Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy

Essential Oils are obtained through a process of vaporising through steam the plant essence which is found in tiny petal glands, fruit, leaves, nuts & seeds plus bark, wood, stems and roots.

These are used in massage therapy, baths, compresses and inhalation. It is an effective treatment method because smell has a potent healing, calming and emotional link to the brain.

Massage Adults: dilute 25ml of carrier oil to 12 drops of neat oil.

Children (over 6 years of age): dilute 25ml of carrier oil to 6 drops of neat oil.

Baths Always run baths before adding the oil.

Adults: 6 - 8 drops.

Children: 4 drops.

Inhalations (ideal for chest infections) Add 4 drops of neat oil to a bowl of near boiling water. Cover your head with large towel and inhale for 1minute, up to 6 times daily.

Compress: soak a facecloth into the combination of 10 drops per 500ml water. Wring out and used over required area.

It is very important to use reputable oils and to consult a therapist if using it as medical treatment. Don’t use essential oils when pregnant. Don’t swallow oils or use undiluted.

ANISEED - Indigestion, coughs, bronchitis, catarrh.

BASIL - Fatigue, bronchitis, colds, loss of concentration, migraine, gout, aches & pains.

BENSOIN - Bronchitis, coughs, colds, arthritis, wounds, scars, dry skin, itching & a sedative.

BERGAMOT - Tension, depression, exhaustion, insomnia, mood swings, loss of appetite, nausea, cystitis, PMS, menopause, fevers, wounds, acne and coughs.

BLACK PEPPER - Fatigue, lack of concentration, impotence, colds, fevers, airborne infections, heartburn, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, rheumatism, aches & pains.

CAJEPUT - Minor burns, colds, flu, disinfectant, heals scars.

CAMPHOR - Nervous disorders, heart stimulant, acne, bronchitis, fevers, low blood pressure, TB, toothache, muscular injuries & rheumatism.

CARAWAY - Nervous digestion, stimulates breast milk, anti-spasmodic, poor appetite, colds.

CARROT SEED - Anti-septic, vasodilator, wrinkles, Dermatitis, Gout, oedema, anaemia, mental difficulties.

CEDARWOOD - Antiseptic, calming, helps fluid loss by promoting urination, Stimulates new cell growth, aphrodisiac, bronchitis, acne, arthritis & a diuretic.

CHAMOMILE - Expels gas, strengthens stomach, liver & spleen. Promotes new cell growth, promotes menstruation, reduces fever, promotes urination, calming on the nervous system & emotionally soothing. Eczema, burns & an anti-inflammatory.

CINNAMON LEAF - Nausea, nervous, exhaustion, stress, infections, diseases, perfume linen, keeps moths away.

CITRONELLA - An insecticide for: mosquitoes, fleas, ticks & flies, plant lice.

CLARY SAGE - Soothing, warming, nerve relaxant, stress muscular aches.

CLOVE - Toothache, digestive problems, arthritis & rheumatism, sinusitis, sedative, sterilizer.

CORIANDER - Fluid retention, arthritis, gout, muscular acne & pains, colds, flu, nervous exhaustion, stress.

CYPRESS - Circulatory conditions, sebaceous gland stabilizer, cellulite, arthritis, coughs & colds.

EUCALYPTUS - Colds, coughs, flu, sinusitis, arthritis & rheumatism, aches & pains, wounds.

FENNEL - Antiseptic, antispasmodic, detoxifying, strengthens stomachs, digestion, expels gas.

FRANKINCENSE - Calming, depression, slows and deepens breathing, antispasmodic, bacterial, wrinkles.

GERANIUM - Anxiety, hot flushes, palpitations, diarrhoea, insomnia, stress, hyperactivity, turrets syndrome, eczema, PMS, menopause, circulatory, diabetes.

GINGER - Fatigue, bronchitis, digestive disorders, nausea, diarrhoea, rheumatism, aches & pains, Low body temperature, arthritis, tonic, eczema, boils, acne, circulation, cellulite, varicose veins.

GRAPEFRUIT - Detoxing, constipation, cellulite, hangovers, problem skins.

JASMINE - Uplifting, tonic, aphrodisiac, dry skin, coughing, depression.

JUNIPERBERRY - Diuretic, urinary disorders, cystitis, antiseptic, anti-rheumatic (elimination of uric acid and toxins). Tonic, fatigue, colds, flu, liver tonic, heartburn, acidity, hangovers, gout, rheumatism, cramps, acne.

LAVENDER - Headaches, tension, insomnia, stress, pain, thrush, sunburn, heat & oil burns, insect repellent, insect bites, bruises, cuts & abrasions, arthritis & rheumatism.

LAVANDIN - Headaches, tension, stress, insomnia, respiratory, circulatory, sunburn.

LEMON - Blood pressure, digestive problems, fever, anxiety, antiseptic, tonic, sore throats, debility.

LEMON GRASS - Enteritis, acne, sports preparation, insect repellent, headaches, infections.

LEMON VERBENA - Toning astringent, revitalizing circulation, insect repellent, deodorant room freshener.

LIME - Fever, infections, sore throats, colds, depression, headaches, antiviral, anti-rheumatic.

MARJORAM - Insomnia, headaches, migraines, bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, flu, coughs, diarrhoea, constipation, colic, cramps, sprains, stiffness, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, circulation, detoxing, palpitations, PMS.

MELISSA - Insomnia, calming, sedative, uplifting, nervous tension, anxiety, grief, stress, PMT, headaches, regulates blood pressure, eczema, fungal infections.

MYRRH - Convalescence, nervous exhaustion, anti-septic, thrush, digestion, lowers cholesterol levels.

NEROLI - Depression, shock, fatigue, hysteria, insomnia, palpitations, promotes new cell growth, varicose veins.

NIAOLI - Acne, boils, insect bites, poor circulation, asthma, cystitis, urinary infection, fever, flu.

ORANGE SWEET - Slow digestion, constipation, headaches, energizer, muscle spasm.

PATCHOULI - Depression, impotency, frigidity, infections, acne, eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections, insect repellent, cellulite, constipation, diarrhoea, dandruff.

PEPPERMINT - Coughs, colds, indigestion, nausea, muscle pains, deodorant, headaches.

PETITGRAIN - Calming, deodorizing, digestive problems, oily skin, stress, anxiety.

PINE - Decongestant, bronchitis, hay fever, urinary infections, rheumatism, circulation.

ROSE - Anti-depressant, PMT, infertility, anti-inflammatory, frigidity, aphrodisiac.

ROSEMARY - Stimulant, diuretic, anti-rheumatic, anti-neuralgic, wounds, burns, mental fatigue, poor memory, concentration, hair loss, dandruff, migraines, headaches, water retention, cholesterol, gout, low blood pressure, muscular pains.

ROSEWOOD - Cell & tissue regenerator, wrinkles, aged skins, headaches, nausea, anxiety.

SAGE - Mental strain, relaxes muscles, fibrosis, slimming, low blood pressure, sores.

SANDALWOOD - Acne, cystitis, PMS, depression, eczema, sedative, aphrodisiac.

SPEARMINT - Hiccough, colic, nausea, indigestion, flatulence, headaches, sores & scabs, haemorrhoids, safe for pregnant woman (an alternative to peppermint).

TAGETES - Feet, ringworm, fungal infections.

TEA TREE - Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, thrush, herpes, skin infections, eczema, fever blisters, throat infections, tonsillitis, warts, inflammation, nappy rash.

THYME - Anti-viral, antibiotic, antiseptic, diuretic, stimulates thyroid & lymphatic system, whooping cough, rheumatism, neuralgia, acne, insect repellent.

VETIVERT - Calming, immune system tonic, anti-septic, shock.

WINTERGREEN - Muscular aches & pain, sports injuries.

YLANG-YLANG - Anxiety, high blood pressure, calms epileptic fits, aphrodisiac.

Those suffering from the following should avoid using specific oils:

If Epileptic: Avoid Black Pepper; Fennel; Rosemary; Sage.

If Pregnant: Avoid Basil; Black Pepper; Camphor; Caraway; Cedarwood; Chamomile; Cinnamon leaf; Clary sage; Cypress; Fennel; Juniper; Marjoram; Peppermint; Rose blend; Rosemary; Sage; Spearmint; Tagetes; Thyme.

If you have high blood pressure: Avoid Rosemary; Sage.

If you have sensitive skin: Avoid Basil; Black Pepper; Cajeput; Camphor; Cedarwood; Cinnamon Leaf; Citronella; Cypress; Eucalyptus; Fennel; Juniper; Lemon; Lemon Verbena; Peppermint; Pine; Rosemary; Sage; Spearmint; Tagetes.

If you have kidney complaints: Avoid Juniper.

If in the first trimester of pregnancy: Avoid Lavender.

Seek advice of a professional before using: Caraway; Fennel; Juniper; Sage.