Happy First Day of Spring! We have sunny, cloudless skies and slightly milder weather today, so I'm soaking up the cheer and enjoying birdsong.
Interestingly, in the middle of all this sun and hope and good vibes, I am dealing with anxiety. If you struggle with depression and anxiety, do you find that anxiety heightens during months of fluctuating weather, such as Spring and Fall? Mine does. And as a result, I am always looking for tools that I can use to settle my mind and emotions. I do yoga, drink herbal teas, take an herbal supplement and use essential oils in various ways to alleviate anxiety.
Today I have two aromatherapy blends to share with you that combine some of my favorite oils that will help with grounding, calming, centering, steadying, etc., along with plenty of other benefits.
First, is a massage blend. I chose four essential oils for this blend:
Vetiver: Vetiveria zizanioides;Part of plant used: Roots of grass; Botanical family: Poaceae; Vetiver is strengthening to the immune system, eases muscular aches and pains, helpful for anxiety and depression, nourishing and healing to the skin, is grounding, centering, gathers your thoughts together when you feel scattered in your thinking, is balancing and stabilizing.
Black Spruce: Picea Mariana; Part of plant used: Needles; Botanical family: Pinaceae: Black Spruce is a decongestant, eases minor pain and inflammation, is antimicrobial, antispasmodic, builds confidence, is revitalizing to the mind.
Lavender: Lavandula angustifolia; Part of plant used: Flowering tops; Botanical family: Lamiaceae:Lavender is anti-inflammatory, is good for wound healing, eases muscular aches and pains, is calming and soothing, eases and helps with nervous exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Green Mandarin: Citrus reticulata: Part of plant used: Peel/zest of fruit; Botanical family: Rutaceae: Green Mandarin is useful for easing nervous tension, anxiety, depression, headaches, stress, is nurturing, warming, calming.
Steady Spring Massage Blend
In a 2 oz. PET plastic bottle or glass bottle, combine the following:
5 drops Vetiver
8 drops Green Mandarin
13 drops Black Spruce
18 drops Lavender
After you add the essential oils to the bottle, fill the rest of it up with refined sesame oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba. Screw cap on tightly, shake well, and store in a cool, dark place.
To use: Massage into back, shoulders, chest, arms, legs, feet.
The second is a diffuser blend. Here are the essential oils I chose:
Frankincense: Boswellia carteri; Part of plant used: Resin; Botanical family: Burseraceae Frankincense relieves anxiety, tension, supports reflection, contemplation, and prayer, alleviates feelings of despair, is anti-inflammatory, a wound healer, good for respiratory system.
Cypress: Cupressus sempervirens; Part of plant used: Leaves, twigs, cones; Botanical family: Cupressaceae; Cypress is a decongestant, supports healthy lung and airway function, is calming, helpful for alleviating feelings of sadness and during times of transition and bereavement.
Black Spruce: see above
Lavender: see above
Steady Spring Diffuser Blend
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Cypress
4 drops Black Spruce
5 drops Lavender
Drop into diffuser, fill with water, and diffuse for an hour at a time.
The information I've shared with you today comes from my Level 1 Aromatherapy Course from New York Institute of Aromatic Studies.
I'd love to know what you think of either of these blends if you make them. Also, let me know in comments what essential oils you want to learn about or what kinds of recipes you are looking for.