Happy holidays!
When you think Christmas in North America, you don’t tend to think coconuts and limes. Have you ever thought why?
Both those foods are cooling and if you’re in Australia celebrating Christmas, it would be a perfect addition to your routine, whether it be through food or through essential oils. But for Christmas in North America and Europe, it just seems out of place during this time of the year and for good reason. Cooling ingredients on top of cooling/cold weather outside just creates further imbalance.
As humans, we have this intuitive nature to create balance as to not go too much or too little. I’m not sure about you, but those scents and flavors don’t make me feel balanced at all during this time of year. Below are some of the most classic scents of the holidays, especially if your located in the northern hemisphere. Add these oils to your everyday winter routine whether it be topically or diffused aromatically. Got your chai ready?
SPICES
Cinnamon || Cinnamomum zeylanicum
This hot and spicy favorite could be just what you need during those cold, wet days of winter when snow is in the forecast. A nice oil for stimulating the root chakra, but watch out on those cold bone dry winter months as it can be too drying on the skin and nasal membranes.
Cassia || Cinnamomum cassiaThe cheaper cousin of the cinnamon known to be dry and hot. Flavors of sweet and spicy make it naughty and nice. I just had to for this one, it’s the holidays after all.
Clove || Eugenia caryophyllataA favored Indonesian spice with potent warming and antioxidant benefits. Virus inoculated and spirits warmed, a wonderful addition to the holiday spice list. Apply this oil wherever an extra antioxidant boost is needed such as the throat, liver or stomach.
Nutmeg || Myristica fragrans
This Ayurvedic favorite is rich and sweet, spicy and woody. A wonderful spice to add to your routine during the cold winter months whether it be through diet or essential oil.
FIRS
Douglas Fir || Pseudotsuga menziesii
When you smell Christmas trees, you’re actually smelling a north American conifer tree called Douglas fir. Fresh, airy and woody balances out those hot and heavy notes from the spices typically known during the holidays. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and let that fresh fir scent take you to an evergreen forest. Aaahhhh!
Siberian Fir || Abies Sibirica
Another coniferous tree, but this time from the Eurasian region with that same classic pine tree shape. It’s pine needles are dry and airy which balances out the heaviness of sweet-smelling oils. It’s als o clean and fresh which is nice for diffusing when opening your windows just isn’t likely.
RESINS
Frankincense || Boswellia carterii/frereana/sacra
This warm and spicy oils has roots dating back to biblical times. It’s dry, clean properties have been used in religious ceremonies for centuries through the use of incense. This can evoke feelings of tranquility even during times of holiday stress.
Myrrh || Commiphora myrrha
The warm and woody notes of myrrh essential oil make it a pleasant addition to any formula during the cold winter months. Myrrh’s versatility makes is not too hot compared to spices, and not too crisp compared to coniferous trees. Either way, peace and happiness.
CITRUS
Orange || Citrus sinensis
Winter can be bone dry or moisture rich. Oranges may not be so suitable after that fresh coating of snow, but it’s brilliant for those deceivingly clear beautiful days during the winter which makes you run for some moisture and warmth. In comes the sweet heaviness of oranges which balances out the dry light weather outside.
