There is a lot of advice in applied aromatherapy on the use of citrus essences to treat stress, insomnia or depression. Do we not say that the essence of yellow mandarin is the ideal essential oil to treat sleep disorders in young children? Hasn't anyone ever advised you to use the essence of petit grain bigarade to treat your stress or your anxieties? Of course, these citrus essences are very often accompanied by true lavender oil, also called lavandula angustifoglia, for its calming and balancing properties of the nervous system... But do you know why?

Although the smell of citrus fruits is intoxicating, pleasant for the most part and very relaxing, what causes this state of well-being is above all, the biochemical particularity of these essential oils. Indeed, these citrus essences have in common very specific chemical molecules that we will analyze together. But first of all, let's understand that biochemical molecules in aromatherapy form unique complexes and associations. From then on, it is the marriage of these molecules that provides the much sought-after well-being.

Monoterpenes, the most common active ingredients in aromatherapy

Monoterpenes are the most common active ingredients in aromatherapy. Indeed, they are mainly present in citrus essences but not only; indeed monoterpenes can be found in more than 2000 plants of the plant world. The most interesting action on the nervous system is the positive impact that the molecules of monoterpene oils have. No one will deny it, when you breathe in an essential oil of orange or tangerine, the pleasant scent can sweep away in a few seconds a state of malaise or a negative thought.

Although monoterpenes have other actions on our physical body as global disinfectants or decongestants of the respiratory tract or even toning and stimulating lymph and blood circulation, what interests us today is the action of this active principle on our emotions.

Because indeed, monoterpenes have a very important impact on our emotional and energetic sphere, namely :

• They dissolve fears
• They transmit strength and courage
• They bring confidence to face life and the complicated aspects of certain life events.

Of course, its action would not be as powerful without the help of other active ingredients such as coumarins.

The coumarins soothe, relax and calm while bringing positivism...

Although present only in trace amounts, coumarins soothe, relax and calm while bringing positivism, joy of living and good mood.

Calming and sedative, these molecules are essential to well-being and are found mainly in citrus fruits, but again, not only... We can also find them in true lavender - the best-known anti-stress oil, again active only via a very reduced concentration.

Although the powerful activity on the emotional as well as physical sphere is no longer to be demonstrated, coumarins must be handled with care because of their primary contraindication, namely that they are photosensitizing. From then on, no sun exposure will be possible in the 6 hours following the skin application at the risk of seeing spots appear on the skin and sometimes even slight burns.

We could talk about biochemistry for hours because an essential oil is not only composed of one or two active ingredients but of an explosive cocktail that provides unique benefits. Therefore, let us linger on some essential oils of citrus fruits and their interesting properties, in olfaction, on the nervous system:

• The neroli - citrus aurantium var. amara - is a rare and precious essential oil that will therefore unlock deep emotional knots. Also, it will be used in case of strong psychological shocks like a death for example.
• The sweet orange - citrus aurantium var. dulcis - - relaxes in case of nervousness or stress but it also allows to bring, in diffusion, joy and cheerfulness.
• The petit grain bigarade - citrus aurantium amara - will have an action on insomnia, stress or even mental fatigue. Its scent quickly brings harmony and calm in times of anxiety or discomfort.
• The mandarin - citrus reticulata - will have an immediate relaxing and calming action. Its sedative action will allow the youngest to sleep without hindrance.

Aromatherapy is a vast subject that we could discuss for hours in order to deepen each molecule and each precise essence.... Nevertheless, don't forget that for each small bottle of essential oil there is often a contraindication to be taken into consideration.