If you're looking to Detox and re-energise after an over-indulgent festive season, or needing a little help with your New Year's resolutions follow my natural hints and tips below for a healthier start to the New Year!
New Year Detox
If you've overindulged during the festive season try any products from our popular Detox Range. Try our
Detox Blend Massage Oil (now only £4.88) with 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 relaxing bath with our
Detox Formula Aromatherapy Bath Oil (£12.71) with Juniper Oil, Bergamot, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Frankincense, Sandalwood and Ginseng. Do not use Juniper Oil if pregnant.
Aromatherapy as a Slimming Aid
While there is no clinical evidence that
Juniper Oil helps burn up calories, it is known to be an effective diuretic, which will make you feel slimmer.
Fennel Oil has also long been used as a slimming aid - Roman soldiers used to chew fennel seeds on long marches to ward off hunger pains.
I make up a cheery blend of
Lime, aniseedy
Fennel and a touch of mind soothing
Frankincense to help reduce my intake. You may also find relaxing oils such as
Geranium,
May Chang and
Bergamot helpful, especially if you normally reach for food when under stress.
Please note Juniper and Fennel are not suitable in pregnancy and both would benefit from being used alongside sweeter-smelling oils such as the Geranium or May Chang.
Banish the Bottle!
Choose a healthier option to alcohol and enjoy the euphoric effects of
Clary Sage. Add 2 drops to a tablespoonful of your favourite body lotion and massage into your chest and shoulders and rub a small amount of the blend into your temples. Your one glass of wine will then feel like two and even if you are not drinking at all you will experience a euphoric lift to your emotions.
Clary Sage smells of rich woodland grass so it also benefits from being blended with softer oils to help relax the mind without sedating the body. Try 3 drops of both Clary Sage and
Geranium in a burner or pop on a tissue or cloth and place above a radiator. Clary Sage should not be used during pregnancy.
Curb Stress-related Cravings
If you reach for a corkscrew, cigarette or overeat when you're feeling stressed, keep our
Relaxation Balm (£4.88) handy to help curb those cravings. It contains calming Rose, Neroli and Ylang Ylang essential oils. Apply to the pulse points as required.
Alternatively try one of the following stress relieving blends in an oil burner:-
Day time use in lounge/office - 1 drop
Spearmint, 4 drops
Bergamot, 1 drop
Frankincense and 1 drop
Lime.
For a sensual bedroom blend - 2 drops
Sandalwood, 2 drops
Ylang Ylang, 1 drop
Green Mandarin and 1 drop
Patchouli (renowned for its aphrodisiac properties and believed by some to be an appetite suppressant).
Quit Smoking
Get your tobacco high and build willpower with the smell of
Cedarwood. With its warm, exotic and sensual, smoky scent, Cedarwood has been known since antiquity for imparting strength and courage. It is believed to be the oil that David anointed himself with before fighting Goliath.
Need an energy boost?
If you're all partied out and feeling tired all the time, try our Fatigue Relief Balm (£4.88) with Grapefruit, Lemongrass and Geranium, or our invigorating
Anti-Fatigue Bath & Shower Gel (£7.82) with Lime, Ginger, Lemongrass, Cinammon, Cedarwood and Ginseng.
Get Back in Focus
Loss of concentration and focus is something that many of us suffer from after the Christmas festivities. My favourite blend includes
Spearmint which helps focus the mind and clears the head,
Green Mandarin which is a gentle energiser and either Violet or
Neroli as a tonic for the nerves. In a burner (not in the bath or for massage) a touch of
Lime will help to further counteract the mental confusion and fatigue which so often blocks effective concentration.
For ready made solutions try our
Concentration Relief Balm (£4.88) with Palmarosa, Green Mandarin and Violet.
Confidence and Willpower
If you're lacking in self confidence and want to boost your willpower try a blend of
May Chang for courage and confidence,
Cedarwood for strength,
Lavender for mental calm and
Orange Sweet for joy.
Using Your Oils
Once you've decided on your blend of oils use one of the following methods for treatment.
Mix 4-10 drops with milk (to aid dispersion) to the bath.
Add 2 drops to a tablespoon full of
Sweet Almond Oil or good quality Olive Oil and massage into the affected area or back.
Add 2 drops to a tablespoonful of fragrance free shampoo or bath and shower gel.
Put 2 drops onto a pillow, onto the front of night clothes or on a handkerchief.
Put 4 - 6 drops in a bowl of water on top of an Aromatherapy burner.
Put the oils on a tissue and breathe in the aroma or put the oils on a hanky and lay on a nearby radiator.
Note: For children it is important to adapt the quantities according to weight. The above guidelines are based on the treatment of an individual weighing 10 stones (64 kilos) and the quantities need adjusting down according to the weight of the child.
Hope you find this useful and please do drop me a
line if you have any specific issues or questions.
Happy New Year
Julie
If you're looking for affordable ideas to make Valentines special this year then why not consider the romantic powers of aromatherapy. Cheaper than a night out and hopefully more soothing, you can enjoy a romantic evening for two in the comfort of your own home!
