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Aromatherapy Massage: The Complete Illustrated Guide to massaging with Essential Oils, by Clare

Maxwell-Hudson (Dorling Kindersley Limited, 1994)

Complete Aromatherapy Handbook,by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi (Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1989)

The Fragrant Mind,by V. A. Worwood (New World Library, 1996)

STORES AND SUPPLIERS:

Amrita Aromatherapy 1-800-4l0-9651Aveda 1-800-328-0849

Essential Oil Company 1-800-729-5912

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

American Alliance of Aromatherapy

P.O. Box 309Depoe Bay, OR 97341

1-800-809-9850

Herb Research Foundation1007 Pearl Street, Suite 200Boulder, CO 80302

(303) 449-2265National Association of Holistic

AromatherapyP.O. Box 17622Boulder, CO 80308-76221-888-ASK-NAHA

TIPS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR BEGINNERS:

Read up on aromatherapy. There are plenty of books, articles, stores, companies, and organizations dedicatedto aromatherapy.

Most essential oils smell best when used in small amounts; use only the few drops that each recipe requires.

Keep essential oils away from children, pets, and open fire (yes, they're flammable).

Don't apply oils to the skin neat (undiluted). Always patch-test new essential oils.

Place a diluted drop on inner wrist, apply a Band-Aid, and check after 12 hours. If there is any irritation, do

not use that essential oil. Avoid the eye area; if oils do get in the eye, rinse with cool water.

Store essential oils in labeled dark glass bottles, in a cool dark place with nonrubber lids, tightly secured toprevent evaporation. Ideally, use essential oils within a year, and within three months if mixed with carrieroils.

Soothing Smells for All That Ails

It takes 30 roses to produce just one drop of pure rose essence. Because of their high concentrations, essential

oils are extremely potent and can dry or irritate the skin if used alone, and so should always be diluted before

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being applied.

For massage, essential oils are diluted in a carrier oil to produce what is known as a "personal blend." Choosea carrier oil that suits your skin type and special needs. All-purpose carrier oils include apricot kernel oil and

sweet almond oil (good for sensitive skin), soy oil and grapeseed oil (good for oily skin), and sunflower oil.

Add the following special carrier oils to the all-purpose ones to make longer-lasting, more absorbent blendsthat are suitable for treating dry dehydrated skin: carrot oil (add only 10% to all-purpose carrier oil, since this

stuff is not only pricey, but the orange color can temporarily stain the skin); sesame oil (use only the oil fromuncooked seed); or avocado oil (rich in vitamins A and B, this excellent skin softener is good for dry chapped

skin).

Jojoba, which is not an oil but a wax, can also be added to the blend to lengthen its shelf life.

Mynou deMey, director of the New York-based American Institute for Aromatherapy and Herbal Studies andthe New York director of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, suggests the following blends

and treatments for MOTHER readers.

Massage Oil Blends

To ease stress, mix:2 drops bergamot (bergaptene-free)2 drops clary sage

3 drops lavender1/2 ounce carrier oil

Massage: full body

For coughs and colds, mix:

2 drops eucalyptus

2 drops frankincense2 drops roman chamomile ounce carrier oilMassage: chest and back

For PMS and menstrual cramps, mix:

2 drops clary sage2 drops geranium2 drops sage1/2 ounce carrier oilMassage: abdomen

For muscle fatigue, mix:

3 drops rosemary2 drops sweet marjoram

1/2 ounce carrier oilMassage: affected area

For constipation, mix:

4 drops cardamom

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1/2 ounce carrier oilMassage: abdomen clockwise

Bath

Invigorating bath:

3 drops ginger

3 drops rosemary2 drops juniper berryI cup whole milk

Draw a warm bath and climb in. Add the milk, followed by the oils, stir, and enjoy. Note: this bath isrecommended for the morning, not the evening. According to deMey, these essential oils are stimulating tothe nervous system.

Foot Soak

For tired feet:

8 cups lukewarm water in foot bath4 drops peppermint1cup whole milk

Compress

For headaches:

1 drop sweet marjoram

1 drop peppermint2 drops lavender cold compress (wet washcloth or towel)

Keep eyes closed and put compress over forehead and eyes.

Steam Tubulation

For coughs and colds:

4 cups boiling water2 drops ravensara oil

1drop frankincense

Add oils to boiling water in a bowl. Drape a towel over your head, close your eyes, and lower your facetoward the bowl. The towel shouldn't touch the water but should touch the edges of the bowl, trapping the

steam so that you get the full benefit of the fumes rising from the boiling water. Breathe the essential oil-laced

fumes for about ten minutes. Repeat the procedure later in the day.

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