Help soften Fall feels that may rise up for you during this time with the power of scent.

In Chinese Medicine, when Metal energy is out of balance, we may notice…

  • stubbornness and rigidity
  • overt criticism and judgment
  • a ruminating mind and inability to let go, and/or
  • isolation and depression.  

Single note essential oils can be helpful in working through common emotions and patterns seen during Fall, the season of Metal.

Ruminating and having a hard time letting go? Try essential oils from the Evergreen family. Pine, Black Spruce, Fir and Cedar are all useful to quiet the compulsively stuck mind and support the Lungs to “let go” and move on from fixation. This is why breathing in fresh air in a forest can be liberating and refreshing for both the mind and emotions.

Feeling stuck and rigid? Try essential oils from the Eucalyptus family which will help clear the lungs.

Feeling down and/or mentally foggy? Try Spicy essential oils like Clove, Cardamon, Coriander, Black Pepper, Thyme, Rosemary and Basil. These oils have been found to be beneficial in reducing sadness and mild states of depression and are also mental stimulants which can help reduce brain fog and mental sluggishness.  

Sad and/or depressed? Try Citrus Peel essential oils like Bergamot, Orange, Tangerine, Mandarin, Lemon and Lime. These essential oils have been found to increase dopamine, a brain chemical that induces happiness.

We love SoBotanical’s essential oil blends (so much so, that we offer them in our clinics)!  If you’d like to try a blend that pulls from the Evergreen, Eucalyptus, Spicy and/or Citrus families, we recommend Prana, Intrepid and Sol.

  • Prana: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Peppermint (Mentha peperita), Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
  • Intrepid: Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), Sandalwood (Santalum spicata-wood), Oak Moss (Evernia prunastri), Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
  • Sol: Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Lemon (Citrus limonum), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Thyme linalool (Thymus vulgaris)

How to use essential oils.

Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile substances. In order to be used safely, they typically should be diluted in another safe substance, like water, a skin care oil or an unscented lotion or liquid soap. We recommend investing in a diffuser so that you can enjoy the scent in your home. Here are three ways you can enjoy essential oils.

1. Inhalation.

The simplest method, just open the bottle or place a few drops on a cotton ball and inhale. With each inhalation of an aroma, thousands of olfactory nerves in the nostrils send messages to the brain.

2. Diffusion.

Diffusion is the method of releasing essential oils into the air. Diffusion doesn’t deliver as concentrated an aroma as inhalation, but it does extend the aroma for longer periods of time. Diffusion includes the use of vaporizers, diffusers, candle lamps, air fresheners, room sprays and mists, and more. Many of these applications combine water and one or more essential oils.

3. Topical.

Essential oils are readily absorbed through the skin, where they mingle with the skin’s own components. There are many topical applications for essential oils, including massage oils, face creams, body moisturizers and lotions, foot scrubs, body mists, and more. Because essential oils are so concentrated, however, they must be diluted with skin care oils, water, or other carriers before being applied directly to the skin.

Sources: 

Essential Oils to Balance Metal from A Center for Natural Healing

Essential Oil Basics from Aura Cacia