by Brooke Vogel, Wellness & Co. Intern

Hey there, we’ve got something special for you today! Our intern, Brooke Vogel, shares a bit about how oils can complement your mental health, read on!

There are many different ways we can improve our mental wellbeing, such as exercise or sleep, but a lot of people don’t know that there is another way to stay sound-of-mind that dates back thousands of years, essential oils.

You might be hearing more and more about essential oils as research continues to surface about their beneficial effects. You might even know people who have started to implement essential oils into their daily routines, however you might not be sure how to start using oils yourself. Here I summarize some research compiled by Dr. Josh Axe so you can try out some of these oil remedies and see positive effects in your daily life too!

Oil: Lavender

• What it can treat: anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, nervous stomach/tension

• How to use it: diffuse a few drops in a room or rub some lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) for better sleep and reduced anxiety

Oil: Peppermint oil

• What it can treat: low focus/energy (used to help ADHD), chronic adrenal fatigue

• How to use it: diffuse a few drops in a room (do some deep breathing) or mix with carrier oils and rub on forehead, temples, and/or neck

• Other good oils for energy: Rosemary oil (helps in the brain), Cinnamon oil (helps balance blood sugar; you can add this to smoothies!), Black Pepper oil (helps nutrient absorption)

Oil: Frankincense

• What it can treat: brain fog, memory problems, concussions, depression, anxiety

• How to use it: diffuse a few drops in a room (do some deep breathing to help it work in your body as it help work against inflammation)

• Other good oils for brain health: Vetiver oil (top ADHD oil proven to be effective; also helps neurological issues such as Parkinsons, alzheimers, and dementia), Cedarwood oil (another good ADHD oil), Wild Orange oil (depression and anxiety; diffuse in air esp, before surgeries)

Oil: Ylang Ylang

• What it can treat: anxiety, depression, heart agitation, nervous palpitations, insomnia

• How to use it: place a few drops on your wrists for a sweet perfume. Massage into tense muscles or place a few drops into an Epsom Salt bath for peace and relaxation.

As a quick reminder, it is very important, if you do use oils, to get the best grade oils which are called aromatherapy or clinical oils, as lower quality oils can be synthetic and contain any level of toxins or chemicals which can be harmful to health.

So, whether you’re just a beginner at using essential oils or have used them for years, oils are definitely worth investing in to see how they might be able to benefit you as they have many others. That might mean buying one of two of these! If you already have oils, comment below what your favorite blend is!

Happy diffusing!

-Brooke Vogel, Intern

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Kendra O'Hora( PhD, LCMFT )

Dr. K started Wellness & Co. with the desire to provide top-notch therapy to our local community. Now, Wellness & Co., has therapists, coaches, tutors, and professional organizers – all to provide wrap-around, boutique style care to our clients. Dr. K specializes in couples therapy, healing from infidelity, and supporting individuals through relational transitions.