Aromatherapy and Alternative Remedies for Stress Management
Pure essential oils and fragrances from flowers and herbs are used in aromatherapy for their calming and anti-depressive effects. They can be used in a warm bath, oil burners that gently heat the oil to release fragrance, candles, and soaps, or directly on the skin if diluted in a base oil. Sesame, coconut, and canola are good choices, and 12 drops of essential herbal/botanical oil should be used with each fluid ounce of the base oil.174
Aromatherapy is in keeping with the principles of Ayurveda traditional medicine which promote balancing elements in the whole body, including the mind, with natural herbs and botanicals. Modern clinical studies show that using aromatherapy with essential herbal oils can help reduce the adverse effects of anxiety, depression, and stress on hair.
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Try combining aromatherapy with stress-reducing activities, such as yoga or listening to soothing music, to maximize the benefit.174 Other ideas:
- A shampoo recommended by a leading herbalist may help with hair loss caused by stress. Simply combine 2 tablespoons dried safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and 2/3 cup olive oil, massage gently and then leave on hair 15-30 minutes and rinse. Along with safflower’s reputed calming effects, he carthamin pigments in the flowers contain flavanoids and essential fatty acids that dilate the blood vessels and improve circulation—which is why they were used in traditional Chinese hair growth tonics.
79, 211 - Massage therapy can be even more stress-reducing if you add 25 drops of one of the above essential oils per two ounces of an antioxidant base oil such as grape seed or olive oil.37
- Use essential oils in a soothing bath. Pick your favorite stress-reducing essential oil and add eight drops to a warm bath.37
- Make housework less stressful by using 25 drops of fragrant essential oil per two gallons of water.37
Clinical trials demonstrate the effectiveness of alleviating psychological stress related to hair loss. In fact, in one study patients with alopecia areata treated with hypnotherapy regrew most or all of their hair with only 3-8 sessions.122 You can find more ideas for stress relief at destress.com.