HAIR AND SKIN ZINGERS

above: Make skincare part of your daily routine with a zesty, exfoliating citrus scrub.

Nowadays, there are many highly sophisticated products available for sale that will make your hair and skin glow, but far simpler, natural treatments can easily achieve the same results. Refreshing scents, such as lemon, grapefruit and cypress, have antiseptic and astringent properties, which make them ideal for treating greasy hair and oily skin problems.

If your hair is dull, lank and oily, add a few drops of grapefruit oil to an unperfumed shampoo base and use every second day. The result will be beautifully shiny, fragrant hair.

For hair that needs frequent washing don't be tempted to use harsh degreasing shampoos or to shampoo too often - the rubbing action on the scalp stimulated the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, thus worsening the problem.

If you have oily or combination skin, pay attention to your diet and drink plenty of water. It also helps to adopt a good skincare regime as open pores easily become clogged with dirt, causing blackheads, spots and pimples. For a clear, healthy skin, add a few drops of lemon and lime oils to an unperfumed cream base and cleanse twice a day. Tone the skin with a sprizter containing refreshing scents such as orange, grapefruit and cypress.

Citrus Face And Body Scrub
Orange peel is mixed with the slightly gritty texture of ground sunflower seeds, oatmeal and sea salt in this reviving scrub, helping to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the blood supply to the skin, leaving it feeling tingling and toned. The combination of aromatic orange peel and refreshing grapefruit oil gives it a lovely clean scent.

You will need:
45ml / 3 tbsp freshly ground sunflower seeds
45ml / 3 tbsp medium oatmeal
45ml / 3 tbsp flaked sea salt
45ml / 3 tbsp finely grated orange peel
3 drops of grapefruit essential oil
almond oil

Mix together well all the ingredients except the almond oil and store in a sealed glass jar. Using just a little at a time, mix with some almond oil to make a thick paste, then rub over the face and body, paying particular attention to areas of dry skin such as the elbows, knees and ankles. Wipe off any residue with a tissue before showering or bathing.

REFRESHING

above: Soothing lime blossom tea.
below: In addition to their aromatic leaves, many herbs have beautiful flowers. Bergamut flowers range from bright pink, red and purple to white.

Citrus fragrances are the first ones to look for when you are seeking an uplifting and cooling effect. Their aromas are light and zingy, and they have healing and cleansing properties. Lime, lemon and grapefruit are all sharp and refreshing, ideal when you are feeling hot, tired and drained of energy.

Possibly the most cleansing of the citrus oils, lemon sharpens the mind and dispels confusion. In a room spray, it gives a clean, fresh, harmonizing aroma. Lime is good for nervous exhaustion and stress-related disorders and grapefruit awakens the spirits; it is useful when feeling lethargic and low.

As well as bearing cheerful bright flowers, bergamot has a light citrus aroma and is useful as a room freshener, eliminating stale, musty odours and cooking smells. When your spirits are flagging, there is no easier remedy than a refreshing cup of Earl Grey tea, which gets its distinctive aroma and taste from bergamot essential oil.

Alternatively, opt for the clean, woody aromas of a shady evergreen forest. The scent of pine is strong, dry and balsamic; its effect is refreshing, cooling and enlivening. Pine is helpful with excessive perspiration, fatigue and stress-related disorders. Cypress also has a fresh balsamic odour and its effect is cooling and calming. The essential oil blends well with bergamot and other citrus essences.

STIMULATING

above: Rosemary is renowned for its ability to restore shine to hair that is dull and lifeless: try adding several drops of the essential oil to an unscented shampoo base, or make up your own shampoo with whole sprigs of rosemary.

Mental fatigue calls for scents that will blow away the cobwebs, clearing away confusion and indecision, and restoring clarity and a positive outlook.

The clear, invigorating vapour of fresh rosemary is a wonderful stimulant to mental clarity; a fact known to students in ancient Greece, who wore sprigs of the fresh herb in their hair to improve their memory. Peppermint was another scent widely appreciated by the ancient Greeks, as well as the Egyptians, Chinese and Indians. The Romans used to crown themselves with peppermint wreaths during lavish feasts, in order to take advantage of its detoxifying effects. Today, scents in the form of essential oils are used in many stimulating ways.

Peppermint essential oil is excellent when used as an inhalant or mixed with a base cream and rubbed on to the temples. Its clear, minty smell will open the sinuses and relieve tension headaches. Both rosemary and peppermint help promote inspiration and insight. Their scents will clear your head and pep up your brain cells - ideal for situations where alertness is essential. To relieve tiredness, such as when on long journeys, add a few drops of each fragrance to mist sprayer to spritz over your face at intervals.

Similarly, the fresh, pungent smell of basil is excellent for relieving mental fatigue; during the 16th century it was ground into a powder and inhaled like snuff to clear headaches, head colds and blocked sinus. Basil also helps to recharge the memory, and so is ideal for aiding concentration. If you need to start your day feeling more alert than usual, add a few drops to a morning bath to wake up your system and give you extra energy.

INVIGORATING

above: right - Use ginger essential oil in foot baths to stimulate circulation.
below: right - The whole foot will benefit from a massage with a lotion containing essential oils. Use sweeping motions to aid circulation.
left - Add spice to recipes with scented vinegars and oils, such as this vibrant chilli and black peppercorn vinegar or this delicious coriander olive oil.

When we are feeling tired and sluggish, fresh and spicy aromas will give us a helpful boost. Ginger, coriander and black pepper are three powerful stimulants, which can either be included in your daily diet or added to bath oils, lotions and muscle rubs. They should be used with restraint, however: ginger and black pepper may irritate sensitive skins.

Fiery ginger, which is used in Chinese medicine for its stimulating properties, warms and brings life to the body, and is especially beneficial for the circulation - sufferers of cold hands and feet should add a few drops of the essential oil to a vegetable base oil to help dilute and spread it, and rub it on to the affected areas each day.

Coriander (cilantro) was also well known to the ancient Chinese who believed its seeds contained the power of immortality. This herb has a fresh and spicy aroma and is useful when you are feeling drained or sluggish.

One of the earliest known spices, black pepper, has been prized throughout history. Its warming effect makes it an ideal muscle rub, particularly before exercise. Combined with rosemary, black pepper essential oil has been used by athletes to achieve faster times and to reduce muscular fatigue and pain. Try it yourself before a workout.

Coriander, ginger and black pepper are also effective aphrodisiacs, particularly for men. One source cites that the women of Senegal weave ginger root into their husband's belt to arouse their sexual interest.

NOURISHING THE BODY

The body is sometimes referred to as "the temple of the soul" and in order to feel healthy and balanced we need to look after its needs. Some of these needs include adequate sleep, a balanced diet and taking regular exercise. Properly followed, these ground rules will help keep our bodies free from toxins, our immune system strong, and promote a blooming, clear complexion. In addition, we can use scent in our daily body care regime, with aromatic oils, lotions and creams on our skin, in massage and bathing to help us relax and sleep well, and in food and drink.

Most of us require around eight hours of sleep a night. It is during this time that our body's cells regenerate and renew themselves. If we have insufficient sleep or sleep of poor quality, our system never gets a chance to relax properly. A few drops of lavender on your pillow at bedtime may help if you have trouble sleeping.

You are what you eat is an old maxim, but it is still true. Without a healthy diet, our body's cells receive insufficient nutrition. A diet that is high in refined foods, sugar, alcohol and caffeine will put a strain on the body's systems as they struggle to function properly without the right nourishment. Try substituting peppermint tea for caffeine drinks, particularly if you suffer from digestive problems, or for a weekend immune system, eat foods containing aromatic herbs and spices, such as ginger and garlic, to give it a boost.

Most of us lead increasingly sedentary lifestyle, and we need to ensure we get sufficient exercise. Physical activity improves the circulation and promotes the elimination of toxins from the lymphatic system. A build up of toxins can lead to a variety of problems including cellulite an other imbalances in our body and skin. Use scents in massage to provide further help in eliminating toxins.

above: Treat and nourish your skin using scented creams and lotions.
Handmade soaps may not last as long as the average bar of commercially produced soap, but they are lovely as a special treat and make wonderful bath companions.
A healthy diet is one which contains plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Try and drink water and vegetable or fruit juices rather than tea or coffee.

Looking after skin is also important. The skin is the largest organ of the body and its condition is a good indicator of our general health. A skin problem car arise from many causes, such as poor digestion, or from a mental or emotional imbalance, such as deep-rooted anxiety or grief. Establishing a skincare regime which cleanses, tones and moisturizes will preserve the healthy appearance of our skin. Rather than considering such attention a chore, this is an area where scented products really come into their own, and the opportunities for pampering ourselves with sweetly-smelling oils, creams and lotions are endless. Body products containing rose, jasmine, lavender and sandalwood are particularly beneficial.

BALANCING THE MIND

There is no doubt that our mental state affects our moods, emotions and behaviour and most of us would like to keep our minds free from worriers and concerns, and have a happy, positive outlook. On some days this might seem an impossibility, but using scent in even small measures, such as fragrancing the room, can help towards establishing mental well-being.

Though subtle, scents have a powerful effect and work quickly on the central nervous system to enhance or alter the way we feel, and because of this can be used to actively influence mental and emotional states. Recent studies have shown that certain aroma have a balancing and normalizing effect on the right and left hand sides of the brain. Basil and rosemary, for example, are associated with mental clarity: when inhaled, they produce a brain-rhythm pattern that shows alertness. Calming scents such as rose, neroli and jasmine, on the other hand, induce relaxed rhythms, similar to those shown by the mind when approaching a state of meditation.

Achieving a relaxed, calm state of mind can be difficult in today's world. Stress and stress-related illnesses are on the increase, and we face mounting pressures in many areas of our lives at work, at home, in our relationships, and with our children. It is hardly surprising that we feel overwhelmed and unable to cope sometimes.

above: Finding time for yourself can often be a cure in itself.
Gently scented candles with rose or jasmine , surrounded by pretty flowers, can act as a simple reminder of the need for quiet moments.
Essential oils, such as those from the basil plant, can promote clear thinking.

Using fragrance in our daily lives is one way of countering some of the negative effects of stress, depression, tension and anxiety. Scents can help us to relax and unwind, they can energize and fortify us, and they can help restore balance and harmony by ministering to our emotional and mental states. By cultivating the use of scent in our daily lives we can encourage and nurture a positive outlook.

Essential to using scents productively, however, is to discover what works best for yourself - both in the choice of scents and the method of introducing them into your lifestyle. Set aside some quiet time each day to relax, even if it is only for ten or fifteen minutes. On a summer day, sit outside and enjoy the smell of freshly mow grass, sweetly scented honeysuckle, or intoxicating lilac. If you are indoors, light a fragrant candle, vaporize a aromatic oil, or soak in a scented bath. The sense f smell is very individual so don't hesitate to explore new aromas - part of the pleasure of using scents is discovering favourite blends, which can only help in regaining your equilibrium.

A MODERN APPRECIATION

above: In the 19th century the use of scented lotions and oils increased as the knowledge and commercialization of perfumery developed. Lavender has traditionally been linked with the laundering of linens, and a pile of softly scented is just as pleasurable as it ever was.

After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century the use of essential oils died out for a time in Europe. In the 11th century, Arabia became the world centre for the production of perfume when Avicenna, a learned scientist, became the first to successfully distil rose essence since ancient times. This rich, heady perfume, known as attar of roses, was brought back to Europe by the Crusaders, and with it the secrets of perfumery.

The Renaissance give further impetus to the detailed analysis and study of essential oils and other aromatic substances but, as scientific knowledge grew, the natural holistic philosophy of earlier age was left behind. The use of synthetic and chemical drugs soon predominated over the use of herbs and oils in medicine, and scented products were considered of interest to perfume manufacturers only.

It wasn't until the early 20th century that a significant revival of interest in the healing properties of plants developed; much of it due to the curiosity shown by perfumers.

Since then, our knowledge of scents, and how to use them to address mental, physical and spiritual needs, has grown considerably. Accompanying these changes in attitude and developments in research has been a renewed appreciation for the knowledge left us by ancient societies.