Essential oils for emotional health

Our modern lifestyle does not afford us time to think about mental and emotional well-being. Late working hours, hormonal imbalance and traumatic events are some of the factors negatively impacting one’s daily emotional health. Long-term exposure to such traumatic events leads to a distressed state of mind. However, there are a few things that can be done to relieve stress and tension from daily life. Apart from meditation, aromatherapy, in the form of floral and herbal extracts and incense, has always been an integral aspect of Ayurvedic healing. The use of certain scents usually embodied in certain essential oils or similar ingredients can bring about positive changes in people.

Here are five such essential oils which can help enhance emotional and mental well-being:

• Lavender oil: This anti-bacterial floral essential oil has the ability to calm stress and promote sleep.

• Frankincense oil: This oil is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the Genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae. Known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant properties, this oil is ideal for balancing emotions after trauma.

• Orange oil: The aroma of this oil helps in fighting against any kind of fear or anxiety.

• Bergamot oil: This oil is known to build confidence and helps in the enhancement of moods.

• Ylang Ylang oil: This essential oil boosts courage, optimism, cheerfulness, soothes fear and helps with sleep disorders.

(The author is CEO, Naturevibe Botanicals)