Aromatherapy is a joy for me and has been for over 25 years.  I wish I could use  “aroma-vision” so you could inhale all the wonderful fragrances that I have. I’m a trained massage practitioner and aromatherapist and have been since the early 90’s. When I did my first course it was actually learning about aromatherapy first. I learnt to massage properly later.
I didn’t realise that I was complete natural at massage. It’s lovely to have a skill that can bring some much comfort and relaxation to anyone who wishes to receive it. It comes easily to me and also the administration of essential oils, I love to use them on my clients, friends and family.
While writing this post, I also decided to do a stock-take on my essential oils. What a lovely job that was! I was in olfactory heaven. I got quite “heady” as I was inhaling so many oils. I loved dabbing Rose otto on my temples and behind my ears and burning Lemon, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood.Lavender FE
My favourite oils are from  a company called Fragrant Earth based in Glastonbury, here in the UK. I’ve used them for many years.
Aromatherapy massage in general is lighter and less intense than Swedish/Therapeutic Massage as most of the oils help to do the work for you. I use a combination of different massage techniques dependent on the treatment plan for the specific client.
Aromatherapy can be used in a multitude of ways, here a few
Massage treatment
Steam Inhalation
Blended massage oil, prepared for use at home
Bath oil
Hydrosol/Floral Water
Cream, lotion or salve
Hot/Cold compresses
On a tissue or handkerchief
Oil Burner
Room Fragrance
Neat (with caution)
Here’s a few of my favourite essential oils, this list is limited to four essential oils in this post and another five in Part Two as if I posted all my favourite oils, we’d be here all night!
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
Blends well with: Frankincense, Rose, Bergamot, Lavender, Myrrh, Lemon, Cedarwood and Sandalwood
Contraindications: None known
benzoin
Benzoin’s use in aromatherapy for me has been extensive over the years, I always manage to sneak it in somewhere in a blend as it’s so good. It’s the resin that’s used in aromatherapy and luckily for me comes in nice big bottles. It is a very comforting oil for someone who is in pain or grief  especially if they have been bereaved. Also if they have lost their way or feel withdrawn; it’s very helpful and brings a sense of peace. The mental and emotional healing properties of essential oils are just as important as their physical helping effects.
Benzoin’s aroma is very vanilla-like with a warmth to it coupled with molasses undertones it is just such a heavenly scent. BenzKemenyan benzoin resinoin is an oil for Winter as it’s warming and lessens tension, aids the circulation and eases emotional exhaustion.
It also works well on sore, cracked skin especially on the heels and elbows and hands – I use it in a skin salve with Shea butter and coconut oil. It’s also good in a blend with Frankincense and Lavender for respiratory problems and one of the ingredients in Friar’s Balsam.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Blends well with: Bergamot, Benzoin, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Geranium, Rosemary, Rose, Ylang Ylang and Neroli.
Contraindications: Slightly photo-toxic so avoid bright sunshine for 12 hours
Another great oil for Winter. Ginger oil is a warming and energising oil, being an antidepressant it helps lift your mood. It’s quite a stimulating and strong smelling oil and will help clear your head. So, it’s great for congestion, sore throats/coughs and stuffy noses; good to use either on a tissue or by steam inhalation.
Steam inhalation: Pour hot water into a bowl and add 2-3 drops of the essential oil, place your head about 12 inches (30 cm) above the bowl and cover your head with a towel so the steam can rise up and be trapped inside the towel) Close your eyes and breathe deeply through your nose for a couple of minutes.11-health-benefits-of-ginger Repeat as necessary for relief. (N.B Steam Inhalation is not advised on small children or the elderly due to risk of scalding from hot water)
I’ve used ginger oil a lot for tummy aches, indigestion and cramps as it’s a great for the whole digestive system. It’s also good for morning sickness and nausea. I use on a tissue for nausea or a hot compress/massaged clockwise on the tummy area for cramps and tummy aches.
One of the major uses I’ve used ginger for is aches and pains of all types. As it’s such a warming oil. it blends well with Rosemary for aching muscles, arthritis and rheumatism. It will help to relieve the aches and pains of colds and flu if you are feeling chilly or feverish. It’s great for poor circulation and bruising. Use it with a carrier oil in massage or diluted in the bath or added to a cream for aches and pains.
It’s also meant to help with hangovers! I’ve not tried it myself – may come in handy
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
Blends well with: Bergamot, Rose, Rosemary, Mandarin/Orange, Geranium, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus and Chamomile.
Contraindications: Avoid in early pregnancy as a precaution if there’s been a history of miscarriage (as Lavender is an emmenagogue) in that it stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area/uterus
This oil is a wonderful example  of how truly versatile essential oils can be. Lavender especially when it’s blended with ( in synergistic way – it enhances the properties of the other oils) it is truly remarkable. Going back to 1910, René-Maurice Gattefossé  who badly burnt his hand and plunged it into a vat of lavender essential oil (the burn  healed quickly) and who also coined the term aromatherapy (aromathérapie) in 1935. He researched into how essential oils worked and their healing properties. Here are some of the properties of Lavender.a lavender flower with big bee
It is a sedative (great for insomnia) calming, anti-depressant and healing oil which can be added to baths, creams, diffusers, steam inhalations, used neat on minor burns/cuts and massaged into achy limbs.(I’m forever burning myself getting things out of the oven.) I reach straight for the lavender oil as it offers the fastest relief.
Dabbed onto the temples for headaches, it’s also especially good massaged into the lower back for painful periods. It’s also a fab skin tonic (helps new cell growth) & helps to clear acne by having a balancing effect on the skin  It’s great in cold-relieving blends (Lavender Eucalyptus and Tea Tree) for the whole respiratory system and it’s anti viral action helps keep infections at bay. Truly versatile!
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
Blends well with: Grapefruit, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Ginger, Rosemary, Black Pepper, Lavender and Neroli
Contraindications: None known
This is my favourite essential oil. It’s also made from the resin. I love the diverse aromas within this oil. It has a fruity top note and balsamic & wood smoke undertones. Beautiful smell; it’s used a lot for incense as well as the essential oil.
I had a nasty bout of bronchitis many years ago and coupled with Tea Tree and Lavender essential oils, I managed to overcome my illness with relative ease. It is a tonic for the lungs and helps to relieve stress and tension by helping to slow and deepen the breathing. It is an aid to meditation and it very uplifting and calming.
Another brilliant skin rejuvenator. It is used in face creams for mature and sensitive skin and also as an antiseptic and protectant for minor cuts, abrasions, chapped and sore skin. I use a combination of Rosehip/Coconut oils and Frankincense with Rose Otto essential oils on my face day and night.
If you’d like to book some sessions with me please contact me here
frankincense 2Frankincense