Stay cool….

Feeling hot and bothered? A good natural cooling agent is Peppermint (Mentha piperita) with its strong, fresh, menthol aroma. When I imagine Peppermint I think green and herbaceous, which could be because it’s from the same plant family as herbs such as Basil and Marjoram to name a few. Peppermint is a good pick me up, useful for tired minds and bodies as well as any digestive complaints such as nausea or colic. Because of it’s wonderful cooling effect, it is well suited as an inhalation or a spray. Combine 2 drops of Peppermint with 2 drops of Lemon and 2 drops of Grapefruit in your diffuser to calm and freshen up your space. Alternatively, add the same amount to between 15-30ml of water in a small spray bottle for a refreshing face or body mist. Use as often as you need and enjoy the fresh minty, tangy scent which will help you cool down. Avoid during pregnancy, keep away from eyes, use in low dilutions.

The power of scent

Ah, the sweet scent of rain! One of the fastest ways to get essential oils into your body is through inhalation: the sense of smell. When the essential oil molecules travel up our nose, they send a message to our brain and nerves, this response is then passed into the bloodstream and respiratory system. Our nose contains olfactory cells which are connected to the Limbic system – the area of our brain which deals with memory, emotions and instincts. This is why the sense smell is so profound and effective as it can trigger a memory, which in turn can trigger many different emotions. Aromatherapy aims to create positive memories using the power of smell, to send our brain positive messages, to create positive emotions and help us relax. Relaxation is a stress buster promoting good physical and mental health thus enabling a stronger immune system. If you are in a relaxed state, you can deal with life in a positive way. So today, make sure you go outside and take a deep breath…..