AROMATHERAPY HELPS ECZEMA

When my friends asked me to blogg something about ECZEMA, I was surprised as I had just finished consulting with two clients who had Eczema, one was an infant of 9 months and the other a young adult of 14 years old. Eczema resembles a skin disease caused by allergy like contact dermatitis, the skin is inflamed and there is burning ,itching and redness. In fact it is an allergic disease because in most cases we normally find that in the family there are cases of asthma, hayfever and hives.

Since Eczema is an allergic condition it is often difficult to cure but it can be helped to stay in remission and to relieve the patient of discomfort, reduce inflammation and prevent secondary infections.

Eczema first occurs in any one of these three periods - Infancy, childhood and young adulthood. I have found that the Eczema defers from one age group to another. In my infant client of 9 months old the eczema was on the face , arms, scalp and legs as it is with most babies of two months to 2 years. There was itching and the skin was exuding moisture after which crusts formed. In childhood eczema (between the ages of 5 and 10) lesions, pimples and plaques appear on the hands and legs. My 14 year old client's eczema was mainly on the sides of the neck arms and legs his skin was dry,scaly and pigmented. He was following the pattern of young adult eczema.

All those suffering from ECZEMA should follow a few DO's and DON'Ts:-
NO CONTACT WITH :- Domestic pets.woolen clothing,blankets and rugs.
LOOK into the diet and contact a dietcian. Avoid foods such as Wheat, Orange juice, chocolate, fish etc.
DON'T use soap and HOT WATER when bathing ,
DON'T use detergents to wash the clothers. Use a mild soap and throughly rinse after washing .
AVOID physical exertion and emotional stress,.
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TREATMENT;-
Daily a tepid bath to which two tablespoons of corn starch and 2 drops of LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL has been added.
They could soak in the bath for as long as they like.
Dilute in 1 tablespoon of refracted COCONUT oil 1 drop CHAMOMILE and 2 drops LAVENDER essential oil - apply this to the skin and the affected areas, two to three times a day.
To help to relieve itching apply a cool CHAMOMILE compress - 2 drops CHAMOMILE essential oil to a cup of cool water.
To help oozing and relieve discomfort - 1 drop LAVENDER essential oil in a teaspoon of coconut oil.

GOLDEN CHAMPA (Michelia Champaca)

Last week I was in Chennai to give a few workshops on ear candling,aromatherapy facials and Hair Spa treatments. What struck me was the beautiful long hair of the women and the fresh Champa flowers worn as hair ornaments, allowing their body heat to cause the flowers to open into scented blossoms as the evening progresses. Champa has sweet,exotic and deep floral top notes with delicate sensual,roselike and woody undertones. Champa is a gentle aphrodisiac apart from the other good qualities that the aroma of this exotic flower posseses.

In South India this tree grows abundantly, and Pushpalata a friend of mine from Chennai told me a few tribal folk tales about this beautiful flower. It is believed that the Golden Champa is a reincarnation of Lakshmi the Godess of Wealth. There is another folk tale that there was a Minister of court who had a very virtuous daughter and she was transformed into a Champa tree that bore flowers of Solid Gold. These champa trees are found growing in the vinicity of the temples and these exotic flowers are offered to the Gods at Hindu temples. Yesterday was
a festival there and these were the flowers that were offered by thousands .

A drop of essential oil applied to the temples relieves vertigo.
This oil is also good during Summers as it relieves the burning sensation of the skin especially of the feet and the palms of the hands.
Next time you feel like boosting your confidence or self esteem use a drop or two on your wrists and ears as you would use a perfume. Believe you me it works wonders. No wonder the ladies of the south are so full of self confidence!!!!!!!!

CARNATIONS FOR ENERGY, LOVE AND HEALTH

We are swamped with carnations (Dianthus carophyllus) . they pop up everywhere in the brightest colours. unfortunately when I smelt them at the florists they were virtually scentless with exception of the red ones but even here the spiciness was less than the carnations that my mother used to grow in her garden. The reason for this lack of scent is because the carnation like the rose has been hybridized to produce bright big blooms with long stems, and the scent has been forgotten.

The best way I found to rectify this problem is to grow your own. I grow the short - stemmed red varieties with the heaviest fragrances, because I use the rich aroma of the fresh carnation flowers as genuine Carnation Essential Oil is not available. If you find it difficult to grow your own carnations then use the red carnations because they have an aroma.

I love giving CARNATIONS to my friends when they are ill with a cold, flue or any other minor illness and even I love having carnations around me when I am ill. It works like magic to just inhale the odor and visualize your self HEALTHY AND HEALED. Try it!!!!

Another wonderful way this aroma could be used is TO BRING A SPICY LOVE INTO YOUR LIFE.

COLOUR & AROMATHERAPY A SYNERGY

The Last evening while I was walking in the gardens of our Spa - Ishwar Blossom Kochhar - I was struck how colour and perfume are drawn together out of the haze of twilight and the spiritual qualities of flowers are highlighted at sunset.

I often wondered why our senses are heightened and our subtle vibrations are increased
at dusk? The reason for this is because the air is charged with positive ions making it a time of stillness and contempletion. As night approached the flowers that were light coloured took on a special translucency in the moonlight. The air was filled with the sweet heady aromas of Jasmine,Champa and Datura(moonflowers). It inspired me and filled me with love,sensuality,peace,purity and healing and spirutial vibrations. To take the healing aromatic and colour vibrations of these beautiful flowers back home I decided on a colour and aroma bath which I will share with you.

In your bath water add 3 to 5 drops of Jasmine
Colour the water with 2 tablespoons of Beetroot juice which will produce a lovely pink bath.
Add a handful of rose petals.
Light pink and white candles. Candles are very good for providing soft and nourishing light and the colour of the glowing candles increase the colour vibrabratrions that enhances the action of the bath oils.

Our ancient Indian system of healing with colour and aroma not only heals our body but our heart and soul as well!!!!












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NATURAL RELAXATION

Today I have to feel relaxed but since Ihave to shoot in a little while I have to feel ENERGITALLY relaxed. Now is that possible?!! So I looked into my cabinate of essential oils and picked out LAVENDER. I choose Lavender because it not only relaxes but also energises and balances., The aroma of Lavender rejuvenates and inspires a tired soul, and sooths and slows down someone who is stressed. I have known Lavender to add balance to my increasingly hectic life and re-establish my balance, harmony and natural state without the use of synthetic chemicals. IT IS AN ALL NATURAL REMEDY.

HERE ARE SOME QUICK LAVENDER HINTS TO CALM YOU AND RETURN YOU TO BLISS AND HAPPINESS:-

Add 5 to 8 drops of Lavender essential oil to your bath water. Water is the perfect transmitter of electric-magnetic vibrations. this will help you to be relaxed and reduce tension.

Inhaling the soothing aroma of lavender throughout the day can help alleviate stress and tension. Put a drop of oil on a tissue and carry it around with you.

Lavender has been proven to have a positive effect on irritability and bad moods. Rub a drop on your solar plexis or the middle of your pallms.

Can't sleep at night - put some lavender next to your bed . Studies have proved Lavender's effectiveness as a relaxation aid without any side effects.

ROSES FOR LOVE

Romance is a mood which everyone,whatever their age or gender would like more off!!! The feeling of ROMANCE is gentle,wistful and dream like. Romance is a very special and elusive mood and St. Valentine's Day captures the essence of romance with gifts of chocolates candle-lit dinners and ROSES.

This same Romance can be braught into your life daily by using a few drops of ROSE essential oil in your bath water. Use Rose scented Candles around you. Scent your linen with rose - place paper tissues scented with Rose essential in your linen
Cupboard between the linen to gently perfume your bed linen.

wear rose as a perfume and treat yourself to one perfect long stemmed ROSE for your desk.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

Narcissus Poeticus

Narcissus is another spring flower that is seen all over Delhi. They look similar to Daffodil, a smaller version. The essential oil is obtained by solvent extraction.

When I first smelt this beautiful flower and the oil. The heady herbaceous and green top notes hit me followed by lingering heavy sweet floral and mysterious undertones, that numbed and filled me with a deeply calming and grounding feeling, removing all my anxiety.

Legend has it that in China, for centuries, narcissus bulbs have been placed in bowls with rocks and water. They are forced into flowering by the Chinese New Year to get good fortune.

In Greece, there is the tale of a young man named Narcissus - the mortal son of the river god Cephisus and the Nymph Leiriope. He was a handsome and extra ordinarily vain young man winning the love of many nymphs and mortals and always rejecting their love. His last rejected lover prayed to the god's for vengence and his soul was captured by the Titans by means of a magic reflecting pool. One day when Narcissus was glancing at his reflection in a pool of water, he fell in love with his reflection and wasted away staring all day at his own handsome image until he died.

Legend has it that when the nymphs of the forest came to bury him. They found that his body disappeared and all that was left was a beautiful flower which they named Narcissus and which grows to this day near cool, clear, reflecting spring water.

I use 2 to 3 drops in my Bath Water or as a Perfume when I want to meditate for deep introspection.