Essential oils: aromatherapy and cocooning

Autumn is a season that many consider conducive to cocooning, with its shorter days, colors blowing in the wind and cold weather slowly settling in. It's also a very busy time for most people, with school and work. Even so, it's an ideal time to plan special moments indoors to take care of yourself, recharge your batteries and keep your body balanced and toned for the cold season ahead.

Aromatherapy offers a multitude of possibilities with its fragrant essences for taking time out for yourself, pampering yourself and enjoying a pleasant, tasty experience that does good to all the senses and all levels of your being!

Here are a few suggestions to enhance your cocooning moments at home:

12 essential oils with cocooning properties:

*Please note that this is only a brief overview of the power and properties of these essences; you can refer to the books listed below to complete your research.

Bergamot (citrus aurantium ssp bergamia): essential oil for anxiety, stress, depression, agitation or difficult digestion, thanks to its calming, sedative and digestive properties.

Rosewood (aniba rosaeodora):  Thanks to its soft, flowery scent, rosewood brings peace and relaxation, as well as toning the body suffering from overwork, nervous fatigue or depression, using its calming, tonic and immunostimulant properties.

Frankincense (boswellia carterii): A sacred essence with a fragrance conducive to interiorization and calm, promoting concentration and meditation. Both invigorating and soothing, with immunostimulant and antidepressant properties.

Eucalyptus radiata (eucalyptus radiata)Eucalyptus radiata: with its comforting fragrance often associated with spas and places of rest and relaxation, this essence is mainly used to prevent and treat infections, particularly of the respiratory tract, such as colds, flu, sinusitis and bronchitis. Its antibacterial, antiviral and immune-stimulating properties will comfort and protect you at the same time.

Rose Geranium (pelargonium graveolens): Floral-scented essence suitable for relaxation, calming stress, anxiety, restlessness and irritability, thanks to its harmonizing and relaxing tonic properties.

True lavender (lavandula angustifolia): Well-known for its soothing fragrance, True Lavender is highly recommended for those suffering from insomnia, anguish, anxiety, agitation and depression. What's more, its calming and antidepressant properties go as far as silencing headaches or points of muscular tension, as it is also a muscle relaxant.

Red mandarin (citrus reticulata): this sweet, fruity essence is used in cases of insomnia, stress, anxiety, anguish and irritability, thanks to its calming and mild hypnotic properties for those showing signs of hyperactivity and excitement.

Peppermint (mentha x piperita)Peppermint (mentha x piperita): a highly effective essential oil for relieving muscular pain, thanks to its icy sensation and anti-inflammatory, analgesic and tonic properties; appreciated for muscular pain, headaches and fatigue.

Neroli, orange blossom (citrus aurantium ssp aurantium): This gentle essence is beneficial for stress, nervous fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, irritability and headaches, thanks to its harmonious antidepressant and neurotonic properties.

Sweet orange (citrus sinensis): The delicious scent of this sweet, fruity essence is appreciated by young and old alike, and accompanies you with its calming, sedative and harmonizing virtues.

Petit grain bigarade (citrus aurantium): With its soft, light fragrance, this essence is beneficial for those suffering from insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression, as well as moodiness, agitation, hyperactivity, nervous tension and even headaches. The virtues of petit grain bigarade restore nervous balance, calm and relax like a gentle sedative, but is also a proven anti-inflammatory.

Ylang-Ylang (cananga odorata): With its enveloping fragrance, this essence can be used in times of stress, anxiety, restlessness, depression, bad moods and nervous tension, thanks to its relaxing, anti-depressant properties that rebalance body and soul.

Cocooning modes of use :

Bath : for a normal bath, dilute 15 to 25 drops of non-irritating* essential oils in a chosen carrier, such as vegetable oil, neutral foaming soap, sea salt or Epsom salt. Mix the mixture, then let it run under the jet of water to ensure that the essential oil is well dispersed in the bathtub.

Suggested cocooning bath synergy (dilute in a cup of sea or Epsom salt):

Relaxing bath :

• True lavender 8 drops
• Mandarin: 8 drops
• Sweet orange 6 drops
• Ylang ylang 3 drops

Comforting bath during an infection:

• Eucalyptus radiata 10 drops
• True lavender 10 drops
• Rosewood: 5 drops

Massage: create a personalized massage oil by choosing a basic vegetable oil such asjojoba oil and add 2 to 5% essential oil, using the following calculation: 25 drops of essential oil for every 1 milliliter of base oil.

Synergy suggestion cocooning massage oil In 50 ml of vegetable oil, dilute 63 drops of essential oil.

• True lavender 20 drops
• Petit grain bigarade: 16 drops
• Red mandarin 16 drops
• Rosewood: 11 drops

Atmospheric diffusion Create an atmosphere of intimacy and enjoy the benefits, depending on the essential oil used, of calming, promoting concentration, meditation, sanitizing the air in a patient's room or promoting better sleep.

There are many different types of diffusers on the market, from the small candle burner to the cool mist nebulizer, which creates a relaxing atmosphere and lightly humidifies the air (very practical in winter). The cold air model is the most effective for therapeutic diffusion, as the essential oil remains suspended in the air for longer. They can be used at any time, but certain precautions must be taken, such as ensuring good air circulation in the home and choosing the right essential oils for diffusion.

Suggestions for perfect cocooning :

Winter garden synergy

• Rose Geranium 10 drops
• Sweet orange: 10 drops
• Rosewood: 5 drops

Moonlight forest synergy

• Frankincense: 8 drops
• Rosewood: 8 drops
• Bergamot: 8 drops

Wishing you happy moments of cocooning!

*As aromatherapy is a powerful alternative medicine, we recommend that you consult a professional therapist.

References: 

BOSSON Lydia , L'aromathérapie énergétique, Healing with the soul of plantsÉdition Amyris, 2011

THÉRIAULT Josée, Simply aromatherapy, 2004

Josée Thériault N.D.

For a healthier you!

Naturopath, aromatherapist and teacher

Spiritual coach in helping relationships

Massage and energy therapist

www.joseetheriaultnd-intuitive.com