Essential oils: aromatherapy and cocooning

Fall is a season that many consider conducive to cocooning with its shorter days, the colors that blow away and the cold that slowly settles in; it is also a very busy time for most people with school and work. Nevertheless, it is the ideal time to plan privileged moments indoors to take care of yourself, to recharge your batteries in order to keep your balance and to tone up your body for the cold season that is coming.

Aromatherapy offers a multitude of possibilities with its scented essences to take time for yourself, pamper yourself and live a pleasant and tasty experience that is good for all the senses and all levels of your being!

Here are some suggestions to enhance your cocooning moments at home:

12 essential oils with cocooning properties:

*note that this is only a slight 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 which will come to end anxiety, stress, depression, agitation or a difficult digestion thanks to its calming, sedative and digestive properties.

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

Olibanum incense (boswellia carterii): Sacred essence with a fragrance that predisposes to internalization and calm; thus favoring concentration and meditation. Both tonic and soothing with its 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 used especially in the prevention and treatment of infections, particularly of the respiratory tract such as colds, flu, sinusitis, bronchitis. Its antibacterial, antiviral and immune system stimulating properties will comfort and protect you at the same time.

Rose Geranium (pelargonium graveolens): essence with floral fragrance suitable for relaxation, to calm stress, anxiety, agitation, irritability and, this, thanks to its tonic properties of harmonization and relaxation.

True Lavender (lavandula angustifolia): well known for its soothing scent, true lavender is highly recommended for those who suffer from insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, depression. Moreover, its calming and antidepressant properties go as far as silencing headaches or muscle tension points because it is also a muscle relaxant.

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

Peppermint (mentha x piperita)Essential oil very effective to relieve muscular pains thanks to its effect of icy sensation and its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and tonic properties; it is appreciated in case of muscular pains, headaches and fatigue.

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

Sweet orange (citrus sinensis): The delicious smell of this sweet and fruity essence is appreciated by all, young and old, and accompanies you thanks to its calming, sedative and harmonious virtues.

Small grain bigarade (citrus aurantium): with a sweet and light fragrance, this essence is beneficial for those who suffer from insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, but also in case of bad mood, agitation, hyperactivity, nervous tension and even headaches. The virtues of the small bigarade seed restores the nervous balance, calms and relaxes like a soft sedative, but is also an anti-inflammatory which proved its effectiveness.

Ylang-Ylang (cananga odorata): with its enveloping fragrance, this essence accompanies you in periods of stress, anxiety, agitation, depression, bad mood and nervous tension thanks to its relaxing, antidepressant properties that rebalance the body and soul.

Modes of use cocooning :

In 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 it all together and then let it run under the water to ensure that the essential oil is well dispersed in the bathtub.

Suggested cocooning bath synergy (dilute in a cup of sea salt 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

In massage : create a personalized massage oil by choosing a basic vegetable oil such asjojoba oil and add 2 to 5% of essential oil, respecting the following calculation: 25 drops of essential oil in each 1 milliliter of base oil.

Suggestion of synergy of 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

In air diffusion Create an atmosphere conducive to intimacy and enjoy the benefits, depending on the essential oil used, whether to calm, promote concentration, meditation, sanitize the air in the room of a patient or to promote better sleep.

There are different models of diffusers on the market, from the small burner with candle to the cold air nebulizer that creates a relaxing atmosphere and slightly humidifies the air (very practical in winter). The cold air model is the most effective for therapeutic diffusion because the essential oil remains suspended in the air for a longer period of time. It can be used at any time, but certain precautions must be respected, such as having a good air circulation in the house and choosing the appropriate essential oils for the diffusion.

Suggestions for a 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 and tasty moments of cocooning!

*As aromatherapy is a very powerful alternative medicine, it is recommended to refer to a professional therapist.

References:

BOSSON Lydia ,Energetic aromatherapy, Healing with the soul of plantsAmyris Edition, 2011

THÉRIAULT Josée,Aromatherapy simply, 2004

Josée Thériault N.D.

To blossom in Health!

Naturopath, aromatherapist and teacher

Spiritual coach in helping relationships

Massage and energy therapist

www.joseetheriaultnd-intuitive.com