THE GOLDEN FRAGRANCE - Sandalwood Essential OIl

 I am writing this while it is 30 degrees outside.  My studio windows are wide open, our pond is trickling away and I have a fragrance strip with Sandalwood essential oil on it by the side of my computer. I have been reading a beautiful book set in India called the The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and if I close my eyes and breath in the Sandalwood essential oil, allow the heat to wash over me and the sound of the water to gently still my mind I could believe I was right there in the pages of that book.  

Only a few days ago people were lamenting the lack of Summer here in the UK but here it is and I’m loving it. I know global warming is terrifying but a few days of heat and sunshine can be a real tonic.  

Sandalwood essential oil is the latest oil to be added to our Angelico shop. I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to add it as it has always been one of my favourite oils. It has myriad properties and I use it in our Serum for Mature Skin.   

My sister in law wears a stunning perfume that contains Sandalwood essential oil and our daughter goes mad for Marks & Spensers Sandalwood laundry liquid. Sandalwood has been used in fragrances and skincare preparations since antiquity but now it has received a modern twist and a surge in popularity. Its fragrance is sensuous and grounding giving a real sense of calm. As a summer fragrance it is pure golden sunlight. In Winter, a warm blanket.

Sandalwood essential oil comes from the wood of the sandalwood tree and is one of the most expensive woods in the world.  Sandalwood oil used to come mainly from the Indian Santalum Album tree but it became so exploited that the India government stopped the free use of the slow growing trees for essential oil extraction and furniture making. Lots of furniture was traditionally made from Sandalwood as it was renowned for keeping ants at bay.  A clear indication of what a good insect repellent Sandalwood is.  

At Angelico we use the Australian Sandalwood (Santalum Spicata) which has an almost identical fragrance and the same therapeutic properties as the Indian oil whilst environmentally grown.  A blend made with Sandalwood essential oil works wonders on dehydrated skin 

GOLDEN PERFUMED OIL
I am using jojoba oil in this blend as it too is often called the golden oil.  Make your own Sandalwood perfumed oil by adding;
 - 5 drops sandalwood essential oil
 - 2 drops chamomile essential oil
 - to 5ml jojoba oil

I am often asked which oil blends well with this oil or that.  When I was writing an essential oil directory for a well known company they asked me to do this for each oil I was writing about and it didn’t sit comfortable with me.  Fragrance is totally subjective and what smells divine to one person can be unpleasant to another and vice versa. Having been a clinical* aromatherapist for thirty plus years I know which oils will smell good with another but I always let my clients test a fragrance before I make it up for a treatment to make sure that it is just right and I will never be afraid to blend oils that are considered not to ‘blend well’ with each other.  

Angelico clients usually buy essential oils because they want to recreate a blend they have read about and often build up quite a comprehensive collection. This collection can open up myriad possibilities both fragrance and therapeutic wise but you might not feel you know which oil blends well with another.  My advice here is be brave. Make tiny quantities and write down every blend you make.  There is nothing more frustrating than making a brilliant blend and in the excitement of making it you haven’t written it down.  Keep a lovely book for all your blends - good or bad.  This is the best training for making aromatherapy blends.  Eventually you will know which essential oil blends well with another for you.  It’s like cooking or making cocktails.  We all know that basil goes well with tomatoes or gin with tonic but nowadays lemon zest is grated onto dishes we might never of thought of thanks to Ottollenghi and gin is full of botanicals we could only have imagined a decade ago.  Who would have thought that Jo Malone’s Lime, Basin & Mandarin fragrance would be such a hit?  Those three essential oils were never considered to ‘blend well’ with one another but they certainly do.

For a therapeutic blends don’t just use oils that are suited to a particular ailment.  Choose one or two that are good for something else.  For a headache for example, you might want to use Peppermint or Myrtle but by adding a drop of Chamomile you might find that its soothing fragrance and anti inflammatory properties is just the thing and if it smells wrong to you try adding a drop of lavender essential oil which is a synergistic oil in that it will often ‘pull’ the blend together both fragrance wise and therapeutically.  My mother was a dress maker and she always said that the iron could correct almost all mistakes in dressmaking - Lavender essential oil is my iron!  My daughter says that Lavender always makes her think of first aid - that it is a medicinal smell and that will be because it has always been the first thing we reach for in our family for minor ailments but just one or two drops in a blend will often do its work and ‘blend’ in.  A great trick if you are not in love with your creation.  It doesn’t always work but often it does.

If you are making natural perfume with essential oils the rule of thumb is to have a base, middle and top note either with a comprehensive blend in each of these areas or just one or two oils.  But here’s a concept…..try using all bottom or woody notes for a lingering perfume that is unlike anything in the shops or all citrus notes for a fleeting and refreshing fragrance that admittedly will need reapplying a lot but you will love doing so.  Break the rules! Sandalwood (Bottom note) Rose Geranium ( middle note) and Bergamot (Top Note ) is a classic blend that you KNOW will work and smell divine to most people but try blending your Sandalwood with Cedarwood and maybe Petitgrain for something a little different or Bergamot with Mandarin and Spearmint for a real ‘zing! You might love it or hate it but you will enjoy the journey.

If you would like to learn more, see my 'Inspiration' pages here on How to Use Essential Oils and How to Make Aromatherapy Blends

 *Clinical aromatherapists blend essential oils for specific conditions and have an in depth knowledge of a vast number of essential oils whereas a general aromatherapist might only have a basic knowledge of some essential oils and use pre blended oils for treatments. 

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS AS INSECT REPELLENTS

Many essential oils are known for their insect repelling properties whether those insects be mosquitos, flies, moths, fleas, tics or nits! In fact, almost all essential oils have insect repelling properties to some degree. Some are better known for repelling specific insects but combined, essential oils are always more effective so a blend of insect repelling oils is the ideal. It's good to note that essential oils do not kill insects, they simply 'repel' them.  In the case of nits, they make them easy to remove, leaving behind a fragrance that nits really like to avoid.  

If you are going somewhere where mosquitos or any other insects present a real danger please don’t stop using the chemically harsh recommended ones.  I try to avoid them and have had a lot of success using just my own aromatherapy blends but I don’t want to put anyone in any danger. If however you are just having an evening in the garden, are plagued by ants or moths or your children are bringing home unwanted hair residents, the aromatherapy remedies below will serve you in good stead. 

At Angelico we have many ready made products that contain appropriate essential oils to repel insects but I will also show you here how to make some of your own.  

Here is a list of essential oils that most insects prefer to avoid!

Cedarwood  - good for repelling moths & ants.

Lemon - good for repelling mosquitos & ants

Eucalyptus - good for repelling nits & mosquitos

Lavender - good for repelling fleas & ants

Peppermint - good for repelling nits & mosquitos

Rosemary - good for repelling nits & mosquitos

Rose Geranium - good for repelling mosquitos

Tea Tree - good for repelling fleas & moths

May Chang - good for repelling mosquitos & moths

There are many more but I have only included ones which we supply at Angelico and that come readily to mind.  As I said previously though, they all overlap so feel free to blend them to your own aroma preferences and specific insect repelling needs.  

Ways to use;

IN CANDLES
Light a fragrance Free candle until a puddle of wax appears and then add up to 6 drops of essential oil to it avoiding the flame as it might flair with the essential oils.

RECIPE SUGGESTION 
for evenings outside to keep mosquitos at bay
 - 2 drops May Chang
 - 4 drops Rose geranium

IN AN ELECTRIC OR CANDLE DIFFUSERS
Use the manufacturer’s instructions using your own blend of essential oils.

RECIPE SUGGESTION

for an insect free room
 - 3 drops Peppermint
 - 3 drops Rosemary.

ON A CLOTH
Pour a few drops of your chosen essential oil and secret it in wardrobes, around hanger hooks, in drawers, under mats or cushions etc.

RECIPE SUGGESTION
 - 3 drops Lavender
 - 3 drops Cedarwood

IN A HAIR BLEND
Make a hair oil blend using 5 drops of essential oil to 20 ml ( one tablespoon ) of carrier oil’

RECIPE SUGGESTION
For children over four years of age. 
 - 20ml ( 2 tablespoons ) Jojoba
 - 3 drops Eucalyptus
 - 3 drops Tea Tree
Apply to hair and leave for at least one hour. Comb through then wash as usual. 

IN A BODY BLEND
Make a body oil blend using 6 drops of essential oil to 10 ml ( one tablespoon ) of carrier oil’

RECIPE SUGGESTION

For balmy evening to repel mosquitos whilst promoting beautifully fragrant and moisturised skin.  Great after a day in the sun.
 - 20ml ( 2 tablespoons ) Jojoba
 - 3 drops Rose Geranium
 - 2 drops Lavender
 - 1 drop May Chang

IN A SPRITZ
Fill a spray bottle with water and add up to 50 drops of essential oil.  Use to spray areas that attract insects.  Shake well before use.

RECIPE SUGGESTION
in approximately 100ml water add;
 - 20 drops Cedarwood
 - 10 drops May Chang
 - 10 drops Tea Tree

IN A BOWL OF WATER
Fill a bowl with warm water and add essential oils to it to wipe down surfaces or wash floor with. 

RECIPE SUGGESTION

For fragrant antibacterial surfaces
 - 10 drops Cedarwood
 - 5 drops Lemon 
 - 5 drops Tea Tree

NEAT
Put two a drop of essential oil into the palm of your hand.  Rub your hands together and stroke dog or cat.

RECIPE SUGGESTION
For a gentle flea remedy.
 - 1 drop Lavender

Angelico Home Fragrance products ( Aromatherapy Blend; Reed Diffuser; Candles ) have at least one insect repelling essential oil in them.  Our Deeply Relaxing Body Oil also contains many  insect repelling essential oils.

Sometimes I just trawl the Angelico site to see which products I have been neglecting. Today is such a crisp, sparkly and sunny day that our Revitalising Aromatherapy Blend jumped out at me.

It is the first of our six blends that I made so it has a special place in my heart. I wanted a lemony fragrance that had a kind of twang to it. A fragrance that hits the back of your throat and makes you want to laugh. I feel that Basil is the oil in this blend that achieves the feeling that I wanted. It reminds me of being a teenager, full of excitement and hope which is what Spring is to me. Hope and excitement for what is to come.

Here are the essential oils I used;
Petitgrain - cleansing & a little woody
Lemon Verbena - refreshing & lemony

Mandarin - gentle and sparkly
May Chang - enigmatic & uplifting

Basil - bright and strengthening

I always use organic oils where ever possible which results in almost 99% or our products. Any that aren’t organic are usually wild crafted. For this blend I added the oils pretty much as they are listed above. Basil went in last and at a tiny proportion as it can be over powering. Used frugally however, it can be magical.

Our Revitalising Aromatherapy Blend comes in a 200g Candle, a 50g Candle, a Reed Diffuser and a 10ml concentrated Aromatherapy Blend which can be used in our Electric Diffusers and in our Candle Diffusers.

Angelico Aromatherapy Blends are the perfect way to scent your environment naturally. Made with 100% pure essential oils they will enhance your mood and create your chosen atmosphere.

How to use your Angelico Aromatherapy Blends
 - Use up to 5 drops in a vaporiser or electric diffuser. (or follow manufacturers instructions)
 - Add a few drops to your clay disc and place anywhere you want to impart a subtle fragrance.
 - Sprinkle a few drops under door-mat or behind radiators.
 - Simply inhale from the bottle for instant effect.

If you want to get creative you can also do the following;
 - Add to a few drops to Jojoba to create a bespoke perfume.
 - Add a few drops to a bowl of warm water to wash down surfaces leaving a wonderful aroma that bugs and bacteria will hate!
 - Pour up to 6 drops into the floor of your shower for an uplifting fragrant shower.
 - Add a few drops to a cloth or cotton wool pad and place behind radiators, under floor mats or in drawers. Many of the oils used in this blend are anti-moth oils so it could help to preserve your precious woollens.

There are many types of Eucalyptus essential oils. Eucalyptus Globulus is the one most commonly used as a decongestant and that it what it is best known for but it is much more versatile than that.  It’s fragrance is camphorous and ‘blue’!  I know blue is not a fragrance but it makes me think of ‘blue’ and the trees do indeed make a blue haze all around themselves.  They are amongst the tallest trees in the world growing up to 200 feet in height and they can live around 250 years in the wild. 

There are at least 700 types of Eucalyptus trees and shrubs, one of the most amazing is the Rainbow Eucalyptus.  The Bark on mature trees will strip leaving behind a rainbow of different colours. They don’t grow in this country as it is too cold but they really are magical to see.

Simply inhaling Eucalyptus essential Oil from the bottle will make you breath deeply.  It can be too strong to use on young children and babies.  Myrtle, which is from the same family is the perfect alternative as it shares many of the same properties whilst being soothing rather than stimulating which eucalyptus can be.

Replace Eucalyptus with Myrtle in a blend for children between 2 and 6 years of age.  For children under 2 years of age, see our advice here. 

Inhaling vapour made with the essential oil can loosen and expel mucus. Using an aromatherapy blend containing eucalyptus oil will produce the same effect.

Deep Breath Blend

10ml ( 1 dessertspoon full ) Jojoba

3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil 

3  drops Lavender essential oil

Use to massage chest, back and neck. Also feet as this is very relaxing and will also promote deep breathing. Having said that Eucalyptus is stimulating, it can also be balsamic and is lovely to use in blends for muscular aches and pains resulting from exercise, colds and flu or injury. 

Achy Muscles Blend

10ml ( 1 dessertspoon full ) Jojoba

3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil 

2 drops Black Pepper essential oil

1  drop Cypress essential oil

The Australian Aborigines used eucalyptus leaves to treat wounds and prevent infection.  As with Lavender and Tea Tree you can break the arch rule of not using essential oil neat by dabbing a tiny amount of Eucalyptus on cuts, stings or spots as an instant antiseptic.

Room Sprays
Another good use for eucalyptus essential oil is in room sprays or as a light aqueous solution to keep germs at bay.

Pour 3 drops of Eucalyptus and 3 drops of Lemon essential oil to a small spray bottle and fill with water.  Shake well and use as a room spray to keep germs at bay.

Surface Cleaner
Lastly, wash down surfaces with Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Lemon to keep them clean and to keep bugs at bay. 

Simply add a few drops to a bowl of water and soak a cloth in it to wipe surfaces with.

We have a SPECIAL OFFER on all oils above in our Eucalyptus Gift Bundle

CAMELLIA OIL
Camellia oleifera
Found in our Oily Skin Serum

Now that Spring is in the air and Camellia flowers are blooming everywhere my mind turns to the lesser known yet fantastic Camellia Oil (also known as White Tea Oil) which is in Angelico Serum for Oily Skin. The Camellia plant that this oil comes from is a different one to the one we see all over the UK but it is the same family. 

Camellia oil is one of the most treasured secrets of the Geisha. The flower symbolises feminine beauty, while oil from the seeds acts as a feather-light, deeply nourishing moisturiser.

Camellia oil, is rich in oleic acid and vitamins A, B, D and E as well as nourishing Omega 3, 6 and 9. The molecular weight of the oil is an almost identical match to skin allowing it to be absorbed very easily.

The winter-blooming camellia flower was harvested for centuries by women famed for their glowing skin and long, lustrous hair. The Geisha adopted their secret, using the oil to remove their iconic stage makeup and to nourish their skin.

Oriental skin is often plagued by oiliness due to humid weather conditions and camellia oil has long been used to combat this.  It has more naturally-occurring antioxidants than almost any other botanically derived oil.

I have written about the concept of using oil to balance oil secretion in oily skin for a long time but it is a hard concept to sell!  Once experienced though, people who suffer from oily skin or live in hot humid climates, never look back. I made our Serum for our daughter who suffered from acne many years ago and she will use nothing else on her now gorgeous skin. Indeed, I sometimes feel that I make and stock this only for her! There has been a small flurry of Serum for Oily skin sales lately so maybe the concept is catching on.

As winter turns to spring and the weather becomes milder it is a great idea to change your Serum to a lighter one so why not give it a try?  It’s light, citrus fragrance is a joy and you won’t believe how light and easily absorbed it is.  I am soon visiting a hot and humid country and will of course be taking our Serum for Oily Skin with me.

Ever since I trained to be an aromatherapist some thirty years ago and subsequently went on to develop skincare ranges for our own companies and other peoples companies, I have been passionate about natural skincare.  I have always felt that if you were not prepared to ingest your skincare you shouldn’t put it on your face or body.  In fact, an average of 64% of what you put on your skin is actually absorbed into your body (source: American Journal of Public Health 1). When you are applying facial skincare, apart from the fact that product is absorbed by the skin right down to the lower dermis and into your bloodstream and digestive system, quite a lot of the product enters your body by mouth, inhalation and even some via your eyes. Nowadays I am so confident of my products that I actually lick my Facial Mist from my lips which also taste fantastic  and smells divine.  I can safely say that there is not one facial cream, lotion, cleanser or toner that I would do this with if it contained synthetic preservatives, emulsifiers or bulking agents and ALL creams and lotions DO contain these things. 

The type of skincare I am talking about here has in more recent years been coined Waterless Skincare.  Other catchy names are Conscious, Ethical and of course Natural  Skincare.  This is skincare formulated without water using only plant oils and waxes.  The absence of water means that bacteria cannot grow in these products so harsh preservatives that are designed to kill ALL bacteria including the vital bacteria that forms the protective microbial outer layer of our skin.  Emulsifiers, the detergents of skincare ingredients bind oil and water together and strip your skin of natural oil leaving it gasping for elasticity and producing yet more oil which is often the reason for oily outbreaks. Fillers can clog the skin, stopping it from breathing whilst causing blackheads and spots.  There is always another product to correct the one that is doing the harm and another to correct that one and voila! - a multimillion dollar industry is in motion.

Not all is gloom and doom though.  Big skincare corporations are investing heavily in developing more natural and waterless ranges which include balms, oils, solid shampoos and cleansers to name just a few.  Meanwhile, there are thousands of small Indie beauty companies waving the banner of healthy, conscious and ethical skincare.  

Water is a vital commodity to life and even here in wet, wet  Britain, we know how important it is to conserve water.  Billions of gallons of water are used unnecessarily in the manufacturing of most skin carer products. Waterless Skincare is more concentrated and more effective.  Shipping large amounts of water around the world wastes a huge amount of energy.  A cream typically has around 65% water and a lotion 80%.  Imagine how much smaller waterless shipments of skincare are and how much water is being saved.  And water in skincare is completely unnecessary.  Don’t let people tell you your skin need the ‘hydration’.  Our skin is designed to keep the inside of our bodies dry! Yes, it draws water from the lower dermis and from humectants in skincare products but there are natural humectants like Jojoba and Sunflower Oil that work brilliantly because they do not evaporate quickly on the skin like many creams and lotions do.  There are some exceptions though.  Hydrosols and Fruit Waters are a by product of the extraction process of essential oils and some other ingredients and they retain many of the properties of the plants that they came from. These waters are often used alone for their therapeutic properties and are ethical in that they would otherwise be thrown away.  They do not need preservatives because they are packed with natural antibacterial properties that do not strip our skin of its natural goodness. 

If you are still not sure why we should stop using skincare that is full of water, here is a sobering thought. By 2025, two thirds of the world's population will most likely be severely short of water.  Skincare shouldn’t be part of the cause.  

So what is in our Angelico Waterless Skincare products? 

We use only beautiful, natural plant oils. A real gift from nature, providing everything your skin needs to keep it in perfect condition. We blend base oils, sometimes called vegetable or carrier oils, with pure essential oils to create the right balance of nourishment for each skin type. Each oil is vital to the product blend it is in and to the synergy of each product, creating the perfect moisturiser and cleansers for any skin type.

Angelico products simply moisturise, nourish, balance and restore your skin to it’s natural, beautiful self.

Mandarin essential oil is euphoric and spiritually up-lifting. It is extremely gentle which makes it ideal for babies, children and pregnant women. The oil can be green, yellow or red. Each type is subtly different. At Angelico we use the red variety which is from the mature fruits and has a more sweet fragrance than the others. Just looking at the colour is joyous.

Mandarin essential oil comes from the peel of the mandarin. If you press your nail across the peel you might see the tiny droplets of oil ping up into the air. That’s it! That’s the essential oil.

In France, Mandarin essential oil is often called the children’s oil. Mandarin’s fruity fragrance is loved by children and adults alike. As it has many properties including being antispasmodic and antiseptic that accompany its mild nature, it is the perfect remedy for many childhood minor ailments. The glands in children stomachs are very active so many childhood illnesses can be accompanied by tummy aches . A simple aromatherapy blend of mandarin and chamomile in jojoba can be used to sooth uncomfortable tummies. Here is a lovely simple aromatherapy blend that will be loved by young children and adults alike.

CHILDREN’S TUMMY ACHE BLEND ( also good for stretch marks )
Blends are usually stronger for adults than for children but as this blend is for use by pregnant women as well as children I have kept it at the children’s dilution for both as pregnant women can have sensitive skin and a heightened sense of smell. Even at this lower dilution it will really help to keep the condition of your skin good and help protect against stretch marks. Of course it will be perfect for children over the age of two who are feeling anxious and might have a tummy ache.

10ml Jojoba
2 drops mandarin essential oil
1 drop chamomile essential oil

Massage children tummies in a clockwise circular motion which will eliminate cramps and tightness. Just a few minutes of this will do the trick.

For pregnant women, use to moisturise tummies, breast and bottoms twice daily to keep skin peachy. Spending a little time really massaging the oil into these areas will encourage elasticity and keep the skin nourished. Breath in the lovely aroma to promote feelings calm and wellbeing.

I am a great believer in memory association and even though Mandarin can be a wonderfully fresh, summer fragrance my memory association of it is of happy, twinkly Christmases when my parents would buy what seemed like huge quantities of them and I was allowed to eat just about as many as I liked. Now, when eating a mandarin I spend as much time breathing in the aroma of the peel - transported right back to those childhood days as I do eating them.

SAINT CLEMENTS ( oranges and lemons ) BLEND FOR VAPORISERS AND DIFFUSERS
Pour one drop each of Mandarin, Orange, Lemon, Bergamot & Grapefruit essential oils into your vaporiser or diffuser for a sparkly, citrus and wonderfully uplifting fragrance in your home or workplace.

If you would like to make this blend of essential oils a little less ‘citrus’, replace one or two of them with Lavender or Rose Geranium essential oil. This will soften the fragrance making it less sharp and give it more longevity. Use your creativity here - you will not be disappointed.

The beauty of citrus essential oil is that they are usually very reasonably priced. This is because they have a generous yield ie, the fruits contain a lot of essential oil compared to say floral oils which are much more expensive. However, they are mostly top notes. This is the term used for the part of a fragrance which you smell first but doesn’t last for very long. The middle and bottom notes last respectively longer. Mandarin, though a top note does just creep into the middle area too. So, even though the delightful, refreshing, sparkly citrus oils will not break the bank, you will find that you need to apply them more often. They are delicate too so you must keep them cool and out of direct sunlight even more diligently than your other essential oil. You will soon know if they have gone off though as they will lose their wonderful aroma and turn a dull brownish colour. Please don’t let that put you off though as they are worth the extra care.

Rose Geranium Essential Oil is one of the most feminine essential oils, not just for its sublime fragrance but for the way it can make you feel both strong and beautiful - beautifully strong even!  I have used Rose Geranium as a single note in many products but like all essential oils, Rose Geranium really likes company.  At Angelico we use Rose Geranium essential oil in our Serums for Combination, Dry and Mature Skins.  We blend it with woody notes  of Frankincense, Cedarwood and Sandalwood but it also blends well with florals like Rose and Neroli and citrus notes such as Grapefruit and Mandarin to give it a real ‘sparkle’.  As you see, Rose Geranium not only has a beautiful aroma, it is wonderfully versatile too.  It has the power to minimise the look of wrinkles because it tightens facial skin and slows down the effects of ageing by promoting new cell growth.

Rose Geranium was used by the Egyptians to promote beautiful and radiant skin. Now, Rose Geranium oil is used to treat acne, reduce inflammation, alleviate anxiety and balance hormones. This beautiful oil can also uplift your mood, lessen fatigue and promote emotional wellness.

ROSE GERANIUM OR SIMPLY GERANIUM?

Rose Geranium is the rosier smelling version of Geranium essential oil.  It used to always have the word roseum at the end of its Latin name to distinguish one from the other but now the Latin names on Geranium essential oils is nearly always the same for both - pelargonium graveolens.  A Geranium essential oil that is not a Rose Geranium has a much more ‘green’ fragrance - a little sharper - but it does share the same properties.  Having said that, the more floral fragrance of the Rose Geranium variety is to my mind more fitting to it’s myriad feminine properties. 
 

INTERESTING FACT

Rose Geranium oil can also be used as a natural insect repellant. 

Geraniums were originally planted on the periphery of Mediterranean gardens to ward off insects.  Now they are a staple for their colour and robustness as they can survive with very little water.
 

INSECT REPELLING, AFTER SUN BODY OIL

Use this blend after a day in the sun to reduce inflammation and to sooth your skin or when out in the evenings to ward off insects. 

15ml Calendula Oil

15ml Borage Oil

7 drops Rose Geranium Essential Oil

5 drops Lavender Essential Oil

3 drops Mandarin Essential Oil

ALL ABOUT BORAGE

I down loaded this beautiful free picture from Pexels by Eva Elijas. I love the colours and who would have thought of Borage and Strawberries as a combo?  Well….. I’ve totally co-incidentally read recently that it’s good to grow borage and strawberries together as they are believed to stimulate each others growth!  (Also borage and tomatoes as borage can act as a natural insect repellent.)  For me though, the colours just work so beautifully.  Thank you Eva Elijas at Fleur Rustique for this gorgeous picture.

BORAGE OIL SKIN BENEFITS

At Angelico we use Borage Oil in our Combination, Dry & Mature Skin Serums for it’s  ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - ANTIOXIDANT properties.

Borage oil skin benefits include anti-infammatory properties which can be helpful with conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and rosacea. If your skin is simply dry, you will love how it calms redness and nourishes even the driest skin. It can also help calm acne and as it is lighter than many other oils it won’t leave your face feeling at all greasy. 

Of all plant oils, borage oil contains one of the highest levels of the fatty acid - gamma-linolenic acid known as GLA which is what makes borage oil such a strong anti-inflammatory.  GLA is one type of omega-6 “essential” fatty acid that the body cannot make on its own so we must get it from outside sources such as borage oil. 

One of the most well-researched uses for borage oil is treating inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema. GLA has been shown to correct deficiencies in skin lipids (oils).  When the skin can’t produce enough protective oils of its own the result is increased inflammation and skin flare-ups. In fact, borage has the most potent concentration of gamma linoleic acid found in nature, containing twice as much as is found in the evening primrose.

BORAGE IN FOOD

Add fresh Borage to salads or sandwiches. Flowers can be floated in drinks or candied for use on cake, ice cream, and other desserts. Freeze flowers in ice cubes or drop freshly picked flowers in drinks. You can eat borage stems peeled and chopped like celery.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Celts referred to Borage as borrach, which means 'courage'. Borager could also come from the French word borrache, which means 'hairy' or 'rough', and which could be a reference to its bristly stems and leaves. The Greeks and Romans believed that the herb was a source of courage and comfort, and there are references to the flowers being embroidered into medieval tapestries and the colours of jousting knights. The blooms were even floated in drinks consumed by Crusaders before battle. The American settlers carried borage seed with them on their long journeys across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Taken from the H2G2 website. 

DRY SKIN BODY OIL BLEND

This blend is fantastic for dry skin especially legs. 

Sometimes hard water can create dry skin on the body. 

A good trick is to apply this oil before you shower or bath. 

After too if you wish.

Use instead of lotion and be amazed!

20 ml Borage Oil

10ml Calendula Infused Oil

10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil

3 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil

2 drops Lavender Essential Oil

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS

We are slowly adding more organic essential oils to our range and this month we have Rosemary and Spearmint.  I know most essential oils like old friends and like old friends, there is always something new I can learn about them and that is thrilling don’t you think?  I think I might make that a thing….. to find out something I didn’t know about my oldest friends.  Big digression there!!  …and good reason to make use of these two wonderful new oils to help me focus! In these days when many of us are forced to work or study at home, a little help can go a long way so here  are my recommended essential oils and how to use them to help you focus on what you need to do.

ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL

Most people who use essential oils know that Rosemary is the go to oil for diffusing into the air when you are studying or working.  Research indicates that inhaling rosemary oil helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical important for thinking and concentration. 

An interesting piece of hearsay is that Roman soldiers were said to have kept a sprig of Rosemary behind their ears during long battles to keep them awake!!

SPEARMINT ESSENTIAL OIL

Spearmint is a lovely alternative to Peppermint and unlike other mint varieties, contains no menthol making its aroma sweeter, more gentle and more appealing to children. Like Rosemary it also aids concentration but in a more soothing way. Combined they make a lovely blend to work by.

HERE’S HOW :

Pour 3 drops of Spearmint and 3 drops of Rosemary essential oil into a diffuser and heat as instructed by diffuser directions. 

No diffuser? Simply fill a bowl with warm water and pour 3 drops of Spearmint and 3 drops of Rosemary essential oil into the water.  The heat from the water will diffuse the fragrance. 

Dip a cloth into the fragrant water described above and place the cloth on a radiator to diffuse the fragrance around your home.

Simply put one drop each of Spearmint and Rosemary essential oils onto a hanky or tissue and keep it in your pocket to inhale as needed. 

Make a pulse point blend by filling a 10ml bottle with any Base Oil and adding 3 drops of Spearmint Essential Oil and 3 drops of Rosemary essential oil.  Dab onto wrists and/or temples whenever needed.

Put 1 to 2 drops of essential oil into the palm of your hand and rub hands together.  Inhale as needed. 
(Choose either of the above oils combined or on their own, depending on your preference)

We hope you liked this article on essential oils for concentration and focus. Thank you for reading :)

AROMATHERAPY FOR ALL

Way back when I was at ballet school, The Royal Ballet created a splinter group called Ballet For All that toured the country introducing ballet to people who had never really seen or understood it.  There was even a TV series.  When I got into aromatherapy I was driven by the same concept to make Aromatherapy For All. To make aromatherapy products affordable and understandable to everyone and anyone who was interested.  That was so many years ago that I seem to have slipped into the belief that most people now know how to use essential oils but recently I have realised that is not the case.  I write often for magazines, giving people recipes for aromatherapy at home from simply diffusing essential oils to turning them into skincare and health rituals.  At Angelico we sell the highest quality  Organic Essential Oils and Organic Base Oils.  We have now added a ‘How To’ page on our site so that you can really start to learn how to create your own tailor made aromatherapy products and remedies from essential oils and base oils.  Apologies if you have heard it all before but just like way back then when my quest was to make Aromatherapy for All, I am revisiting the concept here.  There are many people and sites that teach in depth aromatherapy but I am more interested, for the purposes of this piece, in making aromatherapy  accessible, simple and most importantly safe enough for everyone to use.  Do let me know if you have any questions once you have read below.  I am always happy to help.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that each have different and overlapping  properties.  Some essential oils have contra indications or precautions that should be followed but so long as you follow the instructions on the bottle you will find that they are invaluable to your daily life.  By combining different essential oils in a ‘blend’, you can create endless fragrances that can have both physiological and/or phycological effect.  Except for in a few cases, essential oils should not be used neat.  They should be diluted into base oils which are also known as a carrier oil.

BASE OILS - ALSO KNOWN AS CARRIER OILS

Base oils used to be just that - base oils - used mostly as a base for the more active essential oils and as a basic moisturiser.  Now though, there are myriad base oils and we are far more knowledgeable about what they are capable of. Base oils come in many different weights - some are thick and viscous, some are light and some are medium weight. Some are more easily absorbed by the skin than others. They can be antioxidant, antiviral, help to smooth fine lines or even help to regulate oil secretion. Their possibilities are endless.

BLENDING

In Aromatherapy 'blending' is the term used for combining essential oils and base oils which results in a 'blend'.  

By combining essential oils and base oils you can create any number of products for yourself, your family and your friends.  The possibilities are literally endless.  For the creative people amongst us the lure of making something unique is powerful but it can be as simple as adding one drop of essential oil to some carrier oil to make a brilliant moisturiser with no added nasties that can often cause problems in commercial products. Here are a few ways to get started, including some simple recipes for you to try out.

MASSAGE / MOISTURISING OILS FOR BODY

The rule of thumb here is approximately 3% essential oil to base oil and the way to achieve this is to take 10ml of base oil which is approximately one dessertspoonful and add 5 drops in total of essential oil. So 10ml base to 5 drops essential oil.  To 20ml base of base oil you add 10 drops of essential oil in total.  

For example;

RELAXING BODY OIL

5ml (1 x teaspoon) Peach Kernel Base Oil

5ml (1 x teaspoon) Jojoba Base Oil

2 drops Chamomile Essential Oil

3 drops Lavender Essential Oil

MASSAGE / MOISTURISING OILS FOR FACE

Here we want the dilution to be half that that we use on the body so I use just 1%  To achieve this add just 2 drops of essential oil in total to 10ml of base oil.

For example;

FACE OIL FOR MATURE SKIN

10ml Red Rosehip Base Oil

1 drop Rose Geranium Essential Oil

1 drop Frankincense Essential Oil

MASSAGE / MOISTURISING OILS FOR CHILDREN

For children over 2 years of age the dilution for body oil is the same as for adult face so approximately 1% or 2 drops of essential oil to 10ml of base oil.

For example;

HAPPY MASSAGE BODY OIL FOR CHILDREN

5ml (1 x teaspoon) Calendula Base Oil

5ml (1 x teaspoon) Jojoba Base Oil

2 drops Mandarin Essential Oil

MASSAGE  / MOISTURISING OILS FOR BABIES

For Babies under 2 years of age please see our AROMATHERAPY FOR BABIES leaflet/section.

BATHING

There are many ways to add essential oils to your bath.

NEAT  

Add 6 to 10 drops of essential oil into the bath after the water has run to stop the oils from evaporating.  Swish the water around to prevent sitting on the individual drops of essential oil.  Do not have the water too hot.

For example;

REVITALISING BATH

3 Drops Bergamot Essential Oil

3 Drops Grapefruit Essential Oil

2 drops Mandarin Essential Oil

BATH OIL

This is great for dry sensitive skin as it will nourish and protect the skin from harsh water.  

 Add 6 to 10 drops of essential oil to 10ml of base oil which is approximately one dessertspoonful.  Mix together and add to your bath water after the water has run to limit evaporation of the essential oils.

For example; 

DEEP RELAX BATH 

10ml Borage Base Oil 

3 drops Frankincense Essential Oil

2 drops Rose Geranium Essential Oil

4 drops Lavender Essential Oil

BATH SALTS 

Add 6 to 10 drops of essential oil per cupful of un-fragranced bath salts such as Magnesium Salts or Dead Sea salts.

For example;

MUSCLE RELAXING BATH SALTS 

1 cupful Dead Sea Salts add to this;

3 drops Myrtle Essential Oil

2 drops Cypress Essential Oil

1 drop Black Pepper Essential Oil

Mix together and pour into bath

SHOWER 

Add 6 to 10 drops of essential oil to the shower tray before you get into your shower.  The steam will diffuse the fragrance. 

For example;

HEAD CLEARING SHOWER

3 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

1 drop Peppermint Essential Oil

2 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil

DIFFUSING & INHALATION

You can add up to 10 drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water for inhalation.  Place a towel over your head and breath in the vapours to clear airways or to steam to cleanse your face.

For example;

ROOM FRAGRANCE

Add a few drops of essential oil to an un fragranced candle where the little puddle of wax appears after lighting.  Alternatively add a few drops to a damp cloth or absorbent paper and place on radiators or add to electric or candle vaporisers as instructed by the supplier.  Usually 6 drops in total is the correct amount.

For example;

CUTS, STINGS, SPOTS & BITES 

Even though essential oils are not usually used neat, there are a few instances in which neat essential oils work brilliantly.  Just one or two drops of neat Lavender or Tea Tree essential oil works brilliantly on cuts stings or bites and neat Lavender essential oil on light burns is brilliant.

Lemon and/or Tea Tree essential oils are often used on warts and verrucas with great success. 

RINSES

I love to fill a bowl with warm to cool water and add just a few drops of essential oil to it.  This can be used to refresh and/or clean your face or body.  If you have been in the sun for too long a few drops of lavender in a bowl of cool water, soak a flannel in it and place on over heated skin to cool it.

For example;

SUMMER FOOT COOLER

Fill a bowl with cool water and add 6 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil to it.  Swish around to dissipate the Essential Oils then soak your feet in it for at least 10 minutes - bliss!

SPOTTY SKIN SPLASH

Fill a bowl with warm water.  add 4 drops of Tea Tree essential Oil. Swish the water around to dissipate oils and use to wash face.  

CLEAN SURFACES

As just abut all essential oils are anti bacterial, it’s a great idea to use them to wipe over kitchen and/or bathroom surfaces leaving them not only clean but smelling fabulous.

For example;

ST CLEMMENTS SURFACE FRESHENER

Fill a bowl with warm water and add 5 drops of lemon essential oil and 5 drops of sweet orange essential oil.  Swish the water around to dissipate oils and use a cloth to wipe down surfaces. 

LASTLY 

Aromatherapy is not an exact science so quantities are approximate but with essential oils, less is often more so always bare this in mind.  There are many more ways to use aromatherapy in your day to day life - this is really just the tip of the ice berg but its a very good start.  Have fun!

ONE MORE THING!

If you want to make and store your blends, we have a selection of amber bottles available on our site.