Best essential oils for head massage

Getting a head massage with essential oil blends has many beneficial effects. It can help you relax and at the same time treat dandruff and dry scalp, leaving your hair strong and shiny.

The best essential oils to use for a head massage are

Lavender: soothes the scalp and heals dry skin and hair.

Rosemary: stimulates hair growth,  slows down the graying process and treats dandruff.

Chamomile: adds shine and softness to your hair while soothing your skin. Lightens hair naturally.

Cedarwood: promotes hair growth, reduces skin irritations and repels bugs.

Clary Sage: regulates oil production, treats dandruff.

Lemongrass: strengthens hair follicles, soothes itchy and irritated skin. Acts as a natural bug repellent and treats headache.

Peppermint: stimulates the scalp, treats dandruff, promotes hair growth, relieves tension and headache.

Head massage blend

30 ml sweet almond oil

6 drops lavender e.o.

4 drops rosemary e.o.

Massage 1/2 teaspoon into temples, at base of neck and hair.


Are you after great recipes of personal care and massage products? Then don't miss the exceptional book from Beth Jones "600 Aromatherapy Recipes for Beauty, Health & Home".

Essential Oil Perfume

In Aromatherapy, blending does not have strict rules that must be followed, even when creating a perfume. Essential oils can be categorized in many groups. The most common ones are those based on their therapeutic properties, their scent and their "note".

Oils in the same scent category generally blend well together. However the magic of Aromatherapy lies in the endless opportunity to experiment, mix and match essential oils until you achieve a unique, personalized blend. So try not to limit your creativity by using only essential oils of a certain scent category.

Nevertheless, even when creating an Aromatherapy perfume it is advisable to stick to the rule of the 3 notes. Which means your perfume should contain essential oils of all three note categories in order to feel and smell balanced.  Not sure what a "note" is? 

Have you ever noticed that a fragrance smells differently after several hours than when you first apply it? This is due to the fact that some essential oils evaporate more quickly than others. The oils that evaporate the quickest, usually within 1-2 hours, are called "top notes". Oils that evaporate within 2-4 hours are considered "middle notes". Oils that take the longest time to evaporate are referred to as “base notes".

Looking forward to creating your own signature scent? Use the following basic recipe and expand your creativity with the help of the Note - Scent Chart. 

Homemade Perfume

15ml Jojoba oil

15ml Vodka

8 drops sandalwood e. o.

2 drops orange e.o.

1 drop patchouli e.o.

1 drop ylang ylang e.o.

Aromatherapy: does it really work?

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit medical practice and medical research group based in Minnesota. It employs more than 4,500 physicians and scientists and 58,400 administrative and allied health staff. The practice specializes in treating difficult cases through tertiary care. It spends over $660 million a year on research and employs over 3,000 full-time research personnel.

What do Mayo Clinic experts say about Aromatherapy? 

• Women in labor have reported positive results using scents such as rose, lavender and frankincense.
• Studies of hospital patients have documented that chamomile and lavender scents at bedtime can encourage relaxation and improve sleep.
• People with leukemia who used their choice of lavender, chamomile or peppermint got relief from nausea and lack of appetite in one study.
• Peppermint essential oils helped some pregnant women find relief from nausea and vomiting during labor.
• Lemon essential oil is suggested for headaches and mental fatigue, mandarin to help with restlessness, anxiety, nausea and sleep.

Although research is limited, small scale studies suggest that plant-based scents may just have a place in the science of health and healing. This is the reason essential oils are surging in popularity and Aromatherapy is even showing up in hospital surgical units.

Mesothelioma: Αromatherapy offers relief

According to the World Health Organization approximately 43,000 people worldwide loose their lives from mesothelioma every year, a rare but fatal form of cancer.

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos-containing materials (in buildings, equipment, products, machinery, insulation, electrical wiring, and more). It usually forms in the lungs of those who have been exposed to this deadly toxin, but sometimes occurs in the abdominal area or the area around the heart.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Its initial symptoms are subtle and in many cases ignored. If you know/believe you have been exposed to asbestos - even 30 to 50 years ago - and experience common respiratory illnesses symptoms, tell your physician and get a medical check-up. Starting mesothelioma treatment as early as possible is crucial!

According to Mesothelioma.net, a website providing detailed and sourced information to anyone impacted by asbestos, Aromatherapy can help mesothelioma patients experience certain benefits. Used for a massage session and/or inhalations certain essential oils may help alleviate symptoms and side effects of mesothelioma:

chamomile, lavender, rose and clary sage to soothe pain,

lavender, rose, bergamot to limit stress and anxiety,

sandalwood, geranium, jasmine and orange to fight off depressive feelings,

rosemary and basil to reduce fatigue,

ginger and lemon to help with nausea.

Aromatherapy can certainly not be a replacement or substitute for mesothelioma treatment, but with the right practitioner it could be a valuable companion through a complex journey.

Essential oils for better digestion

High quality essential oils are a great option when you are trying to get relief from digestive discomfort. Massage is the most effective way to getting these oils into your body. So the next time you feel discomfort after a hearty meal, use one of the following blends rubbing with gently, circular movements on your stomach and belly area:

Indigestion
20 ml almond oil
5 drops e.o. basil
5 drops e.o. peppermint
2 drops e.o. roman chamomile

Heartburn
30 ml almond oil
7 drops e.o. roman chamomile
7 drops e.o. marjoram
4 drops e.o. anise

 

Love your hands

Our hands are often over-looked in our skincare routine. But when you think that your hands are exposed to the elements as much as your face is, it makes sense to use a moisturizing product that will also prevent ageing in the future. The best hand cream is the one you will make on your own with little cost and natural ingredients! You will need:

5 gr cocoa butter

10 gr bee's wax

50 ml jojoba oil

2 drops e.o. neroli

2 drops e.o. jasmine

2 drops e.o. lavender

Place cocoa butter and bee's wax in a bain marie and warm until they melt. Stir in jojoba oil and remove from fire. Transfer the mixture in a glass jar, stir in the essential oils and leave to cool. 

The healing and moisturizing properties of your hand made cream will last up to one year if you store it in a cool and dry place.

Fight stress

Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

Chronic stress, a state of prolonged tension from internal or external stressors, may cause various manifestations:

If you feel stressed Aromatherapy can help you relax, make positive thoughts and alleviate harmful symptoms. The following blends of essential oils can be used for a massage (diluted in 30ml base oil), in your bath or in a candle burner, as regularly as you wish:

Blend Joy:
Mandarin 15 drops,
Ylang ylang 5 drops,
Petitgrain 10 drops.

Blend Mediterranean:
Clary sage 10 drops,
Chamomile roman 5 drops,
Lavender 5 drops,
Geranium 10 drops.

A lot more recipes for relaxed mind and healthy body can be found in Valerie Ann Worwood's book "The Fragrant Mind".

Quit smoking with essential oils

According to the World Health Organization: "One of the greatest threats to public health is the tobacco epidemic, which kills nearly six million people a year. More than five million of these deaths are the direct result of tobacco use, while more than 600,000 deaths are a result of exposure to secondhand smoke. About one person dies every six seconds because of smoking. About half of current users will die from diseases related to smoking.
There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, of which at least 250 are known to be harmful and more than 50 are known to cause cancer.

Essential oils for increased productivity

Four essential oils that can be used to create focus and increase your productivity in the office or at home!

Simply put a few drops of the oil in a diffuser and let the room fill with its aroma. Alternatively, dilute four or five drops of essential oil to 10ml of a carrier oil or lotion and dab onto the wrists and neck. When you are out and about and need a quick boost, put a few drops of your essential oil on a piece of tissue or a handkerchief, and gently inhale, keeping the material at a safe distance from the skin.

Your compass to fitness

• Are you wondering how to lose holiday pounds?
• Are you following various diets without having results?
• Are you spending endless hours in the gym but your abs are still hiding?
• Do you know which snack to choose for a perfect line without remorse?
• Are you a new mama and can not get rid of pregnancy belly fat?

At MyFitCompass you will find many useful tips on nutrition and exercise for a healthy and beautiful body at any stage of your life. Most importantly, you can make your individual fitness program (even if you are pregnant, have recently given birth or have a health problem such as osteoporosis) easily and at no cost by following 5 simple steps:

Christmas smell like cinnamon and orange!

Orange essential oil: citrusy, sweet, strong scent like orange peels. Good antidepressant and uplifting oil. Has been used for drug withdrawal symptoms, stress and for its slight sedative properties. Often associated with joy, luck and money.

Cinnamon essential oil: hot, spicy scent, richer in aroma than ground cinnamon. Invigorating,

refreshing, warming, aphrodisiac properties. Often used by those with low blood pressure. Good for exhaustion & fatigue. Antifungal.

Easy lip balm recipe

Winter is here and so are chapped lips. Did you know that we lose up to 10 times more moisture through our lips than we do elsewhere on our face or body?

Usually our fragile lips develop tiny splits and cracks when exposed to cold, wind, sun, indoor heating and low humidity. But chapped, painful lips may also be caused by:

• Breathing through the mouth
• Cold sores (herpes simplex virus infections)
• Malnutrition
• Mild dehydration
• Repeated licking of the lips
• Vitamin deficiency (iron, B, D)

What can you do to keep your lips in shape?

Nature's Pharmacy

This summer on your vacation take with you Nature's pharmacy!

 

Make your own, natural first aid blends with the directions given here.

Positive thinking amid recession!

An article by Lia Leontidou, aromatherapist, member of HAA.
Translation: Vivi Kavvada, aromatherapist, member of HAA.

Every thought we make has the dynamics for creation, a fact that can be reversed if someone is possessed with negative energy!

"Thought precedes action (energy) and action precedes realization". Taking into consideration this phrase it becomes evident that when we are making a thought a beam of energy is created which constitutes the beginning of our efforts to accomplish our initial thought.
Positive thinking is helping our brains to produce chemical substances beneficial for our bodies, while negative thoughts encourage the production of acidic and less healthy chemicals in our organisms. These chemical substances are creating the substructure for the realization of our ideas. In todays worldwide adverse situation, with fear and negative disposition hovering all around us, it is extremely difficult to keep a positive attitude towards challenges and our faith in a harmonious world is weakening day by day. However, that faith is exactly what we should not lose!

Handmade soap with essential oils

Christmas are just around the corner and despite the recession you feel the need to offer presents to your beloved family and friends. There is no better present than the one you will craft on your own, easily and economical, as a handmade soap with aromatic pure essential oils. The receiver of such a present will get from you a message of love and a natural product, free of harmful chemicals, ideal for skin care and mental revitalization!

Essential oils for flu and colds

An article by Lia Leontidou, aromatherapist, member of HAA.
Translation: Vivi Kavvada, aromatherapist, member of HAA.

This winter we will not allow viruses to take control! We can confront them at any ailment stage with the help of essential oils!

For one more year, as temperature is falling colds and flu make their appearance. Catarrh, cough, joint pain, fever... These are the most common symptoms of a cold, which we can rarely avoid during the cold months of the year.

Colds and flu are caused by viruses spreading when we are in close distance with other people. In most cases, these unwanted viruses remain inactive because of our immune system, which is constantly guarding against anything might threaten our organism. If our immune system is weak though, defense is low and chances of getting a cold or flu are maximizing.

The big question is: can we shield our bodies against these intruders? And what can we do in order to relieve the symptoms once viruses have entered our system?

Frankincense: how the aromatic holiday scent is making a comeback

An article by Allison Brooks, B.S. in Biomedical Anthropology.

As the holidays creep up among us and our houses start to smell of cinnamon and sweet pumpkin pies, I bet no one had a second thought about the effect of those scents on the body and mind. Certain scents open different parts of the mind and body to produce positive effects. And if you don't think this is true...think again.

2nd International Congress on Non Conventional Medicine

The 1st International Congress on Non Conventional Medicine was held in Greece in June 2011. The participation in the congress was beyond any expectation. The extremely interesting speeches given by Greek and international experts on alternative medicine attracted the interest of a big audience, even from abroad. Specially for aromatherapists, the presence of Pierre Franchomme in the congress- who has devoted his career to the scientific research of essential oil chemical analysis and their therapeutic properties - has been very important. His speeches with topics "Anti-aging aromatherapy" and "Essential oils: balsam for neurodegenerative and cancerous diseases" have been extremely enlightening.

You can obtain the records of the 1st congress (available in three languages - english, french and greek) from the Hellenic Aromatherapy Association (contact phone number +30 210 9343861).

After last year's big success, it was decided to organize a 2nd congress on non conventional medicine again in Greece, on 9 and 10 June 2012. The exact schedule of the congress and the participation conditions have not been disclosed yet. Take a note of this date in your calendar, I will keep you informed about anything new!

The benefits of aromatherapy massage

One of the main methods of aromatherapy to relieve physical nuisances and emotional stress is massage.

Sage, the Protective Herb

Sage (faskomilo or alisfakia in Greek) belongs to the botanical genus salvia whose name is derived from the latin word salvare, which means to save/protect. The name for this herb was self evident since the therapeutic uses of sage in antiquity were so many. Pliny the Elder was the first author known to describe a plant called salvia*. 

Many plant species belong to genus salvia, approximately 500-700 according to botanists. However the species mainly used for their therapeutic properties in aromatherapy and herbal therapies are salvia officinalis or common sage, salvia fruticosa (trifolia) or Greek sage and salvia sclarea or clary sage.