This is a collaborative post
If you are looking to practice Aromatherapy at home then Nikura has some excellent sets of essential fragrance oils for beginners
The practice of Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years, although the name Aromatherapy wasn’t coined until 1935 by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. It was used by ancient cultures and has increased in popularity in recent years it is is recognised by many doctors who use it alongside conventional, modern medicines.
These days aromatherapy is used by a wide range of people, including us at home. It is a quick and effective way to relax and unwind. Last night my son, Little L who is 7, smelled the lavender oil and let out a relaxed sigh. It can be that easy!
What is Aromatherapy used for?
Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts to promote health and wellbeing. It can be used for a variety of health issues including aiding sleep, treating headaches, improving digestion and helping relaxation among many others. Some are also good for your skin and hair and each oil has a different property.
How is Aromatherapy used?
You can use aromatherapy in a lot of ways. My personal favorites are using essential oils in an oil burner or aromatherapy diffuser and using the essential oils as a massage oil.
Lavender oil is great at bedtime to help drift off for a relaxing sleep. Eucalyptus oil is fab if you have a cold and feel congested, pop it in an oil burner or a few drops in a steamy bath and it will help clear that congestion.
Nikura Starter Essential Oil Gift Set
Nikura sent me their essential starter oil gift set which contains six of the most fundamental scents for body and mind. Mine contains:
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- Tea Tree
- Eucalyptus
Each bottle contains 10ml of essential oil, it is 100% natural, vegan and bottled in the UK.
Each bottle is highly scented and requires diluting depending on how you intend to use them:
- For a massage dilute 5 drops to 10ml of carrier oil such as sweet almond or vitamin E.
- For an Aromatherapy bath add 5 to 8 drops, depending on how strong you like the fragrance, and how much water you have in the bath!
- To use in an oil burner or diffuser use 5 to 7 drops.
Each essential oil has different properties:
Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary is known to help reduce stress and improve cognitive function. It is also great for your skin and hair. Mixed with carrier oil it can be applied to your skin as it is anti inflammatory, used as a scalp rub it is known to improve hair growth and thickness
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is a good all rounder oil. It can be used as an aromatherapy to aid restful sleep and as a stress buster but it is also great for cleaning as it is anti bacterial and deodorising
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is a personal favorite of mine. It is a great pick-me-up if you are feeling a bit sluggish, great to use in the morning to help wake up! It is invigorating as a scent but is also another that is good for skin and cleaning due to its antibacterial properties.
Peppermint Essential Oil
A great oil to pep you up – terrible dad joke, sorry! Used as a cold remedy and to soothe sore muscles as well as keeping pesky spiders at bay, yes really!
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree is well known for skin cleansing due to its antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties, it really is a go to for anyone who has suffered from acne. It is gentle enough to use on young skin too so great for adolescents as well as forty somethings (like me) who still suffer. Tea tree is another essential oil used in the treatment for colds as it helps airways.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is well known for its decongestant properties making breathing easier if you have a heavy cold or flu. It is really good to use in bedrooms if someone has a cold as it helps them to breathe more easily and get a decent nights sleep.
What did I think of Nikura essential oils?
I am by no means an expert but the oils certainly seem to be a very high quality. They are strongly scented, do what they say, and I am very keen on the fact that they are 100% natural and not tested on animals.
