How to Use Essential Oils to Relieve Stress

Essential oils have been used to relieve stress since the time of the ancient Egyptians. If it worked for them, it can work for you too. With the right oil and a little aromatherapy, you'll be stress-free in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Pick the Right Essential Oil

1. Go to a local natural foods or health store and ask where they keep their essential oils.
2. Check the labels for any artificial ingredients and pick the purest oil for the best results.
3. Choose an essential oil that helps relieve stress. Oils to look for are lavender, rosemary, rose, sandalwood, eucalyptus, pine, tangerine, geranium, jasmine or ylang-ylang.

Make the Essential Oil Work for You

4. Inhaling the oil's aroma is the best way to experience its healing effects. Drip 2 or 3 drops of the oil onto a tissue or onto your pillow before your sleep. Breath in deeply and let the aromatherapy work its magic.
5. Soak in a warm bath after adding 3 to 6 drops of the oil to your bathwater. If the bath is for children, use 1 to 3 drops of oil. For babies, use 1 drop. Allow about 20 minutes in the tub for the oil to absorb into your skin and the fragrance to have aromatherapy benefits.
6. Dilute 2 or 3 drops of the essential oil into 6 ml of grape seed, olive or vegetable oil and massage it into your skin. A neutral-scented lotion can be used in place of the mixing oil. Simply add the essential oil to the lotion, mix well and use.
7. Diffuse the oils into the air by mixing 2 or 3 drops into water in an oil burner or an old pan on a stove. Turn the heat on low. As the water gets warm, the scent will diffuse and fill the room.
8. Create a warm compress by mixing 4 or 5 drops of the essential oil to a bowl of warm water. Immerse a cloth into the water, wring it out and place it on your face or neck. You can repeat the process when the cloth becomes cold.
9. Make an aromatherapy body scrub by adding 10 drops of the essential oil to 1 ounce of ground sea salt. Add water to make a spreadable paste. While in the bath or shower, rub the mix to your body in circular movements.
10. Mix 16 ounces of any neutral shampoo with an ounce of essential oil. Wash your hair with the shampoo and rinse clean.

Tips & Warnings

• For the best results, use essential oils daily.
• If you're using an essential oil for the first time, try it mixed with lotion or grape seed oil on a small area of your skin first to check for any allergic reactions.
• Keep essential oils away from open flames.
• Check with your doctor before using essential oils while pregnant or nursing or on those under the age of 12.
• Never put the essential oils directly onto your skin without diluting them. Keep essential oils off any open wounds, sensitive skin, eyes and mucous membranes.
• Never ingest essential oils. If the oils are swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Instead, seek immediate medical attention.
• Do not use citrus essential oils on skin that is exposed to the sun.

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