Using Aromatherapy to Promote Emotional Well-Being

Aromatherapy, particularly in the use of essential oils can be extremely useful in promoting strong emotional well-being. It can help promote positive emotional states of being and can assist in dealing with issues such as grief, anger, or frustration. People who experience stress on a daily basis should consider the use of essential oils daily to help promote a less stressful environment to assist them to calm their nerves.

One reason why aromatherapy works so well in this particular situation is that essential oils are comprised of chemicals that occur naturally in plant material and that can be introduced in synergy with each other. Their molecules are easily inhaled which allows them to be fast acting and be absorbed into the body quickly.

The molecules released through aromatherapy will stimulate and affect portions of the brain. The triggers that it provides to the brain can produce specific types of emotions or can mask other types of emotions. Naturally, not all the essential oils will affect everyone in the same manner. Other memories that are associated with particular types of aromas may affect how the aroma will impact their emotional state of being.

For instance, if you have a particularly strong emotional response to a certain type of oil or scent, this will affect its ability to positively influence your emotional well-being. If cinnamon, normally a warm and comforting scent, has become associated with the death of a family member, you are less likely to be positively influence by cinnamon.

What essential oils influence emotional well-being?

It is believed by those who practice aromatherapy that it can greatly influence and improve upon a person’s emotional well-being. We, as human beings, experience a wide variety of emotional states and we need to addressthese emotional states in order to continue functioning in society. It is hard to deal with other people when strickenwith grief – even more when stricken with anger.

Therefore, some people turn to aromatherapy as a method to deal with these strong emotions. Different oils have properties that deal with different emotional states.

The list below covers most human emotions that we wish either to suppress or to enhance.

Anger

Bergamot, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Anxiety

Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Confidence

Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, Rosemary

Depression

Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin,Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Fatigue, Exhaustion and Burnout

Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Clary Sage, Cypress, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Fear

Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile Sandalwood, Vetiver

Grief

Cypress, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Happiness and Peace

Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Insecurity

Bergamot, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Irritability

Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood

Loneliness

Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Rose

Memory and Concentration

Basil, Black Pepper, Cypress, Hyssop, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary

Panic and Panic Attacks

Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lavender, Neroli, Rose

Stress

Benzoin, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli,Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang