The Sweet Scents and Spices of October

This week’s post continues with the list of my favorite essential oils for the fall. Last week, I covered two of my top picks. First, I discussed the benefits of the “King” of essential oils, frankincense. Frankincense, like all essential oils, comes in many varieties. Due to the popularity of this oil, and its many health-promoting qualities, manufacturers have singled out their particular species and chemotype as “the best.” This “flood” on the market has caused a rise in “Boswellia bewilderment.” Therefore, I also felt compelled to provide a quick guide on how to decipher which type of this sacred oil may best suit one’s needs. The next oil I highlighted was cedarwood. I explained how it provides solace on stressful days and sweet dreams on chilly fall nights. (You can click on this link to read the full article.)

Now, I’ll complete the essential oil all-star lineup for the autumn transition. These aromas are currently infusing my home to celebrate the start of this new season.

Read on to learn:

  • How bergamot oil can help chase away any scary boos and blues.
  • The benefits of the enticing sweet scents and spices that signify this crisp and brisk time of year.
  • My exclusive reveal of one of my favorite essential oils’ hacks for the kiddos.
  • My favorite uses for these famous autumn scents.

 

 

Say Bye-Bye to the Blues and Boos with Bergamot Oil

Bergamot oil (BEO) belongs to the Rutaceae (Rue) family and is a hybrid of bitter orange and lemon. This essential oil has many therapeutic effects. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported that it has the following actions: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, neuropharmacological, analgesic (pain-relieving), and cardiovascular toning. It has also been demonstrated to have wound and skin healing properties. (source, source, source, source)

Bergamot oil is one of my go-to essential oils for calming. Clinical studies have supported its overall positive role in reducing stress, tapering cardiovascular excitement, improving nervous system tone (as measured by heart rate variability), and alleviating anxiety. (A table from a review on BEO that outlines seven studies can be found here.)

 

How to Use Bergamot Oil

Diffuse bergamot with orange oil at a 2:3 ratio. This is one of my favorite focus blends that simultaneously eases nervous system tension.

You can also massage a few drops on the wrists or ankles diluted in a TBSP carrier oil. Make sure to inhale. This provides the topical and aromatic benefits of BEO.

 

A Quick Safety Tip

Bergamot and orange oil are both photosensitive. Thankfully, the sun creating havoc is unlikely with the current overcast Northeastern skies. Still, if you plan to slather on these two oils, wait at least 12-24 hours before exposing your well-oiled skin to a sunbath.

The Sweet Spices of Fall

Now, onto the sweet spices which contain many immune-promoting benefits. Learn more about orange, nutmeg, and cinnamon’s individual benefits below.

Orange Oil- It’s Health Benefits are So Good, It’s Spooky!

Orange essential oil is loaded with the immune-modulating, cellular health promoting, oxidative-stress relieving, skin benefiting, and digestive supporting monoterpene, limonene. Beyond this one compound, it also has a vast amount of other properties that are very well documented. In fact, in this article, I summarized about 25 pages of scientific studies and abstracts on orange oil.

Orange oil is one of my favorite essential oils for focus and calming, especially for children. For more information, please read this blog. It outlines all of orange oil’s mood benefits as reported in human trials.

 

How to Use Orange Oil

You can diffuse orange oil with bergamot, as mentioned above. It can also be diffused alone when the kiddos are anxious but need to study.

One of my favorite orange oil hacks is the “orange oil plastic-bag trick.” Little ones can place a cotton ball with a few orange oil drops on it into a plastic bag and take it with them to school. During test time, they can open the bag and inhale the aroma to calm their cute little nervous systems. What a treat! (Insert groan here for bad Halloween humor.)

Adults can use the orange oil bag hack too for just before a presentation.

Next, It’s Nutmeg Oil for a Happy Energy Boost

Nutmeg oil has a component, myristicin, which has preliminary evidence for supporting mitochondria (“energy powerhouses” of the cell) and enhancing the brain’s neurotransmitters. It also has antimicrobial properties. Plus, it smells amazing mixed with orange, cinnamon, and clove in a diffuser.

 

How to Use Nutmeg Oil

Diffuse nutmeg with orange, cinnamon, and clove at a ratio of 2:3:2:1 for an energizing and immune boosting fall blend. Diffusing gives you all the benefits of these oils by inhalation, especially if you use an atomizer.

You can also use a toothpick amount in a recipe that needs some spicing up. Of course, make sure your essential oil brand is labeled for consumption first! Click here to read more about cooking with essential oils.

The Sweetest Cinnamon Oil

Known for its sweet taste in your favorite apple cider and pumpkin chia lattes, cinnamon  bark oil is one of the strongest antimicrobial oils. Cinnamon bark oil has also been shown to support a healthy mouth. Another species, cinnamon verum, was shown in vivo to increase glutathione, the body’s “master antioxidant.”

 

How to Use Cinnamon Oil

You guessed it by now, diffuse it!

You can also cook with it, in very small amounts. We are talking toothpicks people!

If you feel confident in ingesting your brand of essential oils, you must follow safety guidelines. First, place 1-2 drops of it in an enteric coated veggie cap and then fill the rest with olive oil or non-dairy milk. This is one of my sweetest tricks to defend against a household of buggies that can take over the immune system on cold nights.

There you have it!

This completes my list of essential oils for “Treating Yourself to a Healthy, Happy October.”

Now, you can enjoy this transition of seasons with a little less “ah-choo!” and a little more energy for ghosts and ghouls.

Would you change or add anything else?

Comment below.

 

There’s More To Come!

Coming up, I’m going to discuss how my other healthy obsession, besides essential oils, can compliment our fall list of oils. Stay tuned!

*Safety reminder:

For additional safety and medical information, visit my essential oils database. It includes a full category on how to use essential oils safely and potential drug interactions that can occur.

Please be extra cautious and be sure to check with your doctor if you have a seizure disorder. The Epilepsy Society of the UK lists certain essential oils implicated for their antiseizure effect as well as those that have stimulating properties.

If you and/or your physician are interested in consulting with me to assist with supporting the integration of essential oils safely into a therapeutic protocol, essential oils consultations are available.

Never Miss the Latest Research on How Essential Oils Can Benefit Your Mood, Digestion, Hormones, and Health!

Get all the best resources for how start using essential oils now,  delivered right to your inbox!

Visit My Essential Oils Database

Explore the science, safety, and uses of single oils, blends, and their applications for better emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

I am proud of the fact that I have one of the most vast, research-based, brand neutral essential oils database available on the web!

Learn More About Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Services

Digestive, Hormonal, and/or Mood Imbalances Got Ya’ Down?

This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

Disclaimer: This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.

Thanks Pixabay.