Wednesday, June 8, 2011

AROMA THERAPY FOR SKIN AND HAIR-essential oils!!

I am a very fragrance oriented person.I love fragranced skin care products...am a sucker for them actually.dont like smells in  my makeup though.
I have been using aroma therapy facials at the parlour I regularly visit and they are so so relaxing.
So thoday I will be doing a post on my favorite essential oils.




Essential oils!
The principle of aromatherapy is based on the human sense of smell and how different smells affect our mind and body. Aromatherapy uses different scented oils to stimulate different parts of the body. The olfactory nerves are situated in the nasal cavity and transfer smells to that part of the brain where emotions lie. Each essential oil used has a distinct effect on our body and mind.

Aromas have a way of releasing certain chemicals in our body which in turn give rise to many emotions. Chemicals like endorphins, enkephalin and serotonin are released by the introduction of various aromas. These chemicals released in the body make us relax, reduce pain and give us a sense of wellbeing. The olfactory nerves transfer the smells to the limbic system in our brain immediately. That is why aromatherapy has an immediate effect on us.
Getting started with aromatherapy is not difficult but there are a lot of different essential oils available and combining them can achieve different effects.
The modes of application of aromatherapy include:
  • Aerial diffusion: for environmental fragrancing or aerial disinfection
  • Direct inhalation: for respiratory disinfection, decongestion, expectoration as well as psychological effects
  • Topical applications: for general massage, baths, compresses, therapeutic skin care


Aromatherapy has been used for many years as alternative medicine. It has been used to treat many symptoms of stress and anxiety as most essential oils have a calming effect. Some essential oils are used in creams to treat skin infections and sores. These oils are extracted from different parts of plants and can be added in many mediums like creams, soaps, perfumes and pot pourri. It is important to know how aromatherapy works before you practice it on yourself.




How I use my essential oils!!

I usually use lavender,lemon, rosemary,patchouli ylangylang and sage

For skin
  • I usually add few drops of lavender and rosrmary when I steam my face...also sometimes I use eucalyptus.
  • lemongrass  and rosemary are  a good pore closer.so i keep it added to my toner.I am using TBS sea weed at present
  • In my daily moisturiser/body cream  I add lavender..this can be done only in an unscented lotion ideally.I usually do it  for my  nivea body cream mostly.
  • I also add lavender or patchouli to my night cream.This helps in a blissful  sleep.
  • I use lavender on my pillow as well..  sometimes i use ylang ylang or patchouli.
For hair.
I usually add lavender again for  a calming effect on hair.
othr uses for hair metioned as below:



Lavender is great for soothing the scalp and calming the hair.
Basil promotes growth by stimulating circulation. Basil is used in shampoos and conditioners that are designed for scalp health.
Chamomile is the most soothing of the essential oils for the hair and scalp. Chamomile helps to retract skin cells that have been inflamed from chemical procedures, the sun and helps with those that have scaly scalps in including a lot of white flakes or psoriasis.
Lemon Essential oil works well for a treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and under active sebaceous glands. The sebum on the hair is what keeps it from dry out. 
Peppermint helps to stimulate blood flow to the root of the hair. This helps the hair to receive proper nourishment and to grow correctly. Peppermint makes the scalp tingle and this is what stimulates the blood flow to the hair.
Rosemary essential oil works great for dry hair and dandruff as well as itchy scalp!


Tea Tree essential oils works to purify the scalp. It works extremely good for those that suffer from scalp psoriasis and scalp dandruff.
Ylang Ylang essential oils for Oily hair and dandruff treatment.
Always remember that you cannot use these essential oils for hair direct to your hair, but you should mixed with carrier oils first.

I have not used rosemary for the hair  or the others ut am planning to try it out...wil let you know...

Also everyday I usually burn essential oil in oil burners for my home for amazing fragrnace all arounnd....
Here I use cinnamon,sandalwood, lemongrass...jasmine ,lavender etc...

DO you guys use essential oils for any purpose??
tell me!!
(imagesfrom the net...if any body has  any copyright issues,please let me know and I will remove them)

11 comments:

R.ChamberofBeauty said...

Love aroma therapic products esp lavender ones <3
http://rakhshanda-chamberofbeauty.blogspot.com/

Dr Shivani Sud Thakur said...

me love these too

Of rainy days said...

i think lavender is universally loved.
hey you can try some eucalyptus on your hair .. another lovely fragrance i enjoy is some vetivert (khus oil) on my pillow.

Dr Shivani Sud Thakur said...

thanks supriya...will try khus...havent seen it around anywhere...
have tried eucalyptus...but feel its a bit medicinal for the hair

Dr Shivani Sud Thakur said...

thanks supriya...will try khus...havent seen it around anywhere...
have tried eucalyptus...but feel its a bit medicinal for the hair

Hungover on Fashion said...

Very nice and detailed article. I am not much into essential oil but if you talk about fragrances lavender is my favorite too!

Dr Shivani Sud Thakur said...

hey debleena...thanks..me love lavender as well...

Prachi said...

I love lavendar. Nice post Shivani and a lovely blog. Followed you. Visit me at prachitriestoblog.blogspot.com

Ramya said...

nice post Shivani.... i always heck these oils and put them back on rack not knowing how to use them..... but you have shared some nice tips.... me going to get lavender now :) following your blog.... keep such lovely posts coming :)

Dr Shivani Sud Thakur said...

@prachi thanks....will surely do that...
@ramya.....thank you...you know am so fond of them as soon as i am back from work i light my oil diffuser

Airzer Tech said...

I love lavender and I am using it with me arizer air 2. It's fantastic.