The sense of smell is one of our most primal senses, it's connected to the inferior brain or the lymbic brain. The part that is responsible for triggering the flight or fiight response when feeling threaten. Aromatherapy is known to be effective to bring calmness to the nervous system by activating the relaxation response in the brain. Besides, In Mindfulness meditation Aromatherapy is also utilized to help us to raise our awareness to the present moment throught the sense of smell. Different essences are used for different purposes like releasing tension, stimulating our senses and different parts of the body hence, bringing balance and harmony, facilitate concentration, sleep better and to relax sore muscles among multiple other uses.
Lets explore what kind of essential oils are best under the lens of ayurveda to balance the doshas.
Best Oil For the Doshas
For Vata dosha: To reduce stress, anxiety and to induce rest: think of earthy and woody notes such us Basil, Orange, Geranium, Rose, Clove, Cinnamon, Sandalwood. Best carrier oils are Sesame, Castor and Almond oil
The main benefits are to calm the Vata dosha by bringing a feeling of groundness and stability in the person.
For Pitta dosha: To improve anger, irritability, reduce competitiveness and jealousy: Peppermint, Jasmine, Rose and Sandalwood are best due to their balancing and cooling qualities. Best Carrier oils are Coconut, Olive and Sunflower.
The main benefits is to improve digestion and cool the fiery nature of pitta energy.
Kapha: To reduce blockage, fat and water retention: Juniper, Euchaliptus, Camphor, Mustard and Clove are highly envigorating for Kapha dosha. The main benefit is to stimulates digestion and reduce lethargy.
Practical Uses Of Essential Oils In Everyday Life
Always dilute your oils to avoid skin irritation or sensitization. To dilute the oils, a good rule of thumb when seeking to make a 2% dilution is to add 12 drops of essential oil to each fl. ounce (30 ml) of cold pressed carrier oil, lotion, vegetable butter or other natural lipid/moisturizers.
After a long day for tired and sored muscles add a few drops of essential oils to your bath to relax. Such as Eucalyptus and Lavender.
Try Ayurvedic self-massage by adding one of the essential oils for your dosha to the carrier oil, massage the entire body from head to toes, wipe the excess with a warm towel and rinse after. The skin will be lustrous and your mind relaxed.
To purify or cleanse the air, add up to 12 drops to one ounze (30 mil ) of distilled water placed in a spray bottle, enjoy instantly renewed air. Good blends are Euchaliptus, Camphor, Lemongrass or Grapefruit.
For a good night sleep, spray the opposite site your eye pillow with a mixture blend of relaxing oils such as lavender, chamomile and valerian. If The essence of the valerian oil bothers you, try it on the base of the arch behind the toes.
To get rid of unpleasant smells in the kitchen, use tea tree oil and green tea oil in a perfum burner. This is good for small rooms as alternative to burn incense.
To deodorize closets and drawers add few drops of rosewood oil to sachets and place them inside your closets and drawers.
To alleviate tension try lavender in a roll-on already diluted in a carrier oil and apply it behind ears, writs neck, temples and ankles. All these are specific points mind-body connection to the subtle energy in the body.Â
To enhance concentration and energize, peppemint and bergamot oils are effective, use it in an inhaler try it before an examen or heading to the gym.
To calm a restless mind put a drop of essential oils such as sandalwood or frankincense and rub it in your hands and on the temples.
To improve sluggish digestion and for gas or bloating use a roll on with fennel oil around the abdominal area.
To feel calm yet alert in a bottle fill 2 ounces of distilled water  add 12-15 drops of Bergamot oil spray and pass through the mist.
To calm children, rub lavender or chamomile oil on the stuffed animal before nap time.
Place a mini cotton ball  infused with floral notes such as Jasmine or rose petals inside a locket necklace and carry it the perfume stays without being overpowering.
I hope these ideas inspire you to create your own rituals of self-love and care with the essential oils.
For personalized Ayurvedic Consultation, Yoga Therapy and Mindfulness Workshops connect with Monica Daza-Stephan | Ayurveda & Yoga Therapist | Phone: 416-275-9141 |Email info@yogafymylife.com
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