Tag: mature skin

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Skin…

Avocado oil has lovely emollient properties good for soothing your skin

There are lots of essential oils good for skin – carrier oils too. Right now I’m using an Avocado oil for my face as it is has emollient properties which soften and soothe the skin. It penetrates so I only need a few drops which I put into my palm, rub gently together and pat over my face and neck, massaging lightly to get a good cover.

It is good for my mature skin too, I feel nourished when I have used it and I added essential oils for mature skin: Sweet orange, Cypress and Vetiver. I could have used Patchouli oil, Sandalwood or Rose depending upon preference. It is important when using an oil on your face that you like the scent, especially when it is used in the morning or last thing at night as it can influence how you feel. Some may prefer a separate night oil which will help induce sleep as well so a good combination would be Sweet orange (again), Lavender, Ylang ylang. Or swap the Ylang ylang for either Rose, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Neroli. If you like Clary Sage or Bergamot add some of that too.

Remember the skin on your face is thinner so the dilution of oil needs to reflect this. The rule is one drop of essential oil per 10ml of cream or oil if using on the face so if you have 100ml of face cream or face oil, you would use 10 drops of essential oil. It is different for a massage or bath, only use between 6-8 drops of essential oil in one sitting/or bathing. Less is more so a combination of 2 or 3 oils would make a lovely blend.

Play around, find you favourite blend, it’s the best part of the job!

Check with your doctor or a qualified Aromatherapist before using oils if you are pregnant, have high or low blood pressure or are taking immunosuppresant medication.

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The healing ‘tears’ of Frankincense

Why is Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) significant and given as a gift to Jesus in recognition of his Divinity? The reason is that in ancient times Frankincense was just as expensive as gold in terms of weight and is mentioned 22 times in the Bible.

Yet Frankincense is also rich in terms of its healing and therapeutic qualities. The essential oil comes from the dried and distilled resin of the Boswellia tree, grown in Somalia, Ethiopia, the Red Sea and Lebanon. It is extracted by tapping the bark, where the sticky resin exudes and forms ‘tears’ that harden. These ‘tears’ naturally protect the tree from infection and repairs damage and disease and we use it in the same way, to protect and repair our bodies and minds.

Traditionally Frankincense was used as incense in churches and for meditation. It is a balancing oil, calming and sedative, slowing the pace of, and deepening, the breath making it a comforting oil when stressed and anxious. However, it can also be energising as according to the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, Frankincense heightened his senses and awareness, enabling him to prophesise. Culpepper suggested it helped with depression and poor memory, helping strengthen the nervous system. It has a lemony, warm woody aroma which can sometimes be spicy and musky making Frankincense a dynamic oil – both relaxing and stimulating. When Frankincense is burned it produces phenol which is highly antiseptic, historically believed to banish evil spirits from sick rooms. Being rich in monoterpenes it helps clear mucus and catarrh making it expectorant so good for asthma, coughs, bronchitis and laryngitis – perfect for these winter months where our immune systems are low and susceptible.

Frankincense is also a lovely oil for the skin, particularly mature skin, balancing oily skin, it is anti-inflammatory, healing scars, wounds and sores – similar to how the resin ‘tears’ repair damage to wounds of the tree, we can use the oil to repair damage to human skin. It blends beautifully with Myrrh but also any citrus oil such as Bergamot, orange, lemon, and floral oils like Rose, Geranium, Lavender and Jasmine.

This is an oil gifted by kings given to a future king – if you believe in the Christmas story yet it’s healing, meditative power is far reaching both historically and cross culturally making it a magical oil producing perfect harmony, balance and calm.

Avoid in pregnancy, unsuitable for children and those who are taking immunosuppressant medication.