Living Magazine Spring 2019 doTERRA Living Magazine | Page 18

USING ESSENTIAL OILS IN THE CLASSROOM From supporting the health of your family members to cleaning your countertops, there are endless benefits to using CPTG® essential oils in your home. But there is no reason those benefits shouldn’t be shared outside your front door as well. A classroom setting is a hodgepodge of stress-inducing stimuli, which makes it an ideal setting for focus-supporting and grounding volatile aromatic compounds. With their ability to support a fun and healthy learning environment, it is no wonder that essential oils are becoming more commonplace in schools. Research shows that many essential oils promote a happy and productive learning environment. When experienced aromatically, whether directly inhaled or diffused, essential oils have been shown to be calming and relaxing while also promoting alertness and focus. The key is to know which oils to use for each situation. In the classroom, a little learning goes a long way. For daily diffusion: The ability to influence moods and emotions is one of the most scientifically validated properties of essential oils. Whether the classroom is in need of a calming or uplifting influence, using the dōTERRA Oil Chemistry Wheel is the easiest way to find the day’s perfect aromatic complement. Conventional wisdom suggests that floral and citrus oils are best for classroom diffusion, and some proprietary dōTERRA blends, such as dōTERRA Peace ® and dōTERRA Balance ® , were developed specifically for this purpose. Due to its proprietary combination of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and other calming floral and spice essential oils, dōTERRA Peace ® Reassuring Blend is capable of promoting a calm environment. Similarly, the concentration of linalool and bornyl acetate in dōTERRA Balance ® Grounding Blend make it an ideal option to promote in-class relaxation and improved response to stress. 6 Backed by research: Research has shown that the inhalation of Bergamot is associated with uplifting and relaxing feelings, and it may help reduce feelings of 18 / SPRING 2019 LIVING MAGAZINE emotional negativity and stress. 1,2 Clinical research has shown that Wild Orange essential oil has a calming and relaxing aroma and may promote an uplifting mood in a variety of environments. 3 Clinical trials show that inhalation of Lavender and Ylang Ylang may improve anxious feelings and self-esteem. 4, 5 At test time: Whether it’s a first grader taking their first spelling test or a high schooler facing another AP exam, test time can be one of the most stress-inducing periods for any student—and precisely the time when being alert and focused counts. Research has shown that aromatic usage of essential oils can promote an environment conducive to academic performance. Essential oils with high concentrations of sesquiterpenes, such as Black Pepper and Vetiver, are effective at promoting alertness and focus. In one study, participants exhibited improved focus while completing a visual display terminal after inhalation of Vetiver; these results suggest that diffusion may be particularly useful at test time. 7 A study involving the diffusion of Black Pepper showed similar effects. 8