Essential Oils For First Aid And Luxury…

Essential oils are valuable for treatment of and prevention of common ailments such as the common cold, flu symptoms, insect bites and headaches.

Some oils will treat more than one ailment and are also useful for using around the home, either for freshening the air, disinfectants or beauty and skin treatments and when used in this way, are also treating and preventing common complaints.

ESSENTIAL OIL

FIRST AID

HOME USE

BEAUTY

LAVENDER

Pain relief, insect bites, cuts and wounds, colds and flu

Insect repellent, air freshner

Relieves spots, aids sleep

CHAMOMILE (Roman)

Pain relief, eases inflammation (arthritis), reduces fever, relieves stomach pain

Antiseptic cleanses the air

Sensitive skin, aids sleep

TI TREE

Insect bites, kills infectious diseases, aids athletes foot, coughs, flu

Cleanses the air

Cold sores, oily skin

PEPPERMINT

Pain relief, kills infectious diseases, eases sickness and nausea, relieves stomach pain, headaches

Insect repellent

Acne

One of the simplest and the most pleasant ways to use essential oils is in the bathtub, where the oils enhance the relaxing effect of a warm slow bath, or the stimulating effect of a brisk hot bath or cold dip.

The therapeutic effects of bathing have been recognised for centuries as modern day methods copy what the Ancient Roman bath houses used for daily bathing and treatments. The spa bath houses had hot and cold compartments, steam rooms and aromatic massage quarters.

A hot bath stimulates perspiration, this is very good for eliminating infections and detoxing waste from the body. It is best to use hot baths sparingly as regular hot baths can damage the skin. A medium-hot bath is soothing and relaxing for the mind and the body and is most beneficial to us. A cool-cold bath can be stimulating and invigorating in times when we need to wake up. A lukewarm bath is good for lowering high temperatures in cases of fever.

Dilution for the bath = maximum 6 drops of essential oil mixed with full fat milk to bath water (adults); maximum 2 drops essential oil with milk for children and elderly

Bath Bag: another way to perfume a bath is to gather fresh herbs and aromatic flowers such as lavender sprigs, rose petals, lemon balm leaves and chamomile flowers and tie them in a muslin bag, hang the bag from the water taps to allow the water to run through the bag and release its perfume into the water. Lovely!!!

Bath Salts: Epsom salts or dead sea salts are healing mineral salts good for eliminating wastes, detoxing and a muscle relaxant. Sprinkle drops of essential oils (as above) into a couple of handful of salts and add to the bath. Bliss!!!

Written by nidsthewriter
Writer/ Editor/ Communications Specialist