The A-Z Of Aromatherapy – H

It’s time again for the A-Z of Aromatherapy and today I am looking into the letter H.

H

Headache – There are several kinds of headaches. If you have a tension headache and feel tight across the forehead, then mix a few drops of lavender oil in with some warm water and rinse out a cloth, hold against your forehead. Close your eyes and try to relax, breathing in the fragrance as you hold the compress on your forehead. If you have a sore head because of a cold then use eucalyptus oil in a compress or put some in a vapouriser or oil burner and breath in the fragrance to help ease your headache. For any headache I would suggest using a mixture of peppermint and lavender oil. The lavender has a sedative effect, good for relaxing and the peppermint oil is a stimulant, they work well particularly if you are having to get on with your day. You can use a warm compress or cool compress or mix one drop of each oil with 10ml of grapeseed oil and massage slowly into your temples to ease the pain.

Hair – You may never have thought of using essential oils on your hair, but it is great to help with a variety of ailments. If you suffer from dandruff add a drop or two of Tea Tree oil or lavender in with your usual shampoo to help relive the itching, rinse thoroughly. Or you can mix 30ml of a carrier oil with 2-3 drops of tea tree oil and massage into your scalp. leave on for an hour or so, and then rinse off using your usual shampoo. Did you know chamomile can enhance blonde hair whereas rosemary does the same for dark hair, add the oil into your final rinse water. To create a rinse for your hair, fill a container with enough water to rinse your hair (after you have rinsed out all the shampoo/conditioner). Pour slowly over your head. Once all the rinse is finished, dry your hair in the usual way. Use regularly but note that chamomile can dry your hair out.

Hangover – Ugh you wake up feeling rough wishing you could hide under your duvet all day or at least until the pain of your head or the sickness dissipates. All you want is to feel normal again. I would recommend using Grapefruit essential oil as this is a wonderful oil for getting rid of toxins in the body. It has a refreshing fragrance and can help with lethargy too. Mix a 3-4 drops of grapefruit oil with 30ml of grapeseed oil and then slowly massage into your arms and legs if you wish. If you have a headache then look at the details above to help with this ailment.

Healing crisis – This is when your body reacts after you have had an aromatherapy massage. The massage will help your body and mind to relax as well as expel toxins from your body. As it does so you may be tired, have a headache, sore muscles, nausea, or after a few days spots may appear. This is known as the healing crisis. These will all pass, it is you body cleansing itself and ridding itself of toxins.

Hay fever – If you are suffering from a runny nose and sneezing, then lavender and eucalyptus essential oils can help with this. Put a few drops of each onto a tissue and carry round with your or put do a steam inhalation to inhale the fragrance and let it do its thing. The best oil to deal with hay fever is chamomile essential oil. Again, put a few drops on a hankie and inhale regularly. As the pollen season can be long, you should alternate the oil regularly to ensure it continues to work as it may lose its effectiveness if used regularly.

I hope today’s A – Z has been useful and you have a few new ideas to try. Some things may work for you and others not, so try it out and see how you get on.

When buying essential oils, always ensure you buy 100% pure essential oil. Test on the skin first (mixed with a carrier oil) before applying to ensure there is no adverse reaction.

Thank you reading and coming on this A – Z journey with the letter H. I hope you have found it helpful. Join me next month when we will look at the letter I.

Have a great week and look after you.

Love Emma xx