Add essential oils to the list of natural mood elevators, says Diana Pereira, who will teach an Emotional Aromatherapy class at Ever’mans Co-operative in Pensacola at 1:30 p.m. on June 18. “Essential oils have the ability to support the emotional system, creating within us an optimal environment for joy,” she says.

For anyone feeling tired, withdrawn, overwhelmed or generally less than joyful, Pereira recommends diffusing the following blend of essential oils: 

3 drops Melissa 

2 drops lime 

2 drops ylang ylang 

1 drop wild orange 

A local essential oil educator and co-owner of Pereira Produce and Health, Pereira says she developed the blend based on her own experience, in consultation with the book “Emotions & Essential Oils: A Modern Resource for Healing.” 

“Melissa oil awakens the soul to truth and light, allowing us to release lower vibrations that might be holding us down,” she says. “This oil fuels the spark of energy, igniting our true selves.” 

When we’re weighed down by discouragement or grief, lime elevates us above the situation while helping balance the heart and mind, she says. “Lime dispels apathy and resignation and instills hope, joy, courage and the determination to face all of life’s challenges.”

  Ylang ylang is included to help release bottled-up emotions such as anger and sadness—a reminder, she says, that we can experience joy more fully by allowing the heart its full range of emotions. 

Finally, Periera recommends wild orange “to inspire abundance, foster creativity, support a positive mood, restore physical energy and aid in transitions, while reconnecting us with our inner child.” 

For more information on using essential oils for emotional health, contact Pereira at 850-499-3670 or visit PereiraProduceAndHealth.weebly.com or MyDoterra.com/PerieraProduceAndHealth