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One of the most useful ways of benefiting from essential oils is to use them to cope with situations involving anxiety and stress. Many of the flowery and woody oils have calming and pain-relieving effects that help ease tension and worry. Instant de-stressor Calming oils encourage the body to relax, which is essential as your … Read moreAromatherapy: Understanding Calming Oils
The skin is highly sensitive to temperature, being like a physiological thermometer. It reacts to cold by erecting hair to trap warmth and shivers to increase blood circulation. Aromatherapy oils can produce feelings of warmth and reduce the need for goose bumps. Oils made from resins, such as benzoin, frankincense and myrrh, and spicy oils, … Read moreAromatherapy: Understanding Warming Oils
Relaxation is probably one of the main things that you associate with aromatherapy. Many oils have relaxing properties, though not all of them affect you in the same way. Some oils relax your muscles, relieving tension, others relax your mind, dispelling fear, anger and worry that may be causing sleepless night. Others can have a … Read moreAromatherapy: Understanding Relaxing Oils
One of the simplest uses of aromatherapy oils is to give you a boost when you feel the need to be stimulated into action. Essential oils produce effects on the central nervous system, stimulating the body’s own systems to help it focus on areas that need attention, facilitating positive mood changes and healing. Happy and … Read moreAromatherapy: Understanding Invigorating Oils
A small selection of essential oils as a basic first aid kit can help you deal with most of the little accidents and emergencies that life throws up and will take up little space in a cupboard at home. Accidents do happen, so being prepared can save you a lot of pain and inconvenience and, … Read moreAromatherapy: Understanding Healing Oils
Most essential oils have natural antiseptic properties because the plants from which they are extracted produce them to protect themselves from invading micro-organisms. Tea tree is one of the best known and most versatile essential oils with powerful antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, yet it’s gentle enough to treat children. Treating infections Antibacterial oils can … Read moreAromatherapy: Understanding Antiseptic Oils
Many people use scents to make their living or working space more inviting, both to themselves and to visitors. Long-term additions, such as flowers or pot pourri, are always worth considering, while oil burners and room sprays can provide handy short-term fixes if you are entertaining or need to banish a bad smell. Incense and … Read moreAromatherapy: Making Room Fresheners
Inhaling therapeutic oils from a vapour rub is one of the most effective ways of relieving the symptoms of colds and flu and tackling minor respiratory infections. A blend of warming, expectorant essential oils in petroleum jelly, ointment or in a vegetable carrier oil will help to ease congestion. The addition of antiseptic oils such … Read moreAromatherapy: Making Vapour Rubs
Ointments contain fats, usually in the form of wax dissolved in oil, but no water. They sit on the skin without penetrating it, making a watertight protection from infection, as healing and soothing oils are slowly absorbed into the skin. Heal and soothe Make your own aromatherapy balms and ointments at home from simple, natural … Read moreAromatherapy: Making Ointments and Balms
Many essential oils contain active ingredients that can benefit your hair and scalp, helping to improve dry or greasy hair, combat dandruff and prevent head lice. Why not turn your hand to making your own aromatherapy hair products? Pre-wash Treatments Essential oil shampoos do not foam like regular shampoos, so you may prefer to use … Read moreAromatherapy: Making Shampoos