Essential oils can be used to help break stress cycle because they have the ability to treat mind and body simultaneously. There are numbers of essential oils that have the therapeutic quality to deal with different kinds of stress that you might come across during the day. To cope with stress, we need to learn to recognize our own limitations and be aware of our levels of anxiety or physical exhaustion. Aromatherapy massage can help to relieve stress, by easing taut muscles, the body and mind are calmed, enabling the whole body to relax.

Morning blends :

Dilute in 2 tablespoon or carrier oil with

2 drops Ginger essential oil

With a very penetrating, stimulating aroma, Rosemary has been used for centuries to help relieve nervous exhaustion tension headaches and migraines. It improves circulation to the brain and is an excellent oil for mental fatigue. Research found that the herb has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system.
Ginger helps to warm the body, relaxes tight muscles and relieve fatigue.

Evening blends :

Dilute in 2 tablespoon or carrier oil with

2 drops Lavender essential oil

The peel of the ripe Bergamot yields an oil that is mild and gentle. It is the most effective antidepressant of all, best used at the start of the day. When you burn the oil in a vaporizer it will help you feel at ease.
Lavender is one of the safest and most versatile of all essential oils and has been used for centuries as a refreshing fragrance and as a remedy for stress-related ailments. It is especially helpful for tension headaches or for nervous digestive systems.

Application :

Mental fatigue or nervous exhaustion
Work circular pressure over the forehead, temples and scalp, followed by a scalp massage to stimulate the circulation. Or you might use 4 drops of essential oils in a vaporizer or inhalation.

Alleviating stress
You can start with a full body massage to boost vitality. Follow with an energizing foot massage or a stimulating scalp massage. For other application add up 4 drops of essential oil to your warm bath.

Too much stress can lead to minor ailments, such as headaches and stomach aches, but if it persists it can cause more serious problems. To cope with stress, we need to learn to recognize our own
limitations and be aware of our levels of anxiety or physical exhaustion. Aromatherapy helps you escape this vicious cycle and come through a difficult time.

As your home spa is a place for you to invigorate and refresh, it has to be clean and fresh. The bathroom is where the home spa treatments will take place, therefore take a good care to clean everything in it. Then prepare items that you will need to use them regularly such as :

• Fresh and clean cotton towels
• Natural beeswax scented candles
• Vaporizer
• Pure essential oils
• Favorite body care products
• Dark bottles to store aromatherapy blends
• Real natural plants to give you natural energy

Even spa treatments will take place in the bathroom, it is important to make a relaxing environment in you bedroom because that’s where you’ll go after you’ve been to the bathroom. Your bedroom should be enjoyable and is conducive to romance, rest and relaxation. The basic list that you should contribute to a pleasant bedroom environment is the following : Read the rest of this entry »

Whenever you feel weary and your feet ache after a hard day’s work, aromatic foot bath will help you to refresh, revitalize and ease the pain. And it not only relaxes, it improves circulation, protects feet from fungal infections, strengthens nails, softens skin and relaxes muscles and tendons.

Hot water aromatic foot baths are known to treat colds and are specially good for conditions of the head like headache, migraine, and facial neuralgia. Aromatic foot baths are also useful in disorders of the abdomen and legs, such as constipation, menstrual problems, and varicose veins.

When taking aromatic foot bath, always keep the water warm. Don’t forget to add few drops of essential oils that are suitable to your need or you may as well apply essential oils directly to your feet. Herbal and essential oil remedies are quickly and effectively absorbed by your feet, but you must mix them first with a carrier oil or pure vegetable oil such as olive, safflower, and sesame.

How to prepare and use aromatic foot bath : Read the rest of this entry »

Essential oil compresses make perfect first aid treatments. Apply an aromatic compress to relieve the pain and swelling of a bite or wound, as it can help speed recovery. An aromatic compress can also be used to relieve painful arthritic joints, stomach pain, headaches, sprains, varicose veins and sore muscles.

An aromatic compress can be cold or hot, it depends on the type of injury or pain. Hot aromatic compresses are most often used to treat chronic pain, and cold aromatic compresses are used to treat acute pain such as a first aid for injuries such as sprains. Insect bites are usually treated with a cold aromatic compress because heat can spread the poison, and period pain and arthritis are better treated with a warm aromatic compress.

You can also use an essential oil compress as a gentle way to exfoliate dead skin cells and restore a healthy glow to facial skin. Add three drops iof your favorite oil into a bowl filled with water. (Agitate the surface before you immerse the face cloth). As a treatment for your face, a compress is beneficial for the treatment of acne, pimples or enlarged dirty pores (especially if you smoke cigarettes).
To apply your aromatic compress, wring it out slowly until it stops dripping, though with ample water still left on the cloth. Open it out flat over your palms and apply to your skin using a press and release
action. Repeat this process three times to help the lymphatic system cleanse any impurities.

A few other points : Read the rest of this entry »

Although wrinkles are unavoidable part of aging, aromatherapy facial massage can give amazing results to reduce fine lines and achieve younger look and healthier skin. By taking routine 10-minute-a day facial massage your skin looks smoother and firmer and it can prevent early aging process as well.

There are other potential benefits facial massage may offer you :

o Relaxing facial and eye muscle
o Alleviating tension and pain
o Ease away stress and anxiety
o Tone and refresh tired facial skin

As facial skin is delicate, work gentle massage using one of the following essential oils that fit to your skin type :

Oily skin :

Essential oils :
2 drops bergamot
1 drop lemon
1 drop geranium
Carrier oil : 10 ml soya oil

Sensitive skin : Read the rest of this entry »

You would feel wretched if you have cold. Because generally cold doesn’t required a medical attention, as there is no cure for the common cold, use essential oils to help quicker recovery and boost your immunity.

Inhalation formula
Choose one of the following oils : lavender, bergamot, eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, tea tree, ginger, sandalwood or rosemary, then add a few drops to a bowl of hot water, and gently inhale the steam. Or you may add a few drops of the essential oil to a tissue to smell.

Herbal tea
To improve your immunity to coughs and colds, you can try lemon and ginger tea with honey and to chase head cold, try peppermint tea.

Massage treatment
Work rhythmic stroking on the chest to soothe the area followed by a gentle neck and face massage and finally gentle static pressures on either side of the nose.

Many essential oils have antiseptic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils make useful remedies to treat infections and respiratory conditions, in particular respond well to them.

Aromatherapy is a curative treatment by the use of fragrance. Fragrant essential oils can improve your good mood, promoting your health, to perfume the home or just to pamper yourself in leisure moment.

Benefits of Aromatherapy – A truly Gift from Nature

Beside the healing properties, the pleasurably scent of aromatherapy plant essences are perceived by the brain and give a positive effect on your enjoyment of life. Aromatherapy gives a holistic treatment, both mind and body. It is an ideal approach to alleviate stress that can upset both mental and physical well-being.

Aromatherapy is a great way to relieve tension, ease aches and pain, sooth digestive problems, treating skin and hair problems, improve sleep, enhance mood and alleviate many other chronic conditions.

How the benefits of aromatherapy can be achieved ?
Aromatic essential oils may be used in many ways you can enjoy. You might use them to enhance the effects of a massage, to make luxurious bath, to diffuse a fine mist of microparticles which purifies and revitalize the room, for air fresheners to bring nature to our homes and work places to enhance mood and feel better, and many other pleasurable methods.

Healing effects of five aromatherapy oils you should know :

Chamomile :
One of the gentlest of oils, chamomile has a very soothing effect and is well suited to treating children

Lavender :
Lavender is the most versatile and widely used essential oil. It helps to combat insomnia, relieve tension and is naturally antiseptic and soothing.

Tea Tree
It is used to fight against bacteria, fungi, yeast and viruses. For respiratory problems, place a couple of drops of tea tree oil on handkerchief, and inhale.

For acne or skin infection, dab one drop of undiluted oil on isolated spots 1-2 times a day with a cotton bud.

Sandalwood
Sandalwood helps to calm and cool the body, reduce inflammation, infection and fever and to ease sunstroke. Almost everyone loves the exotic, warm smell and the quality of its properties can help to calm the mind.

Rose
This exquisite aroma is used in many beauty products. Researchers have found that rose oil helps to increase alertness and gives sweet dreams. A rose water compress can ease signs of stress in the face.

Aromatic essential oils may be used in many ways to maintain and restore health, and to improve the quality of life with their scents. Essential oils are concentrated substances and need to be diluted for safety and optimum effect. Treat them with care and respect – and allow them to treat you !

Aromatherapy can be used very effectively to initiate a mood for romance and intimacy. It is so easy to create a romantic ambiance.

But how does that work ? Is it real ? bloodstream providing physical therapeutic benefits. Moreover, when an essential oil is applied to skin (never undiluted), it penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream this way.

When you inhale an essential oil, it will activates your nerve cells in the nasal cavity that convey impulses that stimulate the brain and create positive feelings and emotions. The substance of the essentials oils are drawn into the lungs and bloodstream giving physical therapeutic benefits. Aromatherapy may be beneficial in fighting various illness and promoting emotional health.

The sense of smell is pretty powerful. In fact, the body can distinguish around 10,000 different scents! Surprised ?

As scents are inhaled, the smell travels across the olfactory nerves located inside the nose and then up into the part of the brain that controls our moods, our memories and our ability to learn. This area is called the Limbic System and when stimulated it releases endorphins, neurotransmitters and other “feel-good” chemicals. What all of that means is that smells have a subtle way of effecting your mind and emotions. Read the rest of this entry »

For everyone, the complementary of combination aromatherapy and massage could promote well-being and help prevent illness and it is an excellent relaxing way leaving you and your partner calm and easily drift off to sleep.

Massage techniques are so easy to learn. Just follow the basic massage strokes that I want to share with you and learn how to combine essential oils you need. Invite your partner to learn as well and so that you can massage each other and experience how the strokes feel.

During a massage it is important that both of you feel at ease and create the right environment for a most pleasurable and enjoyable relaxation. You could play soft music and have soft lightning and make sure the room is warm.

But before starting to massage, please take the following safety precaution :

• During pregnancy, consult a doctor or a qualified aromatherapist as there are several essential oils that should be avoided
• Avoid prolonged use of the same essential oils
• Be sure to avoid wounded areas
• Never massage someone with inflammatory conditions such as varicose veins, thrombosis or phlebitis, acute back pain and any other serious medical condition.

Choose an aromatherapy massage formula that appeals to you or your partner or select blends that are suited to your requirements or the effects you need to attain. Try to use a weak blend of oils as it is smells better and more effective.

Preparing for a massage
Add a pleasant essential oil fragrance to the room before the treatment
If a massage table is not available, work on the floor padded with layers of thick blankets then cover with large towel.
Make sure you have everything to hand so that the treatment is not interrupted

Choosing Essential Oils

Always make sure that you are using a diluted blend of aromatherapy oils. For best results, all massage formulas should be massaged for at least 30 minutes to be absorbed well by the skin.

Decide the essential oils that you are wishing for to achieve : is it just to pamper, to sedate, to revive, to energize or to calm ? Choose one on this list.

Ache and pain relievers :

• Rosemary 5 drops
• Nutmeg 5 drops
• Lavender 5 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)

Calming :

• Petit grain 6 drops
• Orange 5 drops
• Neroli 4 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
• Energizing
• Lime 5 drops
• Cumin 5 drops
• Clove 5 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)

Reviving

• Palmarosa 4 drops
• Ylang-ylang 4 drops
• Orange 4 drops
• Lime 3 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)

Refreshing

• Spearmint 5 drops
• Sweet basil 3 drops
• Lime 3 drops
• Rosemary 3 drops
• Eucalyptus 3 drops
• Bergamot 3 drops
• Carrier oil 4 teaspoons (20 ml)

Starting to massage

Everybody loves back massage because it releases much of the tension that accumulates through the day. Begin with back rub, use a smooth, stroking movement downward with your thumbs on either side of the spine then move your hands to the side and glide back up to the shoulders.

With a kneeling position at your partner side, place you hands flat, move one hand at a time to make smooth stroking. Work all the way up and down one side of the back a few times. Repeat on the other side. Remember to work smoothly and rhythmically to create a hypnotic effect.

To make your partner feel relaxed and give an amazing soothing effect, use both of your hands alternately to grasp, lift and gently squeeze the back muscles in a continuous kneading motion (just like kneading dough). This technique helps tone the muscles.

Place your hand on the left shoulder blade, and your left hand on the right hip. Lean forward to gently stretch the back. Try to keep a constant, steady pressure. Repeat on the other side.

Massage can have a wonderful effect on our muscles as well as our whole sense of well-being. Who wants to rely on morphin or any other drugs to release pain and eliminate tension if massage give them all in natural and safe way ? But I assure you , it gives enjoyable feeling that you will be addicted to !

Queens, Princesses, famous beauties, like to have scented bath to make their skin supple and radiant. But fragrant baths besides being necessary for proper hygiene, have always been perfect ways to help you feel relaxed and shed tension. So why don’t you benefit your bath time to make you feel great and promote better mood after going through a long busy day ? Just follow these simple steps to prepare delicious and comforting fragrant bath.

Remove Impurity

Before climbing into the aromatic bath, brush your skin with a skin brush or a glove. Make circular movements all over you body to remove dead cells and open clogging pores.

Preparing the Bath

As you prepare your bath, make sure that the window and door are closed to prevent oil from evaporating. Then dilute 5 drops of you desired essential oils in the carrier oil. Pour the blend into the warm water. Swirl the water to disperse the oil evenly. Then enter your scented bath immediately. Relax and enjoy at least 30 minutes. To create a more pleasurable atmosphere, lit a scented candle-light.

Calming

Dilute essential oils :

• 5 drops of petitgrain
• 5 drops of lavender
• drops of fennel
• 2 drops of orange

in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil

Stress Relievers

Dilute essential oils :

• 3 drops of lavender
• 4 drops of rosemary
• 2 drops of fennel
• 2 drops of cypress
• 2 drops of mandarin

in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil

Refreshing

Dilute essential oils :

• 4 drops of bergamot
• 4 drops of eucalyptus
• 2 drops of melissa
• 2 drops of peppermint

in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil

You might also surprise your spouse or partner by preparing one of these delicious baths and you’ll find your loved one cannot thank you enough for making him / her terrific.

Enjoy and relax !