Aromatherapy tips for The Apprentice Candidates

"Success is being able to move from one failure to another with enthusiasm." Winston Churchill

…try telling that to the BBC's Apprentice candidates. For them it's not so much enthusiasm but bad temper and a level of conflict so high that no normal boss would entertain them. Sir Alan Sugar is hardly normal and this is after all entertainment, but conflict can be a real problem in the workplace.

I see the results in terms of stress-related symptoms in the clinic everyday. Clearly it is a management issue but I do have some professional recommendations that may work in your office. Alan Sugar are you ready for this?

In the office use an electric vaporiser or just tie a ribbon to a domestic fan. Each morning add 2 drops of exotic Ylang Ylang to soothe anger and irritability, 2 drops of warm, strong Cedarwood (yes Cedarwood NOT Sandalwood!!) for courage and fortitude, rich zesty Palmarosa to banish negative energy and Grapefruit to detox mind and body. Another fabulous blend would be Frankincense to calm anxiety, Green Mandarin to help restore fragile self esteem and Geranium to calm the emotions.

In the evening add any of these oils to your bath and to aid sleep combine with Chamomile. I adore Chamomile as in the language of flowers it means “the oil of patience in adversity”. It was one of the Saxons nine sacred herbs and I think there is nothing better to calm sleep blocking stressful thoughts.

Post-marathon and Race for Life advice!

..wasn’t it brilliant so inspirational. It inspired me to go out for a jog. I had become a bit disillusioned after plotting my regular route on planmyrun.com only to find the calories I worked off on the route would barely cover a glass of wine. Anyway, after watching the marathon my enthusiasm is renewed and I have signed up for both Race for Life events in Ipswich with my nine year old daughter. My 6 year old son is desperate to come too but the thought of wearing pink and being with all girls is a serious barrier. I have no doubt it will be a challenge but nothing like the marathon and unlikely to lead to any of the following conditions. If you've just run the marathon you may like to follow my natural advice to ease some of those aches and pains...

Blisters:
Bathe the feet in a bowl of hot, salt water with 2 drops each of Tea-Tree and Benzoin. You can also use our famous Split Finger and Heel Relief Balm (15g £4.99).

Aching feet:
Add marbles or pebbles to the bowl and gently roll the feet over them to maximise circulation and restore mobility.

Cracked dehydrated lips:
Lip Relief Balm with Tea-Tree, Spearmint and Propolis (15g £4.99).

Painful calves:
Massage with the following blend. 1 tablespoonful of Almond Oil, 2 drops of Lavender, 2 drops of Marjoram and 2 drops of Orange or try my Joint & Muscle Ease Massage Oil (200ml £9.99).

Grazed nipples:
1 drop of Tea-Tree in 1 teaspoonful of Olive Oil – apply morning and night for speedy healing.

Painful knees or hips:
Using a small domestic paintbrush paint on Almond Oil with Chamomile and Ginger to the affected area. (1 tablespoonful of Almond Oil with 3 drops of Chamomile and 3 drops of Ginger). Lay a square of cling film over the top of the affected area and then cover with towels (if you have a microwave wheat bag add that). Allow the heat and oils to penetrate for at least thirty minutes. Very gently massage any remaining surface oil in to the skin.

Overwhelming physical fatigue that doesn’t lift after 2 or three days:

The marathon event is a culmination of months of training at the very edge of endurance. Add a day job and a stressful life and it is hardly surprising that the body can seem to stall in terms of its normal restorative processes. My professional recommendation is Frankincense to deepen breathing and restore rhythm to the mind and body, Lime for its fatigue-busting properties and Spearmint to refresh and revive. Add to the bath or mix with fragrance free shower gel or choose Potions Anti-fatigue Bath & Shower Gel (200ml £8.99), Massage Oil (200ml £9.99) or Fatigue Relief Essential Relief Balm (15g £4.99).

Coughs, colds and other low grade infections:

Myrhh, Lemon and Tea-Tree. Blend 9 drops total into a tablespoonful of Almond Oil for massage or into a tablespoonful of fragrance free shampoo.

Congratulations to all who took part and my total admiration for finishing not to mention the money you raised. Oh and thank you for inspiring me to get the running shoes on and train for Race for Life with my kids.

Thankyou
Julie

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What Sir Alan and Paula didn't know about Cedarwood!

Last night's episode of The Apprentice was particularly relevant to me and the Potions Business. How exciting for them to develop a natural toiletry brand from scratch! Shame they didn't have us on hand to advise them on their choice of essential oils.

So what didn't Sir Alan and his Apprentices know about Cedarwood? Yes, it is much cheaper than Sandalwood (what a fatal mistake Paula!!). Our Sandalwood is £17.75 for 5ml whereas our Cedarwood is £4.65. Why? because Cedarwood is a sustainably farmed and fair traded hardwood from farmed stock. Sandalwood could argually be involved in deforestation of the hardwood forests. I use Cedarwood as it is the oil of endless life, it is about strength and fortitude. Cedarwood is what David anointed himself with before he fought Goliath.

Applications: Cedarwood has a therapeutic effect on the respiratory system and is helpful in all related complaints. It calms the mind and body and can therefore be helpful in treating stress related asthma. It can relieve the pain of arthritis and rheumatism and it can help settle irritated skin conditions.

Historical Note: Solomon’s Chariot was built of Cedarwood which has historically been used to protect and extend the lives of anyone in contact with it. It is mentioned frequently in the Bible as a symbol of physical and mental strength. Cedar is often known as the “Holy Tree of Life”, partly because it has a distinctive odour which has a powerful and stimulating effect on the psyche, which is ideal for individuals preparing for prayer and meditation.

It is a physically robust wood with a scent that repels termites and beetles. It has been used since ancient civilisation to produce storage boxes for treasured possessions or important documents. Cedarwoods is impenetrable that’s why it was used as the original black box in ships and why it is used for coffins and temples.

Cedarwood is in many of my products, including best selling Divinity Cologne, and is one of my favourite oils. For those of you blending yourself I recommend Cedarwood, Green Mandarin and Palmarosa.

Shame on you Paula - liked the Rock Poole concept, but with a mistake like that who can blame Sir Alan?

Regards

Julie