Let’s show the love for this Herb of Happiness!

Now, first of all there are TWO essential oils from this plant – the leaf and the seed. I’m reviewing the SEED here but will do another post on the leaf soon.

Secondly, this essential oil is EVERYONE’S friend. Why do I say that? Well, it’s because it blends with everything. When I was looking at the how to blend this oil the list of ‘blends well with’ went on and on and I realised that you could use Coriander in most blends depending on the indicators and your client – or yourself, of course. Let’s not forget that you can blend for you – and what a joy this can be.

Coriander seed, whose Latin name is Coriandrum sativum, is from the Apiaceae family well known for aiding digestion. It’s a seed we are familiar with when cooking and eating Indian cuisine. You can buy the seeds to crush, or they come already ground. I love to just toss a few in whole as I love the crunch and surprise when eating a homemade curry. Spicy food can be an assault on our digestion so what better than to include an ingredient which will help with the smooth journey from mouth to execution! Indeed, this oil is good for flatulence – possibly a side effect from eating spicy food…!

Another oil from this family is Fennel, well-known to support our digestive system, therefore it makes sense in that the main therapeutic property for both these oils is carminative – mainly soothing inflammation within the digestive system, helping with issues such as indigestion, nausea, flatulence (as mentioned), spasms, bad breath, colic as well as being good for anorexia and stimulating appetites. So the suggestion here is add the seeds (bought from the supermarket/shop) to our food but use the oil to combat some of the symptoms listed. For example, combine a couple of drops of Coriander essential oil to 5ml of carrier oil (Sunflower) and rub this into your abdomen to soothe and calm. You could also add Fennel here, or floral oils such as Geranium, Rose, Jasmin creating a beautiful aroma (see the bottom of this post for advice on dilution).

Moving onto our nervous system, Coriander seed is known to help with metal fatigue, promoting confidence, bringing clarity to foggy thinking. With this in mind it would blend well with oils such as Lemon, Basil and Marjoram. If you need focus and concentration, or are putting off starting a task involving brain power, this combination could work very well. Yet Coriander can also aid sleep, soothing fear and sadness. Again, it works on your mind as much as your body. What a beautiful oil, a great friend to have when you need to cut through the chaos!

Other ways it can help are with circulation and immunity. It’s a purifier. Again, very similar to Fennel here in that it’s a diuretic, boosting our circulation and getting rid of fluids or toxins. Good for menstrual cramps and bloating which are often associated with PMS. It is good for lethargy and feelings of burn out too so put in your burner or pop a few drops in the bath if you are feeling mentally and physically exhausted and need to recover.

As indicated at the top of this post, it’s suited to complex and creative individuals, who find routine and predictability difficult, throwing ourselves (yes me…) headlong into projects without thinking first….Ah. A lovely blend here could be a grounding oil offering stability and protection: Juniper berry and Cedarwood would be perfect companions in this case.

But, like I said, it’s a perfect blend with so many oils so you can choose freely. In fact, it’s been described as a blend enhancer, pulling other oils together to create that perfect synergy. The herb of happiness indeed.

Safety advice:

Coriander is non toxic, non irritant and non sensitising so it is generally safe to use however if you do experience any reaction such as sore/red skin, or breathlessness, stop using immediately.

Dilution should be 2 drops of essential oil per 5ml of a carrier (oil, lotion, gel, etc) for the body. 1 drop of essential oil per 5ml of carrier for the face.

Do no ingest essential oils.

If you have any concerns or issues consult your doctor first. Always use a qualified Aromatherapist for treatments.

The miracle of Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Distilled from the flowering herb, Sage has long been seen as a miracle plant. The word ‘Salvare’ means to heal, to save and was used frequently by the Romans and throughout the middle age as a nerve tonic relieving nervousness, tension, stress as well as aiding concentration. It is rich in keytones therefore should be used with caution as it can accumulate or build up within the body and so should be used in very small amounts.

Having said that, it has excellent therapeutic benefits. For example, it is clarifying which can positively impact unbalanced or infrequent menstruation periods as it stimulates hormones and can clear a ‘menstrual obstruction’. It relieves other PMS symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, mood swings and depression. Other therapeutic benefits include anti inflammatory, antiseptic, expectorant (clearing out sinuses, fevers, flu) and anti spasmodic relieving coughing and cramps. It soothes and calms digestion helping neutralise acids in the stomach and bloodstream, relieving hiccups and colic.

A top note oil, Sage has a spicy, warm and minty aroma. I like to use it in my skin care routine diluted in a moisturiser (1% blend) as its antioxidant properties are known to aid the regeneration of skin cells. As we age, our skin becomes wrinkled and can loose it’s shape. Sage can support us here – maybe not provide a miracle – but its therapeutic actions can support this inevitable and perfectly natural process – beautifully.

Seek advice from a qualified Aromatherapist when using essential oils. It is not recommended for children, or used during pregnancy as it can activate menstruation. Avoid using if you suffer from epilepsy.

We turn our minds to beautiful Autumn…

Ripe and unripe blackberries on a bush

Lots of us love this time of year. Whether is it appreciating the seasonal change from a hot summer to cooler temperatures; the visual treat of the changing colours across the landscape; the plentiful and tasty fruit on bushes and trees reminding us of childhood; the feeling of a new year as the children return to school, or if you are a teacher, a new class, new beginnings. But it is also the scents of Autumn, those woody, earthy tones, a crispness in the air, nights drawing in, emerging deep-dark skies. We are gifted with a sensory explosion which is probably why so many of us enjoy this season.

Even though nature offers us so much in terms of scent, there are oils that compliment this time of year which you can have inside too. Here are three oils I love to use in my diffuser or burner. If you are using a burner, add 1 drop of each. If you have a diffuser, 2 drops of each will suffice.

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) native to China but grown in California and Mediterranean countries is a cheery oil, full of sunshine therefore provoking a positive and refreshing outlook for this time of year. Like many of the citrus oils, it is an immune booster for colds and flu as well as a tonic for the mind.

Juniper Berry (Juniper communis) is detoxifying oil with a fresh, woody aroma. It can help flush out excess (blocked pores, fluid retention, bloating) so great for a massage but also good for clearing and stimulating a cluttered or anxious mind. It is a warming, relaxing oil.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) is woody and sweet, good for respiratory conditions and an alternative to Sandalwood if you are looking for a sustainably sourced oil. It is balancing and calming, and is often used for those suffering hair loss and dandruff.

The three oils together a give off a wonderful, relaxing aroma, a perfect compliment to the new season.

Advisory: do not use in pregnancy.

Benefits of Lavender

Lavandula Angustafolia

New research published last year has evaluated the effects of the aromatherapy, specifically lavender (Lavanduala Angustafolia) on stress and pain perception in children visiting the dentist.

According to the authors, the findings ‘showed that aromatherapy with lavender essential oil can significantly result in reduced pulse rate and salivary cortisol level in children during dental treatment. The results also found the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy on the reduction of pain perception during dental injection; therefore, it could be considered as a method for stress and pain control in dental settings in children’ [sic].  (Ghaderi and Solhjou, 2020)

The study explored the effects of lavender essential oil on 24 children attending two dental appointments, one week apart. In the first appointment, lavender was added to a humidifier 30 minutes before treatment but not used in the second appointment.

The children’s anxiety levels, pulse rates, salivary cortisol levels and a face rating scale were measured at different stages of the appointments. 

It was noted that the anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect of the lavender essential oil could be the result of ‘masking dentistry-related odours’ which children (and adults) can find distressing.

Even so, this is an interesting study and the authors comment that further research using “a non-therapeutic odour as the placebo is needed, in order to assess the therapeutic effect of lavender. ”

Read the article on the FHT blog here.

Soothing Chamomile

Photo by Ioana Cristiana on Unsplash

If I was going to sum up Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) in one word it would be soothing.

Distilled from the flowers it is readily available as an essential oil, and can also make a lovely tea which could easily become part of your everyday self care routine.

As an oil it has an earthy, fruity, refreshing aroma with a hint of apple.

A highly respected oil, it is gentle and safe – its main constituent being Esters therefore it is gentle and safe making it good for treating the young, elderly and frail. Its soothing anti-inflammatory properties help those with allergies such as hay-fever, eczema and asthma. It’s calming nature is good for when we feel stressed, over-whelmed with worry or anger. It is a potent sedative so great for those who need rest. And it’s comforting properties can soothe premenstrual tension and painful periods as well as digestive issues such as indigestion and cholic.

Applications include adding drops to a body or face oil (blends well with Lemon, Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender, Patchouli, Neroli), or a compress to use with a hot water bottle for a churning stomach or period pain (see blends and applications here).

Another great way is to make a tea by growing Chamomile in your garden which you can dry and add to a brew. You can also buy the dry herbs or tea bags.

Make Chamomile tea.

Grow Chamomile.

Buy dried Chamomile flowers.

Chamomile is emmenagogic so do not use in pregnancy.

I haven’t got time for this!

Photo by alexey turenkov on Unsplash

It was in the nineteenth century that “menstruation began to be regarded as a pathological process”, writes Emily Martin in her wonderful book, Woman in the Body (1987).

The idea being that a woman’s reproductive organs were in control of her body and mind, and that women must conserve her energy as it needed to be redirected to the development and maintenance of her reproductive organs and processes was prevalent. This was further underpinned by the idea that a woman’s primary role in life was (is) to be a wife and mother therefore women and girls were ordered to ‘bed rest’ or worse, domestic duties, to alleviate the ‘effects’ of menstruation. In reality, during the nineteenth century – and today – many women had to work in factories, as servants, in shops so a prescription of years of inactivity was not possible for most women.

Times have changed but women still work. Around 70% of women aged between 16-64 are in paid employment (ONS). Indeed, the menstrual symptoms women were reporting in the nineteenth century are still prevalent now and is commonly described as Pre-Menstural Syndome or Tension (PMS/PMT). In my last post I touched upon the many different symptoms women experience around menstruation, some of which are physical (bloating, cramps, increased weight gain, heavy blood loss, insomnia), others which are mental/emotional, such as:

  • Lack of concentration
  • Forgetfulness
  • Slowness in terms of performing tasks
  • Clumsiness
  • Lack of efficiency
  • Intolerance
  • Frustration
  • Food cravings (possibly physical)

Martin goes onto ask, how do these symptoms fit into our world of work, our industrialised society? And thinking on, what about women who work a double day – paid work – and then go home and do most of the cooking, childcare, cleaning – sometimes referred to as the ‘chore wars’ or ‘second shift’. Others have referred to it as the “mental load”. Here is an fantastic graphic illustration of this.

By Emma: https://english.emmaclit.com/

When I used to teach Sociology, I would tell my students that the term ‘working mother’ is common, but do we ever refer to ‘working father’? Of course not. Because we all know what a working mother means – it means if you are a woman, some work is paid, whereas other work – your primary role as wife and mother (taking us back to the nineteenth century) is not. Obviously. That would be wrong, right? Discuss 😉

Martin goes onto talk about how many women see menstruation as a hassle, reporting feelings of unproductivity, intolerance, frustration (see list above). But there are also women who report and abundance of creativity, productivity, clarity at this time. She references the work of Thomas Buckley, an Anthropologist, and his ethnographic study of the Yurok, a Native American tribe who believe that when a woman is menstruating, she is at the height of her powers and should isolate herself to meditate and not be distracted by ‘mundane tasks’ and ‘the opposite sex’. Imagine that? Imagine for 2-5 days every month, you must take time to yourself, be alone if you want to, not be interrupted or distracted, to relax or meditate?

The difference here is that menstruation is viewed as positive, life affirming, creative, spiritual. There are reports that women from other cultures do not experience PMS suggesting that it is a cultural or social phenomenon. I’m not suggesting that PMS is not real in our society but maybe if we took the pressure off women, viewed menstruation not as a ‘hassle’ to fit around our busy working lives but as something to embrace, feel good about, and take time out for, we may have a different experience. Maybe that bed rest advice was good after all?

The oils and applications I am going to suggest for menstruation focus on taking time out, to relax, be kind to yourself as well as helping you boost your concentration, helping you focus and clarify. They all have properties relating to PMS as well as many others that I have outlined below. I want you to embrace your menstrual cycle, give it a hug by taking care of you, relieve the pressure if you can. Even if it’s just a positive affirmation which says: “this is my body, I am going through a process, it’s ok to feel like this.” And if possible, let someone else do the dishes.

Timothy Dykes on Unsplash

A warm bath

I’m always raving about warm baths but how better to relax after a long day, get some well needed time out (lock the door) than have a long, luxurious bath? It’s good prep for bed too especially if you are restless at night.

These oil combinations are designed to help you relax, create a feeling of calm by slowing you down, relieving emotional and physical exhaustion, and helping with fluid retention. You can swap and change the blends to suit your own taste whether it be the sweet, heady Ylang ylang, citrus Bergamot, earthy Chamomile or woody Cypress.

Take a cupful of Epson sea salts and add between 6-8 drops essential oil, pour it into a warm evening bath. You can add more or less depending on what oils you have or you have a preference, just don’t exceed 8 drops.

Blend 1:

2 drops of Bergamot (good for emotional and physical exhaustion, uplifting)

3 drops of Lavender (relaxing, balancing, sedative)

1 drop of Ylang ylang (calming, creates positive emotions, sedative)

Blend 2:

3 drops of Lemongrass (for nervous exhaustion, relaxes muscles, uplifting)

3 drops of Chamomile (calming, relieving anxiety and ibs)

2 drops of Cypress (uplifting, relieves fluid retention, balancing)

Blend 3:

2 drops of Clary sage (relieves fluid retention, balancing, calming)

2 drops of Juniper (clears the mind, detoxifies and relieves fluid retention)

2 drops of Patchouli (uplifting, sedative, relieves stress)

Alternatively, you can buy them ready made and I would recommend any of these: https://kissthemoon.com/collections/bedtime-bath-salts

Photo by Yogandha Oils on Unsplash

Rollerball

Rollerballs are easy to make. They are also handy to have in your handbag, pocket, in your car, by your bedside table. These combinations are designed to pick you up, improve concentration and alertness as well as help you feel more positive and uplifted by calming the nervous system.

You need a rollerball, 10mls of carrier oil such as sunflower or fractionated coconut, and the essential oils:

Blend 1:

3 drops of Basil (clear the mind of clutter and worry)

3 drops of Rosemary (good for memory, tiredness)

2 drops of Peppermint (cool and refreshing, good for digestion)

Blend 2:

3 drops of Lemon (good for concentration, focus and immunity)

3 drops of Lavender (relaxing, balancing, calming)

2 drops of Patchouli (relieves stress, anxiety, lethargy)

Blend 3:

3 drops of Bergamot (good for emotional and physical exhaustion, uplifting)

3 drops of Marjoram, sweet (soothes over active minds, easing anxiety, indigestion)

2 drops of Neroli (uplifting, calms nerves)

Alternatively, you can buy them ready made and I would recommend any of these: https://www.tisserand.com/body/roller-ball/

Photo by Amy Shamblen on Unsplash

Massage/body oil

Massage or body oils are lovely to rub into your skin after a shower or bath. I would advise not using these if you’ve just had an aromatherapy bath though as you may have oil overload! The oil combinations here are good for skin in general as well as skin that is tender and taut, heavy, painful or irregular periods and fluid retention. They also have uplifting qualities.

Take 100mls of carrier oil such as Grapeseed or Sunflower or Coconut oil. You can add Evening Primrose and Avocado oil too as these are good for skin and for women in particular.

You will need to add 20 drops of essential oils. You can add more of one essential oil if you have a preferred aroma. I’ve added less Base oils into these mixes as they often have a deeper, heavier scent therefore less is more. Or, in the case of Frankincense, it can be expensive.

Blend 1:

8  drops of Basil (clear the mind of clutter and worry)

8 drops of Geranium (balances mind and body, uplifting, stimulates circulation)

4 drops of Frankincense (calming, restorative, meditative)

Blend 2:

8  drops of Orange, sweet (uplifting, tonic for dull/dry skin, good for circulation)

8  drops of Fennel, sweet (cleansing, detoxifying)

4 drops of Patchouli (relieves stress, anxiety, lethargyc, regenerates skin cells)

Blend 3:

8  drops of Mandarin (refreshing, tonic for skin, calming)

8  drops of Lavender (relaxing, balancing, calming)

4 drops of Ylang ylang (calming, helps restore positive emotions, tonic for skin)

Alternatively, you can buy them ready made and I would recommend any of these: https://www.nealsyardremedies.com/bath-body/body/massage-body-oils.list

Safety data: Do not use in pregnancy, consult a qualified Aromatherapist if you have any concerns, do not ingest oils, keep away from children, away from eyes. If you suffer any reaction to the skin, or you feel unwell in any way, stop using immediately. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Clarifying Clary Sage

Now here is an oil when I smell it I think ‘THAT is aromatherapy’ because of it’s deep and profound aroma; it takes my breath away.

It is Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) which has a rich, intense, nutty, earthy scent and one whiff of it can help clear your mind of clutter.

It’s key chemical constituent is esters making it a relaxing, balancing oil. It is healing, uplifting, cheering so great on a wet, dark day like today but it is also calming so good for high blood pressure, headaches and migraines.

It is anti-inflammatory, soothing the skin and a cell regenerator but also helps relax muscles, reduces spasms and fatigue. Studies suggest it helps reduce bronchospasms and improves peak flow to an excellent choice for people who suffer from asthma.

It a gentle oil, a good choice for young and old, but can be sedative so use in small amounts. Also, care should be taken if used before drinking alcohol as it may increase the effects of drunkenness.

Use it in an evening bath, it blends beautifully with Lavender, any citrus oil, Juniper and Geranium (up to 8 drops using any combination in a warm bath) or in a rollerball, rubbing onto a pulse points to ward off tension and stress.

I cannot recommend this oil enough, for me it clarifies the mind, helps me see through a brain fog. Definitely an oil to savour.

Do not use in pregnancy, consult a doctor or qualified Aromatherapist if you have any concerns.

A little piece of heaven…

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) is from the tropical Canaga tree that is native to India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, to Queensland, Australia. It’s aroma is sweet, heavy and exotic. Extracted from the flowers, it is used extensively in perfume.

Some may find the sweet scent of Ylang ylang overpowering and sickly, others may find it seductive and heavenly. Indeed, its chemical make-up can produce an aphrodisiac effect yet it is also soothing and medicating, regulating adrenaline production. It is a relaxing, sedative oil that can slow down the heart rate and high blood pressure, calming over worked minds, easing frustrations, anger, fear or panic. A natural mood enhancer, its rich, smooth tropical notes are harmonising and perfect for balancing hormones so I would recommend it for women who are pre/menopausal.

It mixes well with citrus oils such as Lemon, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Sweet or Bitter Orange. A perfect complement to Lavender and Rosemary. I recommend 1 drop of Ylang ylang and 1 drop of Lavender in a oil burner at the end of a long day to ease tired, busy minds.

Alternatively add 2 drops of Ylang ylang, 2 drops of Lavender, 2 drops of Lemongrass into a diffuser, or put the same combination into a warm bath and soak the day away.

Avoid during pregnancy and if you suffer from hypotension. Always consult a qualified Aromatherapist before use if you have any concerns.