Aromatic plants contain hundreds of molecules with astonishing properties for regulating stress: calming, antispasmodic, vasodilatory, anxiolytic, even sedative and pre-anesthetic! Certain essential oils, such as Petit Grain Bigarade, Ylang Ylang or Lemongrass contain many of these molecules and are therefore fantastic anti-stress concentrates. How to use them? Below, you will find two anti-stress recipes based on essential oils, one for adults and teenagers, another for children over 3 years old. We will then explain to you the role of each aromatic molecule that makes up these synergies so that you can be fully convinced of the power of these small bottles to combat stress.
This article was updated on 22/12/2023The quick reflex: Petit Grain Bigarade
From 3 months. In broadcast, pour the number of drops of Petit Grain Bigarade indicated on the instructions. Broadcast in blocks of 30 minutes maximum.
From 3 years. When inhaled, 1 drop of pure Petit Grain Bigarade on the wrists to inhale deeply, 3 times a day, until improvement. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use.More details : how to use Petit Grain Bigarade correctly?
Synergy with essential oils for adults
The mixture
To combat stress, take your empty bottle and add:
- 90 drops of essential oil Petit grain bigarade
- 30 drops of essential oilYlang ylang complete
- 30 drops of essential oil Lemongrass
Cap (click!), homogenize then label your bottle. Your synergy is ready!
How to use
Using the skin, apply 1 drop of the mixture to the solar plexus and 1 drop to the inside of each wrist. Repeat the operation 2 to 3 times a day as needed.
For prolonged use or for sensitive skin, dilute in vegetable oil.
Authorized users
YES. Adults, adolescents, children over 6 years old.
NO. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 6 years old.
Special precautions
It is recommended to carry out the allergy test with the mixture in the crook of the elbow before use.
These precautions apply under the application and dosage conditions cited above. If in doubt, ask your question on our forum and consult your doctor.
Synergy with essential oils for children
The mixture for children
To de-stress your child, take your empty bottle and add:
- 120 drops of essential oil Petit grain bigarade
- 15 drops of essential oilYlang-ylang complete
Cap (click!), homogenize then label your bottle. Your synergy is ready to be used!
How to use
At home : Pour the mixture of essential oils into your diffuser, respecting the number of drops indicated on the instructions. Diffuse the mixture in 15-minute intervals, renewing it every hour at most.
Outside the house (before going to school for example): Apply 1 drop of the mixture in the crook of each wrist, to breathe.
Authorized users
YES. Children over 3 years old.
NO. Pregnant women under 3 months, children under 3 years old.
More details : essential oils for children over 3 years old
Special precautions
It is recommended to carry out the allergy test with the mixture in the crook of the elbow before use.
These precautions apply under the application and dosage conditions cited above. If in doubt, ask your question on our forum and consult your doctor.
Relaxing massage oil
The mixture
Take your empty bottle, and add:
- 10 drops of essential oil Marjoram with Shells
- 10 drops of essential oil Fine Lavender
- 10 drops of essential oil Petit grain bigarade
- 3 tablespoons (30mL) of vegetable oil Apricot kernels
- 2 teaspoons (i.e. 4mL) of vegetable oil Borage
How to use
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Areas to massage : the back, the legs, the feet and finish with the hands.
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Massage techniques : start by taking a dab of the mixture. Place your hands on your lower back, then gently move up along the spine while massaging the muscles. This gesture will help you untie them and relax them, without it being painful. Finish by massaging the trapezius. You can also massage with small circular movements the palms of the hands, the bottoms of the feet and the legs (from top to bottom).
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Duration : Perform this massage preferably in the evening, or late afternoon for 30 minutes.
Authorized users
YES. Adults and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies over 3 months old.
NO. Pregnant women under 3 months.
Generally, remember that essential oils are FORBIDDEN for babies under 3 months and in the first 3 months of pregnancy. More details : essential oils for babies and theessential oils for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Special precautions
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This massage oil should not be used in cases of acute hypotension, and medical advice is requested for people with asthma.
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It is recommended, before use, to carry out the allergy test in the crook of the elbow.
These precautions apply under the application and dosage conditions cited above. If in doubt, ask your question on our forum and consult your doctor.
Anti-stress bath
The mixture
In a small empty container, pour:
- 15 drops of essential oil Petit grain bigarade
- 15 drops of essential oil Bergamot without Bergapten
- 10 drops of essential oil Fine Lavender
- 100 g of epsom salt
Mix everything using a spoon to homogenize the composition. Your preparation is complete.
How to use
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Pour the entire mixture into your bathtub already filled with hot water (around 100L).
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Stir your bathtub water so that the salt dissolves and distributes properly.
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You can then enjoy your bath with essential oils for approximately 20 minutes.
Authorized users
YES. Adults and adolescents, children over 6 years old.
NO. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 6 years old.
Special precautions
- Medical advice is necessary before use for people with asthma, kidney failure or skin lesions (eczema, psoriasis, etc.).
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This recipe contains cortison-like essential oils (Bergamot without Bergapten).
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Be sure to perform the allergy test on the crook of the elbow before use.
These precautions apply under the application and dosage conditions cited above. If in doubt, ask your question on our forum and consult your doctor.
Why these essential oils?
Le Petit Grain Bigarade: the anti-stress reference
L'essential oil of Petit Grain Bigarade is THE reference for overcoming stress. It contains the vast majority of monoterpene esters and alcohols, calming and relaxing molecules, which give it spasmolytic, anxiolytic properties and which promote sleep. Among other things, stress causes hyperexcitability. This is linked to too low a level of dopamine (neurotransmitter). Linalool will calm stress by increasing dopamine levels. In a state of stress, the muscles (smooth and striated) tend to contract more, which causes lumps in the stomach and a state of agitation. Linalyl acetate has a spasmolytic action which will relax the muscles and therefore relieve stress.
Complete Ylang Ylang: a relaxing scent
Stress generally results in an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. L'complete Ylang Ylang essential oil is very interesting in synergy for its hypotensive and antiarrhythmic property. It will, thanks to the action of sesquiterpenes, reduce blood pressure and heart rate to calm the symptoms of stress, such as shortness of breath for example.
In addition, the presence of sesquiterpenes but also esters reinforces the calming spasmolytic action of Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil.
Lemongrass: goodbye to the knot in your stomach!
When we are stressed, we often have a stomach ache. L'lemongrass essential oil is used here for its action as a digestive tonic which will promote digestion by stimulating the different functions of the digestive system. In addition, the citrals present in large quantities (60 to 86%) will help the dilation of blood vessels (contracted in a state of stress) thus leading to better blood circulation and therefore a reduction in blood pressure.
In addition, citrals have a spasmolytic and calming action which will reinforce this property in synergy.
Fine Lavender relaxes your body
L’fine Lavender essential oil perfectly complements the action of other essential oils with relaxing properties. Indeed, it is renowned for being the most soothing of Lavender essential oils. It will act on the body by limiting muscle spasms and relaxing the muscles. It acts on the nervous system to limit excitability and make you forget all your worries. It relaxes all the muscles: linalool inhibits tremors and linalyl acetate has a relaxing action on the muscles.
Bergamot only wants your well-being
L’bergamot essential oil without Bergapten is ideal in the quest for relaxation and well-being. In fact, the molecules present in this oil will facilitate the muscle relaxation, reduce blood pressure and act on the nervous system to promote well-being. This citrus fruit will bring a fresh note in the bath to make it all the more enjoyable.
Calm down with Marjoram with Shells
L'shell Marjoram essential oil is an excellent tranquilizer with calming and de-stressing properties. Its composition, rich in terpinen-4-ol and sabinene, acts on muscle contraction to calm pain and relax it. This essential oil will also relieve painful joints.
Why these vegetable oils?
Apricot Kernel vegetable oil to rejuvenate the skin
To allow essential oils to act and penetrate as best as possible under the layers of the epidermis, theapricot Kernel vegetable oil is essential in a massage oil. Nourishing, it strengthens the protective hydrolipidic film covering the surface of the epidermis and nourishes tired skin without leaving a greasy film on its surface. It will also be ideal for firming, revitalizing and toning the skin.
Soothe it all with Borage
L'borage vegetable oil brings its added value to the massage recipe because it helps regulate the nervous system to calm any anxiety. It also restores elasticity, suppleness, vitality and tone to the skin and therefore fights against tissue aging. All these properties make the massage even more pleasant for the skin and its maintenance.
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Bibliography
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
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About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.