ESSENTIAL OILS: AROMATHERAPY IN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

There are many interesting data provided by recent research on essential oils, mainly performed by Japanese institutes, which are experimenting with the use of Aromatherapy to improve working environments, and especially to increase productivity.

Being molecules with low molecular weight, lipophilic and volatile, essential oils are able, by simple inhalation, to easily overcome the blood-brain barrier, coming directly into contact with nerve cells.

Aromatherapy exploits the ability of essential oils to act on nerve structures; in more precise terms, these odorous molecules act directly on the limbic system, a complex area of the brain that presides the instinctive and primitive activities but above all supports various psychic activities such as emotionality, behavior, long-term memory and olfaction.

Essential oils reaching this brain region can go to modify some adaptive responses of the organism, helping us to react better to states of stress that can occur in the life of each of us.

Unfortunately, work, a place where most people spend a third of their lives, causes stressful situations and personal frustrations.

Beyond the activity carried out the work environment does not often turn out to be a comfortable place, or for the negative energy of the people inside, or because it is a poorly lit, aseptic, impersonal and closed environment.

Having the ability to hold a diffuser on your desk can be a great way to make the day easier.

If you cannot use the aroma diffusers you still can use an air freshener based on essential oils, or place a cardboard with a few drops of essential oil near the hot or cold air system.

The dispersion of the essences will definitely make the air more breathable, especially if it is a closed place frequented by many people, as well as transmitting a sense of fresh and clean; but even more important is the close correlation between a perceived perfume and the emotion that it can ensue.

For example the essential oils of woods and resins give the environment a sense of seriousness and authority; if instead we want to transmit availability and amiability we recommend fruity essences like citrus fruits.

Bergamot orange essential oil helps the communicability and availability and is therefore one of the best essences to use if you have to interact with an audience.

To favor the concentration, the essential oils of Basil, Mint, Rosemary, Lemon and Eucalyptus are excellent; however, if you find yourself in stress and tension, the essential oils of Lavender, Clary Sage, Geraniums, Vanilla and Citron can contribute to relaxation.

Using and breathing essential oils with the awareness of their potential can make the use of perfume a real panacea.

Using essential oils, it is possible to modify the microclimate around us and, above all, our mental attitude, discovering how our totality (body, mind and environment) can take advantage of the well-being and the serenity.

Other articles that may interest you:

Essential oil: what are they?

Aromatic water or floral waters: what are they?

How to distill Mint