Greetings Good People. I’m back with another wellness focused health enlivening blog. We are a good midway into winter in the northern hemisphere and I didn’t want to let the season end without sharing with y’all some ancient medicinal support that helps me push through the winter blues.
Y’all know I don’t blog too often but when I do there is gonna be some super useful health supportive information inside. For the second winter in a row I’m highlighting essential oils that are best used during this season. Read on to learn…
Using Essential oils is very beneficial during winter. The time of year when moods may dip due to Seasonal Affective Disorder. S.A.D is most disruptive during winter. This is due to the reduced sunlight during the cooler months. Essential oils can help you to manage the symptoms of S.A.D by boosting your mood and increasing your energy levels.
Knowing how helpful these powerhouse natural oils have been in keeping my own spirits and immune system elevated I’m writing this to share some of the most beneficial oils to have in your home aromatherapy collection.
WINTER PATTERNS
During winter we tend to spend a lot more time indoors so making the air as microbe free and uplifting as possible using essential oils can make this time more pleasant.
To induce feelings of coziness while delivering anti-microbial action to the air, my favorites I most often reach for are clove, ginger, bergamot, and geranium. These oils deliver spice, warmth, energizing citrus and sweet yet tangy floral notes combined or individually.
The great thing about essential oils is that majority of them offer bactericidal properties & promote the production of white blood cells helping to prevent & treat infectious illness. All while smelling AMAZING!!!
During this time of year, coughs, colds, flu and other illnesses spread rapidly as we spend more time indoors. This is the time of year our immune systems need extra support to tackle the increase in circulating bacteria and viruses.
IMMUNE BOOSTING ESSENTIAL OILS
As mentioned above virtually all essential oils have immune boosting benefits but let’s give a special mention to Eucalyptus essential oil which is very easy to find and is known to boost immunity. It has both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, has been proven in studies to stimulate the immune system, increasing the body’s ability to fight illness and infection. Not only that, but eucalyptus oil can also help to clear the sinuses and ease congestion when a cold does strike.
Another essential oil worth a special mention that is believed to boost immunity is tea tree essential oil. Studies have proven the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil, and there is evidence to suggest that the oil also helps to fight against bacteria and viruses.
Adding eucalyptus and tea tree oil to your home aromatherapy collection is always a good thing to do.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CONGESTION
Peppermint essential oil contains menthol which helps to open the airways and clear mucus. For this reason, many nasal decongestant products contain peppermint.
Eucalyptus essential oil is another popular and effective remedy for congestion, with many people enjoying the benefits of this oil. Many decongestant products such as chest rubs contain eucalyptus oil thanks to its success at relieving the symptoms of sinus congestion.
HOW TO USE
If you’d like to try peppermint essential oil or eucalyptus essential oil to relieve your nasal congestion this winter, you can:
1) try adding 1-2 drops of these oils to a tablespoon of carrier oil (coconut, olive oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil etc) and massaging the mixture into your chest.
2) create your own facial sauna with a bowl of hot water and a towel and inhale these helpful aromas deep into your nasal passages and airways.
3) diffusing essential oils is my personal favorite as not only do you get the benefits but so does the air.
4) Another way to use essential oils during winter is in the bath. Baths are a form of hydrotherapy and are great for soothing muscles and assisting with detoxification. The warmth of a bath assists the body in shifting to a state of relaxation. Adding essential oils to this ritual only elevates the healing.
DILUTE DILUTE DILUTE
If you decide to add essential oils to your bath, you’ll first need to dilute them with a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut or grapeseed oil. Simply mix a few drops of your chosen oils with a tablespoon of carrier oil and mix it into your bath. The carrier oil will help the essential oils to disperse throughout the water, minimizing the chances of skin irritation.
Try one or all of these methods to alleviate congestion and utilize the power of essential oils in your winter wellness rituals & beyond.
MOOD LIFTING ESSENTIAL OILS
Two oils I find especially helpful at lifting my mood during winter – all year long really – are Bergamot & Geranium.
Bergamot essential oil has been proven to improve mood. A 2015 study found that bergamot essential oil may help to improve negative emotions, reduce fatigue and lower levels of the body’s stress hormone- cortisol.
Geranium essential oil has a bright, floral aroma which will take you back to the warm summer months and evoke the sense of being in the midst of a beautiful flower garden. It has an instant calming effect, helping your body to balance its natural hormone levels while promoting relaxation. It is one of my absolute favorites!
HOW TO USE
1) Try adding these essential oils into a diffuser and inhaling the aroma when you feel the winter blues kicking in.
2) You can also mix these oils with a carrier oil and add them to a warm bath for a mood-boosting soak.
3) Try any of our blends containing these oils and rub the healing goodness directly into your skin!
ENERGIZING ESSENTIAL OILS
Whenever you find you’re in need of an energy boost, oils in the citrus family are great for this use – think orange, grapefruit, lime, bergamont.
Best ways to use is a morning diffuse and of course energizing elixir from our hair & body collections.
SKIN NOURISHING ESSENTIAL OILS
The colder and more dry temperature coupled with the increased use of indoor heat can dehydrate the skin. Dry skin often presents as
itchy and uncomfortable.
Here are a few of my top picks to help nourish dry skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and smooth.
Lavender essential oil is known for its ability to balance moisture levels in the skin. It’s often used to soothe eczema and psoriasis, reducing redness and calming inflammation of the skin. It is also one of the most effective essential oils for relaxation and sleep.
Chamomile is another essential oil which nourishes the skin. Chamomile oil contains the compound azulene, which is known for its ability to increase moisture and reduce inflammation, making it ideal for use on dry skin.
Ylang Ylang essential oil is another sweet floral soft yet mildly musky oil that is excellent for repairing dry skin and treating skin irritations. It’s anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, mood lifting and relaxing.
Before applying an essential oil topically, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil unless guided to apply it neat by an aromatherapist.
After you’ve diluted your essential oil with a carrier oil and completed a patch test, you can then massage the mixture into your skin, leaving it feeling nourished and hydrated.
All Basique Opulence elixirs & salves are consciously crafted powered by essential oils & high vibrational crystal energy to deliver maximum healing to the body systems, energy chakras, skin & hair.
