It's shocking but we seem to be having a summer! I hope you've been enjoying this weather, but obviously there are a few things to consider if you're having therapies and heading out in this hot climate.
If you've been using massage oil on your skin, take care when you go outside. A carrier oil is a vegetable oil and by going out in the sun with the oil on your skin you are encouraging your skin to burn (imagine when you're cooking and you put oil on your food, it's the same thing). If you have put a carrier oil on young children, babies or the elderly you need to take even more care due to the composition of the skin (ie it tends to be thinner and even more susceptible to burning).
You should also take particular care if you're using citrus oils and especially bergamot. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) has bergaptene in it, which is a furocoumarin. So, what does that actually mean? If it is used in a blend on your skin and you go out in the sun you could face severe burning. The bergaptene is phototoxic so it reacts with the sunshine. You can buy FCF free bergamot but it does mean the oil composition has been changed. Personally I use bergamot with bergaptene and warn people to avoid the sun for a few hours.
So, in this hot weather how can you cool down?
One of my personal favourites is peppermint hydrolat. You need to buy it without any preservatives and then you can spray it as and when needed (including on the face or your feet) as often as you feel the need. It is much gentler than an essential oil, you can't overdose on it and it's safe to use around any ages.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) or cornmint (Mentha arvensis) essential oils can be used instead of hydrolats and are also beneficial in this warm weather. To use in a similar way to hydrolats you need to dilute the essential oils in water, shake before use and take care to avoid your eyes. If you're around young children I would recommend you do not use cornmint. If you do not have sensitive skin then you can place a drop of either essential oil on your wrist points, but you need to take care not to put it near your eyes, or use it around young children. If you're in any doubt you should contact a suitably qualified aromatherapist or aromatologist who can advise you of an appropriate method or produce a rollerball blend for you.
So, whatever you get up to this summer, have a fantastic and safe time!
