As a Massage Therapist, aromatherapy plays a huge part of my work and home life. At work, I blend essential oils to be applied to my client’s during their massage treatments. The choice of oils will differ from person to person, as each of their needs and expectations will be unique. I take this all into consideration and create a bespoke blend each time.
Concentration, relaxation, uplifting and the balancing of emotions can all be aided with the help of aromatherapy, but not many know of other benefits such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-rheumatic and many more.
This is why I believe it to be so useful to include aromatherapy in our home lives too, and it is amazing how many beautiful ways we can inject a dose of it in.
How to introduce essential oils into your home
Diffusers are a great instrument to bring gorgeous fresh smells to our surroundings, the oils released from them can change our mood and are most probably the easiest way alongside massage therapy to introduce essential oils. We can also add oils to a hot bath for inhalation, or combine with water in a spray bottle for pillow mists, room spritz and even facial toners. With a few extra ingredients, (some that are already laying around the house) amazing, natural skincare can be formed; body scrubs, facial masks, hair treatments, hand and foot balms to name a few.
Essential Oils Home Remedies
The more invested individual might like to take it a step further by creating simple yet effective cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and a fantastic alternative to those containing harsh chemicals. I have tried and tested more ways than I can remember, the possibilities really are endless. I am letting you in on a few of my favourite potions/recipes,(whatever you want to call them) to inspire you to ditch some of the toxic, synthetic items we so often use and replace them with clean, natural ingredients that the earth has so thoughtfully provided for us.
They are so easy to make, once you have tried them, you won’t turn back!
FURNITURE POLISH
Blend all ingredients in a spray bottle, spray onto furniture and polish with a clean soft cloth. The olive oil will nourish the wood, while the essential oil will leave a shine and lovely smell. Use within 1 month.
- 250ml of olive oil
- 60ml of white wine vinegar
- 15 drops of sweet orange essential oil
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
DISINFECTING SPRAY
Blend all ingredients together in a spray bottle and mix thoroughly. Spray and leave on for a minimum of 10 seconds before wiping off with a clean cloth. This recipe will yield enough for approximately 1 week, depending on how often it is used.
- 250ml of distilled/filtered water
- 125ml of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
DETOXIFYING BATH SALTS
Fill the bath and add all ingredients. Swirl the formula around the water to disperse the oils and salt. Yields one bath treatment.
- 500g dead sea salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
- 8 drops of Clary Sage
- 8 drops of Bergamot
VAPOUR RUB
Make a bain-marie with a saucepan of boiling water and bowl. Melt the coconut oil, beeswax and cocoa butter together. Once a smooth consistency, take off the heat, transfer to a glass jar and let it cool slightly. As you see the mixture begin to harden, add essential oils. It is important to add these when the mixture is warm and not scolding to avoid losing their potency. Lasts for 1 month.
- 80ml of raw Coconut Oil
- 2 tablespoons of Cocoa Butter
- 1.5 tablespoons of Beeswax pellets of shavings
- 20 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- 5 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 5 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
- 5 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
FYG’s Essential Oils gift set is a great starter kit and features 8 of the most popular and well-known oils including Eucalyptus, Sweet Orange, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender and Frankincense. Shop the FYG Essential Oils range here.