Blankets of snow, holiday decorations and comfy sweaters all arrive with the winter season, but so do gray skies, barren trees and a bitter cold that a cup of hot chocolate just won’t melt away.
Winter can be fun and festive, but sometimes it’s easy to get left behind in the cold as everyone else gets swept away in a tidal wave of ribbons and shiny baubles.
A small way to fight the winter blues is through aromatherapy, which is the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils to alter a person’s mood. It’s been around since 3500 B.C.E. and continues to be a viable resource for lifting moods and helping with all around health and wellness.
Using essential oils such as Orange or Cedar has the best effect, and it’s relaxing too. Place a large bowl on a flat surface and fill it with close to boiling hot water. Drop a few drops of oil into the water and stir lightly. Lean over the bowl, breathe in the steam and let it wash over your face. If preferred, you can put a towel over your head to trap all of the steam around your face for an intensified effect.
Here are seven different blends using essential oils to ease the snow sadness:
Balsam and Cedar for colds and immune system:
Balsam fir is an excellent oil for asthma and the respiratory system. It helps with chest colds and even the flu. Cedar is good for dry skin, which seems to plague most people during the winter. It also has it’s own combatants against chest colds, so the two work well together. The forest-like smell permeates everything and leaves you breathing a little easier.
Clove bud, Orange and Cinnamon leaf for depression and winter chill:
Clove buds are good for your skin in general, helping everything from dry skin to acne to eczema. It also boosts your immune system, which is detrimental during the winter. Orange oil boosts your immune system, skin,respiratory system, depression, muscles and joints. Although cinnamon leaf slightly differs from cinnamon bark, both are used as a warming oil and benefit your circulatory system. The combination is a light citrus and Christmas-like smell that will put a spring in your step.
Fir, Tangerine, Juniper, and Cedar for muscle fatigue and skin care:
Fir is similar to balsam as they are sometimes used interchangeably. Tangerine is also similar to orange in which it is good for your skin as well as muscles and joints. It’s a lighter fragrance and balances well with other oils that don’t have as powerful an aroma. Juniper berry is excellent for your skin and muscles, and it also has an effect on period cramps and lower abdominal cramps in general. Cedar wood blends well with juniper berry because it also shares the same uses but works better for skin than anything else. Its an interesting blend of citrus and woody scents, as well as a hint of spice from the juniper.
Bergamot, Neroli and Jasmine for cramps, colds and skin care:
Bergamot, like many of the other oils, is also good for your skin and immune system. This floral citrus is also good for period cramps and the respiratory system. Neroli is essentially an orange blossom, but it’s good for skin care concerning scars and stretch marks as well as muscles and joints. Jasmine blends well with these two because of its equally floral scent and its uses for skin care, muscles, joints and cramps. The end product is powerful citrus and floral blend with a little spice from the bergamot and neroli.
Ylang Ylang and Orange for depression, muscle cramps and stress:
Ylang ylang is a flower from Madagascar that is good for bug bites, high blood pressure, depression, impotence and stress related disorders. It soothes anger and lifts spirits. It blends well with orange for skin care, muscles and joints and depression. It’s a fruity, tropical blend that counteracts winter’s harsh cold.
Grapefruit and Cypress for skin care, immune system and stress:
Grapefruit is another citrus that’s good for your skin, muscles and immune system. Like most citrus oils, it also lifts your mood and is good for depression. Cypres is good for rheumatism, cellulite, period cramps,frayed nerves and stress. The combination of the two is a relaxing, fresh and airy.
Ginger Root and Orange for aches, circulatory system and digestive system:
Ginger is a sharp, spicy scent that is good for muscles and joints because it warms similarly to cinnamon. It’s also good for your skin and is well-known for helping the digestive system. Combined with orange, it’s an earthy yet light fix for your skin, immune system and circulatory system.
All information is for reference purposes only and are not intended to substitute the advice given by a pharmacist, physician or any other licensed health-care professional.
Never use an essential oil undiluted unless advised by your healthcare provider and certified aromatherapist. Keep essential oils away from infants, children and all pets.
It is not advisable to ingest essential oils unless they are prescribed by your healthcare provider and certified aromatherapist.
That being said, take care this winter and enjoy filling your house with these lovely fragrances.
APN 