Aromatherapy Oils

Aromatherapy oils are plant-based essential oils which, when diluted, can ease several menopausal symptoms. The oils stimulate the highly developed sense of smell that humans have developed and can be mood-enhancing. Think of the pleasure you get when you bury your nose into a bunch of scented flowers. Oils can also be used to treat bites and burns, soothe period pains and even clear headaches and nasal congestion.

Even though the scientific evidence behind these oils is unclear, they are generally accepted as beneficial and are used within the NHS for women giving birth, and also geriatric and cancer patients.

Many women use aromatherapy oils very successfully at home. Here are some suggestions:

• Use a few drops of essential oil on a compress, hanky or on your pillow. Be careful not to apply neat essential oils to the skin (except lavender oil for burns and bites) as they are very concentrated.
• Heat diluted essential oil in an oil burner.
• Inhale as a vapour. Add 3 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Lean your head over the bowl; cover your head and the bowl with a towel and inhale deeply.
• Massage diluted essential oil into the skin. Use 50ml sweet almond oil, jojoba oil or evening primrose oil  as the base oil and add 10 drops of the essential oil you require (1ml = 20 drops).
• Add a few drops of diluted essential oil (as above) to a warm bath and relax. Spend at least 15 minutes in the bath. Be very careful getting out of the bath to avoid slipping.

We have compiled a list of oils you might find useful:

Use all oils with caution as some have contra-indications:

• Lavender may cause a rash for those who have eczema, asthma or hay fever.
• Clary Sage should not be used if you have consumed alcohol, as it may give you nightmares.
• Ylang-ylang can be narcotic and cause headaches, only use one drop of oil in each preparation.

To dilute theses essential oils we supply sweet almond oil, evening primrose oil and jojoba oil to use as a base for bath oils or facial oils. Alternatively if you prefer to use a cream we have Dry skin  and Mature skin based products. Again all these oils and creams are highly regarded by aromatherapists and all have the Soil Association certification.