DAILY BODY CARE

Our bodies are protected for much of the time with clothes, and because of this, the skin of our torso is usually in a better condition - softer an smoother - than that of our arms and legs, which are more frequently exposed with sunlight.

Conditioning Treatments
The arms and legs benefit hugely from the daily use of creams and lotions containing essential oils; improvements are particularly apparent when moisturizing bath or shower oils or gels have not been used as a matter of course. If your skin is dry or flaky, put your essential oils into a carrier oil to add a gleam to your skin.

For a bath treatment for dry skin, grate 15g (1/2oz)unscented, non-alkaline soap into 120ml (1/2cup) boiling water, and stir to dissolve the soap. When cool, add 8 drops of your favourite essential oil or oil mix. Hold your mixture under the running tap to dissolve in the bathwater and make some bubbles. If you prefer lots of bubbles, add oils to a non-drying bubble bath.

If you have normal to oily skin, which is not known to be sensitive, give yourself a body rinse before leaving the bath or shower. Dissolve your essential oil or oils into 15ml (1 tbsp) vodka, and mix with 1 litre (11/2 pints) spring water. Add 120 ml (1/2 cup) white wine or cider vinegar to the spring water mixture for an extra zingy feel.

If you have a problem with body odour, use the vodka rinse above, but without the vinegar. Add 3 drops of nutmeg essential oil and 3 drops of cypress essential oils; both of these have deodorizing properties.

For hard, rough skin on elbows and heels, use a facial exfoliating mask, followed by a moisturizing body lotion or oil to which 2-3 drops of essential oil have been added.

Cellulite is caused by ineffective blood circulation, which leads to poor lymphatic drainage and fluid retention. Aromatherapy can help with a daily regime. Pummel the area vigorously before applying essential oils in a carrier lotion or oil.





Varicose veins can be painful and unsightly. A cool compress, made with cypress, clary sage or niaouli oil and applied to the affected area, can help.






Varicose Vein Treatment
Apply the essential oil blend or lotion mix to the whole leg before following the directions below. Upward strokes are important to help the blood move towards the heart. Use phlebotonic oils such as clary sage, cypress and niaouli.


Massage the upper half of the leg first with upward movements. This clears the valves to allow the blood to pass more easily from the lower leg.

Massage in an upward direction only, using the palms of both hands. Make long, firm strokes alternately with each hand up the calf muscle.



Take the fingers of both hands alternately up the calf muscle. Complete the sequence by repeating step 2.








Anti-Cellulite Treatment
Cellulite is recognized by its resemblance to orange or grapefruit peel. A daily aromatherapy treatment, along with an improved diet and a thorough exercise plan, will boost the circulation and improve lymphatic drainage, helping to disperse the cellulite.

After firmly rubbing in your prepared oil mix or lotion, take both hands alternately up the outside of the leg. Use loofah or bristle brush if preferred.

Use the heel of your hands to pummel the cellulite vigorously. This stimulates the circulation and allows quicker penetration of the essential oils.





Continue to work over the cellulite area using the heels of both hands alternately. Maintaining the firmness of the strokes, repeat step 1.

Useful Essential Oils
Essential Oil

Skin Types
DRY SKIN
Chamomile (Roman) Chamaemelum nobile
treatment: anti-inflammatory (irritable skin)

Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
treatment: anti-infectious, cicatrizant

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
treatment: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, cicatrizant (healing)

Patchouli Pogostemon pathouli
treatment: anti-inflammatory, cicatrizant

Rose otto Rosa damascena
treatment: anti-inflammatory (blotchy skin), cicatrizant

OILY SKIN
Cedarwood Cedrus atlantica
treatment: antiseptic, antibacterial, cicatrizant

Lemon Citrus limon
treatment: astringent, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory

Ylang ylang Cananga odorata
treatment: tonic, balancing, calming, hypotensive

MATURE SKIN
Clary sage Salvia sclarea
treatment: regenerative (cellular aging)

Frankincense Boswellia carteri
treatment: antioxidant (combats aging process), cicatrizant

Anti-Aging
Clary sage Salvia sclarea
treatment: oestrogen-like, regenerative (counteracts cellular aging)

Frankincense Boswellia carteri
treatment: antioxidant (combats aging process)

Lemon Citrus limon
treatment: antisclerotic (combats aging process)

Skin Conditions
PSORIASIS (INCLUDING NAILS)
Bergamot Citrus bergamia
treatment: cicatrizant

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
treatment: cicatrizant

ECZEMA
Bergamot Citrus Bergamia
treatment: anti-infectious (weeping eczema), cicatrizant

Geranium Pelargonium gravoleus
treatment: analgesic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory,m cicatrizant

ACNE ROSACEAE
Chamomile (German) Matricaria recutica
treatment: anti-inflammatory, cicatrizant

Chamomile (Roman) Chamaemelum nobile
treatment: anti-inflammatory, cicatrizant

Frankincense Boswellia carteri
treatment: analgesic, cicatrizant

ATHLETE'S FOOT AND NAIL FUNGI
Clary sage Salvia sclarea
treatment: antifungal (skin condition)

Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
treatment: antifungal, anti-infectious

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
treatment: antifungal, antiseptic

CELLULITE
Cypress Cupressus sempervirens
treatment: diuretic

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
treatment: diuretic, circulatory stimulant

Juniper Juniperus communis
treatment: diuretic, lypolytic

VARICOSE VEINS
Clary sage Salvia sclarea
treatment: phlebotonic (circulatory problems, haemorrhoids, varicose veins)

Cypress Cupressus sempervirens
treatment: phlebotonic (haemorrhoids, poor circulation, varicose veins)

Niaouli Melaleuca viridiflora
treatment: phlebotonic (haemorrhoids, varicose veins)