Oils for Emotional Balance

We are human! Therefore, we feel emotions! Positive or negative, they are a natural part of our daily lives. Emotions are simply responses to events that we experience every day. The specific area of the brain responsible for processing emotions and for memory and mood is the Limbic System, and this includes the hippocampus, the hypothalamus, and the amygdala.

Hypothalamus

Its most basic function is homeostasis–maintaining a steady internal state of the body. It is responsible for our mood and feelings. The hypothalamus turns emotions into physical responses. Unprocessed emotions affect our physical state by presenting as other issues such as digestion problems, sleep disturbances, hormone imbalances, stress, muscle tension, and many more.

Amygdala

This regulates emotions and influences the body’s fear response.

Hippocampus

New nerve cells are created here. It’s the memory center of the brain.

Olfactory Nerve

This is the first cranial nerve (there are twelve) and links the nose to this emotional processing center of the brain.

Why is all this important?

The part of the brain where new nerve cells are created is connected to the part that processes emotions and is also connected to our sense of smell.

The Life Steps App, The Emotional Exhale Class

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Essential oils have chemical compounds that stimulate the olfactory system when “smelled” through the nose. Therefore, essential oils are useful tools to help us process and tackle emotions. The following are some of my favorites for this!

Orange

• Like all citrus oils, orange oil is obtained by the method of cold pressing the rind.
• Sunshine in a bottle
• Uplifting and promotes a positive attitude
• Calms racing thoughts
• Brings peace and happiness to the mind and spirit, and joy to the heart
• Combines well with Frankincense, Lavender, Bergamot
• When diffused fills the room with peace, harmony, creativity

Lavender

• Swiss Army knife of oils
• Mint family
• Universal oil that has traditionally been known to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need
• Promotes health, love, peace, general sense of well being
• Calming and soothing at bedtime
• Helps with focus
• Relieves tension

Bergamot

• Citrus family
• Familiar scent/flavor in Earl Gray Tea
• When diffused, relieves tension, stress, agitation
• Relaxing but also uplifting aroma
• Helps to promote sleep
• Happy Roller: Bergamot and Lime

Frankincense

• (To me) King of Oils for mental and spiritual support
• Obtain from the resin of the tree
• High in sesquiterpenes: Enable it to go beyond the blood brain barrier–oxygenates the pineal and pituitary glands
• 52 Biblical references
• Supports the nervous system
• Promotes spiritual awareness
• Aids with mental fatigue

Lemon

• Very uplifting oil!
• Reduces stress
• Promotes a sense of well being
• Having a “down” day?–diffuse this oil
• Improves clarity of thought–helps with focus

Ylang Ylang

• One drop is all you need!
• Flower from Asian Pacific islands
• Happy oil
• Still can be used to calm and tone the nervous system
• Dispels anger
• Promotes confidence, joy, peace
• Blends with bergamot, geranium, grapefruit, lemon, sandalwood

Cedarwood

• Conifer family
• High in sesquiterpenes also
• Calms tension
• Great for yoga
• Blends with bergamot, floral oils, resinous oil (like Frankincense)
• Used traditionally by the North American Indians to enhance their spiritual communication. It creates the symbolic effect of the umbrella protecting the earth and bringing energy in from the universe. At night, the animals int he wild lie down under the tree for the protection, recharging, and rejuvenation the trees bring them.

Peppermint

• Invigorating oil
• Promotes alertness, aids with poor concentration
• Helps with fatigue
• Refreshing, uplifting
• Need a spring in your step? Try peppermint!
• Helps with head tension, settles the stomach

Uplifting blends to try:

• Lavender, lime, peppermint
• Frankincense and Lavender
• Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Lemon