Essential Oils and Candles for Stress Relief

Essential Oils and Candles for Stress Relief

 

Essential oils are a wonderful tool for improving your mental and physical wellbeing. However, essential oils are not meant to be swallowed! So how can we reap the benefits of these magical little tinctures? And how can we use them to treat things such as stress, difficulty sleeping and energy slumps? Read on and discover how to introduce the use of essential oils into your daily life. Feel uplifted, level headed and inspired! Something we could all use a little more of in these crazy times.

How to use essential oils

There are many different ways to use essential oils, but I will talk about two commonly used and effective methods today. One can simply dilute and apply to the skin, some of these magical plant chemicals are absorbed but you must be careful that the oil doesn’t irritate your skin. Always do a patch test first and be sure to dilute it with water or a ‘carrier oil’ such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or olive oil. We use these ‘carrier’ oils because the pure essential oil is too potent to apply directly to the skin.

What is aromatherapy?

Though this is very effective, I much prefer the second method, which is sometimes referred to as aromatherapy. Very simply put, aromatherapy is the use of aromatics to improve general physical and mental wellbeing. So yes, in this method, we smell the essential oils.  Inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which is a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviours, sense of smell, and long-term memory. Interestingly, the limbic system is heavily involved in forming memories. This can partly explain why familiar smells can trigger memories or emotions. The limbic system also plays a role in controlling several unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. As such, some people claim that essential oils can exert a physical effect on your body when used in this way.

So what are the perks of using essential oils?

It is important to note, that like any medicine, essential oils are potent and should be used sparingly. Anything that is strong enough to have a positive effect on your health can also have a negative effect if used in excess. (i.e. bathing in the stuff). This is why I love burning essential oil candles so much, because they are very subtle and it is impossible to overuse! But more on essential oil candles a little later. When thinking about the health benefits of essential oils, I like to think of each oil having their own little profile of benefits, be that physical or mental. But one also has to think about what scents they actually enjoy, this has a lot to do with aromatherapy as well. There is no point burning a lavender candle before bed to help send you off to sleep, when the smell of lavender makes you gag! You must find a balance.  So try different oils and combinations see what you like and welcome to bliss!

Why essential oil candles are my favourite aromatherapy tool

As I mentioned earlier, essential oil candles are a wonderful way to access the benefits of aromatherapy. I am very picky about my candles though. They must be locally made 100% organic soy wax and use ethically made essential oils. Oh and of course they must look divine too! After years of searching I found the perfect candles, made by Koh Living in collaboration with a local candle maker, and a family run Australian essential oils company. They burn beautifully, lasting for 60hrs! Plus they already have some wonderful essential oil combinations for different benefits such as calming, purifying, meditation, respiratory function and rejuvenation. Let me run you through the different candles they offer and what their benefits are.

Calm Baby Essential Oil Candle

Calm Baby is one of the candles I keep going back to time and time again. Not necessarily for just babies, it’s true we adults need some calming too sometimes! This blend consists of chamomile, lavender and rose. These essential oils are known to calm the nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety and help with a deeper more restful sleep. I’ll take 10!

 

Purify Your Home Essential Oil Candle

Purify your home is a wonderfully fresh and zingy candle is just straight up 100% lemongrass oil. This super powered essential oil is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. I burn this one at home during the colder soggier months to aid in fighting nasty mould and damp in my home. It leaves the room feeling fresh and squeaky clean!

Meditation Essential Oil Candle

A grounding blend of essential oils aimed at bringing you into a deeper meditative state. I use this candle when I practise my yoga, meditation or journaling as I feel it helps me ground and focus on the present moment, rather than my brain going 1 million miles an hour as it sometimes does when stressed. This meditation candle is fragranced with oils such as Cedarwood, Geranium, Lime, Marjoram, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang. Known properties of these oils include an uplifting quality when looking at the lime and Marjoram components, which have a fresh zesty scent. We also might experience grounding and balancing effects as a result of the more woody undertones coming from the Cedarwood.

Breathe Easy Essential Oil Candle

So many of us have struggled with issues related to respiratory function and it is not a nice feeling. How we breathe effects how we take on life. If we aren’t able to take a full and nourishing deep breath in we might feel energy lacking or even anxious if there is a real tightness or restriction in our breathing. Whether it is because of a lingering cold or perhaps it is just the frigid air this time of year. This wonderful blend can aid with a more open, freely moving respiratory system. A fresh minty hit from this Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Pine scented candle will make your lungs feel brand new and your head feel clear.

Rejuvenation Essential Oil Candle

Last but not least, an invigorating blend of essential oils to inspire and uplift you! If you are struggling to find motivation or focus in your life, perhaps adding this blend of essential oils into your daily routine is the answer. This candle has Clary Sage, Aniseed, Lemongrass, Bergamot, Peppermint and Grapefruit. A lively bunch of essential oils that will energise the nervous system and leave you feeling uplifted but not frazzled!

Where to find the best essential oil candles

Simply click here to find your candles. 

A wonderful addition to your home, or perhaps as a gift to a loved one who could rally use the benefits of some essential oils in their life.

Koh x