctor says it’s Ok.
Aromatherapy: Things to Keep in Mind
Aromatherapy is mostly safe. But there are certain things to keep in mind:
- The oil should always be diluted with other carrier oil before applying it to the skin; always do a patch test for any reactions.
- Inhaling too much essential oil can cause headaches to certain people. Aromatherapy targets your whole body.
- The practitioner should have the history of the patient and their needs, and accordingly recommend a single or blend of certain oils.
- Aromatherapy is not recommended for children below 5 years, people having lung conditions, and pregnant women.
- The massage should not be done on open wounds, bruises, skin rashes, or weak skin.
- Inform the therapist immediately if the massage is painful.
