I love taking a long, hot bath on the weekend. What are the best essential oils for reducing stress and anxiety?
Baths are a wonderful way to relieve stress. Even before the addition of oils, the sensory aspect of oils can further improve the relaxation process through inhalation and skin absorption, which is crucial for regeneration and recovery.
Aromatherapy is a particularly effective way to deal with stress because it works holistically – mind and body.
It is important to note that essential oils are not water soluble. Simply adding a few drops of oil will not distribute it effectively, and undiluted essential oil can irritate the skin.
The easiest way to get around this is to add the oils of sea salt or Epsom salt in a ratio of 1 ml of essential oils to 100 g of salt and then add the bath salts to the water. You can also buy vegetable oil-based dispersants that not only evenly distribute the essential oils but also take care of the skin.
Bergamot, tangerine, and petitgrain are all indicated for feelings of overwhelm and fear. The essential flower oils rose, jasmine, neroli and balm (lemon balm) are also recommended. However, they are extremely expensive. To reduce costs, they are often made as a 3% dilution based on jojoba oil. This means that they can be applied directly to the pulse points – neck, wrist, behind the knee and ankle.
If you’re having trouble sleeping due to stress and anxiety, add sweet marjoram, clary sage, frankincense, tangerine, or rosewood to your mix. Peppermint, spearmint, basil, and possibly alterations are considered emotionally uplifting oils and can help clear the mind and restore focus.
Pay attention to feelings that arise when you inhale essential oils or oil blends. No matter how useful a particular oil may be, if you really dislike the scent or it is linked to a negative memory or event, it is best to avoid that oil. The opposite is also true – if you find yourself attracted to a particular oil, it may be exactly what your body or mind needs.
My ears tend to get clogged with wax, which affects my hearing. Is there a natural way to prevent the wax from forming in the first place?
Ear wax (cerumen) is a combination of amino acids, fatty acids, lysozymes, amino acids, immunoglobulins, dead skin cells, deposits and hair in the secretions of the two glands (ceruminosis and sebum) in the ear canal.
Diet, heredity, occupation, and ethnicity all contribute to how much ear wax an individual typically produces.
The secretion of cerumen is quite natural, similar to the secretion of sweat. This natural protective substance is part of the body’s cleansing process.
When you work in a dusty or noisy environment, your ears produce more wax for protection. People under extreme stress also tend to produce more ear wax than usual.
The first place to start would be to make sure your external and internal environment is optimized by making sure you wear protective ear covers when necessary, reducing your stress levels, and following an anti-inflammatory diet avoiding highly processed and acidic foods from beverages.
As your body adapts to these changes, you should try Audiclean, a natural product designed to safely soften wax and cleanse the ear canals. It is a spray that can be used in the bath or shower that uses the gentle action of bicarbonates to remove excess wax buildup without removing the protective layer of wax from the ear canal.
Audiclean is available from most pharmacies.
- NOTE: The information in this column is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
