Aromatherapy for Meditation and Prayer

In todays urban life, stress is a huge part of our being.How well we manage these pressures is upto us. Recently I have been contemplating a lot on life and its meaning.

You can find ways to manage stress by:

• Noticing when you feel stressed
• Taking time to relax
• Getting active and eating healthy
• Talking to friends and family

Benefits of meditation
Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. And these benefits don't end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and can even improve certain medical conditions.

Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that  pure essential  oils stimulate nerves in the nose. Those nerves send impulses to the limbic system, where memories, instincts, and vital functions are controlled and processed. Main bodily functions can be regulated through the connection between the limbic system and other parts of the brain and body, such as digestion, respiration, cardiovascular activity, and stress levels.

 Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is very grounding. It is considered the oil of peace. With its earthy

aroma and sedative properties, it can help quiet the mind during meditation. Patchouli’s primal scent is arousing and helps to dispel anxiety about sex; it is often used as an aphrodisiac. It is also calming and can help rebalance the body when stress has caused nervous exhaustion. It has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties that make it good for use in skin care. Patchouli can be used as an inhalant with a diffusor or on the skin with a carrier.

Frankincense resin (Boswellia carterii) aids in meditation, fortifying and quieting the mind. It is an excellent oil to use for respiratory conditions. Frankincense lifts the spirits, encourages feelings of well-being, produces heightened awareness of spiritual calm, reduces tension, and gives strength.

You can use a diffuser to spead the aroma, or keep potpourri, or dab a few drops onto a cotton bud and apply on your clothes.