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MOOD-BOOSTING ancient oils are becoming an essential tool in the battle against stress, according to advocates in Bahrain who believe traditional therapies can play an important role in modern life, if used properly.
Essential oils are concentrated extracts from a plant’s roots, leaves, seeds or blossoms to retain its smell and flavour. They can be made up of 20 to 100 natural chemical compounds that impact the body in numerous ways as part of the aromatherapy armour.
“There is a massive boom of people turning back to nature to support their health and lifestyle,” said Bahrain-based clean living educator Magdalena Cervenkova. “Essential oils have been around for thousands of years so it’s not surprising that more and more people are finding out about their benefits.”
Studies have shown that essential oils may help boost mood, relieve stress and anxiety as well as improve sleep and relieve headaches.
Other supporters include Bahraini therapist Fati AlSaad and German physiotherapist and aromatherapy expert Verena Reinfelder.
Magdalena, 39, started studying clinical herbalism and homeopathy after having her two children.
“Before I became a mum, I spent 15 years in private aviation travelling all over the world,” said Czech-born Magdalena, who lives in Diyar. “It was when I became pregnant with my eldest that I started to explore essential oils and how to use them in everyday life.
“I was totally blown away by what the oils could do for me and how they helped me with looking after my baby.
“I also incorporated essential oils into my skincare and my skin was transformed - finally giving me confidence to go make-up free. I also use essential oils in every aspect of my life when cleaning, cooking, helping me with sleeping and managing big emotions or every day stress.
“I continue to pursue my passion of essential oils, herbs and all things involved in ‘clean living’. I’m forever educating myself through research, books and courses.”
One of her favourite blends is lavender, frankincense and cedarwood producing what she describes as a ‘comforting, sweet smell that makes her feel like home instantly’. She loves to diffuse it during bedtime to help set the mood for the sleeping hours.
Eucalyptus is Fati’s favourite essential oil as she says it’s great for breathing, relaxation and can be energising as well.
“I also love frankincense,” said Fati, 39, who is an educator that studied Reiki Healing, Pranic Healing and foundations for Core Process Psychotherapy, and resides in Amwaj Islands.
“One of my favourite mixes is actually eucalyptus with frankincense and lavender. It’s delicious for the tired mind and body. Another blend I love is rose and clove. The heat of the clove and the sweetness of the rose blends beautifully together, creating an embodied feeling. It’s great for grounded self-love and confidence in my opinion.”
She added that, the combination plays an important factor as ‘too much or too pure’ amounts can irritate the skin.
Fati started using essential oils and making her own mixes shortly after her high school days and her research deepened as she got older.
She started making her own oils in 2016 and family and friends quickly snapped them up.
“It felt good to be helping people in ways that are easy and accessible to all of us,” she added. “I happily even give people my recipe if they want to do their own at home. The joy is not only in discovering what you can put together.”
She advises people to trust their noses and reactions to scents as well. “Take time and tune into an inner awareness of what a particular scent or scent mix makes you feel, as opposed to ‘following or expecting what it says on the bottle’,” she added. “I use aromatherapy by burning incense in my home or making mixes that I use as body oils, or even in salt hot baths.
“I think more people are now aware of oils and aromatherapy. It’s important though to not follow something as a trend, but rather have an understanding of what is healthy to you on a personal level and work with that. Just because something relaxes me, doesn’t mean it will work the same for you too.”
Verena, also a mum-of-two, was introduced to essential oils during her professional training as a physiotherapist in Germany. At that time, she had no interest in essential oils and thought that they were perhaps ‘placebos that smelt nice’. In fact, when she was offered to take a course in aromatherapy as part of her training as a physiotherapist, she kindly refused.
“I only started diving into aromatherapy in 2019 after they helped me and my son so much,” said the 40-year-old from Manama who moved to the kingdom in 2009 to work as the head of physiotherapy at the German Orthopaedic Hospital. “I decided to deepen my knowledge and completed an Aromatherapy Diploma Programme, as well as other courses with the Tisserand Institute.
“I now have a totally new perspective on health and essential oils help me to stay proactive towards my health. What I never realised at the time was the immense effect essential oils have on our emotions.”
According to Verena, the sense of smell has an immediate impact through the nerve connections to the limbic system, which is where people process their emotions. It can stimulate and influence mood, behaviour and feelings.
After learning about all the possibilities essential oils can provide, she felt empowered to teach others to take advantage from their benefits too. Verena added that there are more than 20,000 studies about essential oils. “Some oils can support the release of melatonin, which helps us to get sleepy, or stimulate our parasympathetic system, which helps us to relax,” Verena said.
“Other essential oils support the increase of the oxygen level in the brain, which is good for our concentration, and the list goes on and on. You just need to find the right essential oil for your body and you will be blown away by the positive impact!”
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