Aw march april 2018

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go aromatherapy | healing essential oils

MAKE OVER YOUR MOOD Bust stress and improve your sense of well-being with these aromatherapy oils and blends By Cheryl Cromer

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pring is on the horizon, but what if the long, dark days of winter left you feeling tired, irritable, and unmotivated? Aromatherapy offers a respite for stressedout souls with a range of essential oils to lift you out of the doldrums and help you greet 2018 with a newfound, positive attitude. Any essential oil from the citrus family will raise your spirits with one whiff. But reach for LEMON (Citrus limon) did you know... when a little extra energy Depression and anxiety can is required. Upbeat and reflect a temporary mood, seaexcellent anti-depressant. bright, lemon is veritable sonal disorder, or chronic ailment. Steep the dried herbs to sunshine in a bottle. Everyone goes through bouts of make lemon balm tea Next up is one of the sadness, so invest in some self-care. for a soothing afternoon most effective citrus oils But don’t discount those low spirits. Feeling like your mood is more treat. And add a few drops for treating melancholy than a temporary lull? Consult of this rare restorative — zesty BLOOD ORANGE . with a qualified medical essential oil to a cotton ball Although it shares the same professional. and tuck into your pillowcase Latin name as sister sweet before climbing into bed to orange, Citrus sinensis, blood help still the mind and orange is often chosen for its encourage restful sleep. more complex aroma and anti- are top notes, the fragrance The perfect choice from may dissipate quickly; so mix depressant qualities. the herbal family of essential a few drops of each into unAnother citrusy restorative, oils is CLARY SAGE (Salvia scented body lotion and apply LIME (Citrus aurantifolia) adds a zip to antianxiety blends, with after your morning shower to sclarea). The English name sustain the tart, happy scent natural chemical properties clary originates from the just a bit longer. that act as a tonic for those Latin sclarea, which is derived battling chronic stress. Diffuse from clarus, the word for MELISSA (Melissa officinalis), several drops of lemon, lime, “clear.” And that’s what this or lemon balm, has a lemony and blood orange in the earthy, woodsy oil does — aroma with a touch of green, morning to start the day with clears away stormy moods. almost as if it’s signaling your an aromatic boost. Since these Since the aroma can be a bit spirit to buck up. It, too, is an

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SPRING 2018 | AMAZING WELLNESS

strong for some, blend clary sage with a citrus oil to mask the odor while still enjoying its euphoric properties, which helps battle the blues. Speaking of the blues, diffuse negativity with BLUE TANSY (Tanacetum annuum), an herbal essential oil with a slight, sweet floral overtone that, like blood orange, will add more substance and depth to your blends. Blue tansy oil gets its unusual cobalt color from one of its components, called chamazulene. Be sure to choose the right oil, NOT common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), which can be toxic. True blue tansy has completely differently chemical properties with valuable aromatherapy benefits.


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