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sential oils in place of

e fragrance. There a

TheFragrantPhar

by Valerie Ann Worwood (Banta

OAddessentialoils to unperfum

washing-up liquid (around 9 dr

per bottle). Bergamot, lavende

or orange work well.

OPop 3–5 drops of oils in the soft

compartment of your washing

machine. Lavender or Roman

camomile turn bedlinen blissful.

Or add two drops of oil onto a small

square of fabric and place in the

tumble dryer.

OReplace air fresheners by filling a

house plant mister with water and

adding 15–20 drops of oil. Shake

gently to disperse before spritzing.

OSpray lining paper for drawers

with your choice of oil. Cedarwood,

lavender, vetiver and lemon are tried

and trusted.

ATH E R APY

EHOME

limbic system of the brain which
regulates our emotional behaviour.
Some psychotherapists even use the
oils to bring out submerged memories
from their patients.

SAFETY FIRST
Unlike chemical drugs, essential oils do
not linger in the body. They are excreted
relatively swiftly – around six hours in
a healthy body – so toxic side-effects
are highly unlikely.
However, they are powerful and
should be used with caution and
respect. Some oils should not be used
during pregnancy or breastfeeding,
while others (such as rosemary) are not
suitable for people with epilepsy and
other health conditions.
The vast majority of oils must be
diluted before use on the skin. Even
then, try a patch test before use if you
have sensitive skin.

USING ESSENTIAL OILS
Professional aromatherapists undergo
stringent training. You can locate
one near you via The International
Federation of Aromatherapists
(ifaroma.org). They use a variety
of methods:
Massage The most common way of
getting oils into the body is through
direct absorption into the bloodstream
via the skin.
Inhalation Steam inhalations with
essential oils can ease coughs, colds,
catarrh and blocked sinuses.
Bathing Adding essential oils to baths
is a simple (and delightful) way to gain
therapeutic effects.
Compresses Oil-infused compresses
can help with bruising, muscular pain
and skin disorders. Forehead and neck
compresses are used for headaches,
migraine, insomnia and tension while
abdominal compresses are useful for
nausea, indigestion and ‘sick’
headaches.
Internal Only a very few (generally
medically qualified) aromatherapists
prescribe oils for internal use, as they
can damage the internal lining of the
mouth, oesophagus and stomach. »

HELP YOURSELF

Aromatherapy products and ideas you can enjoy at home

OThe Inner Light and Joy candle

(£40, ila-spa.com) positively belts

out uplifting jasmine. Always

choose candles that use 100%

soy, beeswax, coconut wax or

hemp oil as a base.

OKeep Amly’s Digital Detox Face

Mist (£30; amlybotanicals.co.uk)

close by your computer or when

commuting or flying – it’s an

instant de-stresser.

ORoot and Flower’s Chakra

Anointing Oil Set (£50,

rootandflower.co.uk) includes

seven blends, each helping

to balance one of our subtle

energy centres.

OChoose good quality oils when

making your own blends. Prices

should vary according to the

oil. Tisserand (tisserand.com),

Neal’s Yard Remedies

(nealsyardremedies.com) and Star

Child (starchild.co.uk) all offer

good carrier oils and essential oils.

OSome spa-based treatments give

you a personalised ritual to carry

on at home. Therapie Roques-

O’Neil (roquesoneil.com) sells

various ritual kits that bring ritual

to the bathroom.

OReed diffusers don’t last too long

so a diffuser is a better option.

The Alto aroma diffuser (£79.99;

madebyzen.com) has three mist

settings and is Bluetooth

compatible (adding sound

to scent).

ODoggy Mist (£19.99, ila-spa.com)

calms nervous dogs and also

soothes their itchy skin while

repelling fleas and ticks.

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