Essential Oils are becoming increasingly popular in today’s world where we are often overloaded with toxins whatever we do. Essential oils are gaining popularity mainly because they are considered so safe to use, are 100% natural, affordable and easily accessible for most everyone.

We can use it topically, and as mentioned in our previous article, Smell Your Way To Better Health, essential oils can be inhaled, applied topically or ingested. Knowing which oils to use, and combine, can increase their effectiveness.

I remember one time I was out running errands during winter. The sun was high and the snow was falling, and I could feel the cold crawling through my body. Wanting to finish all the errands I had on my list, I disregarded the cold and went on as usual. When I got home that afternoon, my muscles were sore from the cold, and my shoulder muscles were stiff and starting to ache. I felt bad for ignoring what my body had been trying to tell me, but instead of beating myself up I looked for a solution.

Instead of relying on liniments and patches, I made myself a sumptuous gorgeous warm bath with Epsom salts and essential oils. Spurred on by the natural remedies my mum always told me about, I found the perfect recipe, now my all-time favourite!



Bath Soak Recipe for sore muscles

Ingredients:
✓ 3 cups Epsom salts
✓ 1 Tbsp sweet almond, grapeseed or other liquid carrier oil (sweet almond helps calm inflammation)
✓ One of the blends below OR 15 drops of your choice of essential oils
➢ 4 drops lemongrass, 4 drops basil, 4 drops lavender, and 3 drops lime
➢ 5 drops each wintergreen, rosemary, and peppermint
➢ 5 drops each bergamot, Douglas fir, and ginger
➢ 3 drops marjoram, 7 drops lavender, and 5 drops rosemary

Process:
Mix ingredients in a quart sized mason jar. Shake. Pour half of the mixture into warm water and soak for at least 20 minutes to relieve soreness of muscles.



For added benefits use an alkaline water filter in your bath to help remove harmful chemicals like chlorine, which can make your skin itch and hair dry and brittle. You can either opt for a filter such as our pH ENERGIZE which attaches to your faucet outlet, pH REJUVENATE which attaches to your shower hose, or you can use the pH ON-THE-GO if traveling.
 
Remember, you absorb far more chemicals when showering or bathing, as the hot water, vapours and time in the water, allows the chemicals to enter your skin's pores. It is always advisable to have good ventilation in your bathroom. If you are not into warm soaks, you can try diffusing the essential oil for aromatherapy or use it to massage affected areas.



We have categorized essential oils into 3 general groups: energizing, calming & anti-anxiety, and detoxifying. Having this list on hand helps you decide which oils to mix when needed.



Energizing essential oils are mostly: citrus, spicy, minty, coniferous and herbal oils. This is best used when you still have a long day ahead but you feel tired or sleepy already.



Calming/anti-anxiety essential oils are best used for children who doesn't want to end their day even though their eyes and body are already screaming sleepy and tired. Most of the time, kids don’t know when they’ve reached their limit. Try using pure or mix of lavender, rose, vetiver, ylang ylang, bergamot, chamomile or frankincense.



Detox essential oils help in cleansing our bodies. They are usually from the citrus family (lemon oils and may change), herbs oil (rosemary, clove), valerian root, mint family, nees and mart, and myrrh.



To get the best results, and not just have a nice smelling product, remember to use pure, organic and high-quality. In this type of product, you do get what you pay for. The only essential oils recommended to add to food or drinks, are organic or therapeutic food grade oils. Anything lesser quality, and they are mainly created for oleiferous reasons, and will therefore have little effect.  
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I’ve heard stories about mums wanting to use essential oils to calm their child’s tantrums while in the supermarket, and this can work beautifully, but only if you have a quality organic or therapeutic grade oil. So please check the labels carefully, and ask questions to ensure you are getting the real deal. There are also essential oils not ideal to be mixed together. We advise that you research before proceeding with a new mix.



A great calming blend is an equal parts mix of cedarwood, vetiver and lavender. Mix for example 5-10 drops of each in a roller bottle, along with a carrier oil like sweet almond oil. Use with ease when out and about by rolling this under the bottom of your little bubs feet, behind the ears and back of the neck.



A great way to diffuse heated tempers is to also diffuse some essential oils in an oil burner/vaporizer. A great calming recipe is: 6 drops clove, 2 drops lemon, 2 drops frankincense. Using a carrier oil is optional, water is used in vaporizers. This recipe is good for adults as well as children.

Until next week - stay healthy - stay invigorated!