POWER OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Most people underestimate the power of essential oils and their uses. Not only are essential oils highly therapeutic, they are also good for several beauty remedies. I often use them when teaching aroma therapy meditation to corporates but they can be used in a variety of beauty potions too.
The most important thing to remember is that all essential oils require a carrier oil and that means that you can use a heavy oil to massage the essential oils into the skin as they cannot be used directly. Coconut, almond, sesame, castor and even rice bran oil can be used as carrier oils. Let’s start with some basic skin problems and how to tackle them with the use of essential oils.
1. To get rid of pimples and acne: Tea Tree Oil
Take about 2 drops of Tea Tee oil and mix it with 1tsp of Fuller’s Earth (multani mitti) and some spring water. Make a smooth paste and apply this on acne and pimples on the face. This oil naturally kills bacteria that leads to pimples.
2. To nourish and fight against hair thinning: Ylang Ylang Oil
If you have damaged or parched hair that is thinning and requires nourishment then I suggest that you massage your hair with castor oil to which you have added 4-5drops of Ylang Ylang oil. This also helps hair to grow and thicken hair. It is also known to protect the hair from salt water and chlorine.
3. To rejuvenate dull skin: Rose Hip Oil
I have often seen even the best of skins looking dull. For this take 2tsp of almond oil and add 2 drops of Rose Hip oil and massage into the skin to see the most amazing and rejuvenated skin in no time at all. This just wakes up the skin as it contains
Vitamin C
and Lycopene.
4. To fade away stretch marks: Jasmine Oil
If you are suffering from stretch marks and loose skin that has lost its elasticity, then I recommend that you should massage your skin with a mix of coconut oil and Jasmine oil. Take approximately 50ml of pure coconut oil and mix this 5 drops of Jasmine oil. The stretch marks will fade with regular use.
5. To improve skin’s elasticity: Frankincense, Patchouli and Geranium
These days we often hear of ‘face peels’ for turning back the clock. I suggest a natural solution for this too. 3-4 drops of frankincense, patchouli or geranium help improve the skin’s elasticity and encourage cell turn over. These oils also help to tighten the skin and lessen fine lines and wrinkles. I always feel they are best used either in almond oil or avocado oil.
Betacarotene and Vitamin A found in Carrot seed oil both detoxify and promote cell growth. This in turn helps block nasty free radicals found in the environment. Carrot seed oil is also an excellent sunscreen protecting the skin against pollution.