Natural Health Remedies For You!

There has not always been a magic little pill for us to take when we come under stressful circumstances. Nature has provided its own medicinal properties for our ailments. You may be surprised to see how easy, and accessible each of these natural health remedies are.

When we come under stress from our daily lives our body responds physically and mentally to the current changes. This change is called the The Fight or Flight Response. During this response our blood pressure raises, we are alert, our heart starts to pump harder, our metabolism changes (releasing cortisol, and other stress hormones), and other changes occur that disturb our peace and the physical homeostasis. Each of these changes occur to help us deal with the current challenge. Well What If we were just sitting in traffic stuck in our car, and because of the increased pressure our body activated our fight or flight response? Or, What If you were in front of your computer trying to make a deadline for work and your body felt the pressure and activated your fight or flight response?

You are probably thinking, " Is that a problem?" Yes it is. Each time our body activates the fight or flight response needlessly it contributes to many different health issues. Some are weakened immune system ineffective digestion, impaired cellular function, impaired thinking faculties, and much more. Chronic stress effects how we function. Rest assured there are natural ways to cope with stress.

Aromatherapy and Stress

When you think of the word Aromatherapy the first thing that probably comes to your mind is ...it makes my house smell good. This is true, but there is a whole science to scents and stress. The Body When the oils become airborne they evaporate into very small particles, entering the air you breath. These particles travel through your windpipe, into your bronchial tubes, and through the lungs, there a exchange of gases occur. The carbon dioxide inside you is exchanged for the oxygen and the tiny essential oil particles. Now the oils start to travel to the different parts of your body. Since specific oils have different therapeutic effects on the systems and organs of the body you can easily tailor which oils you use to the medicinal effect you hope to achieve with these natural health remedies.Each essential oil has certain medicinal benefits. The oils that benefit stress are....

Lemon - stimulant. Helps prevent emotional outbursts that are common in stressful situations.

Lemon Grass - stimulant. This refreshing scent helps soothe headaches a common symptom of stress, improves concentration and clears your thinking.

Patchouli - sedative. this scent soothes stress and anxiety.

Sandal Wood - nervine. Sandal wood helps in reducing nervous tension, helps relieve insomnia, and has a calming effect that naturally aids in feelings of isolation.

Geranium Oil - antidepressant. This natural scent balances the overstimulation of the adrenal cortex, which helps in the regulation of the release of stress hormones.

Chamomile - natural sedative. Calms the nerves and the mind.

Jasmine - antidepressant, tonic. Helps promote optimism, relieve lethargy.

Violet - nervine. This scent calms the nerves, and relieves insomnia.

Rose Absolute/Rose Otto -antidepressant, sedative. Helps relieve anxiety, tension, and has an uplifting effect on the body.

Rosewood - stimulant, immunostimulant, antidepressant. Helps relieve lethargy, nervous tension, and boosts the immune system.

Tuberose - sedative. Has a calming effect on the body.

Sweet Orange -stimulant. This is a soothing, refreshing scent. It promotes optimism.

Ylang Ylang - antidepressant, sedative. This scent helps reduce heart palipitations, and high blood pressure, common symptoms of stress.

The medical field recognizes this link between scents and stress. As listed above there are many different benefits to you from these natural health remedies. Click on the link to view some of the studies on the effect scents have on stress from pubmed.gov. By clicking the link it will automatically open up a new window.

Aromatherapy Uses

Bath - In a warm bath use 4 to 8 drops of your chosen essential oil. Use your hand to agitate the water so the oils will disperse through the water and not remain on the surface.

Burning - In your oil burner fill the top bowl half way with water then add 7 to 10 drops of your chosen oil. The oil will vaporize and you will begin to smell the fragrance.

Warm Compresses - With a warm washcloth use 4 to 7 drops of your chosen oil and use it as a compress.

Massage - Choose your favorite scent, dilute the oil with other base oils. Such as; avocado oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, carrot oil, jojoba oil. or you can add it to one of your non scented lotions.

During a particularly stressful situation - If you are feeling overly anxious and you are at home you can get two tissues, drop one drop of essential oils on the tissue. Wad the tissue up so the oil will not come into contact with your skin. Then gently sniff the tissue. If you choose a scent that is soothing or a nervine you will likely feel the effects faster.

Warning: Some people have allergies to specific scents, and oil properties it is best to test if you are allergic to the scent or oil before use. If you have any concerns consult your physician about your allergies and any natural health remedies.

Natural health remedies are just one of the many ways to relieve your stress. Aromatherapy is a very effective and natural route for most people to take. If you would like more suggestions for natural health remedies click the orange RSS button on the navigation bar of this page so you can be updated on the new information. We will periodically update this page with easy, and helpful suggestions.