While aromatherapy is not a cure for hypertension, essential oils can help to ease the physical and emotional tension that contributes to elevated blood-pressure levels. Try using essential oils regularly in a bath or a massage. Add approximately 15 drops of lavender or marjoram to a tub of warm water and two drops of ylang ylang if desired. Soak for 15-20 minutes, allowing yourself to deeply relax. Lavender is balancing and soothing for both the body and the mind and has relaxing and blood-pressure-lowering effects. It has a sweet, herbaceous floral fragrance.
Marjoram is an excellent sedative. It helps to ease muscle tension, dilates the peripheral arteries, and lowers blood pressure. It has a warm, herbaceous, slightly sweet fragrance with undertones of camphor.
Ylang-ylang has potent sedative properties and helps to regulate cardiovascular function and lower blood pressure. It has an intensely sweet, floral scent. .Use in moderation-a drop or two at most is sufficient. In excess, ylang-ylang can cause headaches.
