Blending Essential Oils

Here's another question and answer for you:-

Can I use two oils for two different complaints at the same time? Jennifer R, by e-mail

Yes, you can use two different oils either separately or blended together to treat two separate complaints. For example, someone who has PMT and can’t sleep might need Lavender for the insomnia and Geranium for the PMT. However, you would have to be careful if the oils counteracted each other. For instance, if someone was unable to concentrate you might give them Rosemary and if they couldn’t sleep you might use Lavender. However, these oils together would not work as the sedative relaxing effect of the Lavender would negate the "wake up" and stay alert effect of the Rosemary. In that case I would recommend something like Bergamot to relax and help sleep with something gentle like Green Mandarin or Spearmint to help the concentration. These two oils would then complement rather than counteract each other.

Aromatherapy and you Star Sign - Pisces

As promised, here's the next set of star sign information for you from Essential Oils in Harmony with the Star Signs & Planetary Rulers

Astrological Sign - Pisces
Ruler - Neptune/Jupiter
Colour - Blue
Aromatic Essential Oils - Clary Sage, Bergamot & Lavender
Element - Water
Season - Winter

Anna's Hope

I so want to let you know about a very important charity that I am honoured to be involved with. It is called Anna's Hope and is dedicated to the memory of a very special little girl who sadly was diagnosed with a brain tumour in February 2004. The tumour was removed and for the next 15 months, Anna spent a lot of time in hospital but tragically she lost her battle at the young age of 3 years and 8 months.

This charity has been established by her familily as they want to help children with brain tumours and try to improve their chances of survival and rehabilitation. More information is available at the following website; I do hope you have a look and are able to help support this charity.

http://www.annashope.co.uk/

Aromatherapy and diet

The press is bombarding us with the new year diets form every conceivable source. My professional recommendation - try a little Fennel (Roman soldiers used to chew seeds on long marches to reduce hunger pangs) with some Green Mandarin (comforting and some Cedar Wood (oil of strength and courage) in the bath or see below is a fabulously relaxing way to enhance will power and results!

Options:

3 drops of each in a burner
4 drops of each in a bath (put in a tablespoonful of milk) to disperse
12 drops of each into 200grams of therapeitic sea salt then add to hot bath -glorious!!!!!

Aromatherapy - pregnancy questions

Here's another question from my newspaper column:-

Q I am confused –are natural toiletry ingredients better for me when I am pregnant, I don't like chemicals?

A It is confusing for all but here are some facts

1) Everything you touch and handle is composed of chemicals but they are either organic (plant or animal matter) or synthetic (man made). WE (Potions & Possibilities) ONLY USE PLANT and CRUELTY FREE. Both organic and synthetic have the potential to harm you e.g. peanuts and strawberries cause more allergies than any synthetic food additive known. There is a myth that if it is "natural" it is hypoallergenic that is not true. For instance a bath oil with a mineral oil base is less likely to cause an allergy than a sunflower oil base. Sunflower oil goes off quickly i.e. oxidises and becomes toxic whereas mineral oil is stable. There is some unsupported evidence that if you drank a gallon of mineral oil every day for a year you may risk cancer - however almost every substance natural or otherwise known to man would upset the bodies chemistry (arguably increasing the risk of cancer) if taken internally (by mouth) to excess. In aromatherapy we are talking external application i.e. via skin or breathing and the amount ingested is tiny.

2) natural products often have synthetic sounding names. Sodium Laureath sulphate is actually processed coconut oil and is safe. Manufacturers who spread scare stories and say "we don't use it" generally use ammonium laureath sulfate which is the same thing but has not been around so long and has not had the level of safety analysis.

As an update, Potions & Possibilities have recently launched a range of products that are SLS and paraben free - have a look at the Floral range to see what is available

Does Aromatherapy help prevent ageing?

There is nothing proved in this area, however, there is some evidence to suggest that Essential Oils can help cells regenerate - which is why they have so long been associated with wound and scar healing as well as for their cosmetic advantages.

The Oils are also chemically composed of very small molecules that will penetrate and condition the skin. Synthetic oils, on the other hand, are composed of larger molecules that sit on the surface of the skin. This prevents water evaporating from the surface of the skin on a temporary basis but has no long term value. Finally the act of massaging an oil into the skin improves circulation on the surface which helps to remove impurities, increase bloodflow and is therefore beneficial for skin health!