New Year's Detox

If you've overindulged during the festive season why not re-energise both mind and body with our popular range of aromatherapy Detox blends. Try our Detox Blend Massage Oil (200ml £9.99) with essential oils of Juniper Berry, Grapefruit, Lime, Orange Sweet, Vanilla and Echinacea. Juniper Oil helps with the digestive system and has a tonic effect on the liver. Or, take a soothing, relaxing bath with our Detox Formula Aromatherapy Bath Oil (150ml £10.99) with Bergamot, Petitgrain, Lemon, Lavender and Milk Thistle.

Note: Do not use Juniper Oil if pregnant.

The body, skin and area around the eyes, plus cellulite levels, reflect the excesses of Christmas and these problems are acerbated for individuals under stress or feeling down. An aromatherapy massage is an ideal antidote as a 'hands on' massage can improve your sense of wellbeing and speed the elimination of toxins. The essential oils aid this process whilst calming the mind. This improved sense of wellbeing can then help to reduce any dependence on caffeine, alcohol and junk food all of which add to the problem.

My recommendation is to try 1 drop of Bergamot essential oil and 1 drop of Fennel to a tablespoonful of Sweet Almond Oil. Then massage in to the body with firm strokes up towards the torso and the heart.

Fennel with its wonderfully aromatic, aniseedy scent is used to stimulate the circulation, eliminate toxins and reduce areas of fluid retention and puffiness around the eyes and body. It also has the advantage of being an appetite suppressant, which is helpful with the post Christmas diet. (Roman soldiers chewed fennel seeds on long marches to prevent hunger & counteract fatigue).

Bergamot often known as 'natures prozac' has a soft citrus scent (it is a significant ingredient in many contemporary perfumes e.g. CK). It has a restorative effect on the skin but most importantly it relaxes the mind and body reducing the need for stimulants and junk food.

Note: Use Almond Oil as the massage base not baby oil. Plant oils have small molecules that sink in leaving a smooth, non-sticky surface. This facilitates the deep massage/contact needed to treat cellulite effectively. Baby oil sits on top of the skin giving too much slippage to the hands, which prevents the massage from being therapeutic.

Julie Foster
Aromatherapist
BA (Hons) ITEC, MFHT, MFHL