Aromatherapy Recipes

Aromatherapy Recipes For Common Ailments

Aromatherapy Recipes for Colds

The first thing to remember about winter ills is to ACT FAST.

The sooner you tackle a cold, the more effective your treatment will be. If you use essential oils at the first sign of a cold, there is a good chance that you will stop - or at least reduce the severity of the cold.

First, make sure that you get ample supplies of vitamins and minerals from your diet. If your eating habits are not very good, take a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Choose differently if you are a woman or a man and make sure you get the best you can afford. I recommend Solgar as a brand (see why).

Use essential oils - as varied as possible - every day in your bath, in (self) massage, in burners, nebulizers, etc... This will help increase your immunity.

Massage a few diluted drops of oil each day into your tummy or diaphragm during epidemics or when you are likely to be exposed to infection.

At the first sign of infection, take a high dose of vitamin C.

Emergency Drill

Even if you do all the things above, you may still catch a cold now and then - although not as frequently as if you did not do them.

At the first sign, rub a neat drop of Tea-tree onto the bridge of your nose and throat (if sore) repeat this as often as necessary during the day and if necessary the following day.

Take a hot bath with 6-8 drops of Tea-tree for at least 20 minutes and go straight to bed. If you do not have Tea-tree, use a mixture of Lavender and Eucalyptus. Only add the drops to the bath once it's filled up.

Most effective:

Use a Burner or essential oil diffuser and pour a couple of drops of Tea-tree and Thyme in it. Burn this overnight making sure you do not set the house on fire. This should get rid of your cold.

Continuing Treatment

Have a steam inhalation with either of the above mentioned oils.

If you have not been able to nip your cold in the bud, don't give up. Continuous use with essential oils will reduce its severity.

Burning or preferably nebulising, massage, baths etc.. should be continued with the above 3 oils until the end of the disease.

Avoid dairy product - especially cheese and milk - and floury products - such as bread, cakes etc.. - as these can encourage the build up of catarrh.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Flu

The treatment of Flu is the same as that of a cold.

If you are worried about someone's high temperature, sponge them with tepid water to which you have added a few drops of Chamomile,  Bergamot or Peppermint.

Make sure you Use a Burner or essential oil diffuser and pour a couple of drops of Tea-tree and Thyme in it. Burn this overnight making sure you do not set the house on fire. This should get rid of your cold.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Sore Throat

The above "Most Effective" treatment (in red) should be used.

Steam inhalation with Thyme or benzoin is best to relieve the symptoms of a sore throat. Thyme is excellent if a pain accompanies the sore throat as it has a slightly numbing effect.

Benzoin is recommended if the person is losing his/her voice.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Catarrh & Sinusitis

Catarrh is best treated with steam inhalations. Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint or Eucalyptus are the most effective oils to use.

Headaches very often accompany the build up of catarrh in the sinuses. Once again steam inhalation is best to help clear the sinuses.

A gentle facial massage, using a little pressure,  will help to increase the drainage of catarrh from the sinuses.

Sweep the fingers around the eyes, cheeks and forehead, making circles that go across the top of the cheek bone, up over the eyebrows and down again over the bridge of the nose.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Insomnia

Use the following essential oils in a bath or a massage:

• Clary sage
  
• Vetiver
  
• Valerian
  
• Lavender
  
• Benzoin
  
• Chamomile
  

Aromatherapy Recipes for Chest Infections

Frankincense and Thyme are the best oils to combat chest infection.

Use burning as described in "Most Effective", steam inhalation, nebulizing and massaging the chest and back are recommended.

Summary For Common Ailments

Aromatherapy Recipes Women Health

Menstruation

The most useful oils are as follows :

Massage, aromatic baths and hot compresses are the most helpful methods of use.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Period Pains - Cramps

Gentle massage or hot compress on the tummy using either Lavender, Chamomile, Marjoram or Clary sage.

Avoid marjoram and Clary sage if your periods are heavy as they can make them more so.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Irregular Periods

Massage and/or aromatic baths using Rose or Geranium oil (or both) to balance the hormones and regulate the cycles.

The oils are to be used every other day for a few weeks until the cycles stabilizes.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Heavy Periods

Massage, aromatic baths or compresses of cypress or Rose, particularly in the week before the period is due.

Geranium may also be helpful because of its hormone balancing effect.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Delayed Periods

Massage or aromatic baths with any Emmenagogue oils that stimulate menstruation; blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

Use marjoram, Clary sage or myrrh.

DO NOT USE IF THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY THAT THE WOMAN MAY BE PREGNANT.

Severe pains, prolonged bleeding or prolonged absence of cycles should be referred to a doctor.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Pre-Menstrual Syndromes (PMT / PMS)

Fluid retention, tender breasts, depression, irritability, inabi­lity to concentrate and food cravings are the most common symp­toms.

Becoming irrational, potentially suicidal or subject to murderous rages may also happen.

Aromatherapy can help the above conditions although a change in diet is also recommended.

The most helpful oils are the following which are diuretic, antidepressant and hormone balancing and possibly and oils to  help mental concentration.

As well as massages and baths, burning oils can also help.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Tender Breasts

These are due to hormonal fluctuations.

Regular aromatic baths with Geranium oil sometimes help, but if the breasts are really painful, try making cold compresses with geranium or chamomile and applying over the breasts 2 to 3 times daily.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Fluid Retention

Use chamomile, geranium or rosemary oil  in aromatic baths and massages to reduce fluid retention.

If the problem is severe, try to find a professional Aromatherapist who can offer lymphatic drainage massage.

Food Cravings

Anti-depressant oils used in aromatic baths, massage or a nebulizer should be used.

Cut out coffee, sugar and starchy foods, chocolate.

Use vitamin B6 supplement and evening primrose oil.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Depression - Mood Changes

Use bergamot, lavender, rose, chamomile or any other antidepressant oil that you really enjoy.

Lavender is the most important one if there are really major mood changes.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Lack Of Concentration

Burn Rosemary in a burner during the day.

Use rosemary in morning baths if you have the time.

The Menopause

Some women sail through the menopause without bating an eyelid. Others experience depression, bloating, flooding or hot flushes, sometimes for several years.

It is impossible to predict how any individual will fare, as symptoms do not seem to relate to previous menstrual patterns.

The same range of oils that have been mentioned in connection  with menstrual problems and PMS are the ones that will help most with menopausal difficulties:

• Rose and Geranium to ease depression and balance hormones
• Cypress for excessively heavy periods
• Bergamot, Lavender and Chamomile are good for de­pression , anxiety and mood-swings
• Rosemary for bloating
• Jasmine and Neroli may be helpful if a woman feels her confidence is undermined.

Vitamin B6 and Evening primrose oil, as suggested for PMS can be very helpful.

It is also important to ensure a good intake of calcium to avoid the risk of osteopor­osis (brittle bone disease) which is associated with the drop in estrogen production after the menopause.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Cystitis

This is an infection that affects women more than men. Antibiotic prescribed for cystitis can often provoke an attack of thrush (see below).

It may be possible to avoid taking antibiotics for cystitis if an attack is treated very promptly as follows :

At the first sign of an attack drink plenty of spring water, chamomile tea or home-made lemon barley water. Plenty of fluid will reduce the burning sensation when passing urine and will help flush the infection out of the bladder.

Take a warm aromatic bath containing 6 drops of bergamot or chamomile. Next mix 2 to 3 drops of bergamot into a print of boiled and cooled water and use this to swab the opening of the urethra at frequent intervals.

A hot compress of chamomile over the abdomen will reduce the pain.

If the infection has not cleared up within 24 hours seek medical help. If antibiotic are prescribed, take a lactobacillus supplement until the course of antibiotic is finished.

This will help to replace the friendly bacteria lost from the gut, so that the Candida organism do not get an opportunity to multiple too quickly.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Thrush

An attack of thrush means that Candida organism in the guts have run out of control, so treatment has two aims:

1. to minimise the discomfort and control the Candida.
2. To relieve the discomfort and itching of thrush
   

Use vaginal douches made up with lavender, myrrh or Tea-tree oils.

Candida, being a form of yeast, belongs to the fungus family, and these three essential oils are all anti-fungal.

Tea-tree being the most effective. To make a douche, add 2 drops of essential oil to 5 mls of high proof vodka, then add this to a pint of boiled and cooled water and shake thoroughly. Use this in douching equipment (chemist). Also soak tampons in live natural yoghurt and insert for a few hours at a time.

Eat plenty of live yoghurt and take lactobacillus tablets to combat the infection. Rub a few drops of Tea-tree oils in the abdomen every morning.

Continue for several weeks although the symptoms may disappear quickly (3 to 6 months). Exclude all sugars, starches, fruits, fungi and yeast products from your diet.

Aromatherapy Recipes Cosmetics And Toiletries

Modern Cosmetics

Essential oils have traditionally been used in soaps, skincare products and all kinds of toiletries, and until the development of the synthetic perfume industry they were, of course, the only source of perfume.

Unfortunately, very few toiletries are perfumed with essential oils alone nowadays - they usually contain a mixture of natural and synthetic perfuming substances.

Generally speaking, old established ranges at the top end of the price range are more likely to be perfumed with  essential oils (or other natural plant extracts) than newly launched, mid to low priced ones. At the bottom end of the market, less than 3% of the perfuming material will be essential oil.
You can look for un-perfumed products. Look for those made with essential oils only (often in wholefood stores, health food shops, etc...) or make your own.

Manufacturers who use only natural ingredients will usually state this, either on labels or on advertising material or accompanying leaflets.

Aromatherapy Recipes Skin Care

Carrier Oils To Use

A full explanation on the most common carrier oils may be found here (new page).

ALMOND OIL is an excellent, gentle oil suitable for all skin types. It can be used for dry, normal and sensitive skins in pre­ference to the more general body massage oils.

HAZELNUT OIL contains vitamins, minerals and protein and is ideal for facial use.

AVOCADO and JOJOBA are both extremely rich and nourishing oils, good for dry skin, but particularly beneficial for older skins.

WHEATGERM oil is very helpful for dry, wrinkled and older skins and also helps to diminish scarring. It is too thick and sticky to use as a carrier oil on its own, so you need to add it to one of the other, more fluid oils. Use up to 25 drops of wheatgerm to each 5mls of other oil.

Normal Skin

The texture of the skin is smooth, and the pores are not notice­able. The surface of the skin appears neither dry nor oily and color is usually good.

OILS : Rose, Chamomile, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender

Dry Skin

The skin can look papery and fragile and the pores are so small they are hardly visible. this kind of skin lacks natural oils not moisture.

OILS : Rose, Chamomile, Jasmine, Neroli, Sandalwood, Geranium

Oily Skin

The surface may appear shiny due to excess sebum. Pores are large and may be blocked with blackheads. This kind of skin is liable to be affected by spots and acne.

OILS : Bergamot, Lavender, Geranium

Combination Skin

May be normal or dry over most of the surface with an oily area in the "central triangle" of nose and chin.

OILS : Geranium, Lavender

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin has a delicate, baby-like appearance often pale or pinkish in coloring. Very vulnerable to cold and heat and easily irritated by soaps, perfumes and cosmetics.

OILS : Chamomile, Rose, Neroli

Dehydrated Skin

This kind of skin lacks moisture, not oil. Becomes wrinkled very easily.

OILS : Rose, Jasmine

Hydrated Skin

The skin appears pale and puffy, especially around the eyes. It is often cold to the touch.

OILS : Lavender

Mature / Aging Skin

All skins become drier and more fragile with age and loose some elasticity. Dry skin ages faster than oily skin

OILS : Rose, Jasmine, Frankincense if you can afford it.

Carrot, Lavender and Palmarosa otherwise

Couperose - Rosacea

Couperose is a permanent dilatation of capillary vessels.

It occurs mainly in people with fair skin, causing red patches to appear on their faces.

This is caused by abnormal vascular functioning (circulation pressure, endothelial permeability and venous stagnation).

It grows worse on the action of external factors such as UV rays and sudden climatic changes.

While the internal causes of skin redness need medical treatment, external causes can be helped with the use of essential oils. Oils recommended for sensitive skin can be used - see above.

Acne

A change in diet is usually necessary to combat this problem. However Aromatherapy can help :

The most important oils for this condition are Bergamot, Sandalwood, Tea-tree and Lavender.

Cedarwood and Juniper may be used occasionally, and are particularly useful for boys and young men with acne, as they have a "masculine" smell.

Use a green clay mask twice a week to "suck" toxins out of your face. Add add a drop or two of Bergamot to the mask and leave it on for 20 minutes.

After cleansing your face, apply a nourishing, unscented, chemical free cream mixed with the above oils to your face.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Eczema And Other Allergic Rashes

The oil of Chamomile diluted in Wheatgerm (10%) and Sesame oil (90%) should be used for massaging this very distressing condi­tion.

Lavender oil may be substituted to chamomile to give the skin a break.

RECIPES

Oil based cleanser

• 100ml almond oil
  
• 120 g ground almonds
  
• 50 ml cider vinegar
• 50 ml spring water
  
• 6 drops of essential oils
  

Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix for a good 2 minutes until a smooth paste is obtained. Store in a jar.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Broken Capillaries

To be added to 30 ml of your base oil or natural unscented cream:

        3 drops of parsley oil
        2 drops of geranium
        1 drop of cypress

Aromatherapy Recipes for Whiteheads

To be added to 30 ml of your base oil or natural unscented cream:

        3 drops of bergamot
        3 drops of thyme linalol

Aromatherapy Recipes for Blackheads

To be added to 30 ml of your base oil or natural unscented cream:


        2 drops of camphor
        2 drops of lemon
        2 drops of lavender

Aromatherapy Recipes for Wrinkles

A 1% dilution of equal amounts of Frankincense, Carrot and Lavender or Palma Rosa should be added to a base oil (sweet almond) or preferably natural cream where 10% of liquid Evening Primrose oil has been added.

Hair Recipes

• Hair Conditioner
• Hair Loss
  
• Dandruff

Hair Conditioner

90ml of sweet almond
10ml of jojoba oil
20 drops of rosemary oils

Massage in the scalp 30 minutes before washing the hair.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Hair Loss

Massage in the scalp 30 minutes before washing the hair and at night

        100ml of cider vinegar
        20 drops of carrot oils
        10 drops of rosemary
        400 ml of filtered water

Massage into the scalp, leave to dry.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Dandruff

1 tablespoon of cider vinegar
5 drops of thyme
5 drops of eucalyptus
3 drops of sage
5 drops of carrots
25ml of spring water

Massage into the scalp before going to bed.

Aromatherapy RecipesYour Own, Unique Perfume

The perfume industry uses huge amounts of essential oils, but very few perfumes on sale now are made with essential oils alone.

Only a few of the most expensive, world class perfumes which have been on the market a very long time are made without any synthe­tics.

In most perfumes, synthetics and essential oils are used together, and the more recently a perfume was launched, the lar­ger the proportion of synthetics is likely to be. Cheaper per­fumes may contain no essential oil at all.
        
Using essential oils instead of a bought perfume is not only fun, but good economics. Even the most costly essential oils - the floral absolutes such as Rose, Neroli and Jasmine ­ cost less than the same amount of top class perfumes. 

You only need to use one drop at a time. Use single oils if you enjoy their aroma, or experiment with blends. You can formulate your own absolutely individual perfume to your own taste. Here's how to try out a blend:

• Assemble several bottles of essential oil and a pack of cotton ­buds.
• Decide which oils you think you might like to blend toge­ther, and put one drop of each on the tip of a cotton bud, then hold all the cotton buds together and wave them gently under your nose.
• You may decide you'd like a little more of this oil or a little less of that, so you can put another drop on a separate cotton bud and add that to your bundle.

Just play with the oils like this until you arrive at an aroma you really enjoy. Then make a note of how many drops of each oil you put together to make this blend, and mix your oils together in the same propor­tions.

For example, it may be 1 part of Bergamot to 2 parts of Geranium and 1 part of Neroli (a deliciously fresh blend). By now you will have a good idea of which oils you like, based on your preferences in bath and massage blends.

Make your perfume blend in a totally clean bottle. The longer you can keep it, the more the blend will improve. Make sure the bottle top is firmly on.
        
Commercial perfumes are all made in an alcohol base. Colognes and toilet waters have more alcohol than a perfume. You cannot buy the kind of alcohol used in perfumery without a Customs and Excise license so your own home­made perfumes will be of the skin perfume type.

Once you have made your blend, just put a single drop of the oil blend on your skin. This kind of perfume has one big advantage over alcohol based perfumes, in that it lasts far longer on the skin.

Aromatherapy Recipes First Aid

Many of the minor injuries, sprains, aches and pains that afflict everybody at some time or other can be relieved simply and ef­fectively with essential oils.

The following is designed to give you a quick reference point for finding the appropriate oil and method for minor accidents.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Abscesses

Apply a hot compress with Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender or Tea-Tree.

Repeat at frequent intervals, until all toxic matter has been drawn out. After that treat as for any other wound.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Backache

A hot aromatic bath, a hot compress or a gentle massage with a mixture of German Chamomile, Lavender and Marjoram is recommended for any pains of muscular origin.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Bleeding

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over cuts and minor wounds that do not stop bleeding.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Blisters

Sprinkle a few drops of Lavender oil or Tea-tree on a piece of gauze and cover the blister with this. If the blister is very large, puncture it with a thoroughly sterilized needle first.

Keep the blister dry - do not use ordinary sticking plasters, as the blister will heal much faster if air can circulate around it. If on the foot, go without socks and shoes when indoors if pos­sible.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Boils

Apply hot compress with Bergamot, Lavender or Tea-tree.

Repeat frequently until the boil breaks.

After this, wash the whole area several times a day with a 1% solution of Lavender or Tea-tree until healed.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Bruises

Apply Lavender oil to the bruise as soon as possible.

If a large area is bruised, make a cold Lavender compress.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Burns

Lavender may be applied neat on the burn.

Lavender is a very ef­fective antiseptic, but also an analgesic that will help reduce the pain. Lavender will also promote rapid healing and will re­duce eventual scarring.

For larger burn, Lavender should be used neat onto a gauze and applied to the burnt area. The gauze should be renewed every few hours.

Always seek medical help for serious burns.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Cold Sores

A frequent dab of neat Bergamot or Tea-tree at the first sign of  a cold sore will promote rapid healing.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Constipation

Massage the abdomen with Marjoram or Rosemary

Aromatherapy Recipes for Cuts

Small cuts may easily be treated with essential oils.

First wash the cut with a mixture of 5 drops of Lavender or Tea-tree to half a pint of boiled and cooled water, then drop neat Lavender or Tea-tree direct on to the cut.

The cut can be covered with a medica­ted plaster where a few drops of Lavender or Tea-Tree have been poured.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Diarrhea

Massage the abdomen with the oil of Peppermint, Lavender, Cypress or Frankincense.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Earache

Apply hot compresses of Chamomile or Lavender around and behind the ear.

Get medical advice if the earache does not clear quick­ly.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Fainting

Peppermint, Neroli, Rosemary or Lavender (in that order) should be held to the nose of the person who has just fainted, either direct from the bottle or on a tissue...

Aromatherapy Recipes for Flatulence

Massage the abdomen with Juniper, Peppermint or Marjoram

Aromatherapy Recipes for Headaches - Migraines

For a mild headache, just spread a drop of Lavender on the fore­head and the temple.

More severe headaches can be treated with a cold compress of La­vender or Peppermint (or both combined) on the forehead or the back of the neck.

A cold compress of Peppermint on the forehead is very refreshing and clarifying.

Migraines sometimes respond better to a warm compress of Marjoram to the back of the neck.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Hemorrhoids 

Use Geranium and/ or Cypress

Aromatherapy Recipes for Indigestion

Amongst other oils, Chamomile, Lavender, Fennel, Peppermint or Marjoram oil can be used to gently massage the stomach in a clockwise direction.

Aromatherapy Recipes forInsect Bites

A neat drop of Lavender or Tea-tree can be used on the bite or sting. A compress with Chamomile is also recommended if the bite get very red or itchy.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Mouth Ulcers

Apply Tincture of Myrrh. It stings, but clears the ulcers quick­ly.

You may also use Tea-Tree.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Muscle Pains

A good hot bath with the oils of Lavender, Chamomile and Marjoram (or Rosemary if early in the day) will help tremendously.

A massage with the above oils of Lavender, Marjoram and Chamomile is also very soothing.

If the muscles have gone into a spasm, the above should be preceded by a hot compress of the same oils. Clary Sage is a powerful muscle relaxant and may also be used

The hot compress will probably have to be applied several time before the muscle relaxes. A gentle massage will work much better in case of muscle spasm as the person receiving the massage may otherwise tense up if the massage is too hard.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Nosebleed

Soak a cotton wool in fresh lemon juice and insert as far up the nostril as possible.

Put a cold Lavender compress on the back of the neck.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Pulled Muscles

If the muscle is pulled, torn or sprained, a cold compress of Lavender and Rosemary is best.

NEVER massage a torn or sprained muscle.

Rheumatism And Arthritis

The pain of Rheumatism and Arthritis can be greatly eased with essential oils.

Hot aromatic baths are helpful, but if Arthritis is advanced, the sufferer may not be able to get in and out of a bath easily.

Hot compresses on the painful joints give quick relief, but it is important to move the joint around as much as possible after applying heat of any kind, or it may do more harm than good in the long run.

Painkilling oils such as Marjoram and Black Pepper can be used mixed with a detoxifying oil such as Cypress, Fennel or Juniper.

Massage is really valuable, of course, and can give a great deal of relief.

The above treatments do not cure Rheumatism or Arthritis, they merely lessen the pain. Long term treatment should include general detoxifying and a radical change in your diet (new page).

Shock

Give Peppermint of Lavender oil to inhale.

Splinters

A tiny hot compress with Bergamot should be applied frequently until the splinter is removed.

Once this has happened, a plaster with a drop of Tea-tree should be applied.

Sprains

Ice cold compress of Chamomile should be applied. Apply every half hour initially and then 3 to 4 times every day until the sprain is healed.

DO NOT MASSAGE. Support the injury with a crepe band­age.

Arnica cream is also very effective on sprains. Apply frequently until better. 

Sunburns

On sunburns where the skin is not broken, apply diluted Chamomile or lavender oil (3% dilution).

If the skin is blistered apply neat Lavender oil to the blisters.

For large areas of sunburn, put 5 drops of Chamomile in a lukewarm bath, and lie in this for 10 - 15 minutes.

Drink plenty of fluids, especially - Chamomile tea.

Get medical advice if the burn is severe.

Toothache

A drop of clove oil on a cotton bud and pressed directly into the painful tooth should relieve the pain.

Alternatively, a hot compress of Chamomile applied externally to the painful area should help.

Vomiting

A very gentle massage (clockwise) with the oils of Lavender or Chamomile over the tummy area should help.

Aromatherapy Recipes General Household Use

If you want to get the greatest enjoyment and maximum health benefits from using essential oils, it makes sense to avoid synthetic perfumes in your everyday environment.

Unfortunately, synthetics are used to perfume almost every household product, from detergents and polishes, loo cleaners and air fresheners to soaps, deodorants, shampoos, bubble baths and perfumes.

The effects of chemical additives in foods have had so much publicity in recent years that many consumers now take great care to avoid them, and manufacturers have responded by offering additive free products.

If the effect of inhaling synthetics was as widely un­derstood, the supermarket shelves would be bursting with perfume free products. You will now have read many examples of how inhaling pure essential oils can have a benefi­cial effect on both body and mind.

Unfortunately, the converse is often true of chemical perfumes: they can cause:

Headaches (the most frequent reaction).

Nausea and feelings of lethargy and muddle-headedness which are hard to pinpoint, and often only identi­fied by the degree to which people feel clearer and livelier when they remove such chemicals from their daily environment.

Skin contact with synthetic perfumes is one of the most common causes of rashes and other allergic reactions.

The very fact that you have read to this point indicates that you have more than a passing interest in natural products and natural health, and it may well be that you are already using them in your home. If not, I would like to suggest that you try to make the switch away from chemically perfumed products and see for yourself how much better you feel.

Laundry

Add 6-10 drops of essential oil to a full load in your washing machine.

Bergamot is the best deodorant. It will not leave much perfume on your clothes but will help remove old smells. If you use a program with prewash, add the essential oil after it has run.

When washing bedlinen, use Lavender oil instead. For hand washing, just put 23 drops of any oil you like in the last rinsing water.

Floors, Paintwork And Tiles

Add a few drops of essential oil to a non perfumed floor soap.

Bergamot, Lavender, Lemon and Pine are all good choices. The amount depends on the size of floor you are washing, and how much you want the smell to linger afterwards. Experiment to find what you like personally. Always add the oil to the liquid before mixing with water as this will disperse the oil in the water.
              
WARNING: Never put undiluted essential oil on vinyl or thermo­plastic floor coverings - it might eat away the surface.

Furniture And Floorboards

Stand a jar or tin of un-perfumed wax polish in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to soften it, then add Lavender, Lemon or other essential oils to your own preference. 

Use between 20 and 50 drops to each 100 gms of polish depending on how strongly perfumed you would like it to be.
              
WARNING: take the hot water off the cooker and away from open flames before standing the polish in it.

Natural Furniture Polish

100 gms / 4 ounces Beeswax
250 mls / 1/2 pint Turpentine
 3 mls (60 drops) Lavender oil
        
Shred the wax into the turpentine, cover and leave for a few days in a warm place, stirring occasionally, until the wax has dis­solved into a thick cream. You can speed up the process by stand­ing the mixture in a bowl of hot water and stirring continually.
        
WARNING: Remove the hot water from the cooker or any open flame, as the mixture is inflammable when warm. You can use other essen­tial oils if you prefer, such as Lemon but Lavender is the most beneficial for your furniture.

Sinks, Draining Boards And Work Surfaces

You can make an effective disinfectant for sinks, draining boards and work surfaces by boiling leaves and young stalks of Rosemary in water for half an hour. Strain and use to wipe over food preparation areas.

For sinks, etc. add a little detergent to remove surface grease. This will keep for a week in a fridge. You could use Sage or Thyme leaves as an alternative, or a mixture of any of these herbs.

Clothe Storage

Use traditional pomanders, lavender bags or small sachets of potpourri in wardrobes and drawers, to perfume your clothes and deter moths.

Hang any of these on coat hangers. Use essential oils to refresh sachets as their original perfume fades. Or simply put a few drops of essential oil on a tissue or cotton wool pad in each drawer or cupboard.

Put a drop or two on padded coat hangers. If you have a favorite essential oil that you often use as a perfume or in your bath, use that for storing clothes too, so your whole wardrobe is very delicately perfumed to match.

Basic Potpourri Recipe

Save flower petals, and whole small flowers from your garden, choosing mainly those that will add their perfume to the mixture, but a few for their color.

Rose petals should make up the bulk of the mixture. Delphiniums, violets, heartsease pansies, marigold petals and tiny rosebuds can be used for color.

Scented leaves, such as geranium, can be added. Pick the flowers on a dry sunny day, and dry them by spreading them out thinly on sheets of clean water.

When they are all dry, mix them together with powdered orris root. Use one tablespoonful of orris root for every two cupful of flowers.

Add one drop of Benzoin for each tablespoon of orris: this acts as a fixative (i.e., it makes the perfume last longer). You can enhance the fragrance by adding a VERY FEW drops of essential oil, preferably Rose if you have some. Don't overdo it, or you will drown the natural scents of the petals.
        
Variations: For a citrus scented potpourri, substitute lemon verbena leaves for half of the flowers, and add a drop or two of Bergamot or Lemon oil. Or, you can make a citrus potpourri entirely from leaves.

Pick and dry the leaves in the same way described for flowers. Use half lemon verbena or lemon balm leaves, and add leaves from scented geraniums, mints, thyme, santolina, and other aromatic leaved plants you may have in your garden. Mix in some dried marigold (calendula) petals for color, and dried, grated lemon and/or orange peel.
        
For an insect repellent potpourri, use mostly lavender flowers, mixed with leaves of santolina, southernwood, mints and rosemary. Add a few drops of Cedarwood essential oil.
        
There are many variations on potpourri, and you can invent mixtures of flowers and essential oils to suit your own taste.

Linen Storage

Use traditional lavender bags in your airing cupboard, drawers, etc. Or put a few drops of Lavender oil on tissues instead.

Don't forget to renew the lavender or oil occasionally.

Air Fresheners

There is more scope for replacing commercial products with essen­tial oils in air freshening, deodorizing and room perfuming than in any other area of domestic use.
              
Use any of the methods (burners, sprays, vaporizing on light bulbs, etc.) and simply choose your oils according to what you want them to do: deodorize, keep insects out, create a special mood, etc.
        
Deodorizing: Bergamot (first choice), Cypress, Lavender, Petit­grain, Rosewood

Insect repellent: Bergamot, Lavender, Geranium, Eucalyptus

Anti infectious: (Spray or burn during epidemics) Lavender, Euca­lyptus, Ti tree, Juniper, Rosemary.

Calming: Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender

Enlivening: Rosemary, Hyssop, Eucalyptus

Meditative: Frankincense, Rosewood

Welcoming: Orange/Clove or Orange/Cinnamon (or all three) in a blend - a lovely way to welcome your guests at a winter party, or just cheer yourself up in cold weather.

Exotic: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Vetiver. Try adding a few drops of a spice oil - Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Cardamon, Nutmeg, etc. for an extra hint of the orient.
        
(WARNING: ONLY use spicy oils in room perfumes. Don't put them in bath or skin perfumes as most of them are skin irritants.)
        
Use any of these to perfume your home before an intimate dinner, but don't overdo it - you want to be able to appreciate the smell of the food, too.
        
Erotic: Jasmine, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang.
        
Use these in the bedroom and add a drop or two of one of the spices if you like.

Bathroom And Toilets

Showering: Add essential oils to a non-chemical liquid soap if you prefer this to bar soap in the shower.
        
Soaps: Always use un-perfumed soap, or look around for soaps per­fumed with natural oils. It can be fun matching your soap to the oil you've chosen to add to the bath.
        
Bubble bath: Just add essential oils of your own choice to any perfume free liquid soap and pour in while the water is running.
        
(Note: this is strictly a "fun" idea and not recommended for therapeutic baths.)
        
Bath oil: Add any essential oil you like to good quality carrier oil (soya, sunflower or safflower are best). Use 3 drops of essential oil to each teaspoonful of vegetable oil, and add 2 teaspoonful of the mixture to each bath. (This could double as a massage oil.)

This is a good way of giving essential oils to friends if you aren't quite sure if they will follow your in­structions to put only 6 drops in the bath.
        
Milk bath: Add 6 drops of your favourite essential oil to 3 tablespoonful of powdered instant milk and stir into the bath just before getting in. Good for dry skin. If you want to feel like Cleopatra, choose one of the more exotic oils!
        
Loo odors: Put a bowl of potpourri or lavender flowers near the loo and add extra essential oil to strengthen the perfume. Stir the petals around to release the aroma.

Aromatherapy Recipes Pets

Injuries: Use essential oils for minor wounds, just as you would for humans. Wash out cuts with Lavender or Ti tree. Don't worry if the animal licks the wound the small amount of oil it takes in will probably do no harm.
                
Fleas: Put a few drops of Lavender oil on your hands, rub your palms together, and then work very thoroughly into the animal's fur. Repeat every few days in summer or any time fleas are a problem. (Dogs accept this more readily than cats).

Scrub out baskets with Lavender, Bergamot or Eucalyptus oil in hot soapy water. Launder any pet blankets, etc. with one of these oils to deter fleas. If your animal sleeps on chairs, carpets, etc, rather than a specific pet bed, wipe or sprinkle a few drops of oil in places he or she often lies.
                
If fleas become a real nuisance, sprinkle any of the above oils on carpets, upholstered furniture, etc. every few days. Hoover very thoroughly to remove flea eggs as much as possible.
                
If you bath your pet, put a few drops of essential oil in the water. In summer this is useful for preventing doggy odors as well as keeping the fleas off.
                
Canker: Cypress oil will often get rid of ear canker. Put a drop of the oil on cotton wool and wipe inside the ear once or twice a day. If this does not get rid of the canker, do take your pet to the vet without delay.

Aromatherapy RecipesThe Garden

Sprinkle one of the following essential oils on the soil (NOT on the plants) to keep cats and dogs off your garden.

Bergamot, Lemongrass, Citronella and Eucalyptus.

The effect does not last long, and you will need to reapply every few days. This method is most effective for container grown plants - smear the oil around the edges of tubs, sinks or troughs.
        
Grow lavender under your rose bushes - they look lovely together - to repel greenfly, or plant cloves of garlic under the roses. Grow onions and carrots close

Experiment with other aromatic plants scattered around the garden to keep insect pests away from less scented plants. (There are several books on companion planting that suggest which plants thrive best together.)
        
Add essential oils such as Bergamot or Eucalyptus, Lemon or Citronella to detergent and water for washing down paths, patios and steps, especially if dogs or cats have fouled them. A few drops of undiluted oil will help to keep animals off in future. Use Tea-tree oil in detergent and water to wash paths or stonework if mold is a problem.