Posts Tagged aroma

Aromatherapy for Coughs and Colds

Posted by admin in Aromatherapy on July 14, 2011

Winter is a prime season for colds and flu. But aromatherapy and essential oils can help.

Prevention is always better than cure. Help stop the spread of germs by using the antiseptic powers of essential oils around the home.

Tea tree essential oil in particular is fabulous used as a disinfectant. Add a few drops to the water when washing floors.

Sprinkle a few drops of tea tree on a damp cloth and use to wipe down light switches door handles, taps and other areas that are touched regularly to reduce the spread of germs.

Other surfaces can be washed down with tea tree in warm water. If you aren’t keen on the aroma of tea tree, just add a little lemon essential oil along with the tea tree.

Vaporise essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, pine, lemon, cypress or thyme to cleanse the air.

Make a room spray by putting 3 drops each of eucalyptus, tea tree and lemon or eucalyptus, pine and rosemary essential oils in a spray bottle and topping up with water. Don’t forget to shake well before each time you use it.

If you do catch a cold a cold, essential oils can also help to soothe the symptoms and help you to feel better.

At the first symptoms, run a warm bath and sprinkle in 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 3 drops of lavender and 2 drops tea tree. Soak for at least 15-20 minutes, then pat yourself dry, wrap up warm and put yourself to bed. The essential oils will soothe symptoms and relax you to help you to get a good night’s sleep and get the rest that is so important when you are ill.

Vaporise essential oils in the bedroom with a waterless electric vaporiser – use 5-6 drops of eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pine, rosemary, or basil. Use one oil or a combination.

Put a few drops on a tissue and breathe in the vapors throughout the day to help to relieve congestion – oils that can help here include, basil, eucalyptus, pine, peppermint or rosemary. Add a drop of lavender if your symptoms include a headache.

These same oils can be used for steam inhalation to help relieve congestion – use 1-2 drops only in a bowl of hot, but not boiling, water. Close eyes and cover your head with a towel to make a tent. Breathe in deeply. (Note – steam inhalations are not recommended for anyone suffering from asthma).

Make a soothing chest rub by adding 6 drops each of eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary to 50ml grapeseed oil. Apply to chest, throat and upper back. Read the rest of this entry »

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Rose Hydrolat, and How to Use It

Posted by admin in Aromatherapy on July 14, 2011

Rose hydrolat (rose hydrosol) is one of the most versatile of all the pure flower waters. The aroma is quite delightful, exactly like the divine fragrance of the plant: rich, floral, sweet, uplifting, heavenly – simply beautiful. And it has almost universal appeal.

So how should rose hydrolat be used?

In aromatherapy circles, rose is associated with the heart, with the emotions (especially love and forgiveness), and with skin care; particularly skin that is showing signs of aging.

So perhaps it is not surprising that rose hydrolat is a wonderful natural skin toner, especially useful for mature skin. But it can also be used for skin that is suffering from heat. In both cases simply spritz it onto the face a couple of times a day.

But because rose also has a cooling effect, it should be the hydrolat of choice for anyone experiencing hot flashes, or who is naturally inclined to sweating, or a red face.

This ‘cooling’ influence also transfers itself to the emotions. Try using it for adolescent boys, whose moods are a little out of control…

Hydrolats are the ‘waters’ that result from steam distillation of plant material (in the case of rose it is the petals that are used). So hydrolats contain the water soluble essences of the plant. It is significant that they generally have a pH value of between 4 and 6.

This means that they are very slightly acidic in nature, and are therefore perfect for skin care, because the skin in naturally slightly acidic. This so-called ‘acid mantle’ protects the skin from bacteria and fungus, and when the balance is upset, the skin’s natural functions are compromised. So ideally we want to maintain this balance, and many skin care products which are not pH balanced, actually have the opposite effect.

Have you noticed that if you bathe your face in water, afterwards it can feel a little tight? That is because water is pH7, which means it is neutral. However a quick mist of rose hydrolat will restore the skin to the correct pH, and it will feel natural again.

A true hydrolat does not contain any preservatives or alcohol, although you may find additives in many store bought products. It is worth being aware of this, because man-made additives will obviously affect the therapeutic properties of the hydrolat. Read the rest of this entry »

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