EMOTIONAL INSECURITY

The emotions we express or feel can be separated into two groups: primary and secondary. Some primary emotions are positive, such as feelings of love, tolerance and happiness, and these are not a problem. Difficulties arise with the negative primary emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt and jealousy. Secondary emotions are usually concerned with our personality. These may be shown as moodiness, confusion, timidity and inferiority, for example.

Essential oils are very useful for treating emotional problems. The oils are selected on the basis of their properties which relate to the emotion being expressed. For example, essential oils which have relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties are known to be soothing for anger, while oils with stimulating and digestive properties are better able to overcome fear.

Anger
The state of anger can range from mild irritability and impatience at one end of the scale to explosive outbursts and fury at the other. The ability to cope with anger varies from person to person, depending on the personality. When under stress, anger is more easily aroused and our ability to deal with our own feelings may be severely tested. It is important to have the ability to come to terms with our own anger and to handle it in a positive, constructive way. Otherwise, we may jeopardize both professional and personal relationships. The oils which help are, principally, calming, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory and healing.






After a difficult day or an emotional upset, give yourself time to sit quietly and recover. Geranium, lavender and lemon are helpful for angry or jealous outbursts. Try a few drops in a vaporizer an hour before bedtime.

Fear
Stress and fear are sometimes related, and can be acute or chronic. If you oversleep and are running late for an important meeting for example, your body goes into a temporary state of fear and your adrenal glands produce extra adrenaline to help you deal with the situation. However, if the state of fear is long-lasting, it can become a chronic condition that can lead to illness. Living in a state of fear creates tension and anxiety which have a detrimental effect on our outlook and upon our bodies. The helpful essential oils are those which are analgesic, calming and soothing, and those which are stimulating to the mind, as well as to the respiratory and digestive systems.






Our sleeping pattern can be disturbed by a negative emotional state. Sprinkle a few drops of undiluted lavender oil on to a tissue and place this inside your pillowslip for a peaceful night's sleep.












Basil is useful for its effects on the nervous
system. It can help to dispel fear and jealousy.


Jealousy
Most jealous feelings are negative. Jealousy is often linked with anger and/or resentment, and may arise out of an inability to share our friends, family and possessions, or else out of a craving for things that we do not have, which other people (particularly those around us) seem to have. A woman may covet her friend's physical attributes, her successful career, or her conflict-free partnership. Although jealousy is often the most difficult emotion to admit to, it is one of the most deadly, where we stand to hurt not only others but also ourselves. Positive thinking and the use of essential oils which will detoxify or destroy fungi and kill viruses can help to overcome this self-destructive emotion.


Secondary emotions can also be helped by essential oils and are sometimes linked with a primary emotion like fear. Lack of confidence or a sense of under-achievement may involve fear, and mood swings may involve anger and/or irritability.

Lack Of Confidence
Many women suffer from a lack of self-confidence. It can be difficult for women who return to work after being at home bringing up children, or for a woman who is working with people to whom she feels (or is made to feel) inferior. Positive thinking is necessary here, along with neurotonic essential oils which will boost your morale by strengthening the nervous system. These stimulate the mind and will help you to achieve things you never thought were possible. Sweet thyme may help to promote bravery and instill drive and assertiveness due to its many tonic properties. The most effective methods of use are by tissue or vaporizer inhalation, and in the bath.






Water with lemon and peppermint can help to dispel apathy and lift feelings of depression.

Moodiness
As well as being able to relax or stimulate the nervous system, essential oils can also induce slight mood changes. This makes the use of essential oils suitable for women who are inclined to be temperamental, and for the unpredictable mood swings and irritability suffered during PMS.

Loss Of Sensual Awareness
Feelings of indifference, apathy and general loss of libido can be directly related to stress and/or overwork. Taking an essential oil bath or vaporizing some oils an hour before bedtime will help you to unwind, physically and emotionally. You and your partner may like to give each other aromatherapy back or shoulder massages to help each other relax and to prepare for love-making. Use essential oils which are renowned for their aphrodisiac and uplifting effects.