Take a Break from Holiday Stress: Interview with Aromatherapist Kayla Fioravanti

With the holiday season approaching, I’ve been trying to think of ways to reduce stress. Did I mention I’m moving to a new home in December too?

So, who better to talk stress relief with than someone who specializes in aromatherapy? Smell goods can make you feel good.

Kayla Fioravanti is the VP and Chief Formulator for Essential Wholesale and Essential Labs - leaders in natural and organic personal care. She’s also an ARC Registered and Certified Aromatherapist.

Here’s our interview. (The questions in bold are from me.):

Kayla, first, thanks for providing your insight to Lively Women readers as we enter this holiday season.

Could you describe what aromatherapy means?

Kayla: The term aromatherapy simply means literally “treatment with scent”. It is the use of essential oils for the treatment of mind and body. The term essential oil comes from the Latin word “essentia” which means “essence”. Essential oils are volatile because they are able “to fly” since they are a liquid that quickly becomes gaseous. “Aroma” refers to the naturally occurring scent of the essential oils. “Therapy” refers to the physical, psychological and spiritual treatment imparted from essential oils. Aromatherapy can be used either topically or from inhalation.

Why is it important to use organic ingredients in aromatherapy?

Kayla: It is important to use organic ingredients in aromatherapy because essential oils are absorbed into the skin. In aromatherapy, molecules of essential oils applied to the skin pass through the skin’s epidermis and are carried away by the capillary blood circulating in the dermis. The molecules of essential oil are then taken into the lymphatic and extracellular fluids. From there the therapeutic components of the essential oils are broken down and used by various regions of the body. Because of the lipid solubility components of essential oils that are applied to the skin, they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and come in contact with the fluids surrounding the brain.

In what ways could aromatherapy be used to help relax women feeling stressed?

Kayla: Aromatherapy can be used many ways to relax women. It can be diffused in the air or used as a perfume spray or it can be in hand crèmes and everyday products that women use. My favorite way to use aromatherapy when I am stressed is in a hot bathtub. In our office you can tell when the stress level is up because you can smell Women’s Balance Spray as you walk through the offices. Aromatherapy can bring an instant smile to a women’s face. I’ve listed below some of the common essential oils that work well with women and stress.

Stress: Basil, Cypress, Cedarwood, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Mandarin, Chamomile, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Neroli, Tangerine, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit.

PMS: Bergamot, Chamomile, Cedarwood, Citronella, Cypress, Geranium, Clary Sage, Fennel, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Jasmine, Juniper, Neroli, Orange, Pine, Ravensara, Rose, Sandalwood.

Why do we find certain scents more relaxing than others? Do you have a favorite?

Kayla: My favorite is the Women’s Balance Spray. It is the perfect combination of essential oils that reduce stress and balance a women’s hormones. My favorite single note scents for stress are Lemon, Grapefruit, Lavender and Mandarin.

I carry Lavender with me at all times to use to calm my kids down when they get hurt by putting it on their band aid. It works on the wound and calms them down. Grapefruit is one of my favorites because you can’t help but smile when you smell it. And it is universally liked by everyone. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like the scent.

I noticed there are several DIY recipes for fun things like chocolate bath bombs available at EW University (part of Essential Wholesale). Could you tell me more about those? Would you suggest any of these as DIY holiday gifts?

Kayla: The Chocolate Bath Bombs are the best. They make great gifts and combine the wonders of chocolate therapy with aromatherapy. They are so simple that my 6-year-old daughter can make them from scratch by herself.

The Glitter products are good seasonal products to make, but nothing compares to the Chocolate Bath Bombs and Chocolate Orange Bath Bombs. The other products that are super easy to make and serve as good gifts are the melt & pour products. The 14.5 oz melt & pour lip balms and lotion bars make super simple gifts. The melt & pour lotion bars can be poured into soap molds and make nice gifts.

Do you have anything to add?

Kayla: Aromatherapy only refers to the use of essential oils and not fragrance oils. There is no therapeutic value to fragrance oils.

Kayla, thanks again for speaking with me about aromatherapy. Stay relaxed…

PS to readers: For aromatherapy recipes and safety tips (like using carrier oils), visit this guest post by green blogger Jennifer at Tree Hugging Family.

Lavendar and grapefruit images via stock.xchng