12 Essential Oils for Relaxation and Stress Relief


In the midst of our modern, fast-paced lives, finding effective strategies to unwind and manage stress has become a paramount pursuit. Essential oils, harnessing the power of nature's aromas and therapeutic properties, have emerged as a favored avenue for achieving a sense of calm and tranquility. Let’s explore 10 essential oils that can help you achieve a sense of calm and tranquility in your daily life.

1. Lavender Essential Oil: The Ultimate Relaxer
Lavender oil is renowned for its calming scent that promotes relaxation and eases anxiety. It's perfect for winding down after a long day or preparing for a restful night's sleep.

2.  Frankincense Essential Oil: Mindful Meditation
Known for its grounding properties, frankincense oil is often used during meditation to enhance focus and induce a sense of inner peace.

3. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil: Soothe Your Mind
Ronan Chamomile oil's gentle aroma has a soothing effect on the mind and body. It's particularly effective for reducing feelings of stress and promoting relaxation.


4. Vetiver Essential Oil: Calm from the Earth
Vetiver oil's earthy scent is deeply relaxing and can promote a sense of grounding, making it valuable for stress management. (my favorite way to use Vetiver is to combine it with Orange essential oil.)

5. Bergamot Essential Oil: Uplift and De-Stress
The citrusy and floral scent of bergamot oil can help lift your spirits and alleviate tension. It's a wonderful choice for creating a positive atmosphere.


6. Clary Sage Essential Oil: Eases Tension
Clary sage oil is known for its calming and euphoric effects. It can help ease nervous tension and promote relaxation.

7. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: Find Balance
Ylang ylang oil's sweet and exotic aroma can help balance emotions, making it an ideal choice when seeking tranquility and relaxation.


8. Patchouli Essential Oil: Grounding Aromatherapy
Patchouli oil's musky and earthy scent has grounding properties that can help alleviate stress, promoting emotional stability.

9. Rose Essential Oil: Elegance and Calm
The luxurious scent of rose oil not only promotes relaxation but also fosters feelings of self-love and care.
10.  Stress Away Essential Oil: Vacation In a Bottle 
Stress Away has such a gentle, loving aroma that can be used anytime you need a little extra peace and tranquility. Great for releasing stress and tension.

11. Sandalwood Essential Oil: Serene and Relaxing
Sandalwood oil's warm and woody aroma encourages a serene and relaxed state of mind, making it perfect for stress relief.


12. Peace and Calming: Positive and Peaceful 
A favorite of mine to relax the body and calm emotions. This oil can signal overtired and overworked body systems that it is a safe space to release stress and invite in a sense of calm. 

How to Use Essential Oils for Relaxation:

- Diffusion:Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to a diffuser to fill your space with its calming aroma.

- Topical Application:Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil and apply them to pulse points or add them to a relaxing massage oil.

- Bath:Add a few drops of essential oil to your bathwater with some Epsom salts for a soothing and aromatic experience.

Remember, everyone's response to essential oils can vary, so it's essential to find the oils that resonate with you personally. Experiment with different oils and methods to discover the ones that best support your relaxation and stress relief journey. Incorporating these essential oils into your self-care routine can contribute to a more balanced and peaceful life.

My favorite way to start a journey using some of these oils is and other household staples is the Premium Starter Bundle with either the Desert Mist diffuser or the Aria diffuser. Check them out here.



Aromatic Wonders: Essential Oil Diffuser Benefits

In a fast-paced world where stress and fatigue seem to lurk around every corner, finding solace in the soothing scents of essential oils is a gift we can give ourselves. Essential oil diffusers, the modern-day magic lamps, not only fill our spaces with captivating aromas but also offer an array of holistic benefits that can transform our well-being. Join me on a fragrant journey as we explore the captivating world of essential oil diffusers and uncover the remarkable benefits they bring to our lives.

The Science of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, an age-old practice rooted in ancient civilizations, harnesses the potent scents of essential oils to promote harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. The inhalation of these aromatic compounds triggers responses in the brain, influencing emotions, hormones, and even pain perception. By integrating this practice with modern diffuser technology, we can unlock an array of benefits that have been treasured for centuries.



The Magic of Essential Oil Diffusers
Imagine a delicate mist rising from a sleek device, carrying the essence of nature into your surroundings. Essential oil diffusers come in various types, each with its unique method of diffusing oils. Ultrasonic diffusers employ water and vibrations to disperse a fine mist infused with essential oils, preserving their therapeutic properties. Nebulizing diffusers, on the other hand, break down oils into microscopic particles, allowing for direct inhalation. Heat diffusers gently warm oils, releasing their fragrant molecules into the air.



Elevating Your Environment
Creating an oasis of tranquility within our homes is an essential aspect of self-care. Essential oil diffusers effortlessly elevate the ambiance of any space, whether it's a bustling living room or a peaceful bedroom. The gentle diffusion of calming scents like lavender or chamomile can reduce stress, anxiety, and even improve sleep quality. Transforming your environment into a sanctuary has never been easier or more aromatic.


Health and Wellness Benefits
Beyond their enchanting scents, essential oils possess therapeutic qualities that can positively impact our health. Diffusing oils like eucalyptus or tea tree can provide respiratory relief by opening up airways and combating congestion. Antimicrobial properties found in oils such as thyme and oregano contribute to purifying the air and promoting overall wellness. Incorporating these natural remedies into your daily routine can help fortify your body's defenses.


Cognitive Boost and Focus
In an era of constant distractions, finding focus and mental clarity is a treasure. Essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, and citrus scents have been linked to improved cognitive function. Diffusing these invigorating aromas while working or studying can enhance concentration, productivity, and creative thinking. Aromatherapy becomes your ally in the pursuit of excellence.


Natural Air Freshener and Cleanser
Say goodbye to synthetic air fresheners laden with chemicals. Essential oil diffusers serve as nature's air purifiers, neutralizing odors and providing a clean and refreshing environment. Oils like lemon, tea tree, and lavender possess natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties that help keep the air around you fresh and invigorating.

Versatility and Personalization
One of the most enchanting aspects of essential oil diffusers is their versatility. Blend different oils to create your signature scent that suits your mood or needs. Energizing blends to start your day, relaxing combinations for winding down, and everything in between – the possibilities are as vast as your imagination.



Essential oil diffusers are more than just devices that scent the air; they are gateways to a world of holistic well-being. By embracing the captivating scents of nature, we invite balance, harmony, and rejuvenation into our lives. From the emotional benefits of relaxation and stress relief to the practical advantages of purifying the air, these aromatic wonders have a place in every home. So, fill your space with fragrant serenity and let the magic of essential oil diffusers enrich your journey toward a healthier, more harmonious you.




Harnessing the Power of Essential Oils for Daily Discomfort Management

Living with chronic discomfort can be an overwhelming challenge that impacts every aspect of one's life. From physical discomfort to mental strain, discomfort can be managed with a holistic approach that addresses both the symptoms and the overall well-being of an individual. Essential oils, derived from natural plant sources, have gained popularity for their potential to alleviate discomfort and enhance overall quality of life. Let’s explore how essential oils can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine to provide effective discomfort management.



1. Understanding Essential Oils:
Essential oils are concentrated extracts derived from plants, possessing aromatic compounds that can have a wide range of therapeutic benefits. These oils are obtained through methods like steam distillation or cold-pressing, capturing the plant's volatile compounds that carry healing properties. When used correctly, essential oils can work synergistically with the body to promote relaxation, ease tension, and reduce discomfort. 


2. Easing Muscular Discomfort:
Muscle discomfort and tension are common issues that can arise from physical activity, stress, or poor posture. Essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus have been shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Mixing a few drops of these oils with a carrier oil and gently massaging the affected area can provide soothing relief and aid in relaxation.



3. Alleviating Head discomfort:
Head discomfort can be debilitating, affecting productivity and overall well-being. Essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, and rosemary have been known to alleviate head discomfort when applied topically or used in aromatherapy. Inhaling the soothing aroma of these oils or applying a diluted blend to the temples can help ease tension and promote a sense of calm.

4. Calming Nervous System:
Chronic pain often leads to heightened stress levels, exacerbating the perception of discomfort . Essential oils like chamomile, bergamot, and frankincense have calming properties that can help reduce uneasiness and promote relaxation. Diffusing these oils in your living space or adding a few drops to a warm bath can create a serene environment that aids in discomfort management.


5. Enhancing Sleep Quality:
Restorative sleep is crucial for managing discomfort and promoting overall wellness. Essential oils like lavender and cedarwood are renowned for their ability to improve sleep quality. Incorporating these oils into your bedtime routine by diffusing them or applying them to your pillow can contribute to better sleep and overall discomfort reduction.


6. Customized Blends for Personalized Relief:
One of the most exciting aspects of essential oils is their versatility. By blending different oils, you can create personalized combinations tailored to your specific discomfort management needs. Experimenting with various essential oils allows you to find the perfect balance that resonates with your body and provides effective relief.


Incorporating essential oils into your daily discomfort management routine can be a holistic and empowering way to address chronic discomfort. These natural remedies offer a gentle yet potent approach to discomfort relief, helping you regain control over your well-being. Remember, while essential oils can be incredibly beneficial, it's essential to use them safely. Always perform a patch test, dilute oils properly, and consult a healthcare professional if you have any underlying health conditions. With careful consideration and experimentation, essential oils can become a valuable tool on your journey to a discomfort-free life.

xoxo
Candia

12 Essential Oil Pantry Staples

There is a variety of uses and many benefits for essential oils. I want to walk you through what I call my 12 pantry staple essential oils. These are essential oils I have on hand and use one or another of them everyday. 

There are so many ways to use essential oils but one of the easiest ways is to use them with a diffuser.  Research shows that diffusing, depending on which essential oil you are using, can:

  • Relax the body, relieve tension and clear the mind
  • Improve alertness, concentration, and mental clarity
  • Reduce fungus, mold, bacteria and unpleasant aromas 
Just to name a few benefits, each essential oil has its own qualities that work with our bodies. 

Here is my 12 pantry staples:
Lavender~

Lavender is a must for your pantry, many people think they don’t like the scent of Lavender but that is because most products on the market are not using true Lavender, they are using Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) a hybrid of Lavender angustifolia.  If you smell real Lavender angustifolia many find that they do actually like the scent of it. Lavender has a fresh, clean, floral scent. Lavender is a very versatile essential oil, it can be used in skin care as well as your sleep routine. Another benefit is that it is soothing to the skin after a day in the sun. It can create a tranquil, calm and relaxing environment. I love to pair it with Cedarwood, Peppermint, and Orange essential oils for my bedtime routine. 
Peppermint~

Peppermint is a jack of all trades, and has a crisp, cool scent. You want to always have it on hand because of its versatility. Peppermint is supportive to tension, focus, airways, and can be soothing for muscles. Peppermint is an also known as an adaptogenic essential oil. That means sedate or stimulate depending on what is needed. Which is part of why I love using it with my sleep routine. Peppermint can also support us emotionally. The bright, crisp aroma is wonderful to inhale to uplift the spirits, and calm racing thoughts and restlessness.
Lemon~

Lemon is like sunshine in a bottle and it has a bright and joyful scented. You can diffuse Lemon essential oil for energizing your environment or add a drop of Lemon Vitality essential oil to your water to have a spa like experience.  Lemon essential oil is also great at removing stick residue from stickers or add it to your cleaning products for a fresh sent and grease fighting power. It is also great a neutralizing unwanted odors. Just like sunshine Lemon essential oil can brighten our mood. 
Citrus Fresh~

Citrus Fresh essential oil is a beautiful blend of citrus oils. It is incredibly versatile and has an invigorating and uplifting scent. it is a blend of Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Tangerine and Spearmint. Citrus Fresh essential oil is also a vitality oil that can be used internally.  When diffused it creates a creative environment. It also cleanses the air from unwanted odors. It’s a fun blend to put in your cleaning products to give them a bright scent and it has cleansing properties that is great for the home and body. 
Valor~ 

Valor is and incredible blend of Frankincense, Black Spruce, Blue Tansy, Camphor Wood, and Geranium. It is one of my favorites. Valor has a deep, grounding aroma. I love to pair it with Stress Away essential oil blend. If you are working on balancing your work, emotional or spiritual health Valor is a great essential oil to grab. The aroma of Valor provides a relaxing environment and inspires confidence and courage. It can also create a grounded environment when diffused during meditation or yoga. It is also a beautiful blue color because of having Blue Tansy in it. 
Frankincense~

Frankincense is a must have for every home because of it’s versatility.  It is know for  its grounding and healing properties.  Frankincense essential oil is helpful for promoting the appearance of healthy skin.  It has a sweet, honey-like, and woodsy scent. If you search Frankincense on www.pubmed.com to find all sorts of different uses for Frankincense. 
DiGize~

A wonderful blend to the soothe stomach. DiGize is a blend of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Lemongrass, Anise, Patchouli, and Fennel. While the scent is very herbaceous and not for everyone , it is an essential oil everyon will fall in love with when used after meals. The essential oils in this blend are know plants that are beneficial for so many stomach troubles and is combined together to be soothing. 
PanAway~

This blend is a very popular one and for a good reason. PanAway is a blend of Wintergreen, Helichrysum, Clove, and Peppermint. This blend is soothing to muscles anytime the need support.  PanAway has a cooling sensation to give tired muscles a treat. Many muscle rubs on the market contain skin irritants. Essential oils support the body without those chemicals. The aroma of PanAway is very much like a minty root beer scent. 
Peace and Calming~

One of my very favorite blends and a favorite of many others as well. This blend has Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. This is a great essential oil to create a positive, peaceful atmosphere. I love to use it when I’m when I’m needing a little calm and at bed time that calm, peaceful bed time routine. The aroma is so relaxing to me. 
Raven~ 

Raven is a refreshing breath of air.   This blend contains Camphor, Lemon, Wintergreen, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus Radiata. It is an essential oil that is useful for fall and winter seasons when we are needing respiratory support. It is also great to use when working out and can create a spa like environment when being diffused.
Stress Away~

This little bottle of essential oil is nicknamed vacation in a bottle and you get to use it when you feel like you need a vacation. Stress Away is a combination of Copaiba, Lime, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Ocotea, and Lavender. This aroma will is great for achieving a happy positive day. I love to combine this oil with Valor. 

Thieves~

Thieves smells like a warm cup of fall. This blend is a combination of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary. If you want to give your body an extra boost you will definitely want to try this. If you search each oil in this blend on pubmed.com you will find out what a powerful tool this essential oil will be in your life. 

Are you ready to learn more?

The best way to learn all about these 12 essential oils is to try them out for yourself. These 12 essential oils I talked about here are all in one premium starter bundle. It’s an amazing value to get these oils this way and a great way to start your oily journey.  Take a look around at Young Livings website and message me if you have any questions. Stay connected to me while shopping with #25490900.

xoxo
Candia
















The Art of Making Perfumes with Essential Oils

The art of making fragrance essences into perfume dates back to Egyptian times. Today perfumery is a multimillion dollar business. Yet today only a few commercial perfumes are actually make from essential oils, but what is there source for those essential oils. 

Much like everything you purchase at the stores today they use the blanket term fragrance to cover up over 3,000 chemicals that can be added in any number of combinations as a trade secret.  Most of these 3,000 chemicals haven’t been tested on the environment or people. Also about 80% of these chemicals don’t have to be tested because they have been grandfathered in under an outdated law called the trade secret act, that protects companies from sharing what they are using under the term fragrance. 

New studies are emerging, are finding that people who are exposed to conventional toxic ingredients, found in everyday products, when used everyday that it is similar to having smoked a pack of cigarettes everyday. 

Fragrance affects our mood, endocrine system, nervous system, irritability, hormonal structure, respiratory system and so much more. This is a wonderful step we can take for ourselves and set a new standard in our home.

I bet you have a great collection of essential oil and we can use those to craft our own personal perfumes. Let’s spend the next several days going over how to do that. 

PERFUME SUPPLIES


There are some incredible ways to use the essential oils we have in our collection. We can craft our own perfumes using the best ingredients.

Let’s start with the basics staple you will need. 

~Perfume Spray Bottles or roller ball bottles 
~Grain alcohol (like vodka) or organic witch hazel ( I like Thayers) 
~Distilled water (tap water has deposits you don’t want in your final product) 
~Essential oils 

Why do the oils go to the top of the bottle and separate from the rest of the ingredients? 

It means that the essential oils have an absence of stabilizers or emulsifiers in them. It’s a good thing. All you need to do is shake before each use. 

You can get fancy with it or keep it simple. Add a label to the bottle or a sticker that helps you remember what the perfume is or leave them plain and simple if you prefer. 

There are many fun bottles and rollers to be found on Amazon or Etsy. 

PERFUME NOTES
There are three categories of oils to use in perfume making top note, middle note and base note. 

What does that mean?

Top note is the very first scent you will get of the aroma of the perfume, it usually evaporates quickly and the scent doesn’t last very long. It’s a strong note and you notice it quickly but also fades quickly. 

Middle note or also known as the body is the main scent, it is referred to as the heart of a perfume and the scent will last between 1-2 hours from this note. 

Base note also known as the fixative or dry out note lasts several hours or a whole day. It gives the perfume its depth. Base notes are essential oils just like middle and top notes and shouldn’t be confused with base oils like avocado oil that is used to dilute essential oils. 

But you can simplify it even further to create your scents and break it down into Citrus, Florals and Tree groups and combine one from each of those categories to create a custom scent all your own.

If you want to be technical about your oils you can use a small strip of paper to do what’s called Organoleptic testing. To do this you put a drop of an essential oil on the strip of paper and smell it and see what the aroma smells like and make a note of what your thoughts are. Smell the strip periodically throughout the day until the strip no longer smells. This will help you evaluate your essential oil to know if it’s a top, middle, or base note. It will tell you what the scent profile of the essential oil is, so you can think about what scents you would like to combine. 

PERFUME CRAFTING
Let’s start crafting our blend, you want to aim for an agreeable, delicate fragrance and that is all personal preference as to what you find smells good to you. So really there is no right or wrong combination. To achieve the right balance of scents in your perfume you want to consider the aroma strength of essential oil you are considering for a blend. Some essential oils can be overpowering to others, you will want to balance the amount of drops you use of the strongest scents to the less fragrant scents.  You will want to keep a journal or notes on your perfume creations as you are creating them so you know what you did later to recreate the blends you like the most. 

You want to start with smaller amounts of drops of each essential oil, then add more of the essential oil that you feel the blend needs. 

The goal is to create a blend that you like and that gives off a similar scent profile during the entire stage of the evaporation process while still being able to smell the individual aromas of each essential oil. 

Start your blending process by thinking of essential oil scents that you enjoy and choose which ones you would like to try together. Then place a drop of each of those essential oils on a piece of paper and smell them together. Do you like the scents together? Is one scent stronger than the others? If so you will need to use a smaller amount of that essential oil in your blend. Remember keep a record of your thoughts and essential oil combinations.


THECHNICAL DETAILS
Let’s get a little technical today. How do you know how many drops of each essential oil to use in your roller or perfume bottle? 

To formulate your scent base your formula for creating it on 100 drops. This is a ratio, so you can increase or decrease the ratio as long as you keep the amounts of each essential oil at the same ratio. 

Here is an example:

Start with 60 drops of a citrus aroma. 
Add a wood note say 5% or 5 drops.
Then add a spice or herbal note at a 15% ratio or 15 drops. 
Next add 5-10% (5 to 10 drops) of a floral aroma.
You may want to add a green not or sweet base not to the mix. 

Each time you add an essential oil to the mix stop and smell it to let I guide you as to what essential oil you want to add next. Before you get to this step you can test out whether you like the combination of essential oils by using jus a drop or two of each oil. That way you do make a larger bottle of something you don’t like. 

For optimal formulation of your blends you will want to keep in mind that for every 1 oz  you will want to use 20 to 30 drops of essential oils. And that can be any combination of essential oils to get to that number of drops. The larger your bottle the more essential oils you will use. 

ROLL ON & PERFUME BOTTLE

When crafting a roll on it is going to be your strongest aromatic creation because you will not put any water in it. It will just be created with your essential oils and either you grain alcohol or witch hazel. 

When crafting a traditional perfume in a smaller perfume bottle you want to use a 50/50 ratio of water and your grain alcohol or witch hazel. Meaning after you add your essential oils you will fill the bottle with 50% water and 50% grain alcohol or witch hazel. 

If you go with a larger bottle to make a body type spray, you would then after you put your essential oils in the bottle, you will fill the bottle 1/3 of the way with grain alcohol or witch hazel and then the rest of the way with water. 

As your creating your blend you can see if it’s ready by adding a little bit of grain alcohol or witch hazel to the essential oils in the bottle and shake it up, then test it on the back of your hand. If it needs some adjustment add more of the essential oil you feel the blend needs. Keep doing this step until you have the blend you want and remember to write down how many drops you’re adding each time do you can recreate your blend. Once you’re happy with the blend add the final amount of grain alcohol or witch hazel and water. 


Creating perfume blends can be fun and creative, with the added therapeutic benefits of the essential oils. If you find you do not like a blend you created you can always use it for cleaning.

I'd love to hear what you create, please leave a comment with your creations.

Happy Creating
Candia




 
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