Aromatherapy Week is 4th - 10th June
Top Tips Prepared by Rachel Alice Smith
This year during Aromatherapy week, we are exploring how essential oils as a method of natural healing to lift our moods, and help take care of ours emotions naturally.
Today essential oils are still used in beauty, medicine and for spiritual and physical wellbeing, along with perfumery, cosmetics, and pet care.
Essential oils have powerful properties and can support the everyday stresses of life that we have come to see as normal as well as provide anti-aging properties, cell regeneration, skin brightening and many more effective outcomes we require to keep healthy and beautiful.
Many beauty products these days have far too many chemical compounds which can be linked to disease and sometimes come with a hefty price tag, which I prefer not to pay. So rather than spend hours trying to get on to Boots online which is quite frankly impossible right now, I am creating my own blends to target my fine lines, slightly loose skin, cellulite, along with keeping my mind sane!
Don’t get me wrong it is 100% normal to have some anxiety, some worry, but its always useful to look at what we can do to help our emotional wellbeing and develop resilience.
My top tips on staying healthy and reaping the benefits of essential oils at home.
#1
Try to exercise for at least 30 mins a day, I prefer to do it in the morning to get it over and done with but fit it in with kids, work whatever you have going on.
I think we can all struggle at times to get motivated for exercise so here are some essential oils that have stimulating and energising properties: Rosemary, Peppermint Patchouli, Juniper, Grapefruit. Try diffusing them around the house to get you going.
#2
Eat healthily, not something I am 100% great at, come on please tell me I’m not the only person that turns to chocolates as a comfort.
These oils have digestive properties: Rosemary- digestive tonic, Rose- detoxifying, Peppermint- sluggish digestion, Orange- stimulate peristalsis, Neroli and lavender- good for digestive cramps and upset tummy due to stress or nervous anxiety, Lemon- stimulates digestion, Grapefruit- reduces appetite. Try making a little massage blend for the tummy (no more than 4 drops of essential oil to 10mls of carrier oil).
#3
Take time for you, if you are busy with children or working from home make sure you get some down time, find a way to relax and switch off. This may be meditating, a form of exercise, reading a book, watching a movie etc.
Here are some essential oils that aid relaxation: lavender, Chamomile, Jasmine, Rose, sandalwood. Try diffusing them around the house or get your partner to give you a wonderful massage using a massage oil (see instructions above) or even a body oil, I love nothing more than smothering myself in a bespoke body oil after a nice bath, the oils will absorb overnight so you’ll get the benefits for longer. You may also want to add oils to the bath, now please note oil and water does not mix so always mix 3-4 drops of oil to either a bath oil, bubble bath or shower gel before adding to the bath, some oils can irritate the skin so important you don’t add them straight to the bath water.
Here are some essential oils that can help reduce anxiety: Ylang ylang, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Neroli, Geranium, Frankincense, Cedarwood and Bergamot. Best used as a diffuser around the home, in a bath or massage oil.