Nurses’ Easy DIY Revitalizing Aromatherapy Recipes

By Marisa Lampert

Nurses not only take care of patients physical needs, they provide emotional support to patients and their families, and then there are the mountains of paperwork. It’s no surprise that nursing is recognized as one of toughest jobs out there, but it is also one of the most rewarding. While many hospitals use aromatherapy to help patients, we’ve seen that many nurses and healthcare professionals are creating their own aromatherapy recipes to enhance their stress-relieving and self-care routines. It takes a minimal commitment, and the benefits are worth it.

Many of us have stressful jobs and come in at the end of the day feeling drained. If nurses can make time for self-care, maybe we can, too?
Staci has been a nurse for 13 years, and has used aromatherapy with her patients to ease the stress of waking from anesthesia. At home, she uses essential oils frequently. (Read her full interview with Caryn here!)

Using a body brush with essential oils is part of Staci’s refreshing morning routine. She loves dry brushing because it’s energizing and refreshing, and can help clear away dead skin cells that could potentially clog pores. For extra aromatherapy benefits, she adds up to 3 drops of essential oil (or blend) directly on the bristles before brushing, or follows her brushing routine with a hydrating massage oil with essential oils. It’s important to do your research to pick the right frequency for your skin (start with once or twice a week); and make sure you invest in a natural, quality brush to avoid irritations from synthetic materials.

Staci’s Wake-Up Body Brush Aromatherapy Recipe

• 1 All-natural body brush
• 2 drops Female Harmony blend and/or Ylang Ylang essential oil

Add essential oil drops directly to the bristles of your brush. Starting at your feet and brushing in an upward motion toward your heart, brush skin on your legs, arms, and torso. Avoid sensitive skin such as your face or breasts, or use a softer-bristled brush for these areas.

Follow-up moisturizing spritzer:

• 1-ounce bottle with atomizer spray cap
• 10 drops e3 Female Harmony blend or Ylang Ylang essential oil 1 oz (30 ml or 600 drops) Carrier Oil (Fractionated Coconut or Sweet Almond are generally light enough to spray through a spritzer cap without clogging it)

Add the essential oils to your glass bottle, then fill to the shoulder with carrier oil. Shake well. Spritz onto your skin, then lightly massage evenly into your arms, legs and torso.

Additional blends we recommend: e3 Skin Care, Nerve Calming, or Peace

Deonne is a nurse with over 40 years experience and has been trained as a clinical aromatherapist. She has worked in home/hospice care and education. Deonne has transitioned into private practice now a private energy healer and spiritual counselor and is a member of 3 Rivers Chorale, who were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall this past April! Using her personal aromatherapy inhaler is Deonne’s go-to for a quick easy to use method to help her ease feelings of stress and anxiety, without the potential of imposing on or offending anyone nearby.

“I was recently honored to sing on stage in Carnegie Hall for the first time and found myself trembling with anxiety greater than usual for me before a performance … (I wonder why!!?!). I had prepared a personal inhaler with Fragonia* essential oil and tucked it into the pocket of my music folder, so I used it at frequent intervals backstage while awaiting my stage entrance. Inhaling it with focus on my breath did a beautiful job of calming my nerves so that when I made my stage entrance, I was completely calm, and remained so throughout the performance.”

In order to de-stress on the way home from work, Deonne also uses a clay or lava stone diffuser in her car. It hangs from her rearview mirror, and she adds a few drops of essential oil to the stone before starting her commute.

Deonne’s Stress-Free Commute Aromatherapy Recipe
1-3 Drops Peppermint or Roman Chamomile essential oil
1 Natural stone diffuser, cotton ball/pad, or tissue

Add essential oils directly to a natural stone diffuser, or a cotton ball/tissue. Hang or set stone diffuser in an area where the oil will not come in contact with the car’s interior, or stuff the cotton ball or tissue into an air vent with the essential oil side facing out. Some oils can harm the finish of your vehicle, so be careful to avoid direct contact. Take deep breaths while driving.

For a blend, use: e3 Stress Relief, Pick Me Up, or Breathe Easy

Bonus Tip: Add a sense of relax, calm and comfort to your next healthcare visit. A personal aromatherapy inhaler is a perfect way to reap the relaxing benefits of aromatherapy without creating a cloud of scent around you that may affect others.

We really appreciate these busy nurses taking time to share their favorite aromatherapy recipes with us. Give their suggestions a try and let us know what you think. We’ll be looking for your comments on Facebook. If you’d like some tips for creating your own aromatherapy recipes, be sure to download a free copy of Listen to Your Nose: An Introduction to Aromatherapy.