It’s my favourite time of year. The earth is waking up after it’s long winter sleep and the world around me is alive with bright green leaves and vivid colours. The beauty of the natural world is something I never get tired of seeing! Flowers are a particular favourite of mine, they are bursts of love and joy made visible. This month we’ve been treated to amazing displays of cherry blossom, magnolia and bluebells. Colour, beauty, medicine and fragrance are just some of the joys of flowers – they also offer us a treasure trove of kind and caring ingredients for happy skin.
Flower oils are unrivalled in their ability to soothe both our skin and our senses. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favourites!
Orange blossom Sweetly scented, orange blossom oil is a natural perfume. This wonderful flower instantly transports you to the warm sunny orchards on the Mediterranean. Orange blossom brings us sweetness and calm – it is one of the finest oils for anxiety and depression. It’s light, sunshine character brings sweetness and it is ideal for feelings of irritation, anger or upset. This fragrant flower will also bring calm and life to tired, undernourished skin. It is wonderful for mature skin and problem skin types, helping to heal and restore skin health. Try it in the bath or add some to your next relaxing massage oil.
Lavender Totally underrated, lavender has a wonderful ability to calm, relax and uplift. It may be used for headaches, nervous tension, anxiety and general irritability. Lavender gently soothes and restores balance. It helps to release muscle tension as well as emotional frustration and promotes self expression. It teams very well with most other essential oils in an aromatherapy diffuser and it will help to cleanse the air and promote a relaxing space. Lavender is fantastic for all kinds of skincare, being a cooling tonic, improving the circulation and promoting skin health. Before bedtime, apply a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to a cloth and tuck into your pillow to promote a sweet sleep. Or rub one or two drops of lavender essential oil between the palms and inhale.
Rose Geranium Technically more of a shrub (full of aromatic leaves and flowers), rose geranium wins a place on my list with it’s beautifully sweet rosy aroma. It’s main actions are to promote healthy skin by encouraging a healthy circulation. It is the perfect oil for skincare preparations, aromatic baths (dilute it in milk first), massage and facials for problem or oily skin. Just like lavender, it is a great choice for relieving stress and anxiety related conditions. Calm, cooling and tonic, it is useful for bringing balance to moods and feelings of overwhelm. Flower oils excel at sharing with us their bright, beautiful, uplifting energies – at any time of the year.
Ylang Ylang This beautiful oil is not just an amazing natural perfume, it is also incredibly useful in aromatherapy for calming the nerves and heart. Wherever there is agitation, upset or restlessness, ylang ylang essential oil will bring harmony. A sunshine holiday in a bottle, ylang ylang essential oil is a great choice if you’re feeling burdened or overworked. Ylang ylang essential oil will help to calm and ground you. Try burning a few drops in your essential oil burner with one or two drops of rose geranium or lavender, or add some to a hot bath.
Rose Otto Rose otto is well known as a beauty oil. It targets fine lines and wrinkles, helping to tone and soften the skin and ease inflammation. It really is a beauty treatment in a bottle! There is just something so wonderfully nurturing about rose; inside and out. It’s uplifting nature makes it a useful oil for depression, stress and anxiety. In my mind, it’s the perfect oil to use if you’re feeling a bit blue, or work/family issues just seem to be getting on top of you. Try dabbing a few drops onto your pulse points or solar plexus, or adding them to an oil burner.
How to use your flower oils:
- Dilute a few drops in your essential oil burner to perfume the air and lift your mood.
- Dilute up to 10 drops of your chosen oils in half a cup of milk and add to your bathwater for a luxurious soak.
- Dilute 1-2 drops of your chosen flower oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (almond or apricot) and massage all over the body. (Flower oils blend so well with fruit oils, try adding orange or mandarin)
- Dilute 1 drop in a bowl of just boiled water for a steam facial. Please remember to keep your eyes closed! The steam will be very potent.
Happy mixing!
Lindsey x
Lindsey Anne Hedges MIFPA
Please note that some essential oils are not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you are in any doubt, please contact us as we’re always happy to offer advice. NB. None of the information provided is intended to diagnose, treat or prescribe for any medical conditions. If you require health advice, please seek the help of a medical professional.