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.

ENERGETIC FIELD

When I do any healing or bodywork I use the essential oil of LAVENDER to open and clear my energy channels.

I put a drop of essential oil on each foot, at the uppermost point of the arch of the foot or in other words the underside of the metatarsal bone. this will help to clear my energetic field and have an effect on the whole spine and the chakras.

TUBE ROSE - Polyuanthes tuberosa

Delhi is full of Tuberoses and the aroma of this flower has heavy. sweet,floral and slightly spicy top notes and sensous, radiant honeyed undertones. Tuberose is known as the "Mistress of the Night" because it smells more at night. I love the perfume WHITE SHOULDERS and now I know why - it has the essential oil of Tuberose in it.

Inhaled this oil is an aphrodisiac. Use the Aroma of this oil with VISUALIZATION to invite love into your life or expand the love you are already enjoying.

I use a few drops in my bathwater and in a massage oil when I need to calm and centre my emotions. It also promotes strength and endurance.

It has a short flowering season, so lets enjoy this narcotic and hypnotic sweet scent while it lasts.

A FEW INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SMELL

A person can differentiate between hundred of different smells
Sense of smell peaks at 20 to 40 years
Women have a better sense of smell than men
after hysterectomy sense of smell is poor
Smell disorders reduce sex drive
Babies smell milk not the mother
Fragrances affect our moods
Smell warns us and act as our defence mechanism
Feelings of well being are created by memories triggered by smell.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

CHASE AWAY THE WINTER BLUES

I find essential oil burners an excellent way to fragrance the home in winters. When I am feeling down I place 5 - 20 drops of essential oil of sweet orange into some water in the shallow bowl that forms the topof the burner. Inside the burner I light a small candle to heat the water, so vapourising the oil.

The oil of the fruit of this evergreen tree acts as a mild antidepressant,with its pleasing and uplifting aroma.

A few other ways to use this wonderful aroma to chase the blues away -
Use as a perfume - mix a few drops in jojoba oil and dab on your wrists and pulse points.
Dot a tissue with the pure essential and inhale the delicious aroma.

Rose Petal Facial Steam

Rosewater has been used for ages as a skin tonic, and this steam is a delightful way to open pores and release toxins. It is very good for dry skin.

Ingredients – 1 cup fresh rose petals + 1 gallon almost-boiling water.

Method – Put fresh rose petals in a large bowl and pour almost boiling water over them. Place towel over head and lean face over bowl, about 12 inches away, to absorb steam and vapors. Keep breathing in vapors for 15 minutes. Gently pat dry.

Once you are done with the steam, you can make rosewater. First, strain the steam liquid and save the petals and the water separately. Pour water into a medium saucepan and shimmer for about 30 minutes, or until there is approximately one cup of liquid left. Once reduced, pour it over the saved petals and steep for another 20 minutes, strain the liquid again. Discard petals and pour liquid into a glass bottle and allow to cool. After cleansing, use cotton balls to gently swipe rosewater over the skin.