By Susan Williams
Susan Williams, MEd, RH(AHG)While living in the Verde Valley in Arizona, I had the fortunate opportunity to do consulting work for a premiere hot springs resort interested in formulating their own line of room amenities from plants indigenous to their property, or grown in their farm-to-fork gardens. They also worked with an essential oil distiller in Sedona. On several occasions I loaded up the back of my SUV with heavenly smelling plant material to drop off to the distiller. As such, I was able to learn a lot about the manufacturing and uses of essential oils.
Although we often think of sight and hearing as our most powerful senses, smell actually has the strongest connection to our emotions. That’s because scent signals go straight to the brain’s limbic system, which controls mood and feelings. This is one reason essential oils – that highly concentrated extract from plants – can have such noticeable effects on how we feel.
Essential oils can each affect the body differently. Some boost energy, others reduce pain or anxiety, and some help soothe the skin. A very popular use of these oils is working to improve sleep.
Two oils that are especially helpful for winding down at night are lavender and bergamot.
Lavender oil is well known for helping people fall asleep and improving sleep quality, even for people with insomnia. It can also reduce stress, anxiety, and even lower heart rate and blood pressure, helping the body relax.
Bergamot oil, which comes from a citrus fruit related to orange and lemon, also has calming effects and can reduce anxiety and promote sleep.
Popular ways to use essential oils are by diffusing them in the air, inhaling them directly, applying small diluted amounts to the skin, adding a few drops to a bath in a carrier oil, or putting a drop on a pillow before bed (place the pillow drop-side-down on your bed).
The key, as with most new routines, is to start slowly and notice how the scents make you feel, since everyone responds to them a little differently. When used properly and in moderation, essential oils can be a gentle, natural way to relax and support better sleep.
Susan Williams, MEd, RH (AHG), is a certified holistic nutritionist, yoga instructor, Duke trained National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and enthusiastic student of health for older citizens.
Disclaimer: Self Care posts are shared for information purposes only, and are never intended as individual medical advice nor as a substitute for healthcare services.