Essential Oils for Health and Emotional Healing

Cheryl L. Mitchell, AKA Miss Doyle, is the maker of Inspire Bath and Body natural deodorant line and other essential oil-based products under her Miss Doyle’s Soapery brand. Inspire Bath and Body deodorant products are made with natural ingredients that help to motivate or calm through essential oils, while also controlling odor on the body. You’ve probably heard Inspire Bath and Body featured on our podcast, as the brand is a long-time sponsor of the show (and we are SO grateful)! With 16 years of education and natural-product development experience, Cheryl is also a pro at creating new and different natural beauty and bath products — and helping others to do so, too, as you’ll see below in this guest post!

Essential Oils for Emotional Healing and Overall Health

At some point, on social media or in a conversation with someone you know, it’s likely that the topic of essential oils has come up. You may have heard that they are helpful for immune or emotional support, have a physical benefit for the body, or can help calm or stimulate the mind. As an Aromatherapist, I love to use scent to influence emotions, moods, behaviors — and also the physical body. Essential oils allow you to use the power of the plant to help change your mood or enhance your overall well-being.

Now, let’s get into more about what essential oils are — and how you can use them, starting today.

So, what is an essential oil? Essential oils are a highly aromatic substance found in the cells or glands of plants. This substance is not visible in the plant until it is processed and removed. I could go deeper into the chemical process and use of essential oils, but I think that would make you fall asleep!

The nitty gritty of essential oils is this: the substance taken from the plant is referred to as an oil, but that can be very misleading, because it’s not a fatty oil like vegetable oil (olive, safflower, soybean, coconut, etc.). Instead, it is made up of the life force of the plant.

What essential oils can I use in my daily life? There are four amazing essential oils I love to use daily and recommend.

• Frankincense: This oil can induce feelings of emotional stability, enlightenment and protection. It can also feel very meditative, as it supports reflection and introspection, and generally healing on all levels of spirit and emotion. In addition, it can induce feelings of courage, resolution, fortitude, acceptance, inspiration, and help to enhance mind-body connection. Overall, it’s soothing to the spirit.
• Orange (sweet): This oil is helpful with anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, nervousness, and stress. It is uplifting, aids in creativity, and boosts both positivity and self-confidence.
• Lavender: This oil is helpful with restlessness and stress, and encourages compassion, clarity, comfort, emotional balance, and acceptance. Physically, this oil can also soothe strains and pulls of the muscles and tendons.
• Peppermint*: This oil is helpful with encouraging self-acceptance, concentration, and spiritual regeneration. This oil is also amazing for muscular aches and pains, helps to relieve/reduce migraines, loosens muscle stiffness, relieves swelling, and is overall energizing for the physical body.

What’s the best way to use these essential oils? I suggest diffusing the following blends for 20 minutes on then an hour off, and repeat as necessary.

You can also use the below blends for soothing muscles after a workout or just after a stressful day. Simply add the essential oils to a tablespoon of scent-free lotion and massage into your muscles, or add these blends into a small roller bottle for aromatherapy on the temples or neck. (Most bottles are 10 ml in size, so add the essential oils to a light vegetable oil, like sunflower or safflower.)

Physical Body Blend

• Frankincense: 3 drops
• Lavender: 2 drops
• Peppermint: 2 drops

Emotional Healing Blend

• Orange (sweet) 4 drops
• Frankincense 3 drops
• Lavender 2 drops

The general rule is no more than four essential oils for a wonderful synergistic blend. Also, use oils that you like and if it is a strong scent, use less. You can use these specific blends or play around with the different oils to make something specific to you!

What’s your favorite essential oil? –Cheryl L. Mitchell

*These essential oils are generally safe for everyone, except peppermint which is not suited for small children. Peppermint is used at a very small rate. As with anything new or strong, use with moderation and caution or talk with your medical provider if you have concerns about your condition.