This month my A – Z of Aromatherapy is looking at the letter M.
Mandarin essential oil – This is a lovely citrus oil with good balancing qualities, making it great for helping with grief, shock and anxiety put a few drops onto a tissue and inhale or put in a vaporiser to enjoy the beautiful aroma. If you suffer from digestive problems, mix a few drops with almond oil and massage gently onto your stomach in a clockwise direction to help soothe.
Massage – The best way to use essential oils is to combine them with a carrier oil and have a lovely aromatherapy massage to soothe and comfort, to relax and ease tension. Depending on your symptoms and reason for having a massage will depend on the essential oils you choose. Discuss with your massage therapist who will choose the oils that will best suit your needs. If they mention any oils you are usure of, be sure to ask to smell them, you are not going to relax or enjoy the massage if you do not like the smell. The more regular you have a massage the longer lasting the positive effectives will be. Whether you are stressed out or are looking to ease your muscles after exercise, an aromatherapy massage can help.
Melissa essential oil – often referred to as Lemon Balm due to its lovely lemony scent. If you find yourself worrying about the future, breathing in this delicious scent will help you to let go of your worries. If you suffer from sensitive skin minimise the amount of drops you use in a blend and mix with your usual body moisturiser. A great essential oil for soothing your hands, mix a drop with your usual hand moisturiser and massage in, inhaling the beautiful scent. Use sparingly and avoid during pregnancy.
Muscle Aches – If you have overused your muscles from exercise, blend 2-4 drops of lemongrass with a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil and massage gently into the muscles. If your aches are caused by flu then blend a few drops of black pepper essential oil into a bath add 4 drops of lavendar, swirl around and relax as best you can. This will help to ease your aches.
Myrrh essential oil – Avoid using during pregnancy. This is a great essential oil to use if you have a cough or cold and have excess mucus as it is an expectorant and will help to dry this up. Use in a steam inhalation but only use a drop or two. If you suffer from athletes foot or a fungal infection, then myrrh essential oil can help as it is antifungal so will help to clear this up and get rid of the infection. To help with diarrhoea, be very gentle but mix with a carrier oil and massage your stomach gently in a clockwise direction.
Memory – Rosemary essential oil is great for remembrance, so good to use if you are studying for an exam or need to recall a lot of information. Put a few drops into a vaporiser – use sparingly -and inhale.
Menopause – geranium essential oil and lavender essential oil are great for balancing hormones you can use in a vaporiser or in a massage. I always recommend mixing a drop of each with your usual body moisturiser and rub into your skin until absorbed. Breathe deep.
Marjoram essential oil – great for body and mind. This is a warming oil so works well with muscle aches as it helps to relax the muscles. Do not use during pregnancy. As a calming and sedative oil it can help if you suffer from insomnia, anxiety, stress and depression, mix with lavender oil to enhance the effects. Steam inhalation is good for helping if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, and colds, it will clear the chest, easing breathing difficulties, make sure you don’t get too close and be careful with steam.
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 (Lavender oil is an exception). If any irritation occurs whilst using the oils, even with a carrier oil, then rinse the affected area and discontinue use.
Thank you for reading, I hope you found this post helpful and it gave you a small insight into the benefits of essential oils. Join me next month when I will be looking at the letter N.
Have a great week and look after you!
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 