Spring aromatherapy

Aromatic synergies

Aromatic synergies help us gently adapt to the new rhythm. The time change does have an impact on our bodies, as it can disrupt our circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle governed by our hypothalamus in the brain and regulated by our retinas' perception of sunlight and darkness.

Exposure to daylight stimulates our wakefulness and motivation hormones (dopamine and cortisol) and, as the light dims, melatonin (the sleep hormone) is secreted.When the clocks change, the production of these hormones is disrupted, which can lead to sleep, alertness, mood, appetite or sometimes even digestive problems over a period of time. Essential oils can be useful in treating these unpleasant symptoms, which vary in severity from person to person. When inhaled, their volatile odorous molecules come into contact with the olfactory receptors located in the nasal mucosa. They transmit a nerve impulse to the areas of the brain affected by the time change and allow the body to adjust more quickly to the new rhythm.

Between molecules that wake you up and molecules that relax you, olfaction means a variety of actions. We find that the synergy works in such a way that it can be inhaled to relax as well as to stay awake.

In addition to the aromatic synergy, you can gradually shift your dinner, bedtime and wake-up times by 15 minutes per day during the week before the time change.

Protocol

In the morning, take 500 mg of natural vitamin C. If you cannot expose yourself to daylight, you can do a 30-minute light therapy session with a lamp with an intensity of more than 10,000 lux. During the day, it is good to stay active because movement stimulates dopamine secretion. In the evening, to avoid insomnia, take 5 granules of Cocculus Indicus 9 CH or 15 CH homeopathic remedy at bedtime for 10 days. Take 1 mg of melatonin per day, 1 to 2 hours before bedtime, and choose foods that contain it for dinner: tomatoes, olives, nuts, cow's milk, rice and barley. Do not hesitate to drink herbal teas made from sedative plants such as lime blossom, lavender, passion flower, hops or orange blossom.

As we lose an hour of sleep, it is highly likely that you will feel tired the morning after the time change and throughout the day. Breathing in peppermint essential oil is a good idea first thing in the morning. Its menthol content instantly stimulates the senses and has a refreshing, invigorating effect on the body. It increases concentration and helps you resist feelings of fatigue. Petitgrain bigarade essential oil calms irritability caused by lack of sleep. Thanks to linalool and linalyl acetate, it soothes anger and anxiety. Useful for work meetings or for maintaining good relationships with those around you!

Finally, as fatigue often causes cravings, we recommend complementing the aromatic synergy with grapefruit essential oil. Its citrus scent gives you a boost and moderates the activity of the nervous system through its appetite-suppressing action. This makes it easier to hold out until mealtime and adapt to the new rhythm. The formula 60 drops of grapefruit essential oil 60 drops of petitgrain bigarade essential oil 30 drops of peppermint essential oil.

Sufficient quantity for 10 ml of apricot kernel vegetable oil: Pour the essential oils into a 10 ml roll-on bottle and top up with the vegetable oil.

Dosage: Apply 3 rolls to one wrist. Rub both wrists together and inhale 5 to 6 times a day (before 8 p.m.) by inhaling for 5 seconds and then exhaling for 5 seconds with your eyes closed. Do this for 1 week from the first day of the time change, then twice a day the following week until the symptoms disappear.

If you have difficulty falling asleep, place 2 drops of petitgrain bigarade essential oil on your pillow before going to bed. Warning, precautions for use: do not use on children under 6 years of age, people with epilepsy or asthma, or pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not expose yourself to sunlight in the hours following application and do not breathe in the formula after 8 p.m.

When it comes to food

Do you know what aquafaba is? It's simply the cooking juice or liquid found in tinned pulses. Commonly referred to as chickpea juice, aquafaba actually refers to the juice of all pulses, such as red beans, white beans, peas, etc.

How about a little recipe using this delicious aquafaba?

Aquafaba mayonnaise

Ingredients: 60 ml aquafaba + ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard + 2 teaspoons lemon juice + 200 ml avocado or rapeseed oil + salt/pepper to taste.

Preparation: Put the aquafaba in a deep, narrow container. Add mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix at high speed and very slowly add the oil for 1 to 2 minutes. Move the mixer up and down (lifting it out of the mixture) to incorporate a little air. If the result is too runny, add more oil. Use immediately or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate for about 4 hours. The mayonnaise will thicken further in the fridge.

And as for phytotherapy

Galangal is a root with digestive properties, but that's not all! Alpinia galanga is cleansing, fungicidal and anti-inflammatory. In vitro tests have shown that it eliminates dandruff four times faster than the synthetic active ingredient zinc pyrithione. It combats the abnormal proliferation of a yeast (Malassezia) that is naturally present on the scalp but aggravates dandruff. Galangal rhizome powder can be applied to wet hair or used as a mask by adding water and leaving it on for about 20 minutes (be careful not to get it in your eyes).

Many thanks to Maud Simonelli, our health partner, for her contribution to the Health section of the blog.

The right address: Equilibre et Vous, 1026 route de Nîmes, Uzès. Contact: 06 11 71 15 86, equilibreetvous.naturopathie@gmail.com.