The A – Z Of Aromatherapy – N

This month my A – Z of Aromatherapy is looking at the letter N. Let’s see what it can help you with, if you suffer from nightmares, nausea or if you are unlucky enough to get stung by a nettle, we have essential oils to help with those.

N

Nerves – This covers the likes of anxiety, worry, stress and all things related to your nerves. Melissa essential oil is a fantastic oil to help calm the body and mind as well as uplift. Sandalwood essential oil is a great oil if you are worrying about the future, it is a sedative and calming oil therefore is a perfect choice to help you with anxiety and stress. Using a vaporiser, pop 2-4 drops of one of the essential oils above in with up to 100ml of water and enjoy the oils as they disperse into the atmosphere. These are great oils to use in a massage, you could blend sandalwood with neroli essential oil and a carrier oil such as sweet almond or grapeseed – use 10ml carrier with up to 5 drops of oil in total. A massage will help you to feel calm and less stressed. The gentle strokes of the massage will combine the oils and allow them to work into your skin, helping you to reep the benefits from the therapeutic properties of the oils.

Nightmares – Frankincense essential oil is not just for Christmas, no, this warm calming scent, can help you breathe slow and deep and is good for helping if you suffer from nightmares. Add 3-5 drops into a lovely warm bath swirl around (you can mix in with your usual bubble bath if you prefer). Do your best to relax once in the bath and go to bed about 30-60 minutes afterwards for a good nights sleep. Do not overuse or you may find it lessens the effect. You can always mix with lavender oil as well. If a bath is not for you, it is also great for your skin, mix a drop with your moisturiser at night to not only help your skin but also to alleviate your nightmares.

Nausea – Imagine you are travelling in a car, boat or plane and no matter how smooth the journey is, your body is making you feel sick. Suffering from nausea can be debilitating. We want to enjoy journey. Peppermint essential oil is fantastic at helping to quell the feeling. There are a few things you can do with this oil to help. Firstly put a few drops onto a tissue and inhale, slowly and regularly throughout your journey. Alternatively, mix 10ml of grapeseed oil with 5 drops of peppermint essential oil and pour into a rollerball bottle. Use regularly on the pulse points, but you may wish to put a dap of the mixture under your nose.

Nettle Rash – This is always an ‘ouch’ moment and then the burning itchiness kicks in. Camomile essential oil is an anti inflammatory so works perfectly in this situation. As it is a soothing oil, mix 2-4 drops into a bowl of cold water and place a flannel in the water, rinse and place onto the rash, hold in place until the flannel warms and then repeat.

Neroli – this uplifting, yet sedative floral essential oil is also known as Orange Blossom, it is great for stress, bereavement, shock, anxiety, it helps with PMT and menopausal symptoms. To get the benefit of the oil put 2-3 drops in an oil burner or vaporiser to disperse the beautiful scent throughout the room. Breathe it in slow and deep. If a bath is more your thing then mix a few drops of neroli and Lavender oil and swirl into a bath, to help you relax or add a drop or two to your body lotion and gently rub into your arms and legs as well as your feet. If you feel you need a little bit of calm throughout your day you can buy aromatherapy necklaces where you put 2 drops of the oil onto a small pad place inside the necklace and Inhale throughout your day. You can top up as needed. If you suffer from IBS mix with a carrier oil and massage clockwise into your stomach.

Please note: Always ensure you follow any instructions regarding essential oils or treatments. Never ingest oils or use them internally. Proceed with caution, particularly if you are pregnant and/or have epilepsy. Seek advice before using any essential oil or treatment as some are not to be used during pregnancy or with epilepsy. Never use essential oils neat on your skin as this can cause irritation (Lavender oil is an exception). If any irritation occurs whilst using the oils, even with a carrier oil, then rinse the affected area and discontinue use.

Thank you for reading, I hope you found this post helpful and it gave you a small insight into the benefits of essential oils. Join me next month when I will be looking at the letter O.

Have a great week and look after you!

Love Emma xx