Did you know that essential oils have the power to affect our mood and state of mind? They can lift us out of a negative place, give us a jolt of energy, or generate positive endorphins in the brain just by breathing in their scent. This is because they are a form of plant medicine, and the compounds and molecules in the fruits, flowers, barks, and herbs used to make the oils have many healing benefits. They can directly impact the amygdala, or the emotional center of the brain. That means that having a bottle of patchouli or lavender handy when you’re anxious can be a quick fix for soothing the nerves. Taking a sniff of peppermint oil or putting citrus scents in your diffuser can quickly adjust your mental focus and help to clear the mind when you’re feeling unmotivated at work. Applying a small drop of frankincense or sandalwood to your wrists before meditation or spiritual practices can deepen your sense of calm and connection. There are also many types of oils that can help uplift your mood and awaken the senses when you’re feeling fatigued or melancholy. We’ll focus on these today!
There are multiple ways you can use essential oils to reap their benefits. The easiest is putting them in an essential oil diffuser and allowing the properties to be dispersed into the air. You can also just carry a bottle on you and take a deep breath in when you need a pick me up. If you use a small amount or mix them into a carrier oil, you can apply them to the skin and wear them. It is believed certain oils work best when applied to certain chakras or areas of the body, such as your wrist, chest, third eye point, navel, or even behind the ears. Some of them are even safe to be ingested in water to benefit your organs, brain function, and digestion, but it is important to do your research and read the bottle to know whether they can be used in this form. There are even diffuser bracelets or necklaces, so that you can put a few drops on the jewelry itself and retain the smell of the oil throughout the day. Give all of these methods a try and see what works best for you and your needs.
If you want to know more about the basics of using essential oils, check out this post!
Wild Orange
Citrus scents are an easy go to when you’re searching for sunshine in a bottle or something to put some pep in your step. There are many different types of orange essential oils, and the variety comes from different species of orange or different parts of the tree being used to create the oil. Wild orange comes from a blend of multiple orange species, which in my opinion gives it the most overall benefit to your health and mood. Orange oil uplifts the mind and body. It has a cheerful and exhilarating scent, giving you a jolt of energy and general positivity. If you’re new to essential oils, sweet orange or wild orange oil is one of the first I recommend you add to your collection and is usually very affordable. I love to use citrus scents in my diffuser after cleaning my house, or on a warm summer’s day when I’m journaling or listening to music and want to create an overall happy and relaxed setting. Orange oil seems to have the power of being both calming and stimulating, good for balancing the emotions and bringing us back to a sense of harmony and well-being.
Lemon
Another easily attainable citrus oil. The zesty scent of lemon can awaken our senses and give us a quick energy boost. It can easily enhance the mood and create an atmosphere of joy and excitement as well as relieve stress. Use lemon oils when you need a boost of motivation or are enjoying fun or creative activities.
Lemongrass is also a very common essential oil, and while regular lemon essential oil comes from the rind and peel of the fruit, lemongrass is a tropical herb. Although they have different medicinal and antibacterial properties, they have similar effects on mood due to the citrus terpenes they contain. So for this purpose, they can be used interchangeably.
Pine
Pine essential oil refreshes the senses and encourages the grounding feelings of nature, boosting our mood and encouraging feelings of happiness. It can also help to relieve mental fatigue and enhance concentration, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed or your mind is racing, this is the oil to bring you back to a place of peace and joy. This oil is obtained through steam distillation of stumps, needles, twigs, and cones from various pine tree species.
Bergamot
Bergamot is one of my absolute favorite essential oils. It is made from a citrus fruit native to Italy, but also has floral notes to it. The fruit itself looks like a lime…or a small green brain? As a citrus oil, it will give you that energizing boost of clarity, and at the same time reduce stress and nervousness. This is one I like to put on before practicing yoga or after a warm shower to help me feel confident and ready for the day.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is one of the most refreshing and widely used essential oils, awakening the senses and improving both mood and focus. It has a cooling effect, which can help you return to a place of happiness if you’re feeling a bit agitated or on edge. It is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. Using this oil in a foot bath or for a massage can help you to relieve stress or feel rejuvenated after a long day.
Jasmine
Another one of my favorites. The floral scent of jasmine uplifts a tired body and enhances the mood, bringing about a sense of bliss. There are around 200 species of jasmine flower, originally from the Himalayas and regions of China. Now widely available, these white flowers with their strong scent are used for oils, teas, perfumes, and more. Jasmine can be a pricey investment when it comes to therapeutic grade essential oils, but a little goes a long way. Use jasmine to lift yourself out of a melancholy mood.
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the most well known medicinal and holistic herbs. It gives off an herbal aroma, and comes from the needle like leaves on the plant. It helps to block negativity, improve memory and concentration, and carries grounding properties to help bring you back to a state of harmony. It can even help relieve overall feelings of anxiety. Use rosemary to clear emotional blockages and receive a boost to your general well being.
Ylang Ylang
This oil has an exotic and thrilling scent. It comes from a yellow star shaped flower that grows on the Cananga tree. It is a tropical species native to countries surrounding the Indian ocean. If you’re looking for an oil that whisks you away on a beautiful vacation, this is the best choice for you. It can help calm the nerves and relieve emotional stress. Ylang Ylang reduces feelings of irritability and helps release negative energy.
Rose
This essential oil is made from the petals of various species of rose, most often the Demask rose. Using this oil helps give the feeling of love and contentment. It can help awaken creativity and lends a sense of comfort. Use a few drops of rose essential oil in a hot bath or mix several drops into a small spray bottle of water to make a refreshing facial mist. Rose oil is a great choice when you need a boost of confidence or a little extra self love.
Uplifting Essental Oil Blends!
You can try mixing and matching different oils in your diffuser to create a blend that smells beautiful to you and suits your needs! Here’s a few blends to try when it comes to uplifting your mood and creating positive energy using the oils we talked about:
2 drops Bergamot + 2 drops Lemon + 2 drops Orange (Citrus Energy Boost)
4 drops Bergamot + 4 drops Jasmine (Blissfully Fruity and Floral)
2 drop Ylang Ylang + 3 drop Jasmine + 2 drops Orange (For Daydreams <3)
3 drops Rosemary + 3 drops Orange + 2 drops Peppermint (Purifying and Awakening)
3 drops Rose + 3 drops Jasmine + 2 drops Lemon (Self Love Blend)
4 drops Pine + 2 drops Rosemary + 2 drops Ylang Ylang (Grounding Forest Blend)
I highly recommend DoTerra essential oils, but you can purchase them on Amazon or in health food stores as well (: Look for oils that say 100% pure or therapeutic grade.
Skyler Breanne 