03 Sep Knowing the essentials

“A perfumed bath and a scented massage everyday is the way to good health.” – Hypocrites

Essential oils have been used extensively by different cultures around the world for thousands of years. The therapeutic, healing and spiritual purposes of aromatherapy can be traced through ancient Greece, India, China, Egypt and the Roman Empire, with each culture pursuing a different route of herbal medicine. Today we have access to numerous healthcare approaches that focus on the use of natural aromatic oils such as India’s Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese herbal medicine, but there are plenty of other ways that you can incorporate essential oils into your own daily routine.

But first, you might be wondering what exactly are essential oils? These pure, organic substances are derived from the flowers, leaves, stems, bark and roots of different plants and are then distilled by steam or water to concoct an ‘oil’. The high concentration of the oil really packs a punch, so it’s important to understand the guidelines of aromatherapy before ingesting or applying essential oils to your body. The remedial benefits of aromatic oils are endless; from easing stress, headaches and anxiety to treating chronic skin conditions, there really is a concoction for everything! What’s more, nearly all oils have antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making them great organic cleaning products.

As Warrior One is a completely chemical free studio we rely on different essential oils to replace the harsh cleaning products that are traditionally used inside the home. Your house – or in our case, yoga temple – should be treated like a sanctuary where you can escape from the nasty toxins and pollutions that taint the air we breathe outside. However, the Environmental Protection Agency states that the air inside your home can be 10-100 times more polluted than the air outside, simply due to using chemical-loaded cleaning products! This is where essential oils come in handy; there are an endless number of concoctions that you can easily brew up to make your home greener and cleaner.

Home cleaning remedies

Ever heard of the old bicarb-soda and vinegar cleaning trick? Well it really does work! Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is a basic pantry item that works wonders for cleaning and acts as a gentle abrasive to eliminate grease and stains. White vinegar is also a useful all-round cleaner as it deodorises and disinfects surfaces while also being 100% environmentally friendly. Even lemons have the power to remove mould and scum with their naturally acidic properties. These three common household products can be used as a base to create any chemical-free cleaner, with different essential oils added into the mix depending on your desired result. Oils best known for their anti-bacterial properties are cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, lemon, pine, lemongrass, bergamot, lavender, lime, rosemary, tea tree, sage and lemon myrtle.

For a DIY toxin-free all-purpose cleaner all you need is:

– ½ cup of white vinegar
– 2 tablespoons of baking soda
– 10-20 drops of essential oil (eucalyptus or tea tree work well)
– spray bottle
– enough water to fill the bottle

Simply combine all the ingredients and you’ve got yourself a natural, biodegradable cleaning spray that will breakdown the toughest grime in your kitchen, bathroom or toilet!

Bath and body remedies

When applying essential oils to your body it’s important to use 100% natural and dependable sources so look for oils that are certified organic with a botanical name and use-by date on the label. Follow the correct dilution ratio when blending pure essential oils for bodily use, because they can have harmful results if used excessively or incorrectly. With that said, aromatherapy for the body is a natural, healthy and indulgent alternative to products that are filled with all sorts of alcohols, preservatives and artificial fragrances. Using pure essential oils for massage, bathing or moisturising will work miracles for the health of your skin, as well as promoting relaxation, balance and detoxification.

Try these DIY bath and oil burner blends, or simply add 25ml of almond oil to use them directly on your skin:

Moodiness: blend 2 drops bergamot, 2 drops rose, 2 drops cedarwood oils and 10ml of bath dispersant to help fight off a blue mood and help you feel calm and energised.

Focus: blend 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops lime, 1 drop basil oils and 10ml of bath dispersant to help you feel clear-headed and focused.

Sleep: blend 2 drops orange, 2 drops chamomile, 2 drops lavendar, 2 drops neroli oils and 10ml bath dispersant to help you relax and enjoy a good night sleep.

Apart from pure essential oils there a dozens of delicious natural skincare ingredients that your body will simply soak up! Oats, mineral clay, cocoa butter, coconut oil, honey, seaweed, natural yoghurt, beeswax and almond meal are just some of the products that are wonderful skin and soul foods.

To learn more about pure essential oils and begin your aromatherapy journey check out one of the Perfect Potion stores in Melbourne Central, Little Collins Street or Brunswick Street and be inspired to create some amazing home and body concoctions!