Discover the secrets of spa and make it part of your daily ritual.

 

Relax and unwind at home with aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is one of the easiest ways to introduce ‘spa experiences’ into your daily life. It is as simple as using a few drops of your favourite essential oil in an oil burner to recreate that wonderful feeling of visiting a spa. You can further enhance the experience by using essential oils in your bath, lighting some scented candles and simply laying back and relaxing. Bliss! Why not ask your partner to give you an aromatherapy massage or try an ‘at home’ facial.  
 
Retailers such as Perfect Potion in Australia can help with all of your essential oil needs, with gorgeous massage oils, essential oils and pamper packs available to help you get ready to ‘spa at  home’. 
Alternatively, check out these online retailers of essential oils and aromatherapy products.
www.doterrahealth.com
 

Using aromatherapy safely

  • Never use essential oils undiluted on the skin. This includes lavender and tea tree oils. Always dilute with a little carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil or olive oil.
  • W hen using a new oil for the first time always test the diluted oil on the inside of your elbow and leave for 24 hours.
  • Essential oils such as fennel, aniseed, chamomile, clary sage, jasmine, rose, lemongrass, peppermint and rose should be avoided in pregnancy, particularly for massage. For more information visit http://www.essentialoils.co.za/pregnancy.htm and speak to a qualified aromatherapist in your area.
  • Some medical conditions such as asthma, epilepsy and other health conditions also preclude the use of certain essential oils. Talk to a qualified aromatherapist to find out what is safe for you to use.
  • Only use the recommended amount of oil - remember less is more.
  • Some essential oils are not suitable for use in aromatherapy, including Wormood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor, horseradish, wintergreen, rue, bitter almond and sassafras. 
  • Essential oils should not be taken internally, except under the direction of a qualified aromatherapy or natural therapies practitioner. 
  • Essential oils are flammable. Always use oils diluted in water in oil burners when a naked flame is used.   

Tips on using essential oils

Massage: Mix 6 drops of essential oil to every 2 teaspoons (10ml) of carrier oil  
Facial blends: 6-8 drops to every 3 teaspoons (15ml)  
Bath: Add 6 drops to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes  
Inhalation: Add 6 drops essential to 4 cups (1 litre) steaming water. Cover head with a towel and steam for 5 minutes while inhaling vapours
Vaporisation: Add 6 drops of essential oil to vaporiser      
 
 
Aromatherapy facial
 
  1. Clean the face and remove all make-up using a cleanser, olive oil or glycerine.
  2. Make a compress by dropping 2-3 drops of pure lemon or lavender oil in very hot water and immersing a small towel into the water. Float the towel on top where the essential oils will tend to float. Wring excess water from the towel and while still steaming gently drape the towel around the face and pat it down. This will help balance the skin, reduce the formation of blackheads and refine pores.
  3. Remove the towel when it has cooled and pat the face dry with a small face cloth or washer.
  4. Spritz the face with a gently astringent such as witch hazel or a floral water made from distilled water with lavender, rose and neroli oils.
  5. Apply a gently scrub to the face, neck and decolletage. Mix 1 tablespoon ground almonds with 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply to face and gently massage in using circular movements. Allow to dry for 10-20 minutes, then rinse off with warm lavender water.
  6. You can make a mask from powdered green clay which is available from health food stores. Mix the green clay with water, witch hazel and essential oils such as:
    • peppermint (1 drop will help clear blemishes and improve the appearance of tired, dull skin)
    • lavender (1 drop will soothe and calm sensitive or irritated skin)
    • chamomile, rose or geranium (1 drop will improve the appearance of any skin type) 
Leave the mask for 10 -15 minutes then remove using a warm damp towel that has been immersed in lavender water.
Finish by moisturising the skin. Dampen skin with warm water before applying the moisturiser. Blend carrot oil with equal amounts of evening primrose oil and vitamin E oil. You can also add 1-2 drops of rose, lavender or neroli oil to help leave your skin feeling and smelling heavenly.   
 
Mood Makers
 
These essential oil blends can be used in baths, vaporisers and burners, or mixed with carrier oil for massage:
Pampering:       3 drops rose; 3 drops neroli, 3 drops lavender
Reviving:           2 drops lemon, 2 drops peppermint, 2 drops pine, 3 drops rose
Balancing:         4 drops geranium, 3 drops neroli, 2 drops rose
Calming:           4 drops Roman chamomile, 4 drops rose
Euphoric:          3 drops lavender, 2 drops orange, 3 drops clary sage, 2 drops ylang ylang
Grounding:        3 drops bergamot, 2 drops atlas cedar, 4 drops lavender, 3 drops sandalwood
Uplifting:           4 drops bergamot, 3 drops clary sage, 4 drops ylang ylang  
 
Carrier oils
 
The following oils are suitable for use as carrier oils which you can mix with essential oils:   Macadamia- nourishing for dry and mature skin
Sweet almond - a protein-rich oil nourishing for the skin
Apricot kernel - a rich, heavy oil ideally suited to dry and dehydrated skin
Carrot - a strong oil with anti-aging properties (often blended with olive and almond oils for facial blends)
Evening primrose - useful for treating dry and mature skin
Grapeseed - ideal as a massage oil
Hazelnut - ideal for slightly oily skin and stimulating circulation in tired, dull skin
Olive - a warming, calming oil that penetrates and softens the skin     


 





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