Essential Oils Help in Recovery

Editor's Note:
I found this Ezine article by Linda Smith, director of the Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy, about using essential oils in grief recovery to be quite interesting and thought I would pass it on to you. Thanks, Linda.

Grief and sorrow are part of the human condition-we all get to have this experience more than once in our life time. As we have learned, there are stages that we go through in working through grief and sorrow to a place of acceptance and eventually to moving beyond our grief to living our life once again. Essential oils can help in that process and ease the burden.

What Oils Are Helpful?

Bergamot-(Citrus bergamia)- the medical properties of this oil are calming. Bergamot offers hormonal support and is antidepressant. The citrus fragrance relieves anxiety and has mood lifting qualities. It can be used for agitation, depression, and insomnia. It can be diffused or directly inhaled. Be careful to avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to sunlight or UV light within 36 hours since bergamot is phototoxic to the skin.

Roman Chamomile--(Chamaemelum nobile)-the medical properties of this wonderful oil include being relaxing, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory , and it detoxifies blood and liver. It can be used for relieving restlessness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and skin conditions such as dermatitis. The fragrance may also dispel anger, stabilize the emotions, and help release emotions linked to the past. You can diffuse it or inhale directly as well as apply it directly to the skin. This is a very safe oil and is often used with small children and the frail elderly.

Juniper--(Juniperus osteosperma)- This is a universal oil that is a digestive cleanser/stimulant, increases circulation through the kidneys and promotes excretion of toxins, and is detoxifying. The fragrance evokes feeling of health, love, and peace and may help elevate one's spiritual awareness. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil as well as apply it directly to the skin or dilute it with a good carrier oil.

Lavender-- (Lavandula angustafolia)- the medical properties of this universal healing oil include being analgesic, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory. It is very effective for insomnia and nervous tension. Lavender balances both physically and emotionally and has been shown to dramatically improve concentration and mental acuity. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil and apply it undiluted on the skin or diluted for a massage. Be sure you are using therapeutic essential grade Lavender, it is often extended with hybrid lavender or synthetic linalool and linalyl acetate which are two key constituents of the oil.

What About Some Known Essential Oil Blends-Which Ones Help in Grief and Sorrow?

Valor-balances energies to instill courage, confidence, and self esteem. I have found this blend helpful in realigning both balance and alignment in the body. Ingredients are rosewood, blue tansy, frankincense and spruce in a sweet almond oil carrier.

Release -this blend helps release anger and memory trauma from the liver in order to create an emotional well being. Letting go of negative emotions and frustrations enables one to progress in a positive way. The ingredients are ylang ylang, lavandin, geranium, sandalwood , and blue tansy in a carrier oil of organic olive oil.

Harmony-promotes physical and emotional healing by creating a harmonic balance for the energy centers of the body. This blend is one I personally use every single day. It brings us into harmony with all things, people and cycles of life. It is beneficial in reducing stress and amplifying well-being. It combats feelings of discord and is uplifting and elevating to the mind thus creating a positive attitude.
Forgiveness -this is a favorite oil requested by my students in my courses on emotional release work (ERT or Emotional Release Therapy) with essential oils. It helps one to release hurt feelings, insults, and negative emotions. It contains rose, melissa, helichrysum, angelica, frankincense, sandalwood, lavender, bergamot, geranium, jasmine, lemon, palmarosa, Roman chamomile, rosewood and ylang ylang.

Gratitude -another favorite oil which for me is very grounding. It elevates, soothes and brings relief to the body while helping to foster a grateful attitude. It contains Idaho balsam fir, frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, ylang ylang and rosewood.

Present Time -as the name indicates, this oil helps to create a feeling of being in the moment. In grief and sorrow there is often the problem of living in the past with difficulty moving into the present or future. This blend contains neroli, ylang ylang and spruce.