I used to run from my own mind, doing whatever it took not to face what was troubling me. I was, as it were, “fine.”
After a decade of healing (by which I mean, a decade of taking the appropriately prescribed medications), I run toward my mind more often than not, putting all of the tools I can find into my tiny invisible toolkit of mental health (it often takes more than one tool, btw). Maybe this is a circumstance of growing older, or maybe it just means that my medication is working!
Either way, something relatively new to me that I use to help my sweet, sometimes troubled mind is aromatherapy. It is wild how something as simple as a sustained inhale fixed on a sprig of rosemary, for example, can clear away the cobwebs, put your feet back on the ground (I sometimes whisper to myself, literally “your feet are on the ground”), and change the air of your day.
Here are the aromas we therapize with (they are not intended to replace actual therapy, folks!) to help make space in our dear minds that are really doing a lot, every single day.
Rosemary
Essential oil of rosemary is used in herbal medicine to clear the mind of stress, while increasing cognitive function. These two are so closely entwined—we can not think, learn, or retain information while our minds are stressed and our nervous systems are in peril. Rosemary tackles both. It ushers in mental clarity, and it also clears the respiratory passages, so you can literally breathe more deeply while you are finding your footing. Swipe a little Rosemary Eucalyptus Lip Balm, which contains rosemary, under your nose before bed to sleep with clarity and ease.
Juniper
The woodsy-ness of juniper is instantly soothing to the nervous system and it has a cleansing effect that is literal as well as metaphoric. For the mind, it is calming and grounding, ridding it of negativity and worry. Juniper can be found abundantly in our Juniper Carrot Seed Face Oil. One of the lesser-known multipurpose aspects of that product is that it provides aromatherapy as it moisturizes—cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply to cleanse away nervousness.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil is stimulating and known for its invigorating effect on the respiratory system. For the mind, it refreshes—releasing a feeling of stuckness or sluggishness and awakening the senses without a harsh jolt. Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in the shower to clear the lungs and the mind, or apply Spot Serum to tension points and take a nice long inhale in. You can also find eucalyptus in our Tea Tree Charcoal Facial Bar.
Peppermint
Chewing gum, toothpaste, candy, mouthwash—we experience peppermint everywhere, but don’t underestimate this popular and plentiful herb. Peppermint is a cerebral tonic: it’s stimulating and refreshing scent supports concentration, soothes headaches, and improves memory. In addition, it can expand consciousness, helping one to accept new ideas or get clarity when feeling mixed emotions. Find it in our Spot Serum and Grapefruit Mint Soap.
Take care of your mental health, friends. Run, run, run if you have to, just make sure you know which way you’re running.
Tara’s Essential Oil Blend for Focus
2 Drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
3 Drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
3 Drops of Juniper Essential Oil
1 Drop of Peppermint Essential Oil
5 Drops of Lavender or Bergamot Essential Oil (to harmonize and sweeten up the blend)
2 Tablespoons of Kitchen or Carrier Oil of Your Choice (sunflower and jojoba are nice)
Mix in a small jar or nonporous container. Breathe in as needed, or dab on your pressure points to bring focus and calm to the mind.
Written By Vera Kachouh