10 Cheat Sheet Facts about Aromatherapy that you may not know!

1. Aromatherapy has its origins in ancient civilisations. While aromatherapy gained popularity in the 20th century, its origins can be traced back to ancient civilisations like Egypt, China, and India, where aromatic plants were used for medicinal and spiritual purposes.

2. There are multiple extraction methods. Essential oils can be extracted through various methods, such as steam distillation, cold pressing, and solvent extraction, each with its unique benefits and drawbacks.

3. Synergy in blends. Combining essential oils can create a synergistic effect, enhancing their therapeutic properties. This is why aromatherapists create custom blends for individual clients based on their specific needs.

4. Dilution is crucial. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause skin irritation if applied undiluted. It's important to dilute them with carrier oils, such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil, before applying to the skin.

5. Olfactory adaptation. Our sense of smell can adapt to scents over time, making it difficult to detect the aroma of an essential oil after extended exposure. This is called olfactory adaptation or olfactory fatigue.

6. Not all oils are created equal. The quality of essential oils can vary significantly depending on factors such as the plant's growing conditions, extraction methods, and storage. To ensure therapeutic benefits, it's essential to use high-quality, pure essential oils.

7. Olfactory memory. Our sense of smell is strongly linked to memory and emotions. Aromatherapy can tap into this connection by using specific scents to trigger positive memories or create a calming atmosphere.

8. Animal aromatherapy. While research is limited, some studies have suggested that aromatherapy may also be beneficial for animals, such as reducing anxiety in dogs or improving the well-being of horses!

9. Aromatherapy and color therapy. Combining aromatherapy with color therapy, may enhance the effects of certain essential oils. At Clia...with Love, we combine aromatherapy with colour. For example, pairing a calming lavender essential oil with the color purple can increase its effect.

10. Psychological effects of scent. Research has shown that certain scents can influence our mood and behavior. For instance, citrus scents like lemon and orange are known to be uplifting and energising, while lavender and chamomile promote relaxation and sleep.

Rudy the Robin - A Christmas Fable!

A story about sharing your gifts with the world.

Rudy the Robin loved waking up the Smith family each morning with his beautiful voice. But one morning shortly before Christmas, the family left! Whatever was he going to do for Christmas?

Like clockwork, Rudy would perch on the branch of the Smiths’ large oak tree nearest to the upstairs windows. Once there, he would sing beautiful choruses.

And, like clockwork, each member of the family would come to their window and say, "Good morning, Rudy! Thanks, as usual, for the lovely wakeup call."

Whether rain or shine, he would make the sacrifice to go and sing for them because he realized it made them happy. It also made him feel good to be able to share love with his voice.

One morning, Rudy saw that the Smiths were awake even before he showed up, and were busy loading up the car.

"Oh, morning, Rudy," said Peter Smith as he looked up and saw him. "We're heading off to Austria for the Christmas holidays. See you when we get back!"

Rudy flew away disappointed. He wondered how he would manage for the entire Christmas season without sharing his musical love with the Smiths.

Then he thought, "Wait a minute. I share my voice because it makes others happy." He then declared, "There must be another family around here that would enjoy hearing me sing to them each morning."

With that, he set off down the block and found another home with a tall oak tree. He perched and immediately started singing. Shortly after, a little girl opened a window and shrieked, "Look, Mum! A Christmas Robin, just like I wanted!"

When Rudy saw that, he felt fulfilled. He realised that once he had his gift of singing and love to share, his duty was to share that with anyone he came across. And even though he had a special place in his heart for the Smiths, he was happy singing for anyone who needed that gift.

Moral: Sharing love and our natural gifts unconditionally is the best gift we can bestow on others. Whether it's time, our skills, our humour, our talents, anything we do out of love for others without expectation is the greatest Christmas gift. Whether we are rich or poor we all have these type of gifts to share.

During this Christmas Season , making a special effort to share the gift of ourselves with others goes a long way and is the best gift we can bestow on the world.

The Surprising Health Benefits of Bathing Like Cleopatra!

Soaking in a warm tub doesn’t just feel decadent. Bath time can provide a wide variety of mental and physical health benefits especially with the use of essential oils and bath salts.

Sure, doctors in ancient Rome may have overestimated the therapeutic powers of the water cure. Regardless of what Hippocrates said, you probably don’t want to rely on a bath to cure pneumonia, but you can still find relief for less serious ailments. Just ensure you rinse off completely, dry your skin gently, and get out of the tub after about 10 to 15 minutes to avoid dry skin. (You don’t want to be prunish!)

Prepare to unwind with warm water and or favourite essential oils and salts. Discover more about the medicinal value of bathing.

Mental Health Benefits of Bathing

1. Helps fight depression. Immersing yourself in warm water raises serotonin and endorphin levels. Those are two of the main brain chemicals associated with happiness and wellbeing.

2. It relieves stress. Soaking away tension may be the first thing that comes to mind. Dim the lights, turn off your phone, and slather yourself with a fragrant moisturizer afterwards.

3. Promotes learning and retention. Prop your head on a bath pillow and read a book or listen to a lecture on audiotape. Acquiring knowledge and insights can sharpen your thinking and may even protect you from certain forms of dementia.

4. Helps you sleep better. Warming up in the bathtub before bed raises your core temperature. When you start to cool off, your body will produce melatonin that makes you feel sleepy. That good night’s rest is good for your mind and body.

5. Helps you feel connected. Psychologists at Yale found some evidence that loneliness makes us bathe more because our brains associate physical warmth with the affection we may be missing. Try taking a bath while you’re working on your relationships.

6. Helps you create your own experience. Add essential oils into the mix for whatever results you want. For example, chamomile tends to be calming while rosemary stimulates memory.

Physical Health Benefits of Bathing

1. It boosts circulation. Hydrotherapy increases blood flow and may strengthen your immune system. To try it at home, splash yourself with cold water while sitting in a warm tub.

2. It pampers your feet. If you’re short on time or conserving water, you can still get your feet wet. Fill a basin with warm water and add a few drops of peppermint oil.

3. It helps soothe your skin. Experiment with essential oils and natural ingredients known to stop itching, treat sunburn, or moisturize your skin. If you sat too long in the sun, dip into cool water with two cups of vinegar. Try lavender or milk for dry skin.

4. It reduces congestion. Steam is a natural antidote for congestion when you have allergies or a cold. If breathing in a steamy bathroom isn’t enough, wrap a towel around your head and lower it over a bowl of hot water to help break up and loosen mucus. Eucalyptus oil can help the process too.

5. Helps lower a fever. If you’re running a fever, you may be able to cool off with a sponge bath. Use warm water because cold water or alcohol can make your temperature drop too quickly.

6. It banishes body aches. Did you overdo it at the gym? Add a cup or two of Epsom salts to your bathwater to shrink inflamed tissues and relieve soreness.

7. Helps you give birth. What if you’re expecting? Birthing pools might have some benefits during the first stage of labor. Advocates claim warm water can reduce pain and accelerate labor.

Enhance your overall wellbeing while you clean up. Hop into the tub to enjoy some refreshment and healing.