What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve your health or well-being. I recall being in a yoga class at my local YMCA led by my favorite yoga instructor, Mrs. Linda. Sometimes, she would have lavender oil and towards the end of the class, in shavasana, she would come around and say, “Lavender oil? Forehead, shoulders or hands?” I was always happy when she did this and would say shoulders 100% of the time. Sometimes, she would just put it on my shoulders. She knew.

Aromatherapy can help you to relax. It can ease tension and anxiety. It can help uplift your moods as well. It can be used in hot or cold teas (not all and must be edible), on your body (properly diluted and I recommend doing a spot test), oil diffusers, oil burners and in candles. There are body washes and lotions that have essential oils. Personally, I use them in oil burners. I purchase teas and body washes/lotions that already have these oils in them. They are also in epsom salt and bubble bath products.

Not everyone likes all of the essential oils, obviously. Some don’t like the smell of lavender or certain mixes of different oils. It all depends on the purity of the oils and your preferences. As for me, I like lemon as it uplifts. I like peppermint oil, diluted to uplift and soothe. But less diluted to give me that power punch when I am depressed or in a funk. I like vanilla at certain times for certain situations. I like it as a cleanser to the air in my home to air out the energy of negativity (Could go deeper with that but, I won’t. Got to stay in the kiddie pool for those not advanced spiritually). I like lavender but it can’t be too strong. I have a spray that I spray at bedtime mostly. Especially, when my mood is a bit high strung or anxious. I use my lemon verbena wash and lotion to uplift my mood in the mornings, after a workout to keep going throughout the day or when I am in a funk or depressive episode, I will shower with it.

What essential oils do you like? What calms you or uplifts you? Which ones do you not care for?

~Nikki