Among the benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy are reduced stress, better sleep quality, and more radiant skin. Here are some homemade recipes for you.
Aromatherapy and essential oils
Natural beauty is easy to achieve when you use self-care products. Here are seven recipes for the aromatherapy based on aromatic herbs and essential oils that you can find in any health food store. Essential oils will help you relax and increase the feeling of well-being; they will give you a hydrated, radiant skin as well as shiny and bright hair of beauty.
Sachets of rose petals with essential oils for the bath
This voluptuous mixture transforms an ordinary bath into a sublime moment. Marshmallow root and chamomile soften the skin, while delicate scents of lavender and rose essential oils help balance emotions and calm the mind.
1 cup finely ground oats
4 c. dried chamomile
4 c. dried rose petals
4 c. dried lavender
1 C. powdered dried marshmallow root
Ten drops of rose essential oil
Five drops of frankincense essential oil
15 cm x 15 cm (6 in x 6 in) pieces of fine cotton muslin or layered cheesecloth
Place the oats, dried herbs, and powdered marshmallow root in a bowl and mix them well. Add the essential oils several drops at a time, mixing well after each addition. Place one or two tablespoons of the mixture in the middle of a square of cloth, then close the edges and tie them with ribbon or string (keep the rest of the mix for future use in an airtight container). Hang the bag on the hot water tap so that the water flows through it while you fill the bath. Detach the sachet and let it float in the water. Take advantage of this relaxation for 15 minutes.
Hot oil treatment and vinegar hair rinse
The molecular structure of apricot kernel oil is small enough to penetrate the hair shaft which it nourishes, strengthens, protects and repairs in addition to giving shine to dull or damaged hair. If your hair has lost its shine, apple cider vinegar will remove the accumulated residue that shampoos and other products have left behind and restore your hair to its natural balanced pH while making it shinier. Please note: this treatment is not recommended for colored hair.
� cup apricot kernel oil
20 drops of rosemary essential oil
� cup apple cider vinegar (for rinsing)
Mix all the oils well. Put a towel (warmed in the dryer) on your shoulders. Gently rub the oil on your clean, damp hair, starting at the tips and working your way up to the scalp. Continue until all of your hair is soaked in oil. Put on a swimming cap. Warm another towel and wrap it around the hat. Relax while it cools. Wash your hair in the shower using a small amount of shampoo. Then carefully introduce the vinegar into your hair with your fingers, keeping your head upside down to protect your eyes. Rinse thoroughly; finish everything with a little conditioner and rinse well. Dry your hair in the usual way.
Body Butter
For skin dry in harsh winters, this luxurious body butter is a real balm. Rose, marigold (calendula), and chamomile are naturally soothing, while the vegetable fats contained in avocado oil and shea butter quickly penetrate the skin to give it softness and elasticity.
� cup grated shea butter
1 C. grated beeswax
� cup avocado oil
2 c. coconut oil
3 c. vegetable glycerin
Ten drops of rose essential oil
Ten drops of marigold essential oil (calendula)
Ten drops of chamomile essential oil
Put the shea butter, beeswax and avocado and coconut oils on top of a simmering water bath and heat gently until the shea butter and wax bees are melted (or put them in a covered container in the microwave). Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Incorporate the vegetable glycerin, then add the essential oils a few drops at a time, whisking the mixture after each addition. Let cool completely before applying to dry skin. Store the rest in an airtight container and place it in a dark, cool place.
Elixir with essential oils
This hydrating serum is specially designed for dry or sensitive skin. The essential oils of sandalwood and marigold (calendula) are anti-inflammatory and regenerative. In contrast, the oils of rosehip and macadamia nuts are rich in essential fatty acids beneficial for the skin.
2 c. jojoba oil
2 c. rosehip (or rose hips)
1 C. apricot kernel oil
1 C. macadamia nut oil
1 C. 1 tsp carrot seed oil
Four drops of palmarosa essential oil
Three drops of marigold essential oil (calendula)
Three drops of sandalwood essential oil
Pour the first five oils into a small dark bottle. Add the essential oils. Shake well and gently penetrate a few drops of this elixir by applying it to your damp skin.
Lavender bath salts
Are you looking for an excellent homemade gift idea? Think of Epsom salts: a little health wonder you can add to your bath. Rich in magnesium, they help soothe muscle pain and tension. Borax and baking soda also give the skin a silky finish while the relaxing scent of lavender promotes sleep.
You will need:
� Masson pots
� Self-adhesive labels (office supply stores)
� Optional: ribbon or string to surround the cap
1 cup of Epsom salts
� cup baking soda
� cup borax
20 drops of lavender essential oil
Ten drops of clary sage essential oil
Ten drops of chamomile essential oil
Put the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix them well. Add the essential oils, several drops at a time, mixing well after each addition. Sprinkle two to three tablespoons of the mixture in a warm bath. Shake the water with your hands to disperse the salts well. Relax and stay in this bath for 10 to 15 minutes. Store the mixture in an airtight bowl and keep it in the dark, cool place.
Invigorating floral milk
This is perfect for healthy skin (neither too oily nor too dry). The milk that is Mother Nature�s favorite softener contains lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant that rids the skin of dead skin cells while toning it up. Also, the milk fats hydrate and relax the skin.
2 c. dried rose petals
1 C. dried lavender
1 C. dried chamomile
? cup homogenized milk or table cream
1 C. vegetable glycerin
Put the herbs in a glass jar. Add the milk and glycerin, then close it tightly. Pass the mixture through a sieve and pour it into an airtight container. Shake vigorously, then invert the bottle on a cotton ball. Sponge. Gently wipe it twice over your skin and rinse. Use this mixture simply to refresh your skin, or after cleansing in the morning and evening, as well as before applying your moisturizer. Store floral milk in the refrigerator; it will keep for about a week.