By Jo Salim
Early historical use of essential oils dates back to the Egyptians at around 4500BC. In ancient times, the Greeks, Romans, Persians and Indians also used essential oils for the purposes of spiritual healing, remedies for ailments and sacred ceremonies.
Essential Oils were also used to scent baths, to luxuriate indulgent experiences and to enhance the beauty of their users.
In modern times, we have come to appreciate the calming and healing qualities of essential oils, and we are spoilt for choice when it comes to the different blends of essential oils on offer. An addition of essential oils to yoga definitely adds a layer of richness to the practice – whether it is to enhance focus by calming the overactive mind, to promote relaxation, to ease aching muscles, to reduce inflammation, there is an oil to suit every yogi and every type of yoga practice.
Choosing your oil
There are a lot of pure EO and blends to choose from, so do take your time sniffing out (pun intended) a scent that smells and feels right for you. For the newbie, here is a very short introduction to the most widely accessible and popular oils used today:
Lavender
The Lavender essential oil is probably the most widely used of all the oils and is often diffused in yoga/meditation studios and spas since it promotes relaxation and restfulness. This lovely EO even has anti-bacterial properties.
Tea Tree
Native to Australia, the tea tree oil has been used by the Aboriginal people for centuries. This versatile oil can be inhaled to treat coughs and colds, and applied to the skin to treat skin conditions (such as acne) since it has effective antiseptic qualities.
Peppermint
Peppermint has always been a soothing digestive aid, and the EO is often used to treat nausea. When diffused, it can boost energy, stimulate circulation and soothe feelings of anxiety or irritability. It is also used in massage oils to relieve muscle tension and fatigue.
Orange
A fresh and versatile EO that is also a natural mood enhancing oil. It is a natural choice as a household cleaner, and it is also great for eliminating bad odours.
Do a test patch before use
As it is with anything natural, test for allergies before use. This is especially important if you suffer from allergies or have had allergic reactions from scented products. To test, place a drop on the forearm and wait to see if you suffer any reaction.
Some oils are also toxic to household pets so do check before spraying or diffusing the scent throughout your house. Be careful if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant as some EO are considered unsafe to use during this time. Furthermore, some oils are also not suitable for use on babies.
As there is a glut of essential oils on the market, there are always risks that the oils are not genuine, are not pure as claimed, or are not sourced or produced ethically. Checking the brands and source before you buy is always a good idea.
Yoga with Essential Oils
We love to combine yoga with essential oils at YIC. If you are a EO enthusiast and love to pair EO with your practice, come along to our Stretch Aromatherapy and Gentle Yoga Aromatherapy classes!
