Trouble sleeping is one of the most common things that clients contact me about, it is an incredibly widespread issue. There are many aromatherapy approaches and blends that can help ease it though and I have had great success working with this common problem.
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With the changes in the weather from freezing cold to roasting hot – some of us have been caught out with the sun. So I thought it would be helpful to suggest some aromatherapy essential oil blends to soothe skin that has been in the sun or to replenish moisture after sun exposure.
It is, of course, preferable to always use sun cream with a good spf before going into the sun and limit your time in the sun. These blends can be used as replenishment for skin, this is ideal. Sometimes however we need to soothe the skin as well. So here are some suggestions for you:-
Essential oils that can be helpful – tea tree, lavender, roman or german chamomile, carrot seed, frankincense, peppermint.
Sun exposure
Carrier oils to use: calendula macerate, jojoba, sesame and aloe vera gel. If no further sun exposure is to be had, ie overnight – St Johns Wort macerate can be soothing.
One suggested blend would be 10ml calendula macerate, 5ml jojoba, 5ml sesame, 10ml aloe vera gel with 8 drops lavender, 2 drops roman chamomile, 2 drops tea tree, 1 drop german chamomile, 1 drop peppermint.
Another possible blend would be 10ml calendula macerate and 20ml aloe vera gel. 9 drops lavender, 3 drops carrot seed, 3 drops frankincense, 2 drops roman chamomile, 1 drop peppermint.
Lavender and Lavender essential oil
To mix the blends use a spoon or a stirring stick to stir to blend the oils and gel completely before use on the skin. You can of course experiment with the suggested oils, but keep to the quantities suggested for safe usage.
I hope these aromatherapy oil blends to soothe skin after sun exposure are helpful to re – mositurise, calm and protect skin.
If your skin is red and tight, then it may be preferable to use a couple of drops of pure lavender on the area first, as that is an emergency treatment for minor burns, then use one of the blends thereafter. You may need someone to help you if the sunburn is on your back.
For severely damaged or burnt skin always seek medical advice. For complex medical conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist or your medical professional.
Here at Organica J, all of our products are completely natural and cruelty free. However, we like to cater for the Vegan market as well. So here’s all our vegan products that are on offer at organicaj.com.
Do you suffer from headaches? It is a problem that I hear from many clients. They take various forms of course, from a low level stressy headache to migraine. Here I am going to focus on the milder headaches, as migraine requires a more in depth holistic approach to identify a root cause if possible. If your headaches go on for a long time or are getting more severe in nature always consult with your GP.
The most popular first aid treatment for headaches is lavender
essential oil – but remember there are many different varieties of lavender and the one I am looking at here is lavandula angustifolia (true lavender). Use one drop of lavender on a finger tip on one hand and touch with a finger tip of the other hand. Place the two fingers at either side of your temples – level with your eyes (but do not touch your eyes with the essential oil on your fingers) at the side of your head and gentle rub each finger in a circular motion, this can be extremely calming and soothing, and many report can alleviate a headache. Especially helpful for a headache that is stress related.
Another method of treating headaches is with a cool/cold compress on the forehead. Place some cold water in a bowl and add one drop of lavender and one drop of peppermint. ‘Swish’ the water to mix the oils and then place a cloth in the bowl, squeeze the cloth out until not dripping water. Place gently on the forehead – probably best done when lying flat or relaxed back in a recliner and rest for a while with this in place. You can of course use either one or the other oil on their own too. Another possible oil to use is eucalyptus if it is a cold or sinus issues are causing your headache(the variety of eucalyptus I mention here is eucalyptus blue gum).
If the cause is restricted blood flow to the brain through the neck, often an issue with migraines, it would be more appropriate to use a warm cloth to the back of the neck with a couple of drops of sweet marjoram, as sweet marjoram can act as a vasodilator and help normalise the blood flow. Use the method above, but put warm water in the bowl instead of cool/cold. This can be helpful too with tight muscles, or a stiff neck, adding some lavender.
If the headache is due to mental stress, rosemary can be effective, it is a stimulant to the brain, and is also helpful when sinus and respiratory issues are present. Not to be used for those with high blood pressure.
If you have a complex medical history/medications or are pregnant always check with your GP before using essential oils, or ask a qualified aromatherapist
Welcome to another of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This week will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for Lavender essential oil. Remember there are a lot of varieties of lavender, which have different properties and scents. Here we are talking on the variety lavandula angustifolia (true lavender), which has many different uses, some which are included here. For using essential oils for specific medical problems always contact a qualified aromatherapist.
1. Can reduce stress levels.
2. For insomnia and disturbed sleep.
3. Relief from muscular issues.
4. Can calm anxiety & eases fears.
5. Easing headaches (rub a little on temples) .
6. Very helpful for minor burns.
7. Relief from colds and flu.
8. A good insect repellant.
9. Helpful for pmt and menstrual cramps.
10. Can provide relief from sunburned skin.
If you feel that lavender would be a useful oil for you, you can buy it here from Organica J. There is also available a full range of other aromatherapy essential oils, with information on their uses available in the essential oil category on the website. If you require further information on any oils, feel free to contact us by email or phone.
