Exploring Aromatherapy with CBD Essential Oils: Benefits and Uses

Aromatherapy, an ancient practice that utilizes essential oils to relieve, relax and destress, has been cherished for centuries for its therapeutic benefits. This holistic discipline may have a direct impact on the brain, too, influencing both mental and physical well-being.

More specifically, research has found that inhaling essential oils can significantly affect the amygdala, the brain region responsible for emotional processing. By engaging this part of the brain, aromatherapy can promote emotional balance, reduce unease and enhance overall mood, making for a valuable addition to any self care routine.

Incorporating CBD essential oils — known for their calming effects — into aromatherapy can potentially amplify these benefits, providing an extra level of relaxation and relief.

CBD Essential Oils: What are They?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an active cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. For legal reasons, only CBD oil extracted from hemp plants — which contain less than 0.3% of psychoactive THC — can be processed and sold throughout the United States.

CBD oils and CBD essential oils are crafted by blending pure CBD extract with various essential oils derived from plants. These include:

Bergamot
Patchouli
Blood orange
Lavender
Sandalwood
Peppermint
Eucalyptus
Chamomile
Rosemary

When applied to the skin or diffused into the air, CBD aromatherapy can provide an array of benefits, including:

Ache relief
Skin health
Stress reduction
Mood enhancement
Respiratory relief

Ache Relief

When CBD essential oils are applied to the skin, the CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a crucial role in regulating physical sensations and swelling.

The ECS includes cannabinoid receptors — CB1 and CB2 — that are distributed throughout the body, including in the skin. CBD can bind to or interact with these receptors to help regulate the body's response to aches and discomfort.

Specifically, essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus, known for their analgesic properties, can enhance this effect, providing targeted relief for your muscles and joints.

Skin Health

The endocannabinoid system is also involved in maintaining skin homeostasis and health.

When CBD essential oils are used as CBD topicals, CBD can regulate the production of sebum, or oil in the skin, which may help reduce blemishes. Specifically, CBD essential oils may help soothe irritated skin, while the antioxidants in essential oils like tea tree or chamomile can combat oxidative stress, promoting overall skin health.

Further, CBD's interaction with CB2 receptors in the skin may help to reduce redness and encourage healthy skin cell regeneration.

Stress Reduction

When diffused into the air, a CBD essential oil blend can help reduce stress by interacting with the ECS to regulate mood and stress responses.

Inhaling CBD allows it to enter the bloodstream quickly through the lungs, which in turn allows for rapid interaction with cannabinoid receptors.

Essential oils like lavender and chamomile, known for their calming effects, can enhance CBD's ability to reduce stress by promoting relaxation and balancing the nervous system, similar to how they work in teas for relaxation. This combined effect may help lower cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone. For other methods of regulating stress from within, find out what supplements lower cortisol beyond essential oils.

Mood Enhancement

Inhalation or topical application of CBD essential oils can enhance mood by influencing the ECS and its role in mood regulation. CBD's interaction with the ECS promotes the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can help to boost your mood.

Essential oils such as citrus or rosemary can further stimulate the limbic system, which is involved in emotional regulation. This synergy can help improve mood, reduce feelings of sadness and create a general sense of well-being and happiness.

Respiratory Relief

CBD essential oils that combine eucalyptus or peppermint oil can provide respiratory relief when diffused.

The properties of CBD may help reduce irritation in the airways, while the essential oils' decongestant and antimicrobial effects can help clear nasal passages and improve breathing by relaxing the muscles within the respiratory system.

Further, CBD can interact with the ECS to promote balance in the body's response to allergens and irritants.

Additional Ways to Incorporate CBD Aromatherapy

To further reap the benefits of CBD aromatherapy, you can incorporate CBD essential oils to any number of your daily activities. For example, you may want to use CBD essential oils when:

Indulging in a massage – Begin by creating an essential oil blend containing high-quality CBD oil paired with a carrier oil, such as lavender or chamomile. To increase its spreadability, you can also combine the oils with a thicker substance or body oil, like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Then, massage it through the skin. When absorbed, the CBD can interact with the ECS receptors directly to deliver much-needed relief from aches and redness. Massaging the skin can also help improve blood flow, which may help the CBD distribute itself through the bloodstream more effectively.
Taking a bath – As you wind down for the day with your night routine, consider adding a few drops of CBD oil and fragrant essential oils with pleasing natural scents, such as sandalwood or blood orange, to the mix of hot water and bubble bath. The warm water can help open your pores, allowing the oils to more easily absorb into your skin, while the hot water can create a steamy concoction that allows for direct inhalation of the oils. As a result, you may begin to feel your mind slow down and your muscles relax.
Cleaning your home – After you’ve washed the dishes, taken out the trash and tidied up your home, consider combining an aromatic essential oil, like peppermint or lemongrass, with a few drops of CBD oil in a spritzer bottle. For the final finish, spray the mixture into your home to infuse it with oily goodness that provides ongoing inhalation benefits. In addition to improving the smell of your home, CBD aromatherapy sprays can also help calm your body and refresh your senses.

CBD Aromatherapy With Zebra CBD

Combining high-quality CBD oils with your favorite real essential oils can deliver a bevy of benefits, whether you’re inhaling it through a diffuser, applying it to your skin or using it to refresh your home.

To capitalize on these benefits, choose a premium CBD oil from our line of CBD products. Each of our oils is crafted with organic hemp extract that can support your wellness journey. We offer a full spectrum hemp blend, meaning in addition to CBD, our oils also incorporate the full profile of naturally occurring compounds in the hemp plant, including flavonoids and terpenes, to deliver additional benefits.

For the best CBD aromatherapy mix, try the CBD Oil Full Spectrum Blend, an unflavored CBD oil that contains 750 mg of CBD per bottle.

Explore the benefits today.

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