Good day to you all. Let’s take a look at my first A – Z of aromatherapy for the year. Today we are looking at the letter 0.
O
Orange Essential Oil – If you are suffering from depression then Orange oil can help, it has antidepressant properties. Put several drops on a tissue and inhale, leave next to you and use throughout the day, topping up with more oil drops as needed. Suffering from constipation, then mix two drops of orange essential oil with 5ml of grapeseed oil and massage in a clockwise direction on your stomach to help ease your symptoms. As a mild sedative this oil is good for insomnia. Have a bath and mix 5 drops of orange oil with 5 drops of lavender oil and disperse in the water. Spend 20 minutes or so in the bath, relaxing and breathing in the wonderful relaxing scent.
Overweight/obesity – If you are struggling with your weight, fennel essential oil can help. It is an appetite suppressant, use in a massage with a carrier oil and massage clockwise on the stomach. Avoid this oil during pregnancy and do not use on children or if you suffer from epilepsy. A cup of Fennel tea is perhaps more accessible in helping your appetite. Bergamot essential oil is good at lifting your spirits and helping you to deal with the emotional side of eating. Bergamot is also helpful at regulating the appetite, add a drop alongside the fennel for the stomach massage.
Overworked – Are you feeling overworked and on the cusp of burnout. Use lavender essential oil to help relax you, put a drop on your pillow to help you sleep or have a bath in the evening adding in several drops of lavender, helping you to having a peaceful nights sleep. During the day use rosemary essential oil, this will help to stimulate your body and mind. Do not use too much as only a little is needed of this powerful oil. Clary sage is an excellent muscle relaxant so works well with lavender and neroli is great for stress. Mix 5 drops of lavender, 2 drops of clary sage, 2 drops of neroli in a diffuser and allow the scent to drift around the room, helping you to relax.
Oil burner – This works in a similar way to a diffuser, filling the room with a scent of your choice. An oil burner warms essential oils and water using a tealight candle underneath a small bowl, which makes the oil and water evaporate enabling the scent to drift around the room.
Odours – Use a diffuser to combat odours you cannot get rid of around your home. Depending on the room and type of smell you can choose any scent to fragrance the air. In your bedroom you may opt for the relaxing fragrances of lavender and bergamot whilst in the kitchen you may go for more fresh scents such as grapefruit or lemon. Be sure to avoid using near food, pets and babies. The best thing about using a diffuser means you can fragrance your home using your favourite scents.
Oedema – Do you suffer from fluid retention? Do you find you get puffy legs when on long flights? Then use juniper or fennel essential oil as these both have diuretic properties. Mix 2 drops of fennel or juniper with a 5ml of a carrier oil and massage slowly on your legs this will have a stimulating effect on the lymphatic system and will help to drain the excess fluid away. If you suffer from premenstrual fluid retention then geranium essential oil is a good choice. Mix 2-3 drops with a carrier oil and massage gently into your stomach.
Oily Skin – If you suffer from oily and greasy skin caused by too much sebum production, then there are a number of essential oils that can help. You can use them with your usual cleansers and moisturisers, add 2 drops of one of the following oils or 1 drop of 2 oils: cedarwood, lemon, bergamot, tea tree, lavender, geranium. Massage gently into your skin – use twice a day. A good blend would be Lavender which helps to balance the skin and geranium which helps to reduce sebum production. Use regularly but not over a prolonged period.
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 P.
Have a great week and look after you!
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 