Friday, April 20, 2007
Aromatherapy Part 2 - When you're feeling low
I said we would look at sleep first up, but I lied (sorry never claimed to be an angel). Instead, we're going to look at when you're feeling low. I'm not going to call it depression, because if you think you are actually depressed, you should go and seek professional help. But we all have our low times, esspecially dealing with chronic illness, and I'm certainly no exception. The last few days, for no particular reason, I have been feeling rather sorry for myself and quite sad and mopey. Not my usual state of being, but what can you do? Staying in bed and crying isn't really an option, so here are a few tips on how to use aromaptherapy for those times you're feeling a bit down.
Bergamot oil
Bergamot oil is one of my favourites. It's very refreshing, and a little citrusy. It's also great for when you're mood is low, it helps to perk you up and stabilise your emotions. If you're at home, you can pop it in the oil burner and let the scent fill up the room (it also mizes nicely with other citrus oils like orange, lemon and lime, and with geranium). However, if you're obliged to leave the house and face the world regardless of your mood, I recommend the old "drops-on-a-hanky" trick. This is a great one for any oil you want to take with you. Just fold up a hanky or tissue, put a few drops inside a fold, and put it in your pocket. I have done this with bergamot today, and I catch a waft of it from my pocket every so often and it is having a wonderful effect (I didn't even burst into tears when I read about Australia's biggest lollypop burning down!). If you need a stronger whiff at times, just whip the hanky from your pocket and take a bit of a sniff.
As with other essential oils, bergamot can also be used in a massage or bath, but be a little careful, as it will make your skin photosensitive (ie you will get sunburnt easily), so save the massage and bath for winter.
Incidentally, did you know that bergamot is the flavouring added to Earl Grey Tea? It is what gives it the distinctive smell (which my Mum describes as "like dirty socks", but I think is rather more pleasant than that). So this means stopping for a tea break (with Earl Grey as your chosen variety) can also help to life your mood.
Geranium
Geranium has a lovely subtle floral smell (how whould have thunk it looking at those ugly geranium flowers?). Geranium has a balancing effect. This means if you're a bit to hyper, it will bring you back to earth, and if you feel like curling up in bed for a week, it will lend you that little extra to help you get out from beneath the blankets. It is a great oil for baths, although it can of course be used in all of the same ways as bergamot.
Chamomile
I tend to reserve chamomile for when I want to get sleepy (more on this soon), but because of its lovely calming effect it can be a really beneficial oil for helping with low mood. You've all heard of chamomile tea I'm sure. well, for my money this is the best way to get some chamomile into your life, as it is a very expensive oil to purchase. If you have the time, find a health food shop that sells dried chamomile flowers rather than pre-packed teabags, as they definitely have a bit more oomph to them. If you do decide to purchase the oil, you will find it is usually sold as a 2.5% (or similar) dilution in a carrier oil, rather than a pur essential oil. Expect to see this on the bottle, it does not mean it's not real chamomile oil. It is also sold either as Roman or German chamomile. I don't honnestly know enough about the subtleties of aromatherapy to tell you the difference, but they will both have a similar effect.
Next time (this time I'm not lying, there will be no more putting it off), sleep.
Labels: aromatherapy, CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, mood
