By Melodie Kantner
However, aromatherapy, with its deep effect on the spirit and on the emotions, may be very helpful. This is the time of year to use your citrus essential oils. All the citrus oils are uplifting and mood elevating. Generally, the citrus oils are cold pressed from the rind of the fruit. Please be aware that all of the citrus oils have the potential to cause sun sensitivity. Do not apply to the skin and then expose yourself to ultraviolet rays, whether outside, with a tanning bed, or in any other form, for at least 12 hours.
I like to diffuse citrus oils in my diffuser when I am feeling depressed. When diffusing oils, use a COLD diffusing method. Never heat your therapeutic grade oils. Heating destroys the therapeutic qualities. If you don’t have a cold diffuser, you can put some oil on a cotton ball or tissue. You can even mix oil in a spray bottle with water & spritz the air.Contrary to popular belief, it is not merely the aroma of essential oils imparts their effects. Certainly, the aroma has a lot to do with the psychological and spiritual effects the oils have, but get the oils on your body to get the full effect of the oil. One of the best places to put therapeutic grade oils is on the bottom of your feet. You can put the oil neat (undiluted) on the bottom of your feet.
Orange oil is a wonderful “happy oil.” It is great to use when you have a group of cranky people in the house. It is very difficult to be depressed when the air is full of the scent of orange. My absolute favorite for lifting the mood is the oil blend Christmas Spirit, from Young Living. Christmas Spirit has orange & cinnamon. It smells absolutely wonderful & can lift your mood almost instantly.
Another oil that seems to banish the blues for many people is Bergamot. This essential oil is gentler, with a touch of floral in its scent. I will only use Bergamot in an airborne blend. It is the most photo-toxic essential oil; you do not want to risk exposure to UV rays with Bergamot on your skin.
