Aromatherapy & Pests

Have you ever considered using aromatherapy for a little pest problem?

As well as being fragrant, they're a great alternative to the harsh products and are designed to deter the pests rather than kill them. I was reminded of this when we spotted ants beginning to run across the kitchen floor, obviously mistaking it for the great outdoors. I didn't really fancy buying the ant poison and was grateful to remember that if you have a problem with ants or mice, then peppermint (Mentha piperita) is great.

So how do you use it?
It's nice and simple, as you literally just place a few drops on a cotton wool ball and tuck it in places that are out of the reach of children & pets & near where you think your little visitors are arriving. As I had no cotton wool balls to hand & I found the kitchen roll worked just as effectively. Having done it the night before I was pleased to see they got the message overnight, however they did try to revisit a few days later, so I had to re-do it so they got the idea. Since then, several days ago, we've had no further sightings. I also have a friend who has successfully used it for a little mice problem, so if you find yourself with one of these pests I'd recommend peppermint as your first go-to choice.

What if your problem isn't ants or mice? Valerie Worwood gives some guidance on other oils for pests:
Fleas - lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratrus), lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Flying insects in the house - it's best to deter them before they get there, so consider fragrancing your room naturally & adding essential oils to paper strips, cotton ribbon or kitchen towel strips and hang them by open windows. Flies and moths dislike lavender, while moths also dislike citrus oils
Mosquitoes - peppermint, lavender or lemongrass can all help to keep them away
Plant lice - spearmint (Mentha spicata) or peppermint
Snails - cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) and patchouli (Pogestemon cablin)

So, to keep little pests at bay without killing them, consider keeping a small collection of essential oils. Each can be used neat, as long as they are kept out of the reach of children and pets and once the pests realise there's a smell they don't like, they'll soon decide to move somewhere that suits everyone better. Enjoy the fragrance, summer and a pest-free zone this year!

Hot Stone Massage

I've been busy this last month with lots of baby massage and clients, however I still found time to fit in some new training.

I've carried out training for hot stone massage, so can now offer this amazing treatment. So, is it all placing stones and leaving you for a while to relax? No! While in a full 90minute treatment you'll be lying on hot stones while I heat and then massage your arms and legs I definitely don't get to just leave you to it!

Some people also think you massage with the stones - yes, this is true and it is a therapy I will be offering, as I realise not everyone will be able to afford the full treatment and I'm keen to make it as accessible as possible for people.

The full treatment however will be a combination of the two. So, what happens?

In a full treatment you lie on several stones that heat your back and neck while I then place stones between your toes and in your palms. I then place stones on your arms and legs before using stones to massage each of your limbs in turn. Once you're lovely and toasty and your limbs have been massaged, you'll then turn over, more stones will be placed on you and I'll massage your back and the backs of your legs, again using hot stones.

The basalt hot stones are heated in water and the stones allow a deeper massage, this is combined with warm oil and can also include aromatherapy oils if you choose. Obviously if you choose the aromatherapy oils, I'll make you up a bespoke blend so its more personal for you! So, if you're looking to show yourself how much you do care for yourself, why not consider treating yourself to 90 minutes of hot stones, massage and warm oils? It's available now from the clinics I work at in Sea Mills and Redfield and advance booking is essential.

Drenching

An aspect of aromatology which is different to clinical aromatherapy is 'drenching'. This is one of the techniques used by an aromatologist to deal with an acute or chronic health complaint. Following an in-depth consultation which helps to provide a starting point in identifying a suitable holistic approach, it may be identified a drench could be suitable.

A drench means a blend is devised using neat essential oils in a chemical combination likely to produce a desired result but reducing the risk of irritation (although in some situations, such as a frozen shoulder you may wish to irritate the skin to encourage the blood flow to the area).

The area to be treated is cleared of any dead skin cells and then warmed, to encourage the essential oils to enter the body. The oils are then applied neat to the skin and the area is wrapped in a clingfilm to prevent the evaporation and encourage the essential oil absorption rate into the body. After a drench the results are monitored and a treatment plan is devised.

Aromatology, otherwise known as aromatic medicine, is intended as a short term approach to help the body restore its own wellbeing before moving back into clinical aromatherapy for ongoing support. Drenching can give the body a boost or provide a kick to remind the body of what it is currently not doing.

NEAT ESSENTIAL OILS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED SUITABLE ADVICE FROM A PROFESSIONAL AROMATHERAPIST OR AROMATOLOGIST.

This warning is very important (so important I've even used capitals!) Many people believe that as essential oils are natural they cannot do much harm. If the wrong oils are used in incorrect dilutions it can cause severe skin irritation or burning if exposed to the sun. This technique should only be carried out by a suitably qualified professional and should never be used as a substitute to seeking appropriate medical help. 

Storing Essential Oils

If you're buying good quality essential oils you are probably buying them for their therapeutic qualities. To get good value from your oils it is important to look after them, as otherwise the quality will deteriorate much more rapidly.

The quality of essential oils changes with use and over time, part of this is because every time the oils are exposed to the air the chemicals all interact with one another. Every time you use essential oils you should put the lid back on as soon as you can, as this helps to reduce oxidisation. Citrus oils tend to react to air the most and its important to observe the use by date. Robert Tissserand in 'Essential Oil Safety' recommends throwing out bottles which oxidise quickly when they are 90% empty or after 6 months of opening.

Another way to keep your essential oils for longer is by keeping them cool - keeping them in a fridge is fine. Once cold some essential oils can be difficult to get out of a bottle, however if you hold the bottle in your hand for a few minutes the essential oil will warm up and you will then find it easier to use. Make sure you keep your essential oils away from sunlight or any heat sources as essential oils are flammable and heat can change the chemical properties of the oils.

Observe the use by date on essential oils, or alternatively use within 12 months of first opening. Some oils will last longer than 12 months if stored in the right conditions.

While not part of maintaining the quality of essential oils, it is important to keep essential oils out of the reach of pets and children and never remove the dropper from the bottle. Some pets, such as cats, cannot metabolise essential oils. There are reported cases of poisoning in young children due to them getting hold of essential oils and being naturally curious without understanding possible dangers. While accidents may happen, keeping oils out of their reach and having a dropper in the bottle means a child has less chance of consuming a fatal amount of oil.

If you follow the above points you should find your expensive essential oil remains at optimum quality for longer, ensuring you get the results you're expecting from your oil.

   

One Step at a Time

Well, ten years ago this year I was working full time in an office job and I went for an interview. At the interview I got told I was accepted onto an 18 month aromatherapy and massage diploma course. Wow! I remember returning from my lunch break a bit late but also really excited, I didn't know what I had let myself in for and where it would lead, but itfelt right. So in March I started it. There were only 6 of us on the course and 3 dropped out due to the level of work, by Christmas I found myself asking what on earth I'd done, but I peservered....and the rest is history.

It's this time of year we often review what we want to do, where we are etc. One thing I dont tell many people is that every year I write a little list of things I want to do. It can relate to any areas of my life and I review it from time to time through the year to see how I'm getting on and I may add things or take points off. At the end of the year I'll tick off the ones I've done, consider if some of the list needs to disappear & possible move some onto the next year - its my list so I make the rules.

 

So this year, why not have a little think about what you'd like to achieve and maybe take one tinsy winsy step trying to do one of them....who knows where it could take you? (And dont worry, even if you change your mind along the way, it's ok - dont let that fear stop you from giving it a little go). I can honestly say when I said 'yes' 10 years ago I didn't expect so many positive changes and I'm so glad I did. Wishing you all a fantastic 2014, and may you find your dreams easily coming to reality.

Complementary or Complimentary?

   
I have to be honest, but as a complementary therapist, this is one of my bug bears. Many therapists don't seem to realise there's a difference between the two, but there is a difference and it's a pretty big one. Luckily, I have also met other therapists who seem to share this same viewpoint as me, so I know I'm not alone! There are also some complementary therapists who use the terms interchangeably, while others exclusively use complimentary.

'Complementary' is defined as 'combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.' (Thank you Google search, which has also provided all other definitions quoted). Indeed, complementary therapies is a term that developed to highlight how it should be used as a complement to orthodox medical treatment, not an alternative to it. Therapists will always say that their therapies should never be regarded as an alternative to seeking medical advice. If you have a health complaint it is highly recommended you seek a diagnosis.

Now for 'complimentary'. This is defined as 'expressing a compliment; praising or approving'. While I may pay you a compliment during a treatment, its not the basis of my session and it is definitely not the other definition of complimentary which is 'given or supplied free of charge'! While I do donate my time for various efforts I'm sure my clients appreciate this is my career choice and that paying for a service actually helps to define its worth.
     
If it is the basis of your business, if you can't get the correct word for your profession you need to take another look at your training. If you're a client, you may wish to point out to your complimentary therapist that they haven't been very approving of you, or that they are trying to charge you for their services! Hopefully your complimentary therapist will take the hint and change their marketing to display the correct information, which on a serious note is important as it helps to raise the standards of our profession.

Hand Reflexology

If you know what reflexology is, you probably associate it with the feet - and you wouldn't be wrong.

Did you know, however, that it is also possible to carry out reflexology on the hand? Hand reflexology is often taught on a reflexologist course but there is not as much focus on it. As a reflexologist I'm also guilty of focusing on the feet and only using the hands on rare occasions. This year my professional association, The Association of Reflexologists, announced that for World Reflexology Week we would be promoting hand reflexology. I'll admit that as a foot reflexologist the idea was a bit daunting but after a refresher session and a lot of practice I felt ready to offer tasters for a donation to our chosen charity - and it was great to remember how relaxing hand reflexology actually felt.

 

The main reasons we don't offer hand reflexology are because the feet are the tyres of your body and more sensitive than the hands, because they are usually covered. Working someones' feet while they are reclining is often more relaxing than sitting, and can also feel less invasive of your personal space. Saying that though, if you have a reason why you can't have your feet treated, there is nothing to stop you requesting one or both hands being treated as an alternative...and if you have an office job you may pick up some tips to give yourself a quick treatment as a break!