Do you feel stressed and anxious while at the dentist? Or, maybe you feel more stress than usual during the holidays? Here are a couple studies I found demonstrating the effects of therapeutic essential oils of lemon and lavender. Those who have been using Young Living’s essential oils for their therapeutic effects know the oils work and they are the best. Still there are many out there who have not had the experience and perhaps these studies will shed light on the benefits of aromatherapy.  

 It was even found that orange and lavender essential oils are better at reducing anxiety than music (though we wouldn’t want to deprive ourselves of our most favorite tunes)… 

Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office.

1: Physiol Behav. 2005 Sep 15;86(1-2):92-5. 

Lehrner J, Marwinski G, Lehr S, Johren P, Deecke L.

University Clinic of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of the essential oils of orange and lavender on anxiety, mood, alertness and calmness in dental patients. Two hundred patients between the ages of 18 and 77 years (half women, half men) were assigned to one of four independent groups. While waiting for dental procedures patients were either stimulated with ambient odor of orange or ambient odor of lavender. These conditions were compared to a music condition and a control condition (no odor, no music). Anxiety, mood, alertness and calmness were assessed while patients waited for dental treatment.

Statistical analyses revealed that compared to control condition both ambient odors of orange and lavender reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment. These findings support the previous opinion that odors are capable of altering emotional states and may indicate that the use of odors is helpful in reducing anxiety in dental patients.

[in another study it was found that lavender increases beta waves in the brain, increases relaxation and cognitive performance].

Ambient odor of orange in a dental office reduces anxiety and improves mood in female patients.

1: Physiol Behav. 2000 Oct 1-15;71(1-2):83-6.

Lehrner J, Eckersberger C, Walla P, Pötsch G, Deecke L. Neurological Clinic, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Essential oils have been used as remedies for a long time in different cultures across the world. However, scientific proof of such application is scarce. We included 72 patients between the ages of 22 and 57 while waiting for dental treatment in our study. The participants were assigned to either a control group (14 men, 23 women) or to an odor group (18 men and 17 women). Ambient odor of orange was diffused in the waiting room through an electrical dispenser in the odor group whereas in the control group no odor was in the air. We assessed by means of self-report demographic and cognitive variables, trait and state anxiety, and current pain, mood, alertness, and calmness.

In this study, we report that exposure to ambient odor of orange has a relaxant effect. Specifically, compared to the controls, women who were exposed to orange odor had a lower level of state anxiety, a more positive mood, and a higher level of calmness. Our data support the previous notion of sedative properties of the natural essential oil of orange (Citrus sinensis).

CAUTION: all citrus oils and Bergamot oil are photosensitizing when applied topically, so don’t apply to skin if you’re going into the sun. However, using a citrus oil on your feet or in cooking will NOT make your skin photosensitive. 

How to Duplicate the Effects of the Studies at Home 

Applying Young Living Oils on the Feet

The simplest method is to put a drop of lemon or orange essential oil in your palm and rub it on the soles of your feet. More on Foot Application & Chart

Inhalation 

Or, put a drop in your palms, rub palms together and cup palms over your nose (without touching your face) and inhale several times – aaaaah.

Spray Bottle 

Another method is taking a 32 oz. spray bottle (use a smalled bottle if you want one for your car or purse, simply adjust the amount of essential oil you add) – fill spray bottle with distilled water then add 20-30 drops of lemon or orange – or add several drops of lavender too (the goal is to have about 20-30 drops of essential oil per 32 oz. spray bottle). Then, spritz into the air of the room/space or car (do not get into eyes). 

Diffusing Therapeutic-grade Essential Oils 

Next is, Young Living has 3 different diffusers – the glass nebulizer diffuser (this is the one you want if you have mold problems), the Ultrasonic Diffuser (this uses water and less essential oil), or the Travel Diffuser (great for trips, outdoors to keep insects away, in cars, smelly hotel rooms). More on Diffusers

 If you don’t have one of these diffusers yet you may want to red below on how to get one at a 50% savings.

Ingesting / Internal Use of Lemon Essential Oil

Of course this method of application ONLY applies to Young Living Essential Oils as they are of high quality and can be used as supplements.

In a glass of water and add 1 or 2 drops of lemon or orange essential oil to taste. This is a delicious way to flavor water without adding calories or sweeteners! Do NOT attempt this with other brands of essential oils they are NOT pure enough, even those sold at health food stores!

Buy Young Living Essential Oils here!

How to get a YL Diffuser at 50% off the wholesale price  

Any of the 3 diffusers can be purchased for 50% off the wholesale price when you order a Start Living kit (includes a 50% off mail-in coupon, see them here) under the ‘Distributor’ membership and become a wholesale customer – a terrific savings. Yes, the distributor membership type is for those who want to be wholesale customers too – you’ll save 24% on ALL of your purchases.

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