Aromatherapy

[Cinnamon4z]

Has anyone here ever tried aromatherapy? What have your experiences been like? And where do you buy your oils from? What kind of oil mixture do you use?

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

https://www.myptsd.com/threads/aromatherapy-that-may-help-relieve-some-ptsd-symptoms.13571/

 

[falling_wave]

I use Edens garden oils from amazon. I mix them randomly with what scents I need at the time in a diffuser. You can get mixes for specific ailments so it takes out the guess work. It doesn't cute anything but it's comforting sometimes.

 

[sun seeker]

You can also use whatever you have on hand. I often fill a pan with water and some whole spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves, and some fresh orange or lemon peel if I have it, and let it simmer on the stove. It's a lot cheaper. Or use apple slices in the water, or fresh or dried herbs, or whatever appeals to you. Or bake bread if you're feeling ambitious. You can experiment to find what smells you like. A very calming smell for me is fresh chamomile, or the essential oil if the herb is not in season. I have a little bottle of it and last time I had to go somewhere I was afraid might be triggering I took it in my pocket so I could use it as needed. It was comforting just to know it was there. I think I got it at my local health food store, which has a large selection, but a lot of drug stores carry essential oils now too.

 

[anonymous]

You're a guy so I guess this won't really apply to you....

Scents are comforting to me, but I don't use aromatherapy oils. I have perfume scents that are comforting. I love the "Demeter" line of scents as many are true to life and not some artificial interpretation. That is, lavender will smell like lavender and not some fake-ish Bath & Body Works body spray type concoction. I also have my favorite high end perfumes that I wear which are comforting, but I have no clue what's in them beyond the "like" factor.

I say find what you like and go with it. So many of what they "say" is calming irritates me, so I just go with the scents I enjoy.

 

[Powder]

I'm planning to learn and pass a test by the end of summer to be registered as a trained aromatherapist, in order to create from scratch my own products.

Already, geranium, used for nightmares, has worked wonders for me. One of my worst PTSD demons is that a large percentage of my flashbacks occur just as I'm waking up. Geranium oil is the only way I can have good dreams. It is so rare for me to have a happy dream, and this occurs almost exclusively when I used this oil in a mixture.

This leaves me feeling powerless, defeated, and grouchy and is a terrible start to my day. I feel victimized or traumatized, and I have to find ways to snap out of it.

So preventing the night terrors in the first place is a good thing.

Then, I have found that drinking cold water, certain body postures, and scents can break the spell of daytime dissociation and flashbacks better than most other things.

Ideally, someday, I will have enough experience and case studies to be able to freely share resources that might prove helpful to those with PTSD, digestive, and other issues.

I am hoping to combine Yoga, movement, body posture, diet, nutrient, and essential oils that, combined in ways chosen by and most helpful and preferred to individuals, would assist those with PTSD and comorbid disorders to get their lives back and feel more in command of their future. I would like to do this free or at cost for PTSD sufferers and also publish a website where they can get information, videos, and products in these areas from anywhere in the world. I am here to help people like me. That would make me happy.

 

[Crow]

go into Whole Foods and try out all the testers. once you find some oils you like, you can get better quality online. my favorites are lavender and bergamot (not together). T uses a tea tree oil with eucalyptus when she anticipates a hard session.

 

[Ocean5]

Lavender, but I went overboard with an aromatherapy diffuser. Using all day and night. My floors became very oily...

There is this product on Amazon from Aura Cacia callled Panic Button I find helpful.

 

[Powder]

I am going to mix up my nightmares away formula that works really well for me.
Lavendar, ylang ylang, geranium (which is the part for good dreams) and Sweet Orange. This combo is great for fighting flashbacks and for having good dreams, not bad ones. You put it in the bath and/or on the pillowcase directly.

Thank you. Panic Button sounds about right!

 

[Ocean5]

on the pillowcase directly

Do you spray it on pillow case? Or cotton ball? I was using Panic Button mist. I'd like to try to create my own mix.

 

[Powder]

I had my aromatherapist create a nightmares prevention mix for me. She custom blended it for me based on knowing me really well.

So, I'm not sure what all went into that. This is why I want to train this summer and get national board certified in aromatherapy. I can do massage, am good at it, but I don't want to have to touch strangers for a living, too triggering.

She advised me to to put 3-5 drops directly on the pillowcase before sleeping. Even while asleep, I was breathing it, and it also gets absorbed through the skin.

I hope you find a custom blend or maybe even this one to help you sleep. For me, being tired is the main problem that can cause other problems.

 

[Ocean5]

@Muse Good information. I need something for night terrors and nightmares. I might need to find a good aromatherapist.

Best of luck with training and certification.