Maintaining a scents of balance this festive season

As the days get shorter we instinctively want to tune in with natures rhythm by slowing down and resting; however the festive season, especially the build up to Christmas is often one of the most busy and stressed filled times of the year.

Fortunately, Mother nature has provided us with a lovely way to maintain a sense of balance throughout and that's with the use of aromatic essences.  Found in plants, tree resins/bark, fruits and flowers and transformed into aromatherapy essential oils through the process of distillation; aromatic essences are often referred to as the soul or spirit of the plant because they give it its unique smell and set of therapeutic properties which help to bring body and mind back into balance.

Aromatic essences can be used in the home (or during a massage) at any time of the year but the more wintry ones are the ones we often associate with the smells of Christmas.  Blending and vaporising (or adding to the bath/using as a perfume/skin moisturiser) these oils are not only beneficial for our health and wellbeing over the colder months but they're also the perfect way to invoke the spirit and joy of Christmas into our home.

Here's a selection of some of the more traditional aromatic essences enjoyed at this time of the year. The Essential oils listed are completely natural (since they come from nature) making a nice alternative to artificial plug in air fresheners and deodorants.  These essences not only smell great individually but also blend really well together too. 

Orange: A cheerful, refreshing and uplifting aroma which brings a ray of sunshine into the colder winter months and is commonly used to treat anxiety, stress and depression.  It's anti inflammatory and has detoxing and cleansing properties. Orange helps break down and eliminate cellulite, it promotes the production of collagen, soothes dry, irritated, chapped skin and is essential to looking and feeling good this party season!

Cinnamon: A spicy and warming aroma which is both comforting and strengthening. Cinnamon is extremely useful in combating anxiety and soothing the nervous system as well as stimulating the immune system against colds and flu. It's also a great tonic for the mind and body so perfect if you still have a long list of things to do and need focus and energy! Cinnamon is also known to help with digestive problems (a good thing with Christmas's overindulgence's) and lower blood sugar levels.

Clove: An aroma most closely associated with the smells of Christmas due to its historic uses in making fragrant orange-clove pomanders, mulled wine and scrumptious baked ham. 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 snogging) and when used in a massage, clove essential oil improves blood circulation and is a powerful pain reliever.

''The classic blend of orange, cinnamon and clove oil (5:5:5) in an oil burner/diffuser creates a welcoming festive atmosphere that appeals to everyone (think mulled wine) and is sure to bring the spirit and joy of Christmas into your home.''

Nutmeg: A very warming and relaxing aroma that removes mental exhaustion and stress.  It helps combat fatigue and is beneficial for muscular aches and pains brought on by the cold when used in the bath or during a massage. It is also an important active ingredient in many cough syrups and cold rubs. More commonly used for culinary purposes, nutmeg tastes and smells gorgeous so definitely add some to those biscuits! 

Ginger: Feels like a gift at this time of year; for 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.  It's helpful for when lacking motivation as it brings clarity, strength and determination. When used in a massage or in the bath 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. If you don't have a real tree then you can always add a few drops to an oil burner/vapouriser, or put a few drops on some cotton-wool balls and hide in your artificial tree! 25 drops added to 50ml of water in a water spray bottle also creates the enlivening smell of a live tree.

Frankincense: A gift from one of the three wise men; Frankincense encourages a spiritual connection by centering the mind and balancing the emotions.  It radiates a beautiful atmosphere of peace and serenity and so perfect for creating a harmonious environment, preventing family arguments and keeping the children chilled!  Frankincense is also considered to be very anti ageing and so may be used as a face moisturiser when diluted in a light carrier oil.

A guideline to using these oils

Remember I've only listed a few of the more traditional oils used at this time of the year but oils such as Rosemary, Bay and Juniper berry are also nice ones too!  It's fun to be creative and experiment with blending the oils in various different combinations; however to really enjoy, benefit and use the oils safely here are a few guidelines to follow:

• To use in a oil burner/vaporiser: Like notes in a chord, an oil blend will smell better (more balanced) if you only use between 1 and 3 different oils at a time.  3-6 drops is fine depending on the size of the room.
  
• Using as a body/face moisturiser/perfume: Never use essential oils directly on your skin.  Always dilute the essential oils first in a carrier oil such as sweet almond or grape seed.  The number of drops you put in should be half the amount of carrier oil e.g  2/3 drops in 5ml, 5 drops in 10ml  10 drops in 20ml etc.  It's also wise to test a small area of skin first to check for any sensitivity/reaction.
• To use in the bath: Dilute first in some carrier oil (be careful this can make the bath slippy) or simply add up to 6 drops of your chosen oil to the water making sure you swish it around properly!  

 


Enjoy! x