Welcome to It's Only Natural©
Here you will find helpful insight into Aromatherapy and using Essential Oils
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses natural oils, called essential oils, from flowers, fruits and other parts of plants to improve physical and mental well-being. It first came into use in 1928 when a French chemist named Gattefosse discovered by accident that lavender oil soothed a burn on his hand.
What are essential oils?
When you peel an orange there is a tangy, citrus smell in the air. This is the essential oil of the fruit being released. Have you ever rubbed the leaf of a geranium or other plant and noticed the smell linger on your skin? Again, this is the essential oil from the leaf of the plant.
How do they work?
Essential oils work in two ways, directly by smell and secondly by being absorbed through the skin in minute quantities. Aroma given off by the oil has a direct effect on the part of brain that works on emotion.
Pure essential oils are the basis of Aromatherapy and can be used in massage, in the bath or as an inhalant. Apart from Lavender and Tea Tree oils, they should never be used neat on the skin, always in a carrier oil and never internally unless prescribed by a professional.
Increasing the amount of essential oil used does not increase their effectiveness - some oils in larger amounts are toxic.
Do not use without seeking
professional advice if you are pregnant, breast feeding, suffer from any
epilepsy, skin allergies or are using homeopathic remedies. Asthmatics
should avoid directly inhaling pure essential oils as this could bring
on an attack. Keep out of reach of children. Keep away from the eyes.
Do not store essential oils in, pure or diluted, in plastic containers.
How to use our Oils
In the bath
Have everything you need ready and to hand. Shut the door to keep in as
much scent as possible! Run a bath and then add 5ml (no more) to the water.
Agitate the water to disperse the oil. Do not be tempted to add more oil
- although the initial effect of the fragrance may appear to have gone,
the oils will still be evaporating for 15 minutes or more. Lay back and
relax for those 15 minutes. The steam and warmth created evaporates the
oils and intensifies the aroma. More aroma molecules are released this
way than through massage and the effect of the oils is more potent. You
will absorb the essential oils through your skin and through inhalation
of the steam. For an even more enjoyable soak, why not place some lighted
candles around the bathroom. Take care when stepping out of the bath and
be sure to clean it after use!
For use as a massage
Have everything you need ready and to hand (ensure room is comfortably
heated, have a large towel to lay on, turn off the TV and leave the phone
off the hook, some relaxing music playing and a willing partner). Pour
no more than 5ml (a teaspoon) of the oil from the bottle into a small
shallow dish- glass jars and oily hands do not mix! Apply the oil with
gentle soothing strokes using the whole of the hand. Keep the hands relaxed
but firm.
For use as a cold compress
A good way to use soothe inflammation
or reduce a fever is to apply a cold compress using essential oils. In
a bowl of cold water (at least 100ml) add some ice cubes and 5 drops of
essential oil. Soak a clean cloth or face flannel in the bowl and squeeze
out the excess water and place on the affected part. Use a cold compress
for : headaches, sprains, inflammation, fever, swollen bumps, burns, blistered
skin, sore feet, rashes, measles, chicken pox, sunburn, hangover.
A hot poultice is a good way to relive muscular aches and pains and congestion in the chest. Add 5 drops of essential oil to 100ml of very hot water in a saucepan and keep covered ( this can be reheated). When ready, remove the lid and place a clean folded cloth or face flannel over the surface of the water to absorb the oil. Using rubber gloves, squeeze out the excess water and place it over the affected area until it has cooled to blood temperature. Reheat the liquid and repeat the process. Alway test a poulice before you apply to the skin to ensure it is not too hot. Use poultices for: backache, cramps, boils, aching feet, arthritis, rheumatism, tummy ache, stiff neck, muscular pain, sore throat, chest congestion. For earache, use one drop of oil on a a damp cotton wool ball.
Refreshing
Foot Oil
Either use as a foot soak, using no more than a capful (5ml) or apply
after a foot soak, massaging in well. A foot soak warms and relaxes all
the tiny support muscles, releases trapped nerves, improves circulation
and soothes aches and pains. Since you have to sit while your feet soak
you get to inhale the aroma molecules too. It is not advisable to use
this oil blend in the bath as peppermint, although refreshing, has a cooling
effect and this would be a strange sensation in a bath of warm water.
These oils, although diluted in a carrier oil, are still potent - more so than some of the products you can pick up from the supermarket shelf - so please use only the specified amounts. Using more could result in nausea and that's not what Aromatherapy is about.
Burning oils
These are not essential oils, but ready prepared oils specifically for
use with a diffuser. Add no more than 10 drops to hot water placed in
the top of a suitable burner. Alternately, you can place several drops
on a humidifier hung on a radiator.
Products
Refreshing
Bath Bombs
Run a bath, immerse yourself and add the contents for a real fragrant
Jacuzzi effect.
Refreshing Foot Bombs
Fill a suitable size basin or bowl with water - not too hot, immerse your
feet and add the contents for a refreshing foot soak.
Floral Bags
Lavender - Rose petal - Chamomile
Lavender is an excellent alternative to those musty old mothballs for
your wardrobes and drawers. It is a really good moth repellent.
Rose petal bags can also be used in the drawer to delicately fragrance your clothes.
The Lavender and Chamomile bags are excellent in the bath. Use under running water.
Oatmeal Bags
For use in the bath under running water. When you have run the bath, use
the muslin bag containing the oatmeal as a gentle exfoliant.
Lip balms
Natural - Fruity - Mint - Vanilla - Winter warmer
These contain only pure ingredients and will keep for 6 months.
Facial Toners
Rosewater - Orange Flower Water
These waters are what remain once the essential oils have been collected
from the distillation process. They contain only pure flower water and
no alcohol. They are excellent for use after cleansing the face and are
suitable for all skin types.
Facial Oils
Rose & Frankincense - Neroli
These are much lighter than the massage oils oil and are blended with
Almond oil, Evening Primrose oil and natural Vitamin E. Both oils are
ideal as a night-time treat and are ideal for all skin types.
Essential Oil Blends
Time to Unwind
Lavender - Geranium - can also be used in the bath
Dream Time
Lavender- Chamomile - can also be used in the bath
Vida Loca
Basil - Bergamot -Lemon - can also be used in the bath
Mello Moments
Lavender - Bergamot - can also be used in the bath
Eastern Promise
Ylang Ylang - Patchouli - can also be used in the bath
Deep Sleep
Lavender - Clary Sage - can also be used in the bath
Harmony
Geranium - Patchouli - can also be used in the bath
Spirit of the East
- "the sunshine oil"
Bergamot - Patchouli - can also be used in the bath
Winter Warmer
Black Pepper - Frankincense - mainly used for
deep mucsle massage
Special Blends
These have been specially blended on request by previous customers and their particular medical background was taken into account before preparation.
Sciatica blend 1
Marjoram - Lavender
Arthritis blend 1
Benzoin - Black Pepper
Labour blend 1
Clary Sage - Geranium
This particular blend was especially asked for by a lady in her final stages of pregnancy and she was made fully aware of any dangers of using aromatherapy oils in her current condition.
" New
Product" - Soaps
Coconut Delight
This is a pale pink solid glycerine bar, with a layer of coconut for exfoliation
fragranced with Geranium pure essential oil.
Ocean Blue
A layered deep blue bar, full of the goodness of the sea. Contains Dead
Sea Salt and Air Dried Wild Atlantic Seaweed. This soap is fragranced
with Peppermint and Lavender pure essential oils.
Tidal Wave
Another layered bar in green, full of the goodness of the sea. Contains
Dead Sea Salt and Air-dried Wild Atlantic Seaweed. This soap is fragranced
with Lemongrass and May Chang pure essential oils.
Hush - a - bye- baby
A pale honey coloured soap, gentle enough for the baby. This solid glycerine
bar contains Organic Honey and Chamomile pure essential oil with Benzoin
for added moisture.
Rose Candy
A beautiful pale pink solid bar. This soap's main aroma is Rose Absolute
essential oil with a touch of Geranium essential oil and a little Benzoin
for moisture.
Latino Bar
This is a nice choice for men too as it is not too sweet. A pretty solid
aqua colour, fragranced with Basil, Bergamot and Lemongrass pure essential
oils.
The T Zone
Great for the complexion. This is a clear aqua bar containing Tea Tree
and Peppermint pure essential oils with a little Benzoin for moisture.
Eastern Promise
This is a gorgeous clear blue soap with Ylang Ylang and Patchouli pure
essential oils.
Heart Soaps
Small fun size soaps - ideal for the
small bathroom/ guest room.
Pink -Geranium
Purple - Lavender
Green - Grapefruit & Lemongrass
Amber - Mandarin
Blue
- YlangYlang & Patchouli - (smaller
version on the Eastern Promise)
Bath Bombs
Green - Peppermint & Lavender
Purple - Lavender & Geranium
Pink - Geranium & Patchouli
Yellow - Lemongrass & Grapefruit
Red - Patchouli & Ylang Ylang
Orange - Orange
" New Product" -
Wheat Bags
Filled with natural Organic whole Wheat and dried
Lavender. These wheat bags are great for muscle and back injury and aching
joints. Simply warm up in the microwave for 2 minutes and place on the
affected area until cool.
These bags can be reused time after time and come with a removable outer
over for washing.
Available in 2 sizes - rectangle or oblong.
Do not wash the wheat bag itself.
" New Product" -
Lavender Eye Pillows
Filled with dried Lavender and Flax seeds. Great for
migraine sufferers or for that puffy eyed look after illness or late nights.
Simply relax with the eye pillow over your eyes for at least 20 minutes.These
pillows come with a removable outer cover for washing.
Do not warm these pillows and do not wash the inner bag.
Can also be refreshed with a few drops of Lavender pure essential oil
- but only add the oil to the outer bag.
Click on the Info button to take you to our other page. This is where you can find further useful information on the use of Essential Oils and answers to your questions, and tips on massage.
Created By Hand© is a small company that makes things by hand - hence the name. Click on the Cards button to take you to Suzanne's page of Decoupage & Personalised Greeting Cards.
updated November 2001