RELAXATION

Is rest and relaxation what you need but you are not getting?  There are specific essential oils that can help you increase your relaxation.

These essential oils can calm the mind, reduce your stress and anxiety, and can help you avoid a restless night resulting in a more productive sleep.  These essential oils can help your own body produce chemicals that help relax you and calm you.  Here are the top 5 essential oils that can help you achieve relaxation.

• Peppermint
• Lavender
  
• Eucalyptus
  
• Frankincense
• Lemongrass

What is Peppermint essential oil?

Peppermint is a hybrid cross between water mint and spearmint. 

There are different varieties of peppermint, but the one most people think of is called peppermint superior  (mentha piperita). This is the same type found in peppermint candy. 

The essential oil is extracted through steam distillation.  It takes about 600 pounds to produce 2 pounds of essential oil.  It is a powerful oil and can overpower other oils if you are creating a blend.

Peppermint essential oil has a fresh and invigorating aroma.

This aroma can help increase your relaxation.  It has relaxation properties unlike any other type of essential oil. 

It has been used to treat patients suffering from anxiety and depression.  

Many companies include peppermint oil as a main ingredient for their stress relief candles, and body washes.

What is Lavender essential oil?

Lavender is one of the most used essential oils. 

It is the essential oil of relaxation. 

Believe it or not, lavender is part of the mint family of plants.  It takes 27 square feet of lavender plants to make a half ounce of essential oil. 

Besides having a pleasant fresh flowery type of smell, lavender is a gentle oil. 

Lavender oil is extracted through steam distillation.  If you like the smell of fresh flowers in your home, then this is the oil for you.

Many studies have been conducted on the positive effects of lavender essential oil. 

The relaxing aroma of lavender essential oil is one of its best known qualities. 

Besides relaxation, lavender is great for stress relief, anxiety reduction, mood improvements, and depression. 

There are many blends out there to help reduce anger, and many of them include lavender.

Be aware though, because lavender is so popular, there are cheap lavender oils out there that smell like lavender, but do not have the same properties of lavender.

Some people just love the smell of lavender while others do not like the smell of lavender.  For some, at first they do not like the small but it eventually grows on them.

What is Eucalyptus essential oil?

This minty-scented essential oil is best known for its decongesting benefits.  It has a way of refreshing the mind and boosting energy levels.  Eucalyptus is typically extracted through steam distillation.  There are different types of eucalyptus available, each with similar but different properties.  The three most common are:

Eucalyptus globulus – the most common type.  It has a deep camphorous, minty, pine scent.  This species is the type used in most medical applications.

Eucalyptus radiata – is crisp, clean, with a slightly herbaceous aroma.  Some describe the aroma as medicinal, fresh, clean and a bright type of smell.

Eucalyptus dives – has a stimulating and uplifting smell.

Eucalyptus helps to promote feelings of relaxation and relieves tension.

Keep in mind that for some people who suffer from asthma, eucalyptus can trigger asthma.

Also, eucalyptus oil can be dangerous to children.

What is Frankincense essential oil?

Frankincense has been used since ancient times. It was found in King Tutankhamen’s tomb, and was still aromatic after 3000 years!

Sometimes frankincense oil is referred to as the King of Oils.

The resin is extracted from a small African tree known as Boswellia. Small incisions are made in the bark, which allows a white sap to ooze out. When this resin hardens, it turns to a brownish gum. It is then steam distilled to produce frankincense essential oil.

Frankincense has an earthly, uplifting aroma. Some say its aroma smells like a mix between pine and lemon with a slight woody smell.

The aroma of frankincense has the wonderful ability to relax and revitalize, making it an excellent means of relieving nervous tension and stress.

In Oriental medicine, it smooths the flow of Qi-energy and calms the nerves.

Frankincense can be a little expensive but a little goes a long way.

If you see frankincense essential oil being sold at an inexpensive price, it has probably been mixed with an inexpensive carrier oil.

What is Lemongrass essential oil?

Lemongrass has a fantastic smell.  It is a fragrant grass with a citrus aroma, similar to citronella, but with a more lemony aroma with earthly undertones.

There are 55 species of lemongrass, but Lemongrass oil comes from the leaves or grasses most often from the Cymbopogan flexuosus or Cymbopogan citratus plants. 

The lemongrass essential oil is extracted through steam distillation and sometimes through alcohol extraction.  Also, the chemical composition of lemongrass essential oil can vary depending on its geographic origin.

Many studies have shown the calming and mild smell of lemongrass essential oil is known to help relax and relieve stress, anxiety, and irritability. 

For some people, it has helped improve the quality of their sleep. 

Lemongrass just simply makes people feel better.