Aromatherapy for Balancing the Doshas
Aromatherapy is one of the most ancient and effective natural remedies for balancing the doshas. Selecting oils for their special properties to help us calm down and relax, restore strength, balance our emotional state and even fight off a health issue is not only easy and convenient to use, but also empowering and nurturing. Plus it’s fun creating beautiful blends.
What we smell has a remarkably strong impact on our mind, even 10,000 times more sensitive than taste.
The olfactory receptors in our brain connect directly to the limbic system, where feelings and emotions begin. Some experts say essential oils contain the life force of the plant which may be why these concentrated oils are so potent.
I find it’s fascinating that different parts of the plant are closely connected to having particular effects on our body and mind.
For example:
The Flowers - produce essential oils that often have sedating or relaxing effects
The Fruits - produce oils that are very expanding, opening and stimulating e.g. rose
The Leaves - often have healing and cooling properties coming from the green colour of chlorophyll, especially beneficial to cool Pitta dosha down.
The Roots - contain many of the earth properties of the plants, and like oils extracted from trees, can be very grounding, particularly supportive for Vata dosha e.g. frankincense, myrrh
It’s also really valuable to understand which oils can help balance your doshas.
According to Ayurveda, we are made up of a unique combination of three different energies, or doshas, known as Vata Pitta and Kapha. These doshas are governed by five elements, ether, air, fire, water and earth which all express themselves in various proportions in our constitution.
Knowing and making use of the properties of various essential oils in accordance with your body type, can help restore the balance of the doshas especially when integrated into your ‘dinacharya’ practice ie. your daily routine.
OILS FOR BALANCING VATA - warming, soothing & grounding
Vata qualities are light, dry, mobile and cold, so excess of this dosha is treated by the oils which are heavy, warming, wet and calming.
Best oils for balancing Vata:
Bergamot* (great for calming parents & kids irritation)
Calamus
Clary Sage (balances emotions)
Roman chamomile
Cinnamon
Fennel
Frankincense (grounding, great for meditation, helps calm the breath & focus),
Ginger
Lavender*
Lemon balm
Myrrh (grounding)
Neroli*
Patchouli
Rose
Sandalwood, turmeric
Vetiver (cooling yet grounding)
Ylang ylang (good for self esteem)
*Especially good for anxiety & insomnia: lavender, neroli & bergamot
Best carrier oil: cold-pressed sesame oil, avocado oil
Best application: diffuser, warm oil massage, steam baths
Grounding Meditative Diffuser Blend:
Place 3 drops neroli, 2 drops frankincense and 1 drop myrhh in an aromatherapy diffuser or candle burner and make some space to sit in the stillness.
Bath Blend:
Mix 2 drops bergamot, 2 drops geranium and 2 drops patchouli in 1 Tab. of cold-pressed sesame, sweet almond or avocado oil and add to your warm bath water. Breathe in the beautiful aromas and allow yourself still, calm time to ground.
Sleep Blend:
1 drop patchouli, 2 drops frankincense & 2 drops bergamot in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
Diffuse or make this into a balm (a neutral beeswax-base balm) & rub into chest and feet to help sleep.
OILS FOR BALANCING PITTA - cooling & calming
Pitta qualities are hot and wet, so excess is treated with cooling, heat dispelling, drying, nutritive and calming oils.
Best oils for balancing excess Pitta:
Blue chamomile
Cedarwood (cooling and grounding)
Fennel
Jasmine
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Neroli
Peppermint
Rose
Sandalwood (grounding yet cooling)
Spearmint
Tea tree
Best carrier oil: coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil.
Cooling Diffuser Blend:
Diffuse 2 drops chamomile, 2 drops rose and 2 drops lemongrass in an aromatherapy diffuser for up to 20 minutes at a time.
Cooling Spritz Blend:
Mix 15 drops spearmint or 10 drops peppermint, 10 drops lemon and 5 drops rose in a spray bottle with 100ml of either filtered water or orange flower (neroli) hydro-sol, ie. aromatic water. Spray over yourself as necessary to help keep cool!
Calm Cooling Massage Blend:
Mix 3 drops peppermint, 2 drops lavender and 1 drop yarrow in 15ml of melted extra virgin coconut oil. Rub into your whole body when feeling ‘burnt out’ or overheated; a lovely calming ritual at the end of the day.
OILS FOR BALANCING KAPHA - warming, pungent & invigorating
Kapha elements are water and earth so it is predominantly cold, moist, slow and heavy in nature, It can be brought into balance with warming, drying, lightening and stimulating therapy. Of the the tastes which pacify Kapha dosha, pungent is the most important because it is exactly opposite from Kapha qualities, being light, hot and dry.
Best oils for balancing Kapha excess:
Basil (decongestant)
Black pepper (digestive)
Cinnamon
Clove
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Grapefruit (effective fat metaboliser)
Lemon & Bitter orange (motivating, citrus stimulates lymph flow and clears the head)
Rosemary (not with high BP)
Thyme (warming, great recuperating after long term illness)
Almost all essential oils are good for Kapha, depending on the imbalance; of course the warming and drying oils will be the best.
Best carrier oil: cold-pressed organic safflower oil, sweet almond oil
Best application: diffuser, inhalation, warm oil massage, chest rub for congestive/ respiratory symptoms
Stimulating Massage Blend:
Add 3 drops grapefruit, 2 drops juniper-berry and 1 drop bitter orange to 1 Tablespoon melted extra virgin coconut oil and massage firmly and quickly into the skin to stimulate lymph circulation.
Immune-Boosting Diffuser Blend:
Add 3 drops bitter orange, 2 drops cinnamon and 1 drop ginger to warm and stimulate your Kapha dosha.
Focus Diffuser Blend:
5 drops grapefruit , 3 drops basil and 3 drops lemon. Diffuse for 30 mins to help get stuff done!
Pulse-point Rollette Blend:
Add 3 drops bergamot and 3 drops grapefruit to 10ml olive oil or fractionated coconut oil and apply to pulse points as needed to keep motivated during the day.
BLEND for ALL DOSHAS
Clearing The Air (of both energetic stagnation and germs):
Add 5 drops cedarwood , 5 drops spruce and 3 drops piñon pine to a diffuser for 15-30 minutes. Or for a room freshener spray, double the quantity and add to a 100ml spray bottle with filtered water.
9 Methods for Using Essential Oil
The bath: 15-20 drops first mixed in a tablespoon of carrier oil then poured into the bath water
Diffuser: Add 6-8 drops of essential oil into the diffuser and inhale for 30 minutes at a time.
Palm Inhalation: Put 2 drops on your palm and cup your hands over your nose and mouth. Inhale slowly and deeply at least 3-5 times. You can also add a little carrier oil and spread the oils around your neck and chest.
Steam Inhalation: Very effective as a decongestant for colds/ flu & respiratory conditions or for a facial cleanse. Add 3-5 drops to a large bowl of boiling water (3 drops of thyme or eucalyptus would be enough), put a towel over your head, close your eyes and take slow deep breaths for about 10 minutes.
Pulse points: On wrists, temples or back of neck. Mix with 1/2-1 tsp. carrier oil to make the therapeutic benefit go further. Use a ‘rollette’ or ‘roller ball’ for convenience; easy to carry in your pocket to use throughout the day.
Massage: Blend essential oils to match your dosha, into a small bottle of carrier oil and apply over the body daily.
Hydrosol Spray for face & body: Apply 2-3 sprays of this water-based essential oil product. Keep in your pocket or handbag for whenever you need it.
Sleep Aid: Place a cotton pad with 3-5 calming oils on it, under your pillowcase.
Compress: Apply specific essential oils such as calendula, lavender or tea tree to a cloth and place on bruises and wounds. Also avvery effective method for relieving aches and pains, with a hot water bottle on top.
Scents are subtle and complex. Your experience of an essential oil will be personal and unique to you so remember to pay close attention to how they make you feel in your body and mind.
If you use them correctly, essential oils shouldn’t give you any side effects. They are natural and safe, strong but gentle.Remember, essential oils are only a supplement to dosha balancing; lifestyle and diet are more important.
What’s great is that essential oils can help create changes in lifestyle and can be added to the diet too!