Ayurvedic Essential Oils for Combating Your Back to School Woes

My kid started going to school, and I really miss him a lot. I can’t believe that the lazy days of summer have come to an end so soon. Generally, going back to school means weary and crabby mornings, loads of home works and assignments, and of course, most importantly, exposure to warfare of germs and spiteful viruses. As you know, school environment is the breeding ground for all germs, viruses and pathogens. Moreover, the kids are buckled up to learning and a more tiresome routine. This makes them feel totally exhausted, sleepy, depressed, stressed, and they fall sick due to the attack of barrage of germs and viruses.

When will my kids enjoy happy mornings, relaxed evenings and peaceful slumbers? How can I bring a little joy to his humdrum life? How can I keep my kid resistant to all germs that throng in schools? As a loving parent, I can understand that these are the questions running through your head every day. No worries! Mother Nature has gifted us, invaluable Ayurvedic essential oils to combat these things in a natural way.

Importance of Ayurvedic Essential Oils: Ayurvedic Essentials Oils help in reducing stress and anxiety, enhance mental focus, support concentration and memory retention, boost immunity and finally, induces good night’s sleep. Apart from stimulating your olfactory system in the limbic system, the molecules of these Ayurvedic essential oils has the ability to enter your bloodstream and passes its aromatic essences to all the parts of your body, for the entire well being. It’s the right time to know about certain Ayurvedic essential oils that every parent should have in their family’s medicine cabinet.

Lavender essential oil: Known for its cell regeneration properties, lavender oil is one of the most versatile essential oils that every parent must have. From cuts and stings to insect bites to insomnia, this is your “all-purpose” Ayurvedic oil. Lavender oil, also aids in relaxing and balancing your mind and body. It has remarkable healing, antiseptic, antiviral, analgesic, anti-convulsive properties, thereby serving as an exceptional remedy for your kid’s burns, cuts and stings.

Eucalyptus essential oil:  Does your child suffer from any respiratory issues such as stuffiness and congestion associated with a cold or flu? Then, you are left with no option other than using Eucalyptus oil. This oil has a powerful bactericidal with antiviral properties. It also serves as an excellent immune-stimulant Ayurvedic oil. It can also be used for sore muscles, aches and pains.

Tea Tree essential oil:  Arm yourself and your children with Tea Tree Oil, as it helps in sorting out all kinds of viral, bacterial and fungal infections. The efficacious antiseptic and immune-stimulating properties of this oil make it a must-have-oil in your medicine cabinet. It even aids in relieving muscular aches and severe pain in the body. Tea tree oil is extremely mild and hence, it can be directly applied on cuts and scrapes to clean and reduce agony.

Peppermint essential oil: “Mummieee!!! My tummy hurts!!!!!.” Well, most of the moms hear these words on a regular basis. I feel like, why don’t you try using Peppermint oil that has been credited as an excellent digestive aid for both adults and children. This oil is extracted from peppermint leaves that contain menthol, ensuring the well-being of your digestive system. This refreshing and energizing essential oil can also be used for treating headaches, sinus, chest congestion, migraine and itchiness. It’s warming and cooling traits stimulate your mind and increase the mental agility and focus.

Apart from these essential oils, you can also use lemon essential oil, rosemary essential oil, orange essential oil, cardamom essential oil, sandalwood essential oil and bergamot essential oil to defend your children from being assaulted by harmful germs.

Well, I think, now, you have got yourself motivated with these awe-inspiring Ayurvedic essential oils, what next? Add these Ayurvedic essential oils to your medicine cabinet to combat all the worries related to your child’s back to school challenges!

Wishing you and your family, a good health!

Thought for the day:

Even though your kids will consistently do the exact opposite of what you’re telling them to do, you have to keep loving them just as much.                                                                                    -By Bill Cosby

Suggested Reading:

  1. Perfect Health for Kids: Ten Ayurvedic Health Secrets Every Parent Must Know By John Douillard
  2. Seven Secrets to Raising a Happy and Healthy Child: The Ayurvedic Approach to Parenting By Joyce Seyburn
  3. Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child: More Than 300 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Essential Oil Blends By Valerie Ann Worwood

Reference Links:

  1. Essential oils by Wikipedia
  2. Lavender oil by University of Maryland Medical Center
  3. Eucalyptus – MedlinePlus Supplements

beta-Phellandrene

beta-Phellandrene is extracted mainly from the essential oil of Water fennel and Canada balsam oil. It is also present in the essential oils of Angelica, Eucalyptus, Pinus species, Lavandula, Mentha, Curcuma Longa,Garlic (Allium Sativum), Ginger, etc.

Beta-phellandrene is a monocyclic monoterpene with the chemical formula C10H16. It is also identified by various other names such as cyclohexene, 2-p-Menthadiene, and beta-phellandren and so on.

Attributes of beta-Phellandrene:

It is a colourless to slightly yellow clear liquid with a pleasant aroma. It owns pepper-minty and slightly citrusy aroma. It possess burning taste. It is not soluble in water but it mixes well with ether.

Because of its minty aroma, it is used as a flavouring ingredient. It is also used as perfuming agents.

Antimicrobial and antifungal activities:

Beta-phellandrene is reported to exhibit antifungal and antibacterial activities. It is evident from thestudy“Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils Isolated from Aerial Parts of PrangosasperulaBoiss. (Apiaceae) Growing Wild in Lebanon”. In the study, it was stated that nerolidol, sabinene and beta-phellandrene was reported to possess antibacterial and antifungal activity.

In the study titled “Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from Wedelia prostrata” it was stated that beta-phellandrene present in the essential oil of the flower buds of Wedelia trilobata is one of the constituent that contributes to the antimicrobial activity of the oil.

In the study “Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of peels’ essential oils of different pomelo varieties in the south of Vietnam”it is stated that the higher amounts of alpha- pinene, gamma terpinene beta phellandrene and alpha phellandrene present in the essential oil of pomelo’s varieties, namely NamRoi in VinhLong and BuoiLong in DongThap contribute to the antibacterial activities of the essential oils.

Reference Links:

  1. Phellandrene by Wikipedia
  2. Beta-phellandrene by PubChem
  3. Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of peels’ essential oils of different pomelo varieties in the south of Vietnam

Ayurvedic Importance of Fragrance and Aroma

Fragrance plays an important role in determining your mood and mood swings are often controlled by sweet smelling odors in the field of Aromatherapy, which is an incredible part Ayurveda. A celebrated book on Aromatherapy states that fragrance can aid in alleviating pain and have a significant impact on your behavior and personality. We cannot disagree with the fact that ‘Odors vest deeply within our minds even after many years’. If you ask me about my memorable fragrances I would tell you the fresh, elite and the exquisite fragrance of red roses that reminds me about my favorite time in my aunt’s garden during my childhood days and the relishing smell of fried potatoes make me feel like being with my Mom. At this juncture, let’s have a look at the Ayurvedic importance of fragrance and aroma in healing mankind.

1. Aroma for complete care: Aromatherapy is one of the significant methods of Ayurveda, which is used to treat the individuals according to their Ayurvedic body types like vata, pitta and kapha. For this purpose, Ayurveda suggests the use of essential oils and the natural aroma of herbs. This is trusted to enhance the function of the brain and promote well-being from within.

Most of the times these Ayurvedic essential oils are applied to the skin or used in some form or the other in which the skin comes in contact with the aroma. Human skin is the effective channel through which the benefits of these aromatic oils pass through the bloodstream making the system hale and hearty. Many researchers have proved that the natural aroma augments the functionality, relieves pain, supports mood fluctuations and revives the human body, which is a part of nature.

2. The healing properties of Ayurvedic essential oils: Ayurveda trusts in nature and any form of healing using nature’s gifts falls under Ayurveda. According to this thought, essential oils are extracted from leaves, stem, flowers, roots, bark or from other parts of a plant and essential oils is the backbone of Aromatherapy that is used to boost physical and mental fitness. There have been instances in which Ayurvedic essential oils are used to treat innumerable conditions and the gentle aroma of a handful of essential oils is proven to enhance the function of heart and blood circulation.

3. Ayurvedic Tea: Nothing other than a refreshing cup of tea with an enriching aroma can give the right start to your day. The three types of Ayurvedic tea according to the individual body types are anti-strain tea, stimulating tea and balancing tea. These teas are caffeine-free and grant you the real freshness while maintaining the right metabolism of your body.

4. Expert Ayurvedic Massage therapy: An expert Ayurvedic massage therapy with the right essential oils can offer you plenty of health benefits. These essential oils are chosen in such a way that they are infused with a heartening and soothing aroma, which would help you chase out stress, depression, fear, anxiety, insomnia, nervous disorders and many more. An Ayurvedic massage aids in revitalizing your mind, reducing muscular pains, relaxing your nervous system, improving the texture of your skin and striking a perfect balance between your mind and body.

Ayurveda is a spiritual medicinal system that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and if this historical healing art states that aroma has a greater impact on our health, how can we refute it?? Try using any of the above mentioned ways to experience the power of a natural fragrance.

Reference Links:

  1. Ayurveda and Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide To Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Dr. Bryan Miller and Dr. Light Miller
  2. Aromatherapy for the heart and Circulation by healthy.net
  3. Ayurvedic Teas by Tea Blossoms