It's always about the tools...
In life stuff can get us down, emotionally and physically, but it is what we reach for out of our toolkit, that will determine whether we thrive or just survive.
Now I don't know about you but I would much rather THRIVE! 
For the last 21 years I have been turned on and tuned in, to the gentle but powerful healing nature of plants and their extracts, so it is no surprise that the plant kingdom and aromatherapy which are essences straight out of the fine kingdom of plants, will always be my first point of call for all kinds of ailments that come up.
I use aromatherapy for my personal wellbeing, my familys wellbeing and also the wellbeing of my clients at Nurturing Massage in Te Aroha.  I use aromatherapy for everything, even pest protection in the garden or with my furry friends.  I find the use of essential oils in my daily life to be very uplifting, and extremely useful. I combine the use of oils in my daily practices with breathwork and practices of gratitude and body movement. They allow me to keep myself real, and authentic in my own practice with others and I feel healthier and better in myself for the use of the oils.

Have you ever noticed the wee little plants that pop themselves right outside your door offering their healing powers to you? Try going outside and taking a little look, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out that the little weeds growing nearby have healing properties in their cells, exactly what you need at this exact moment in time.
So in honour of these little power houses I offer up some personal recipes that I have used over the last two decades.

Why do we need essential oils in our lives?
We all fall out of alignment at time's (usually when we get cocky and think we are super heroes). We aren't perfect beings, that would be boring, so... when this happens reach for your tool kit of Therapeutic Grade Aromatherapy. (you will know this if you check out the bottle of essential oil for a number that looks like the image below)

On a scientific level we are better off using essential oils, because they are gentle, they work quickly, they go exactly where they need to, it doesn't even matter if you don't know where they need to go, they do, they will find the spot 100% of the time. They also don't build up in your body and create toxicity like pharmaceuticals and they just smell so good, everyone benefits from you using them. Some oils may clash with medication but not all so consult with your aromatherapist on which ones may be best for you.  Pregnant women, may need to be more aware too.  Again consult with your Doctor or your Aromatherapist.


Rituals for Self Love and Self Healing
Essential oils are a great medium to include into your rituals for self love and self healing of the body, mind and spirit.  They are especially great for body awakening and relaxing you after a stressful day. They have transcendent qualities which are helpful for total mind relaxation and meditation.  It was no mistake that the three wise men carried gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh for baby Jesus. Aromatherapy in an oil burner is a great way for clearing spaces of stagnant toxic energy, and clearing aura's of individuals. 

3 Ways to Rescue yourself with Aromatherapy
These are the 3 main ways that I rescue myself, and it all depends on just how quickly I need the problem tackled.

1. Aromatherapy oils can be vaporized in an oil burner or a diffuser (breathe in)
2. Added to a carrier oil (massage) 
3. Or placed into Epsom salts or plant milk and dispersed into bath water. (hydrotherapy)

The choice is really up to you.  The effects will be gentle but effective.  Take time to switch off the tech and come back to basics with natures plant allies. Breathe in deeply, visualize those oils going exactly where they need.  Essential oils have individual frequencies that they resonate at, so the life force that are contained within these oils will resonate with your own frequency in your own energy systems.  Studies have shown that the use of essential oils have reduced disease, tumour growth and in some cases healed cancer altogether!  And what a gentle and cost effective way to look after yourself and your family. Essential oils work with your body not against it.

When my beautiful daughter left home to live abroad and follow her dreams, I made sure she had a little 'rescue box' filled with Aromatherapy Oils of her own to turn to. She has used them for her skincare regime, migraine and period pain, sports injuries, study and recall during exams... and even when she was missing home, they lifted and supported her and gave her back her sparkle...but like any teenager or young adult she gets busy falls out of alignment, and I need to remind her to reach for her tools.

Important before you start

• Purchase only therapeutic grade essential oils, (fragrant oils have no place in healing) I personally use LeReve Aromatherapy. Talk to me about this if wish to know how to start your own toolkit.
• Massaging: Remember to always blend your essential oils into a carrier oil (such as almond oil, macadamia, rice bran, apricot kernel, coconut oil)
• Bathing: place them into the milk or Epsom salts if you are bathing with them
• Burning/Diffuser: place them into water in your oil burner/diffuser if you are burning or vaporizing them
• Never use them neat unless you know what you are doing,
• Use your therapeutic grade essential oils sparingly, 1- 2 drops per bottle in massage, 4-5 drops per bottle in bath, 3-4 drops per bottle in oil burner, diffusers use less essential oil, so value for money is great.

• Never leave open flames unattended
• Never leave your oils open to the elements, keep them in a dark cool place and they will last you for years to come.
• Never let your children play with your oils, keep out of reach.
• Enjoy, breathe, and thrive!

Recipes

​Aphrodisiac Oil: impotence/frigidity- relaxes the body and soothes emotions
Jasmine
Patchouli
Rose 
Sandalwood
Ylang Ylang

For people alienated from their senses and emotions:
Neroli
Jasmine
Ylang Ylang
Geranium
or 
Patchouli

To relax nerves and calm the intellect, great for exam revision:
Sandalwood
Frankincense
Lavender
or 
Lemon/Grapefruit

Panic hysteria/overly emotional people:
Bergamot (encourages us to loosen up)
Orange (restores sense of humour)
Lavender or Melissa (helps dissipate nervous tension and smooth the flow of chi, calm heart/mind

Asthma/Mucus/Wheezing: (powerful 4 blend using Chinese Medicine Philosophy)
Emperor: Marjoram (expectorant)
Minister: Pine (reinforce)
Assistant: Clary Sage (enhances)
Messenger: Eucalyptus (directs the action of the blend to the lungs)

Restlessness/Anxiety/Pressures at Work: Water Element- imbalance of Will
Chamomile
Sweet Orange
Bergamot

Passify Will and Ease Frustration: Wood Element - Qi energy not in harmony
Geranium
Orange
Lavender or Chamomile

Decision Making: Calming fretful and overthinking, mental fatigue
Marjoram
Chamomile
Clary Sage
Frankincense

Psoriarsis
Lavender
Rose 
Sandalwood
Chamomile
Palmarosa

Help in accepting deep loss
Marjoram
Cypress
Rose
Frankincense

Vascular Decongestant: Haemorrhoids, Varicose Veins
Cypress
Geranium
Patchouli

You are invited to book your own Aromatherapy Treatment with me at Nurturing Massage in Te Aroha, to feel first hand how well you can become, by including these therapeutic oils into your life.
Take Care
​Pauline

Whenever I am talking to a client or a friend that is suffering from an ailment or two, I always ask them how often they take a bath.  This may seem rude, but once you get to know me you understand why I ask. 
If you want to feel better quickly, I always suggest an aromatherapy bath.  This way your body is able to access immediately the therapeutic properties of the essential oils.
Hydrotherapy has been used for centuries to improve the health and wellbeing of the human body and spirit. So why is it, that people are so surprised to learn that they can use this modality themselves every day to harness vitality and energy?
One of the other ways I am quick to suggest is massage. Loving touch given mindfully using therapeutic essential oils, is a sure way to get yourself feeling better. So without further timewasting, herewith are some quick tips and a recipe or two to help with supporting you or someone you love through the rollercoaster ride of Menopause.


Menopause Bath - (regulates Hot Flashes)
3 drops Geranium
2 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Lemon
1 drop Bergamot

Night Sweats and Peaceful Sleep Bath
3 Ylang Ylang
4 Rose
6 Chamomile
3 Lavender

How to make an Aromatherapy Bath Blend 
Mix your essential oils into a 1/4 cup of milk, and then disperse this blend into the bath water prior to getting in.
It is important to make sure that you do not place the essential oils directly into the bath water without first mixing with the milk, as the milk helps the oil dissolve, without this method the oil will merely float on the surface of the bathwater and could irritate your skin. Also remember to not put the mixture in too early as you want to benefit from the inhalation of the oils, placing the mixture into the bath too early only benefits the ceiling and the beautiful aromatherapy essences will rise and you want to be the one enjoying the full powers of these gorgeous oils...

Massage Blend - Full Body Nurturing Oil
3 Tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil/ Carrier of your choice
1 Teaspoon Calendula Oil
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Basil
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Bergamot

Aphrodisiac Love Oil - Massage 
3 Tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil / Carrier of your choice
then choose 3 or 4 essential oils  from Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood or Ylang Ylang
(2 drops of each)

How to make up a massage oil
Use a clean dish,then add the above essential oils into the Carrier oil. (Sweet Almond, Calendula, Macadamia etc), give it a little stir with your finger, then massage over the entire body. Take time with this massage, feel the oils working and going where they need.
If you want to make up a bigger batch you will need to put some vit E, into the blend to keep it stable. Place the oils that you have lovingly created into an amber bottle and place in the fridge. Some oils will not keep longer than six months, so use them lavishly and make fresh.

*I like to warm my blends before I  use them, to do this I light a little tea light underneath the oil burner, and then test the oil on my wrist before I begin the massage.
** The most beautiful thing about using aromatherapy to support your health and well being is unlike pharmaceuticals, aromatherapy does not build up in the body and it is gentle, but powerful.  Can be used on children, invalids and animals.

Depression - Vapouriser
Into an Oil burner place some water, a cup at least 
4 drops Clary Sage - euphoric, antidepressant
4 drops Ylang Ylang - states of anger, anti depressant
3 drops Geranium - regulating, balancing
2 drops Basil - clearing the mind, mental fatigue
1 drop Sandalwood - nervous tension, concentration

Oils to ease and benefit symptoms of Menopause
Night Sweats - Basil, Chamomile, Lavender, Marjoram, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang 
Hot Flashes - Geranium, Clary Sage, Lemon, Bergamot 
Decreased Interest in Sex - Patchouli, Ginger, Myrrh (MAKE YOU MORE BODY AWARE)
Body Ashamed - Rose, Jasmine, Ylang ylang, Neroli
Hypochondria - Lavender, Cypress, Rose


A note on exercise and sexual activity:
It has been found that exercise is really beneficial to increase circulation around the pelvic area and this in turn stimulates vaginal secretion. 30-45 minutes of exercise daily is highly beneficial. I find dance or movement of any kind positive. 
Sinus Health:
Keeping your sinuses healthy is also key to a healthier sex life. Try rubbing a little sesame oil on the inside of your nostrils to clear sinusitus. Pituitary gland stimulation is important in stimulating interest in sex, try including some essential oils with aphrodisiac properties into your rituals...they will also help secrete endorphins and enkaphelins.
Aphrodisiac oils such as Clary Sage, Jasmine, Patchouli, Ylang ylang, Sandalwood, Carrot Seed, Black Pepper, Ginger, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium, Hyssop, Juniper, Myrrh, Neroli, Pine, Rose, Rosemary
Dietary Requirements
Eat a diet rich in Fatty Acids, Vit E, Niacin, Evening Primrose, Safflower, Phosphorus, Zinc, Oysters, Good Quality Dark Chocolate, Raspberries, Elderberries
Eat Less: Red Meat, Dairy, Sugar
Drink Less: Caffeine, Alcohol
Eat More: High Fibre, Vegetables, Soy, Whole Grains
Oestrogen Mimic-ing Oils
Low oestrogen levels have been linked to memory loss as in Alzheimer's, some of the essential oils that "mimic" oestrogen are clary sage, cypress and basil.  Oils that stimulate the adrenals will also be helpful such as cedarwood, citronella, geranium and clary sage.
Healing Touch
Try incorporating some healing touch into your health regime. I encourage you to find a bodywork therapist that can intuitively massage you, connect with you, listen to you and customise aromatherapy blends to support what you are going through.  We are all different and we have different needs. Getting Touch on a regular basis will keep your immune system functioning healthily and keep you positively loving towards yourself and others.

Good luck,
Love Pauline