Types of gifts you can give: You can give so many different types of essential oils gifts and you will never get tired of coming up with great gift ideas. Aromatherapy gifts are very popular and they are relatively easy to find and inexpensive. They are gifts that are truly appreciated. In addition, you can dress up the gift and present a nice looking package that will impress.

Bath salts and other scented bath products: Everyone can appreciate bath salts. Who wouldnt want to sink down in a hot tub of scented water after a long stressful day? Scented bath salts can even work in jetted tubs, where many bubble baths and oils cannot. Look for lavender and vanilla for a relaxing scent or look for masculine scents for the guys. Make a whole bath gift basket and add a few handmade soaps, shower gel and even scrubs. Put the final touches on the basket by adding a nice loofah sponge or a body scrubber and you have a complete gift for anyone on your list.

Essential oil and a diffuser: Even if the person on your list has never tried using aromatherapy, then you can get them started. It doesnt take much to get people interested in this practice. Go shopping for a good bottle of essential oil and a decorative diffuser. Perhaps they need a little help getting started. Head off to your bookstore and pick up an easy to follow aromatherapy book to complete the gift.

Candle and essential oil: Great scented candles make with good oils are always an appreciated gift. Dont buy the first candles you see. If you want to give a highly scented and effective candle, then make your own or purchase good ones. You can also give them a bottle of your favorite essential oil and a candle and tell them how to get the maximum effect by adding the oil to the melted wax. Add a nice candle lighter and a candle extinguisher.

A gift card: Not sure if they will like any of this stuff? You simply cant go wrong with letting the recipient buy their own aromatherapy products. Find a store that has a good selection or an online store and purchase a gift card. Of course, you can also give a gift card to a spa or aromatherapy treatment center. This will always go over well with your friend, family and co-workers. They can get a luxurious massage using popular essential oils. This is truly appreciated and will show your friends how much you care.

There are many great aromatherapy gifts that you can give. Look around for the best selection and have fun shopping and giving.

Knowing how to do a foot massage can come in handy in a number of ways. It can be an all natural stress reliever that you can give as a gift to yourself or to a loved one. A relaxing foot massage can also help you sleep better, feel rejuvenated and be ready for another hectic day.

The fluid has 12 different muscles that are designed to support the weight of the body and provide a movable platform on almost any surface. Your foot is designed to carry the full weight of your body whether you are walking on in the solid ground, or rocks or a tightrope. Having a foot massage can help you to relax, improve blood flow to the feeds and relieve any tight or cramping muscles after a full day on your feet.

There are a few techniques that will make the process go smoothly and result in a relaxed, energetic individual. Begin by removing all clothing from the feet and soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes. You might want to add drops of your favorite oil or bath salts to the water. This helps to aid in your relaxation!

You can massage your own foot by crossing your legs or a partners foot while they are relaxed on a bed, with their feet up on a chair or with a foot cradled in your lap. In any case, a good massage will take about 10 – 15 minutes per foot so you should be comfortable before you start.

Before starting any massage make sure your feet are completely dry. Apply a moderate amount of cream or your favorite oils to help glide over the skin more easily and avoid any discomfort. Mineral oil won’t be absorbed in the skin and will wipe off cleanly.

Begin at the top of the foot between the cords at the instep. Move in the direction of toe to ankle to move fluids toward the heart and not away. Continue from the top of the foot to the sole of the foot using gentle pressure and then increasing it to a point where it is challenging.

Using your thumb make circular motions with your thum and fingers over the sole of the foot, using the most pressure over the heel or ball of the foot. Start at the toes and work your way back to the heels – again, toward the heart. Don’t forget the sides of the foot!

Once you are done massaging the sole of the foot move to the ankle. Rotate the foot, first at the ankle and then near the ball of the foot. Repeat the motions in each direction about 5 times.

Now go back to the sole of the foot and, beginning with the big toe, roll them between your fingers and slide the fingers down the toe toward the foot. Do each toe individually. End by massaging gently over the sole and instep.

Wipe of any excess cream or lotion with a soft towel. At this point you can also use a foot lotion especially one that is infused with peppermint or lavender that will invigorate the muscles in the foot that you just massaged.

A good foot massage will make you feel invigorated and relaxed at the same time. Foot reflexology is a medical practice that believes that there are nerves in the base of the foot which control organs and bodily systems. A good foot massage may also have some other health benefits besides just the relaxation and muscle tension relief.

In a Newsweek article entitled “The Good Heart”, Anne Underwood writes that “mounting evidence suggests that your psychological outlook is just as important” to maintaining cardiovascular health as is diet and exercise (October 17, 2005, p 35). Deepak Chopra has long taught about the mind/body connection and that “if the forces inside us are kept in harmony and balance with the surrounding environment, we can be immune to illness”. He writes that “In Ayurveda we rely on the basic principle that any disorder can be prevented as long as balance is maintained not just in the body, but in the mind and spirit as well” (Perfect Health: The Complete Mind Body Guide, p 17).

Thus, it appears that science is catching up to ancient wisdom as researchers attempt to quantify the effects the mind has on the body as it relates to heart patients. In fact, writes Underwood, “doctors are finding that psychosocial factors pose far greater risks than they previously realized. Depression at least doubles an otherwise healthy person’s heart attack risk” (37).

So, why not make time for yourself on a regular basis to indulge in a personal care routine that can help maintain a healthy mindset, reduce stress and keep your skin and hair healthy and glowing? Such a routine, that consistently contributes to an overall better balance between your mind, body and life overall?

You might ask, “Do I have to pay a lot of money to make a home spa in my house?” The answer is a resounding, “No”. It is not necessary to tear out the old bathroom and spend thousands of dollars to install a new one with a whirlpool bath, fancy fixtures and a sauna or bidet.

Even if your home boasts only one teeny bathroom, you have just the right space to begin. It is possible to transform the smallest bathroom into one with a spa feeling; one that pampers your senses and creates a calm refuge from the outside world.

First you’ll want to create the environment by making your space special. Get rid of clutter; master it, corral it into interesting containers or reorganize closet space to hold yet more. Try to keep this room “white glove” clean. Add pictures of a loved one or of a treasured scene from a favorite trip. Find a spot for a flower arrangement or some Lucky Bamboo. Do you have a favorite piece of pottery or crystal? Let it hold your make-up, wash clothes or a selection of soaps. Get a book about Feng Shui to mine for ideas.

Color is important. Light, soft colors tend to calm. If necessary, grab a brush and repaint your bathroom in a color that reduces stress and blood pressure, but first spend some time researching color therapy and decide which colors work best for you. Can’t paint? Then put candles in the color you desire into your favorite candle holders and place in safe spots around your home spa.

Do you have favorite music that you play because it soothes your soul? Find a way to bring this music into your home spa. Perhaps you have a small radio/CD player? Or a portable CD player with headset that you wear while running? Either will work so long as they are placed in a dry area. Think serene music, soft orchestral music, nature sounds such as ocean waves and rain or spiritual chants. You could even stop by a local yoga studio to check out the music they’re playing.

Don’t forget aromatherapy to enhance your senses and relieve stress. Think lavender for its healing powers, vanilla for its soothing and calming powers or select from scents that soothe your soul. If your light switch is on a rheostat, remember to turn it down until the light reaches a relaxing intensity.

Collect items you already have for your moments of indulgence; a favorite cozy bathrobe, neck pillow, fluffy slippers. Then how about some plush new towels in your chosen spa color, a small whirlpool foot bath, or even massage rollers for your back and feet. Don’t forget some spa accessories; loofah, pumice stone, and more.

Even if you don’t have time for a long, leisurely soak in the tub followed by a facial mask and slathering your body with a body lotion or butter, the atmosphere you have created will turn the simple act of brushing your teeth into a spa experience! Make it a habit to indulge yourself on a consistent basis, regardless if you have just fifteen uninterrupted minutes or two hours.

Other possibilities? How about taking a steaming mug of your favorite herbal tea into your home spa? Or the novel you just can’t wait to get back to? Maybe even your favorite magazine to enjoy while soaking in your favorite scent of Dead Sea bath salts?

Think of your home spa as a way to make consistent deposits into your “good health savings account” so that you will be more likely to become immune to illness, or at the very least, less likely to be a candidate for heart disease. The only limitation to creating an enticing home spa that contributes to your overall good health is your imagination.

When you realized that there was a good chance you were beginning to feel the onset of the migraine, you took a hot bath with lavender bath salts and even enlisted the help of your massage chair to help you relax your clenching muscles.

Unfortunately you were unsuccessful and you are now suffering from severe migraine pains that abate only slightly even with the use of medication.

Dealing with migraine pain is difficult and because of the prolonged duration of migraines, it is a hard battle to fight that takes a lot out of your body.

Nonetheless, there are some tips and tricks you can follow to make it through the worst of the migraine attack.

* Darken your room and eliminate noise sources. If at all possible, call a babysitter to take care of the kids if your spouse is not able to come home on time.

* Fight for relaxation. Even as this sounds like an oxymoron, it is crucial that you work through your relaxation techniques. The trick is to visualizing your body and then consciously working on relaxing each major muscle group. In the throws of a building migraine attack, it is vital to do a second body scan and then focus on relaxing the smaller muscle groups.

* Seek out caffeine. A soda or coffee alone will not do, but an espresso might work well. At this point you want your capillaries to dilate rapidly, and the best way to do this is with a massive infusion of caffeine.

* Go to bed and lie down. Be prepared with a leak proof trashcan by the side of your bed since vomiting in some cases is part of the experience. Keep some peppermint lozenges or other candy near the bed to take the taste out of your mouth if nausea gives way to vomiting repeatedly. Although you may hate the idea of having this kind of substance in your bedroom, remember that repeated trips to the bathroom sink unnecessarily weaken you and will add to the headache. Staying put is the better choice.

You are still left to ride out the pain and deal with the discomfort. On the other hand, there is a good chance that this mix of abortive and coping tips may actually serve to curtail the actual duration of the migraine attack or at least dampen the severity considerably. Stay in close contact with your physician to be informed about the latest drugs that are recommended for the treatment and the prevention of migraine headaches.

Do not forget to also explore holistic preventative opportunities, such as acupuncture and aromatherapy. Sometimes a combination of these approaches can spell success where medications alone failed to offer relief and prevention. Consider also checking online migraine sufferer forums where you may network with other patients who might have found new home remedies that are working for them.

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Practitioners of alternative medicine consider it a staple, especially if they work with massage and also aromatherapy. You may not find it easily in your supermarket, and as far as alleged cures are concerned, wintergreen oil is still somewhat of a second cousin to other herbs and essential oils that have meanwhile found their ways into soaps, bath salts, and other personal hygiene products.

Practitioners of alternative medicine have discovered that wintergreen and pain relief go hand in hand. Since wintergreen does not have any of the side effects you can read about on the bottles of chemically derived pain meds, it is a perfect means of living a homeopathic lifestyle. Patients of alternative healers usually appreciate this approach and open to the suggestions that when combined with other essential oils – most commonly eucalyptus – the pain relief could indeed be quick and long lasting.

In recent years, wintergreen oil pain therapy has made headlines when it was mentioned in the same breath as chronic illnesses associated with pain. This is especially true for the kinds of pains that tend to be less localized and instead travel from one muscle group to the next.

Even the discomfort commonly associated with the early stages of arthritis may be treated with a lotion that incorporates wintergreen oil. In some cases the direct application of wintergreen oil in conjunction with a deep tissue whole body massage is a surefire way to relax pain away while also giving it that little herbal kick it needs to truly be gone for the time being.

Physicians are attempting to find out what exactly makes wintergreen oil such a powerful pain reliever, especially when it is combined with essential eucalyptus oil. It has been surmised that both substances tend to dilate the little blood vessels, allowing more oxygenated blood to flow through the areas where pain is experienced, and in so doing affects the healing.

This, of course, is already well known in the circles of alternative medicine, but it bears repeating that now even the so called medical establishment is taking note. It only stands to reason that physicians are looking for alternatives to the pain killers they have thus far trusted to provide the pain relief their patients needed.

Since liver problems are such a common response in those predisposed to their development, over the counter pain relievers have fallen into disfavor. Wintergreen oil at this point does not have any known side effects on the musculature and the organs of the human body and it is therefore considered a safe, natural way of relieving pain.

It is good to know that at least one of the substances associated with alternative medicine is finally making it into the mainstream and therefore elevating the art and science of natural healing just a bit further.

Did you know that you can make your very own personalized bath salts? It is not hard and the bath salts you make will make a perfect gift for friends and family for any occasion. You will not be disappointed when you make a batch of bath salts and use them for yourself. If you give them for gifts, you can be sure the recipient will be very appreciative.

How to make your own bath salts: Making your own brand of bath salts does not take a lot of tools or special equipment. All you really need are a few of your favorite essential oils, some Epsom salts, a good mixing bowl and some storage for your newly made salts. You can also add baking soda or glycerin if you are interested in extending the life of your salts or adding color.

Epsom salt is the largest and most important ingredient when you make bath salts. Epsom salt is very easy to find and it is relatively inexpensive. This kind of salt is known to feel very relaxing in the bath and can quickly alleviate sore and over worked muscles. You will also need to use baking soda for your salts. This will help soften the salts and will make your skin feel smoother. Liquid glycerin can also be used. Glycerin is easily found at craft stores and at most drugstores.

Bath salt recipe: Now that you know what you need to make your very own bath salts, here is a basic recipe to help get your started. You will need two cups of Epsom salts, one cup of sea salt or coarse salt, a half of baking soda, about thirty drops of your favorite essential oil and food coloring (optional). To start making your salt, you will mix your salt with your baking soda in a large metal bowl. Thoroughly blend the mixture well. It will look like powder. You will then add your food coloring until the desired color is reached. After that, start adding your essential oils a few drops at a time. Stir the mixture well. Make sure there are no clumps.

When you are done, spread the salt out on a pan or wax paper and allow it to dry. You can then put your salts into the storage containers. Glass containers work well. If you choose to use glycerin, you will use of a tablespoon instead of baking soda.

When you are ready to use the salts in your bath add about a half of a cup to your warm water and enjoy. Your bath will soon be filled with relaxing scents and you can sink into the water and enjoy. If you are giving the salts as a gift, make sure you put it in pretty, decorative containers. Add a nice label and you will know that the person will also enjoy a relaxing bath.

* 1 cup Buttermilk Powder
* 1 cup Sea Salt
* Add up to 24 drops of essential oils.

Blend well, keep in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath. This makes enough for 4 baths.

This Daily Aromatherapy Tip is brought to you by AromaThyme

Using Epsom salt and essential oils, learn how to make aromatherapy bath salts in this free video from a professional aroma therapist. Expert: Malu Lujan Bio: Malu Lujan Filmmaker: Bing Hu

I ground the mints in my mortar and pestle, then sifted them through a mesh kitchen strainer, and added them to the salts. Actually, I didn’t really measure the amount, it was just a good handful of each. This seems to work pretty well for my DH, and if you still need to clear out your sinuses, get a half cup of pepper/spearmint, put it in a bowl, and toss in a cup or so hot water. Let it sit covered for a bit and then carefully start breathing the steam. (I found out how potent this was when I was making peppermint ‘tea’ for a m&p!!

Use about 1/4 – 1/3 cup of this mixture per bath. My DH and I went through the ‘batch’ within 2 weeks, but someone suggested to mix the salts and dried herbs beforehand, and when the need for the bath arises, to add the eo’s then to guarantee potency. A decent amount would probably be 4 drops peppermint, 2 drops eucalyptus per bath. Some people may be more sensitive to the peppermint, so be sure they don’t have an adverse reaction before using these salts.

Aromatherapy may sound a little “out there” but think of how our brain works with the sense of smell.  It is logical to believe if a smell can trigger a headache, it may also be effective in preventing them.  T

here are certain aromas that are effective for calming nerves and reducing tension.  Soft scents of vanilla and lavender are soothing to the brain.  They are found in many bath products for soothing and calming tension and stress.

Peppermint oil shows promised with positive results in preventing headaches.  Vicks on the forehead was a tried-and-true method of treating severe headaches for many patients in previous years. 

Acupuncture is experiencing a surge in popularity to control various physical pains, including headaches.  Test results prove it is a legitimate therapy for treating headache pain.  Dental pain, nausea and headaches respond favorably to acupuncture treatment.  More research and medical studies are needed to prove this is the perfect treatment for headache pain. 

Physical exercise is underrated when it comes to preventing headaches.  Headaches are often caused by tension and stress and physical exercise is a wonderful way to relieve those problems.

Before you begin any form of exercise program, contact your doctor to decide the best way to begin.  Exercise helps reduce tension and ease stress.  Start slow if you do not already exercise regularly.

Take a walk around the block, spend a few minutes on the treadmill, or do some stretching routines.  You should not exercise to the point of exhaustion or pain.  Listen to your body, it will tell you when enough is enough.

Studies report some headache patients who have chiropractic manipulation have positive results in preventing headaches.  Case studies are encouraging for preventing headaches.  Complications from chiropractic manipulation may include the possibility of stroke from manipulation of the neck.

Each patient should consult with his or her doctor before trying a chiropractic manipulation, especially if you are a patient with high risk factors for stroke. 

Herbal remedies, including the use of vitamin B12 and magnesium are effective in preventing headaches in some patients.  Results normally do not appear until the patient has taken the supplements for about three months.  These homeopathic cures can be taken by injection or orally.

Caffeine containing foods and drinks should be avoided by patients who experience frequent headaches.  Switching to caffeine-free soda, coffee, and tea may decrease the frequency of headaches.  Again, the importance of keeping a food and headache diary is important in deciding what may trigger your headache!

Preventing headaches may be easier than treating them once they have started.  Exercise at least three days a week, and watch your diet.  Stay away from foods that trigger headaches and reduce stress and tension in your life.

Take a comforting bath with sweet smelling bubble bath or bath salts.  Light a candle with a soothing scent and sit back for a few moments with your eyes closed.  Relax!

A cool one might be just what you need to wake yourself up in the morning, or chill out in the middle of the scorching summer. But have you considered that bathing can be a great way to eliminate waste? Or calm down your anxious mind? Bathing can even teach your body to cope with stress before it occurs.

CLEANING INSIDE AND OUT

Okay, first, let’s look at cleaning. You know that a bath is a pleasant way to clean yourself off, but it’s also a great way to clean yourself out. A warm salt water bath every three or four days can help purge toxins from within. “You are a water balloon,” says Thomas Stearns Lee, ND. Think way back to grade school science. In the process of osmosis, fluids on either side of a membrane pass through to adjust the concentration of a solution, moving from a lower concentration to a higher one. “You are filled with fluids containing salt, electrolytes and minerals. And your skin is a membrane.”

A saltwater bath is a mini experiment in osmosis. The salt water against your semipermeable skin will draw out salt and take toxins in your body with it in the process. You can use fancy bath salts or simply old fashioned Epsom salts for your bath. After soaking, rinse with fresh water.

Sitting waist-deep in water is also good for pregnant women. It takes stress off the muscles and organs that are continually under pressure from the weight of a baby. Pregnant women also experience hypersensitivity, emotional stress and information overload in part due to the hormones their bodies are producing and the hormones’ breakdown products.

“A neutral bath, in which the temperature of the water is the same as the air in the room will act as a distraction and calm the mind.” Caution: Pregnant women should be careful not to take a bath in water higher than 102 °F.

This can also be a great time to add some essential oils. “Aromatic oils impact hormones, and they have a physiological effect as well as a psychological one,” Dr Lee notes. Mary Muryn, author of the book Spa Magic (Perigee Trade), recommends five drops each of lavender and lemon essential oils for mental clarity and balance. She says that a few drops of sandalwood also nicely complement this recipe.

Note: Since aromatic oils impact hormones, it is best — especially for pregnant women — to use them under the guidance of a trained practitioner.

HYDROTHERAPY: THE POWER OF WARMTH AND COOL

There is another aspect to bathing that most Western cultures no longer practice. It is hydrotherapy, and it can be found in bathhouses around the globe.

Our bodies react strongly to temperature. Cold is good for reducing pain and stopping inflammation. Warmth is relaxing, but will increase inflammation. The experience of moving from hot to cold is refreshing.

Hydrotherapy uses extreme temperature changes to increase the body’s ability to adapt to stress and to help the body learn to accommodate change. It builds the immune system, and trains the body to become more efficient at balancing fluids, acquiring nutrients and eliminating waste.

“It’s exercise for your body’s cells and systems,” says Dr. Lee, who works with methods of both alternative and mainstream medicine to treat degenerative diseases and cancer. “Hydrotherapy is like strength training. It should be done gradually. Over time, you will increase the duration and extremity of the temperature changes.”

Bathhouses — and some spas — that offer hydrotherapy have multiple tubs with different temperatures of water. At home, you may want to use the shower. When you are just starting off, begin with a lukewarm shower, and then switch to cool. This will enhance peripheral circulation and stimulate the nerves.

Eventually, you can extend the water temperatures so that you are going from a hot shower to a cold one. Briskly dry yourself with a towel to warm up. “Ending a bath or shower with cool water closes your pores, reseals your skin and restores normal circulatory balance,” says Dr. Lee.

Dr. Lee’s other bath recommendations…

* Carefully monitor your shower and bath temperatures to avoid scalding. Baths should be no hotter than 104 °F.
* Use a natural coconut- or olive oil-based soap in lieu of processed and synthetic soaps and shampoos.
* Finish each bath by moisturizing with a coconut oil product. Bathing dehydrates most adults.
* Get a chlorine filter for your bath and shower. Chlorine and fluorine add to the effects of aging, and are bad for the immune system. You can get a filter at most hardware stores.

Sources:

Surprising Benefits of Bathing

* Thomas Stearns Lee, ND, a naturopathic physician based in Kingman, Arizona.
* Mary Muryn, author of Spa Magic (Perigee Trade), and is based in Weston, Connecticut.