Health

Essential Oils to Pair with CBD

By Melena Gurganus
Zohre Nemati, Unsplash

Many people have seek out the benefits of CBD oil for its potential healing properties, which got us thinking about other natural remedies like essential oils, and how these two might work well together. Essential oils aren’t created in the same process as CBD oils, nor are they administered in the same fashion.

However, these two oils are similar in the sense that neither is a verified form of treatment for any condition, yet individuals have used these holistic methods of healing to find their own relief.

We felt that it was necessary to outline what essential oils work best when paired with CBD, and what purpose they may be best suited for based on anecdotal and scientific evidence.

For sleep

Your body’s endocannabinoid system helps maintain and regulate hormones that play a role in mood, pain sensation, and even sleep patterns. The cannabinoid receptors throughout the body absorb CBD, which may help balance hormone levels related to sleep and stress.

Some people use CBD as a sleep aid to help calm their mind and body before bed, especially those that frequently suffer from restless nights due to insomnia, anxiety or excessive stress. CBD holds potential for enhancing sleep, but you can utilize essential oils in conjunction with CBD to promote relaxation and a quality night’s rest.

One of the most popular essential oils is lavender, as it has many wellness properties. Lavender has been shown to relieve stress and induce sleep, and many people turn to this essential oil for its calming effects.

Beyond lavender, roman chamomile essential oils have soothing qualities that might help you drift off into a nice slumber. Chamomile has an ancient history of healing, and these essential oils are commonly used as a mild sedative to reduce anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, and other sleep issues.

For an energy boost

Although CBD may offer improved sleep quality when taken at higher doses, many people are unaware that CBD acts as a stimulant when dosed in small amounts. CBD attaches to CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system, which have a functional interaction with adenosine receptors.

Caffeine, another well-known stimulant, agitates the same receptors to enhance concentration and fight off feelings of tiredness. When using modest CBD potencies for a boost of energy, these effects may be amplified when CBD is paired with essential oils that promote alertness and focus.

Lemon essential oils are great for starting your day off right, as they are commonly used to alleviate stress and reduce fatigue. The powerful citrus scent of lemon has also been shown to amplify positive moods, which might rejuvenate energy when you’re feeling sluggish. Peppermint essential oil is another good option, as it enhances memory and increases alertness. In addition, peppermint offers a cooling sensation that stimulates one’s olfactory and somatosensory receptors in multiple ways.

For relaxation and restoration

CBD is often praised for its analgesic and anxiolytic properties, which have the potential to enhance relaxation and stress relief for some users (this is why many people take CBD oil for anxiety). CBD may also be useful when applied topically to localized areas, as it might reduce pain, swelling, or tenderness with its anti-inflammatory effects. Although CBD may help calm the mind and body on its own, employing the help of essential oils like eucalyptus and jasmine is a natural way to heighten the possible relaxation effects of CBD.

Much like peppermint essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil has a soothing property thanks to its signature cool feeling and strong scent. Eucalyptus may also stimulate the brain to reduce mental exhaustion, or alleviate joint and muscle pain with its anti-inflammatory effects. After all, it’s easier to unwind when you aren’t overly tense or uncomfortable.

Relaxing can also be difficult when you feel stressed or anxious, which jasmine essential oils may be better suited to address. The scent of jasmine can encourage a sense of well-being, and it’s often thought that it calms the nerves without causing sleepiness, unlike many other essential oils.

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How to use essential oils

When it comes to applying essential oils topically, it’s best to dilute them with carrier oils. Essential oils are highly potent herbal extracts that may irritate the skin if applied directly, but carrier oils like coconut, jojoba, or olive oil help the essential oils “carry” onto the skin, and offer a moisturization benefit as well. This might also prove to be particularly useful for essential oils that provide a cooling sensation, which may further relieve pain or inflammation on a surface level.

Aromatherapy is a popular method that introduces essential oils to your body through sense of smell. Diffusers are commonly used to disperse essential oils throughout the air, or they can be added to a warm bath or shower where the steam and scent will both penetrate into your pores. You can also use essential oils to make your own CBD bath bomb at home.

When you inhale the scent of an essential oil, the molecules enter the bloodstream via the lungs, and travel to the brain where they affect the limbic system. This bodily system is comprised of different parts in the brain that deal primarily with emotions, memories, and stimulation. CBD oil differs from essential oil, since its scent doesn’t particularly affect the limbic system in the same way. However, combining these holistic forms of healing may amplify their overall effect.

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