It is not always easy to avoid stress, but there are ways you can cope with it better. Fortunately, aromatherapy offers some of the best types of natural prescription for easing stress.
Lavender, bergamot, marjoram, sandalwood, lemon, and chamomile were found (in that order) to relax brain waves. Doctors Giovanni Gatti and Renato Cayola discovered that the most sedating oils for their patients were neroli, petitigrain, chamomile, valerian, and opopanax (which is similar to myrrh).
Essential oils that relax and sedate: bergamot, chamomile, lavender, lemon, majoram, neroli, orange, sandalwood, ylang ylang
2 drops bergamot oil
1 drop petitgrain oil
Add oils directly o the bath and stir to distribute.
10 drops lavender oil 6 drops chamomile oil 4 drops ylang ylang 4 drops sandlewood oil (expensive, so optional) 2 ounces vegetable oil
Combine ingredients. Use as a massage oil as needed, or add 1 or 2 teaspoons to your bath or 1 teaspoon to a footbath.
For children less than 8 years of age, use half the quality of essential oil recommended.
Use daily and as often as you like.
Reference: Keville, Kathi. Aromatherap: Healing for the Body & Soul. Lincolnwood: Publications International Ltd, 1998.
