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.