The benefits of Lavender

Please note this isn’t suitable if you have epilepsy

Aromatherapy and your body.

Here’s a quick guide to what essential oils are good for ailments within your body.

To ease Hayfever

• Chamomile
• Eucalyptus

To relax sore and aching muscles

• Frankincense
• Ginger
• Sweet marjoram
• Rosemary

To ease stomach/period pains

• Aniseed
• Clary Sage
• Juniper Berry
• Lavender
• Marjoram

To ease Stomach Upsets

• Ginger
• Mandarin
• Peppermint

To help Oily Skin

• Cypress
• Lemon
• Mandarin
• Tea Tree – also good for acne

For Hair

• Cedar wood
• Cypress for oily hair
• Rosemary for dry hair
• Tea Tree for dandruff

To ease Headaches

• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary

To clear a Blocked Nose

• Bergamot
• Eucalyptus
• Ginger
• Rosemary

To ease a Sore Throat

• Frankincense
• Jasmine
• Sandalwood
• Tea Tree

To ease Eczema

• Chamomile
• Geranium
• Juniper Berry
• Lavender

To Moisturise Dry Skin

• Bergamot
• Chamomile
• Jasmine
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Ylang ylang

To Improve Cellulite

• Juniper Berry
• Geranium
• Rosemary

Aromatherapy ~ follow your nose

Some fragrances can ease you off to a peaceful and calming place, resulting into you falling asleep! Others will do the adverse, and wake you in the morning! Some can soothe away your stresses and anxieties, make you feel relaxing and revitalised.

Oils that smell similar can often have very different effects,

• Lemon is a stimulant
• Lemongrass is a sedative.

However, Rosemary and Peppermint smell nothing alike but are great for fatigue!

Scents and associations

• Orange – reminds us of the sun – produces an oil that will brighten up your mood and complexion.
• Woody smells – remind me the outdoors – they can ease away daily stresses – you can strengthen the association in your mind by burning incense oils in your garden on calm summer evenings, pure bliss!

Smell is one of the most primitive senses, and is the one most associated with memories and emotions.

When we think back our fond memories are linked to the favourite foods being cooked, or the day beside the sea. When we smell something similar these memories sprung back to the forefront of our minds.

Not all smells are fondly remembered so not everyone will enjoy the same aromas. But there’s something there for everyone.

Discover Aromatherapy

Relaxing in a nice bath, with candles lit, add a few drops of lavender essential oil in the water and you’ll notice the difference immediately. As you smell the relaxing fragrance of the oil as it surrounds you, it’s peacefulness and tranquility will lift your spirits, promoting relaxation and soothes your stresses away!

Aromatherapy is the art of healing with ‘essential’ oils – distilled essences derived from plants.

These can be used in massage and inhalation techniques, added to bathroom products such as soap, skin creams, bath gel and shampoo. Also I forgot to mention, used to create room fragrances.

Aromatherapy also includes the use of incense – this can be as loose powder, or as Joss sticks), pot pourri, steam inhalations, scented candles and fresh flowers.

All of the above mentioned can be used to raise your mood, treat ailments and improve your sense of well-being.

How it works…

Through the nose

• When we smell a fragrance, we take its healing molecules into our bodies (scented candles are an ideal way of filling your surroundings with gentle, relaxing aromas.)
• Heating essential oils and burning Joss sticks vaporises the oil so that we can breathe in its molecules more easily. (Decorative glass beads, a pot plant or window box, or a small glass of sand all make ideal Joss stick holders.)

Through the skin

• Essential oils applied to the skin are absorbed into the bloodstream to take immediate effect. (Undiluted essential oils are available from many shops. Dilute a few drops in 20mj of blending oil or body lotion.)