Essential oil has been used throughout history for many different purposes, from religious to medicinal as well as healing of the spirit. In Egyptian times, plant derived resins and perfumed oil were necessary ingredients in the preparations of funerals. Scents were very much an integral part of the pleasures of the Egyptian lifestyle. The Greeks invented distillation – extracting oils from plants through steaming processes- a method widely in use today, which preserves both the fragrance and healing property of the essences. The Romans adopted much of the Greeks medical knowledge, but played a great role in improving the way aroma was used for pleasures and relaxation. By 3 A.D. Rome was the bathing capital of the world with one thousand public bathing spots where bathers were massaged with scented oils.
The Arabs who perfected the distillation process created potent essences and exotic perfumes, still in use in Mosque and religious ceremonies.

Essential oils have such powers that in medieval times they were used to create lethal poisons by those involved in Machiavellian plots. Hence, it shows the necessity of consulting a qualified aromatherapist when creating blends for healing purposes.

One of their main uses have been for fighting infections, and formulated into concoctions that were rubbed over the body to keep sickness at bay. Although plants and herbs have always been used by natives to alleviate pain, combat digestive problems, sometimes even more serious health problems like cancer, it is only in the mid-nineteenth century that the exact scientific effect of essential oils in the fight against bacteria came to be known through research and documented investigations.

A 1992 issue of the “British journal of Occupational Therapy” writes about how the practices of aromatherapy such as massage, inhalation, lotions, creams, compresses, inhalation and baths can improve quality of life for patients in hospitals, improve health and promote well-being. Amongst the list of benefits of aromatherapy listed in the journal are:

1. The reduction of stress.
2. Relief of depression.
3. Promoting activity of alertness
4. Stimulating of sensory awareness.
5. Treating various medical problems.
6. Providing pain relief.

Another area where essential oils have proved to be extremely beneficial is in the creation of skin-care and hair-care products. Again, throughout history, aromatherapy has played an important part in the making of exotic creams, lotions and hair washes to enhance the beauty regime of the most beautiful women in the world. It is now known through the formulas that have been passed down that their secret ingredients were essential oils.

However, no matter how attractively these products are presented they do not adhere to the aromatherapy principle in the slightest manner. Their high content of synthetic scents and waxes; mineral oils and other form of chemicals can only achieve temporary and superficial benefits, if any benefit at all.

The potent aromas of essential oils travel like any odour through the olfactory system of the nose and the front part of the head to the limbic area of the brain where smell is processed. The limbic brain is closely linked to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that communicates with the sex glands. Due to the healing properties of these pure essences, regular use of aromatherapy products can improve your health, your mood and even your relationships. Certain essences have calming effects, whilst others are uplifting, some can even be exciting.

Aromatherapy is so much more than a ready made blend of oil in a bottle off the shelf of a drugstore or supermarket. To benefit most from aromatherapy, products should be created on an individual basis. A therapist will assess the mood, state of mind and other personal needs of the client before formulating the blend. Hence, the reason to have your products personalised.

Essential oils have successfully provided the beauties of all times with the perfect solutions for their skin and hair because they contain powerful healing and antioxidant properties which are effective both on a physical and psychological level. Research has shown that certain essential oils can rejuvenate the skin and restore vitality to the tissues by regulating the activity of the capillaries. Regular use of aromatherapy products enhances the top layer of the skin in two ways. First, essential oils will naturally smooth the skin surface by disinfecting and cleansing it, helping to remove the top layer of dead skin cells that give a dull and grey look. Secondly, essential oils penetrate the deepest layer of the skin, rejuvenate and stimulate cell production. The combined effect enhance overall look, creating radiance and a glowing complexion.

Because essential oils are extremely efficient at penetrating the deepest layers of the skin where new cells are formed, care should be taken as to what ingredients are combined with them; more damage than benefits will be achieved if cosmetics containing artificial ingredients are applied shortly after using essential oil products, e.g foundations and sunscreen.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and its main function is to protect. It is very important and active like the heart and the liver. It absorbs, breathes and eliminates. This is why we have to be very careful what we put on our skin.

There are 8 skin types:

• Normal
• Oily
• Dry
• Combination
• Problem
• Couperose
• Mature
• Sun-damaged

Generally people fall into more than one category. As a natural progression, skin is normal for children, oily during adolescence and drier as we mature. But, unfortunately for many of us, this is not always the case. Why? Because, apart from age, there are other factors that can affect our skin.

• The main one is lifestyle
• Poor diet and digestion
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking & alcohol consumption
• Stress

Even pure and natural products will not create great effects if the above factors are not dealt with.

Other factors are: Menstrual cycles and pollution

A good lifestyle can have a positive effect on your menstrual cycles. Natural products can help stop the ravages of pollution on your skin.

The bottom layer – the subcutaneaous- is where new cells are formed, and gives your skin its firm and toned appearance.

The middle layer – the dermis- is where the sensory cells , blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands live.

The top layer – the epidermis- is composed of dead cells constantly being replaced by new cells from the bottom layers.

If the skin is coarse and tired looking – usually this is the result of layers of dead cells clinging to the surface, they need to be cleared to allow new cells to emerge. Also a lack of proper care and attention causes the skin to lose its lustre and radiance and make it look old and dry.

If you have a good lifestyle and find that your skin is dull, grey, tired looking, this is not a problem you can easily change this:

A basic daily routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising and a complete facial routine of steaming, exfoliating and a mask once a week; give your skin this simple treat and it will reward you with a radiant glow. However, it is important to use pure and natural products. Added essential oils will give you a faster result. We will cover this later.

Earlier I mentioned that we have to be careful what we put on our skin. Because of it great ability to absorb, your skin will absorb anything you put on it. Things are absorbed to the deeper layers into your bloodstream, positively or negatively affecting your general health.

The majority of off the shelf products contain one form of chemically based ingredients that can be potentially harmful to our health and well being.

SLS sodium laureth sulphate – a harsh industrial chemical degreasing agent is used in most commercial shampoos to create suds and foam giving you the impression that you have thoroughly cleansed your hair. Research has shown that this ingredient enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and the brain, all from skin contact.

Parabens – a preservative used in commercial creams & lotions can potentially cause breast cancer and will enter your bloodstream through skin contact.

Commercial toners – contains alcohol which is drying to the skin.

Mineral Oil – an ingredient found in creams, lotions and cleansers is made from petroleum and is incompatible with the fats in the skin. It remains like a film over the skin forming a barrier that obstruct the skin’s ability to breath, take in nutrients and eliminate toxins. Hence creating a problem skin.
The benefits of essential oils

On the other side of the coin, essential oils being pure, natural and having great therapeutic properties will go directly to the lower layers of your skin, into your blood stream with almost immediate positive effects on your overall health. They also rejuvenate the cells a the level of formation, not so much rejuvenating, more creating a balancing effect, restoring them back to how they should be.

My personal opinion is, all these rejuvenation creams etc. are all very superficial.

With natural products and aromatherapy oils, you are simply claiming back your original look which is more lasting than a patching effect. If you are unhappy with some parts of you, it affects your confidence & self-esteem patching yourself up will not improve your feelings. This can have an adverse effect in other parts of your life. When you look good, you feel good, this can definitely has a positive effect in all areas of your life.

The idea is to make you look irresistible so that you can achieve anything you want in life.

A simple 10 minutes daily routine can help you reach that goal easily and effortlessly.

Since my website is now well established, I thought what better way to share my thoughts and tips regularly than to start a Blog?

I expect we will be able to cover a wide range of topics around well-being and healing. And, of course, I would welcome feedback, discussion and requests for specific advice.

So do feel free to contact me and let me know what you think.

Zuleikha.

A luxurious blend of oils to make you feel like royalty. Rose essential oil highly esteemed since the dawn of history is harmonising on both physical and emotional level. Combined with the refreshing properties of lemon and the radiance and warmth of orange, this blend will help you to relax and unwind.

Will hydrate and rejuvenate your skin leaving it smooth and glowing.

Directions: Appy on wet skin after shower or bath and pat dry.

Contains:

• Sunflower oil,
• Almond oil,
• Peach Kernel oil,
• Citrus limonum – lemon,
• Citrus aurantium – orange
• Rosa damanscina

£18.99

£10.95

£10.95