The A-Z Of Aromatherapy – A (Part 2)

Another month passes by and before you know, it is time for part 2 of the A’s in the A – Z of Aromatherapy.

A (Part 2)

Appetite – So many factors can affect our appetite. From the smells we encounter to the food we see in shops, on tv or in a magazine. Our mind certainly affects our choice in foods, from the stress eating when we have perhaps had a bad day at work to the lack of appetite when dealing with grief. There are a few essential oils that can help when it comes to your appetite. If you have lost your appetite then try using bergamot essential oil. Blend with a carrier oil and massage onto your stomach in a circular motion. This will help to stimulate your appetite. If you are eating too much, use fennel essential oil. This essential oil can help to curb your appetite. But both bergamot and fennel are good at helping to balance the appetite.

Arthritis – If you suffer from arthritis, you will know how painful it can be. Lavender and camomile can help ease the pain. Using a compress on the affected area with these oils can help. You can also put a few drops of these oils in a bath to help you relax and ease the pain. Ginger or black pepper essential oil can help to warm the area and improve circulation, if you use this in a massage or indeed a compress please ensure you continue to move the affected area after treatment to keep the blood flowing and any toxins moving.

Asthma – this is caused by the narrowing of the bronchi in the lungs. A good essential oil to use would be one that it antispasmodic which means it would reduced the spasms of bronchi. In this case, inhalation would be the best way to help. Use bergamot and lavender, these will have a calming affect which is great if the individual becomes stressed or anxious during an attack. Put these oils in a vaporiser or put a few drops onto a tissue or small towel and smell regularly.

Athlete’s foot – The Itchy scratchy feeling…doesn’t it drive you mad. To help soothe your feet dilute a few drops of tea tree essential oil in a foot bath, or dab some on the affected area. To help prevent it, put a few drops of tea tree oil on top of a blob of foot cream and then rub this into your whole foot as well as the itchy area. Tea tree has fungicidal properties so it helps to kills fungus. However, you treat athlete’s foot you will enjoy the relief that tea tree essential oil brings from that annoying itch!

Attention – Do you find your mind wandering whilst at work or you find that you are drifting from one task to another but nothing is really working for you? Then try basil essential oil, it is an uplifting and is great for mental fatigue. Put it in a vaporiser or have it on a tissue to smell throughout the day, mix it with a carrier oil and put it in a roller ball applicator and put this onto your pulse points throughout the day. Basil helps to clear the mind and provide clarity. This can be great when studying or completing a project.

Apricot kernel oil – This is a carrier oil and is made as you can probably guess from the apricot kernel or seed. It is high in vitamin E and is very easily absorbed into the skin. It is great for massage used as a carrier oil and is an excellent moisturiser used on its own.

Please note: Always ensure you follow any instructions regarding essential oils or treatments. Never ingest oils or use them internally. Proceed with caution, particularly if you are pregnant and/or have epilepsy. Seek advice before using any essential oil or treatment as some are not to be used during pregnancy or with epilepsy. Never use essential oils neat on your skin as this can cause irritation. If any irritation occurs whilst using the oils, even with a carrier oil, then rinse the affected area and discontinue use.

I hope this has been of some help to you and has given you a greater insight into Aromatherapy and the uses of essential oils and the areas it can treat.

Thank you for reading, have a great week and look after you.

Love Emma xx