Oh it's beginning to smell a lot like christmas!

Well the countdown to Christmas has begun and the recent drop in temperature signifying that winter is now here, has me feeling a little more festive as I rush around with my present buying head on.

I miss being a child though when Christmas felt like such a magical time; from the build up of opening advent calender windows every morning, to believing it really was Father Christmas who left all those presents under the tree!

If you're feeling the same then there is a way of inviting that sense of enthusiasm and child like excitement, which is the spirit of Christmas back into your lives this season; and that is with aromatherapy.

Our sense of smell is our most primal sense and exerts surprising influence over our thoughts, emotions, moods, memories and behavior.
The reason for this is that unlike our other senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste) which deliver sensory input straight to the thalamus in the brain (think switch board) ready for processing and necessary action; smells first wind their way through other areas of the brain, including areas controlling memory and emotion. 

Scents that we associate with Christmas such as orange, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and pine can therefore be very helpful at evoking memories of past traditions and thus putting us in the festive mood as well as being full of other benefits for this time of year........

Orange: Also known as the 'happy' oil orange is refreshing, uplifting; and commonly used to treat anxiety, stress and depression.  It's an Anti inflammatory and has detoxing and cleansing properties..  Orange essential oil helps break down and eliminate cellulite, promotes the production of collagen, soothes dry, irritated, chapped skin and  is essential to looking and feeling good this party season!
Cinnamon: A great brain tonic as it boosts the activity of the brain, helping to aid concentration. It is extremely useful in combating anxiety and soothing the nervous system as well as stimulating the immune system against colds and flu.  Cinnamon is also known to help with digestive problems (a good thing with Christmas's overindulgence's!) and lower blood sugar levels.
Nutmeg: A very relaxing aroma that removes mental exhaustion and stress.  Commonly used for culinary purposes, nutmeg tastes and smells gorgeous so add some to those biscuits!  Also an important active ingredient in many cough syrups and cold rubs and is beneficial for treating muscular aches and pains.

Clove: Very useful at refreshing the mind, relieving mental fatigue and stress; and giving you a good nights sleep.  Clove can also act as an aphrodisiac (great for all that mistletoe toe snogging) and when used in an aromatherapy massage clove essential oil improves blood circulation and is a powerful pain reliever.  Commonly used to relieve tooth aches, clove doesn't always evoke the fondest of  memories but when combined with the orange and cinnamon it really does smell  a lot like Christmas!

Ginger: Feels like a gift at this time of year; when it's cold, ginger warms the body and soul.  Not only does it provoke childhood memories of ginger bread but it also soothes a sore throat, eases the symptoms of a cold and boosts the immune system.  When used in a massage it brings warmth to the body , improves circulation and keeps those fingers and toes nice and warm!
Pine: If you have a real Christmas tree up this year then you will already be benefiting from the aroma of pine; so take some deep breathes because pine is excellent for respiratory problems such as seasonal coughs and colds.  It is also a great mood elevator and invigorates you if you're feeling tired and sluggish.
Frankincense: A gift from one of the three wise men; Frankincense encourages a spiritual connection by centering the mind and balancing the emotions.  This is a good oil to burn if you want to create a harmonious environment and prevent those family arguments!  Frankincense is also considered to be very anti aging and so is a great oil to use when massaging the face :)

A lovely way to infuse your  home with the smell of Christmas is by adding aromatherapy oils to an oil burner or a small bowl of water on the radiator.  Try 5 drops clove 5 drops orange 5 drops frankincense.  It's what I'm burning now and it smells gorgeous!

But of course the best way to really benefit from aromatherapy this season is through massage  So don't let the Christmas rush tie you up in knots!  Feel tension and stress just melt away in the warmth of the heated table and oils; sooth your soul and allow your favorite scents of the season to reconnect you to that childlike joy which is the spirit of Christmas.

Enjoy x