Cold Comfort

They may be common but you can bet on a cold to make you feel pretty lousy. A simple sandalwood gargle is one of the best treatments for a sore throat [use it for tonsillitis and laryngitis too]. Sandalwood essential oil is useful for angry skin conditions and rashes so it has all the right credentials for soothing a sore throat. It’s good antiseptic essential oil too. To 15ml cider vinegar add 1 drop each of sandalwood and lemon essential oils. Stir, or put a lid on and lightly shake. Top up with a teacupful of warm water and stir in 1 or 2 teaspoons clear honey. Gargle with the mixture but DO NOT SWALLOW. [It’s best to make up a fresh batch each time.]

If instead you’re at the chesty cough stage, add 8 drops of sandalwood essential oil, 5 drops of eucalyptus and 3 drops of peppermint essential oils to a dessertspoon of Vaseline and stroke on to the chest and throat area 2-3 times a day and before bed.

From holistic aromatherapy practitioner Sylvie Wootton.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

January 2005

Egyptian Beauty

We’re heading for shorter days and cosier evenings... and the season of warm, relaxing baths before bedtime. It’s really easy to enjoy a bit of home aromatherapy by adding one or two of your favourite essential oils to your bath water to help you relax. Add a total of 6 drops of essential oil, once the bath is full, otherwise they will evaporate before you’ve even stepped in. And always take extra care stepping out, as they can leave the bath a bit slippery.

You can be creative and take a tip from the ancient Egyptians to make your bath that bit more luxurious. Honey and milk are the oldest skin beautifiers. They’re a simple but effective bath time treat now that central heating is back on and the skin [especially on the lower legs] can get dry. Pamper yourself Cleopatra-style by adding 6 tablespoons dried milk power [goat’s if possible] and 2 tablespoons clear honey as the water is running. Once the bath is filled, add any combination of essential oils that you like or try 3 drops rose [or geranium], 2 drops sandalwood and 1 drop frankincense. Swish to disperse.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

October 2004

Instant Calm
The phrase “Getting in a twist about things” is a pretty accurate description of how any of us can feel before a significant event - first day at a new job, new term of school, facing up to having a frank conversation with someone, or whatever. Our stomach feels knotted and our breathing becomes shallow. A few dabs of an essential oil on your wrists or inhaled from a tissue can work wonders to dispel these uncomfortable feelings. And the brilliant thing is that the effect is pretty much immediate.

You’ll more than likely to pick an essential oil that’s right for you just by its smell but any one of these oils will be particularly suitable: Bergamot, Camomile, Cypress, Frankincense, Jasmine, Lavender, Marjoram, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang or Rose. Inhale and enjoy its aroma a few times, and quietly focus on letting long, slow breathes out in between.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

September 2004

Nature's Pick Me Up

If you’re feeling worn out and been pushing yourself too hard, why not use any holiday you’re taking to ease back on things and start restoring your energy levels? Essential oils (and massage if you can) are an excellent way to help rest the nervous system and get you back to better health. Be patient, though – this isn’t a temporary quick fix, based on stimulants such as coffee or sweet foods.

Use the following as a body or massage oil, every evening. To 60ml sweet almond or grapeseed oil, add these essential oils: 12 drops of lemon, 8 drops of clary sage and 18 drops of lavender. There are many other oils that can help too, including Roman chamomile, vetivert and petitgrain.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

August 2004

A cooling spray of essential oils is one of the best pick-me-ups for the summer. And making your own couldn’t be easier. Buy a small, empty plastic atomizer spray from a good chemist or somewhere like Bodyshop, add 5ml of cider vinegar or vodka, 1 drop each of petitgrain, lemon and lavender essential oils. Shake well. Top up with 50ml spring or distilled water. Keep in your handbag or carry it around with you, then simply shake before use [avoiding your eyes]. This is also great for warding off insects! Any leftover cider vinegar is great in salad dressings.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

July 2004

Treat Those Feet

Most people love having their feet massaged. Not only is it great for tired feet and legs, but it’s good for the rest of you too! Our feet have lots of “reflex” points and by massaging them we can help ourselves healthwise. If you use a blend of essential oils on the feet before bedtime, even better; you should sleep like a log. There are plenty of variations but try this richly perfumed blend: 1 drop of each of the following essential oils: ylang ylang, mandarin or petitgrain, sandalwood, and three drops of jasmine essential oil added to 10ml of grapeseed or sweet almond oil. Even if you just stroke it into the feet [particularly into the soles] you’ll be on the right track.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

June 2004

Handy Healthcare

The simplest ideas are often the best. You’ll be surprised what a difference just adding a few drops of essential oil [available from larger branches of Boots, pharmacies and health shops] to an unperfumed handcream or some nourishing oils can make to your hands.

To 30g of unperfumed handcream stir in 15ml olive oil, avocado or peach kernel oil and 5 drops of frankincense, patchouli or geranium essential oil. Apply regularly. For your cuticles just mix 15ml olive, avocado or peach kernel oil with 5ml wheatgerm oil and 3 drops of one of the previous essential oils. And, remember to use sunscreen on your hands all through summer. Sun exposure destroys the elasticity of the skin and causes brown ‘age’ spots.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

May 2004

Are You A Night Owl?

Ever felt the world seems divided between those lucky enough to sleep through anything and everything, and those of us who go through spells of not sleeping as well as we’d like. Changing the clocks can often trigger a spell of restless sleep. Here’s something to help.

After a hot bath, stroke the following aromatherapy blend over your chest and shoulders. Now lightly stroke about 5ml more of the blend in slow circles over your upper abdomen [between your lower ribs]. This is where your solar plexus lies, and where you can feel literally tied in knots with anxiety. Rest your hands over the area for a couple of minutes more.

Your blend: For 10ml grapeseeed or sweet almond oil use a combination of any two or all three of these essential oils - lavender, Roman camomile, sandalwood - adding 6 drops in total.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

April 2004

Soothing healthcare to relieve stress

Does stress seem to make a beeline straight for your shoulders? In aromatherapy there are a many essential oils that help relieve tight, sore muscles and tenderness. Here are two great, easy blends. Give them a try and yourself a bit of DIY TLC! Simply stroke the blend across the shoulders and upper back, or ask someone to lightly massage it in.

To 15ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil, add these essential oils: 3 drops rosemary, 4 drops juniper berry and 4 drops frankincense. Or try: 3 drops vetivert, 2 drops juniper berry, 2 drops lemon [optional] and 2 drops frankincense essential oils. Or, if you can only get hold of one essential oil - go for the frankincense or vetivert and add 9 drops.
Sylvie Wootton

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

March 2004

Up and Running?

Was one of your New Year resolutions to get fitter? After any form of exercise, essential oils are great for preventing next day stiffness and for alleviating tight, sore muscles and joints.

Try this bath blend and body oil for starters.
After exercise, add three x 15ml spoonfuls Epsom salts (omit if you have high blood pressure) to a full bath and swirl to dissolve. Add six drops marjoram essential oil and four drops lavender essential oil and relax in the water for as long possible. To 20ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil, add seven drops marjoram essential oil, three drops black pepper essential oil and two drops ginger essential oil. Or even simpler, seven drops marjoram and five of lavender. Stroke this body oil, quite vigorously, up your legs and over your back, arms and shoulders.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

February 2004

Beat those Winter Blues

Winter blues or the more extreme seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a recognized problem during the darker, gloomier winter months. The smell of certain essential oils will lift your mood and dispel a sense of lethargy.

To help you feel brighter and positive, bergamot essential oil is brilliant choice. Add 6 drops of bergamot essential oil to your bath or go one step better and blend together 10 drops bergamot, 3 drops geranium, 2 drops camomile and 2 drops rose essential oils in a small dark, glass bottle. Run the water and add 4 drops of this blend to 15ml milk and add to the bath. As a top-up, blend 6 drops of bergamot or the blend just described with 10ml grapeseed or almond oil or your night-time moisturizer and stroke over your chest and throat before bedtime.

For more holistic aromatherapy, practitioner Sylvie Wootton is on 01737 845522

January 2004

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