Aromatherapy - Hypno-Reiki

This therapy uses scents of flowers, fruits, herbs and the bark, roots and resin of trees. The oil is extracted from the flowers etc, and also contain dozens of complex chemicals that seem to do everything from beautifying skin or speeding up healing, to helping you off to sleep, or alleviating pain. Oils are highly concentrated and you should always dilute them before use. Many oils, you can purchase are already mixed with a carrier oil, such as rapeseed oil. But personally I'd rather mix them myself as the ones already mixed aren't pure essential oil and you don't know just how much oil is in them in ratio to the carrier oil. (see chakras page to find out which oil to use for each chakra)

WAYS OF USING ESSENTIAL OILS

• Atomiser - To feel positive energies in your home you might like to combine refreshing misting with your favourite oil to achieve your desired effect. Just add 4-6 drops of essential oil to a misting spray with water. You can also make a smaller amount up in a smaller bottle to use on yourself, fill it with spring water and 1-2 drops of your favourite oil. Misting cleanses and revitalises your auric energy field and your environment, so it is a nice way of using essential oils. Emotional energy tends to stagnate in rooms after quarrels or emotional traumas, and the atmosphere seems thick, like the old saying 'you could cut the atmosphere with a knife' is only too true. So this misting ritual will make a big difference ! Good oils for this thick atmosphere are Peppermint, Pine or Eucalyptus but if you don't like these you can soon find one that you do like to use. This way of using essential oils is the fastest and most effective way of neutralising negative energy in a room.
  

• Diffusers - These are readily available in most stores nowadays. Electrical plug-in diffusers are an economic and regular way of dispersing essential oil into a room. Note : Not all diffusers have essential oils in them, you must look for the ones that state 'essential oils or aromatherapy' not just a fragrance. They work by heating the oil, thus allowing it's vapours to disperse around the room. Many people use burners also with tea light candles below them. Please be careful with candles, do not leave them unattended. You can also buy ceramic rings that fit onto your light bulbs in ceiling lamps and table lamps. Just add a few drops of your favourite oil into the ceramic ring and switch on the light, the heat from the bulb heats up the oil. The ceramic rings are fire proof. You can even use your radiators in your home as a source of dispersing the aroma of your favourite oil Just place 6-10 drops of essential oil onto a cotton wool ball and put next to the radiator or behind the hot pipe that is connected to the radiator. This is a safe way to enjoy your chosen oil.
  

Another heat source such as a real logwood fire can also act as a way of burning the oil. You can use sandalwood, pine or cedarwood oil for this. Put 1 drop on a log, no more than this, and leave for about 30 mins before using the log. One oiled log will be enough for the fire, as more than this be too overpowering. Less is more ! Essential oils can also be massaged onto the body with a base oil or added to your bath. Never take oils internally.

As I mentioned earlier different oils achieve different results, and smells affect our emotional reactions to people, places and situations. To discover what suits you personally and that of your environment try out different oils, in different rooms and at different times of the day and depending on what your desired effect is.

• To lift the atmosphere:- Rose, Jasmine, Mandarin,Lime, Lemongrass, Orange, Grapefruit
  

• To lift your emotions:- Rose, Jasmine, Neroli, Ylang-Ylang, Chamomile
  

• To combat fatigue and lethargy:- Rosemary, Peppermint, Rose, Thyme, Olibanum, Juniper, Jasmine, Neroli
  

• To relax and calm the atmosphere:- Chamomile, Geranium, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lavender, Rose, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Mandarin, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Vanilla
  

Footbaths
For the most relaxing footbath, add 5 drops of basil or 3 drops of lavender / 3 drops of geranium to a foot spa or bowl of water, then sit back and soak your toes.

Or for a stimulating footbath use 2 drops of bay oil / 4 drops of ginger or 4 drops citronella / 4 drops angelica.

For really achy feet ,after a long day at work or home, try this one 4 drops of thyme / 4 drops of chamomile or 4 drops of eucalyptus / 3 drops of pine

*Footbaths are very practical & ideal if you are elderly and/or disabled as this may prevent you from getting in and out of the bath, so you can still enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.*

You can also use oils in the shower by adding a couple of drops to your sponge, but no more.

Treatments for sleep

Apply a few drops of your favourite oil to a tissue before going to bed & leave it beside your pillow so you can inhale it whilst you sleep, or tuck it inside your pillowcase. You can use oils at bedtime that relax you, oils with aphrodisiac properties, and oils to treat insomnia, colds or headaches.

To aid you to sleep:- 2 drops of chamomile on a tissue or 2 drops of lavender

Hot Poultices

For relieving aching muscles and reduce chest congestion etc :-Eucalyptus (congestion, colds)

• Teatree (for viruses, flu etc)
  

• Lavender (antiseptic,calming,relaxing)
  

• Myrrh (sore throats, coughs)
  

• Bergamot (uplifting, deodorising in case of sickness)
  

You add a few drops of the appropriate oil that I have listed for the ailment and add it to a small bowl of very hot water. Wearing gloves, dip in a flannel, squeeze out excess fluid and place over affected area. Repeat as many times as you require.

Cold Compresses

We use these to soothe inflammation and reduce fever. Follow the same procedure as for the poultices but with ice cold water rather than hot. Use cold compresses for - headaches-sprains-inflammation-fever-swollen bumps-burns-blisters-sore feet-rashes-measles-chicken pox-sunburn-or a hangover.

• headaches - basil, chamomile, rose, violet
  

• sprains - basil, camphor, citronella, marjoram
  

• inflammation - clary sage
  

• fever - tea tree, bergamot
  

• swollen bumps - rose, laure
  

• burns and sunburn - patchouli,chamomile, lavender, geranium, marigold
  

• blistered sore feet - birch, lavender, geranium, tea tree
  

• rashes - cedarwood, chamomile, geranium, marigold, violet, yarrow
  

• measles, chicken pox - bergamot, eucalyptus, chamomile, marigold, lavender, tea tree
  

• hangover - rose, geranium, neroli
  

**What oils you need to avoid during pregnancy**

Angelica-basil-cedarwood-citronella-fennel-juniper(can also start labour early)-laurel-marjoram-myrrh-tarragon-white thyme-yarrow
Every other essential oil should be safe for home use and in pregnancy, but if in doubt, ask the shop that you are buying from or your own G.P.

• Ylang-Ylang - relaxing & calming - Poor circulation, anxiety, cramps, depression, hair, insomnia, menopause, sexual problems, skin, stress.
  

• Yarrow - relaxing & calming- acne, hair, insomnia, skin, stress
  

• Violet - stimulating & uplifting - Anxiety, depression, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, headache, skin
  

• Valerian - relaxing & calming, therapeutic - Anxiety, insomnia, stress
  

• White (Thyme) - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Backache, colds, coughs, fatigue, headache, flu, perspiration, rheumatism, skin
  

• Tea Tree - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Acne, athlete's foot, bites & stings, breathing problems, bunions, burns, chicken pox, chilblains, colds, cuts & abrasions, dandruff, hair, herpes, flu, measles, ski, thrush, candida.
  

• Tarragon - therapeutic - Cramps, indigestion, menopause, P.M.T
  

• Spruce - relaxing & calming, Stimulating & uplifting - Anxiety, arthritis, backache, cellulite, chilblains, poor circulation, colds, coughs, fluid retention, flu, rheumatism, stress
  

• Sandalwood - relaxing & calming - Acne, anxiety, breathing problems, coughs, dandruff, depression, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, insomnia, P.M.T, sexual problems, skin, stress, thrush, candida, fungal problems
  

• Clary (Sage) - relaxing & calming, stimulating & uplifting - Anxiety, backache, bruises, cellulite, poor circulation, depression, fatigue, hair, headache, menopause, P.M.T, sexual problems, stress
  

• Rosewood - relaxing & calming- Acne, anxiety, depression, sexual problems, skin, stress
  

• Rosemary - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Arthritis, backache, breathing problems, cellulite, chilblains, poor circulation, coughs, fatigue, fluid retention, hair, headache, flu, rheumatism, skin
  

• Rose - relaxing & calming - Burns, cramps, depression, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, hangover, headache, insomnia, menopause, P.M.T, sexual problems, skin, stress, sunburn
  

• Pine (longleaf) - stimulating & uplifting - Arthritis, backache, breathing problems, poor circulation, colds, coughs, flu, rheumatism
  

• Petitgrain - relaxing & calming, stimulating & uplifting - Acne, anxiety, backache, fatigue, insomnia, skin, stress
  

• Peppermint - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Arthritis, bites & stings, breathing problems, bunions, poor circulation, colds, coughs, fatigue, hangover, headache, indigestion, flu, jetlag, menopause, nausea, P.M.T, travel sickness
  

• Patchouli - relaxing & calming, stimulating & uplifting - Acne, anxiety, burns, cellulite, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fatigue, fluid retention, herpes, sexual problems, skin, stress
  

• Orange - relaxing & calming, stimulating & uplifting - Fatigue, flu, skin, sunburn
  

• Neroli - relaxing & calming - Anxiety, cramps, depression, hangover, insomnia, sexual problems, skin, stress
  

• Myrrh - relaxing & calming, stimulating & uplifting - Arthritis, breathing problems, poor circulation, colds, coughs, depression, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, skin, thrush, candida, fungal problems.
  

• Mimosa - relaxing & calming - Anxiety, depression, insomnia, skin, stress
  

• Marjoram - relaxing & calming, therapeutic - Arthritis, backache, breathing problems, bruises, chilblains, cramps, indigestion, flu, rheumatism, stress
  

• Marigold - therapeutic - Bites & stings, bruises, burns, poor circulation, cuts & abrasions, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, herpes, skin
  

• Mandarin - relaxing & calming - Anxiety, cramps, fluid retention, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, skin, travel sickness
  

• Lime - stimulating & uplifting - Arthritis, cellulite, poor circulation, colds, flu, rheumatism, skin
  

• Lemongrass - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Acne, athlete's foot, chilblains, poor circulation, colds, fatigue, headache, perspiration, skin
  

• Lemon - stimulating & uplifting - Acne, arthritis, bunions, cellulite, chilblains, poor circulation, colds, coughs, cramps, dandruff, hair, hangover, herpes, nausea, rheumatism, skin, travel sickness
  

• Lavender - relaxing & calming, stimulating & uplifting - Acne, anxiety, arthritis, athlete's foot, backache, bites & stings, bruises, burns, cellulite, chicken pox, poor circulation, colds, cramps, dandruff, cuts & abrasions, depression, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fatigue, hair, hangover, headache, herpes, indigestion, insomnia, jetlag, measles, menopause, perspiration, P.M.T, rheumatism, skin, stress, sunburn, thrush, candida, fungal problems
  

• Laurel - relaxing & calming, therapeutic - Backache, colds, cramps, flu, P.M.T
  

• Juniper - relaxing & calming, therapeutic - Acne, arthritis, backache, cellulite, chilblains, poor circulation, cramps, dandruff, fluid retention, P.M.T, rheumatism, skin
  

• Jasmine - relaxing & calming - Acne, arthritis, backache, cellulite, chilblains, poor circulation, cramps, depression, fatigue, insomnia, P.M.T, sexual problems, skin, stress
  

• Ginger - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Arthritis, chilblains, poor circulation, coughs, fatigue, nausea, rheumatism, sexual problems, travel sickness
  

• Geranium - relaxing & calming, stimulating & uplifting - Acne, athlete's foot, bruises, burns, cellulite, cuts & abrasions, dandruff, depression, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fatigue, fluid retention, hair, hangover, insomnia, jetlag, menopause, P.M.T, sexual problems, skin, stress, sunburn
  

• Galbanum - relaxing & calming - Anxiety, fatigue, skin
  

• Frankincense - relaxing & calming - Anxiety, coughs, depression, headache, skin
  

• Fennel - stimulating & uplifting - Cellulite, fluid retention, indigestion, P.M.T
  

• Eucalyptus - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Arthritis, backache, breathing problems, chicken pox, chilblains, colds, coughs, cramps, fatigue, headache, herpes, flu, measles, rheumatism
  

• Cypress - therapeutic - Arthritis, bruises, bunions, cellulite, poor circulation, chilblains, coughs, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fluid retention, hair, insomnia, jetlag, menopause, rheumatism, skin
  

• Citronella - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Backache, bites & stings, cuts & abrasions, perspiration
  

• Chamomile - relaxing & calming - Acne, arthritis, bites & stings, burns, chicken pox, cramps, cuts & abrasions, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, hair, headache, herpes, insomnia, measles, menopause, P.M.T, rheumatism, sunburn, stress, skin
  

• Cedarwood - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Acne, breathing problems, cellulite, poor circulation, coughs, dandruff, hair
  

• Camphor - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Backache, bruises, colds
  

• Birch - therapeutic - Athlete's foot, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fluid retention, rheumatism
  

• Bergamot - stimulating & uplifting, relaxing & calming -Acne, anxiety, chicken pox, cuts & abrasions, depression, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fatigue, hair, herpes, measles, perspiration, P.M.T, skin, stress, travel sickness
  

• Bay - stimulating & uplifting, therapeutic - Backache, cellulite, colds, dandruff, hair
  

• Basil - stimulating & uplifting - Bites & stings, poor circulation, fatigue, insomnia, stress
  

• Angelica - relaxing & calming, therapeutic - Breathing problems, colds, coughs, indigestion, rheumatism
  

• Ambrette Seed - stimulating & uplifting, relaxing & calming - Anxiety, arthritis, backache, fatigue, headache, indigestion
  

Stimulating your sense of smell, your moods, behaviour, mental & physical well being are just some of the miracles essential oils are capable of, but you must use them properly. Here are just a few guidelines for getting good use from your oils without any harm to yourself or others.

REMEMBER : Essential oils are very potent and should only ever be measured out in drops.

As mentioned earlier, never apply undiluted oils to skin. The only oils I know of that are ok neat are, lavender and tea tree oils, which are antiseptic and can be used for spots, fungal infections, cuts, bruises etc but still only use these in moderation, a couple of drops at a time is best.

Increasing the amount of oil you use, doesn't increase their effectiveness, where essential oils are concerned, less is more, and be careful oils in excessive amounts can be toxic !

Keep oils out of reach of children, always read the labels on your bottles of essential oils.

Don't store essential oils in plastic containers or they will become contaminated.

If you have used a citrus oil, do not expose your skin to the sun for at least 5-6 hours as it will cause skin irritation.

To get the right body moisturiser with essential oils depends also on which carrier oil you mix it with. The carrier oil can make all the difference. Some are light and easily absorbed and some are richer and more emollient. Some are better than others for differing skin types. To mix, you should always measure out your chosen carrier oil first into a dark, glass bottle, then add whatever essential oil/s you have chosen, and remember - measure in drops!

**Always store your potion in a cool, dark place and shake well before every use**

When making your own body moisturiser you can decide whether it is for therapeutic use or beauty use or both. You can mix them if you wish, your best indicator is your nose, if you like the smell when they are mixed then go ahead. (to not waste oil mix first on a piece of blotting paper to see if you like the mix)

Just to give you a quick idea, listed below are a few essential oils that are best for certain skin types.