Last week, I discussed how essential oils can support sanity, spirituality, and overall wellness. I detailed their multi-faceted properties and how they can be used for promoting nourishing behaviors and breaking addictive patterns.

Now, to celebrate the meaning of the Christmas holiday, love and gratitude, I want to provide you with some of my favorite essential oils to diffuse in your home in order to benefit you and your guests during gathering times. After all, we now know that science can verify that emotions can really be found in an essential oils bottle!

The Smells of Christmas

The “Christmas Blend”

My favorite essential oil holiday blend is a beautiful combination of cinnamon, orange, and black spruce. When diffused together, they smell like “Christmas.” It multitasks to enhance mood as it defends against unwelcome “buggy” winter visitors.

The Vitality Duo

If there is any concern of sniffles or “catching a critter”, I suggest the use of two powerful immune defenders. I diffuse this combo to keep my brain and body in tip-top shape after marathon shopping events. This dynamic duo is tea tree and eucalyptus oil.

 

Pine Oil

Pine oil is another favorite I add to the diffusor during the holidays. It not only smells like a fresh wintery walk, but it can also provide the outdoor, stress-relieving phytoncides that are attributed to many of the amazing immune benefits found in fir trees. One petri dish study also showed that pine oil could have potential for cleansing the air, acting as a fungistatic. (Of course, we are aware of the caveats of petri dish studies; however, in this case, since the oil is being tested for mechanisms outside the human body, it may be more relevant.)

Which Pine Oil?

Here we go again. As with all essential oils, it is important to know the species and chemotype as this will determine the overall general effects on a person. Also keep in mind the various considerations that will ultimately determine how your individual body will respond as well.

According to this study, “the composition of essential oils the genus Pinus is divided into two groups (4). One group comprises the species rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (a-b-pinene, limonene, b-caryophylene, germacrene D, D-3-carene) and other is rich in the oxygenate monoterpenes (borneol, bornyl acetate).”

The pinenes are our phytoncide friends, which will vary based on species, quality, and distillation methods. They are most often found in Pinus sylvestris.

 

Lavender Oil

One of the most famous oils for everyday usage to support calming and soothing is lavender. This is for good reason! In fact, lavender oil is a prescription for anxiety in Europe! Learn more about how it effects the nervous system and brain here. For those in a hurry, this is a short and sweet summary on its effect on mood. Lavender oil can be diffused for peaceful sleep and is especially helpful after a long night of excitement.

The Scared Oils

These plants have been around long before Biblical times, but are often most referenced to the New Testament.

Of course, there’s the most sacred oil, frankincense. I already discussed it in nitty-gritty detail here.  Diffuse frankincense with pine oil, and it’s quite heavenly!

We also do not want to forget myrrh, another sacred oil full of nerve-supporting sesquiterpenes and powerful immune and inflammatory modulating compounds. This blog reviews the benefits of frankincense, myrrh, and the oil that may have been referred to in the Bible as “gold.”

Myrrh oil can be applied to the skin for calming down any stress effects resulting from hectic day. Please note that one drop in a carrier oil is best. This oil is thick! I suggest not using it every day, as it can have a slightly bronze hue. (I speak from experience.)

How to Diffuse

Aim for a total of about 8-12 drops depending on the size of your atomizer diffuser. Increase the ratio of citrus oil for more upliftment. Add more pine or spruce for a stronger wintery fresh scent, or drop in additional frankincense or lavender in order to soothe your mind.

You can learn more about some of these oils in this previous blog as well.

Stay tuned for a quick video later this week with some exclusive tips on how I use these essential oils personally!

Now, I’d like to hear from you.

What are your favorite oils to diffuse during the holidays?

Have you tried any of the ones mentioned above?

Happy holidays everyone!

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.