“walking in the woods today, leaves tumbling down
make delicate patterns strewn across the ground,
trampled underfoot, burnt reds and golden brown”
– London, November 2024
Rest well & stress less
As Autumn turns to Winter in the coming weeks, it is good to make the most of the seasonal changes: this a wonderful time of year to take long walks in the woods, laze beside the fire and enjoy long hot baths, using soothing aromatics such as lavender, chamomile or vetivert essential oils The colder months are also a good time for rest and regeneration and an opportunity to nourish ourselves in simple, natural ways. After all, this is the period when many animals go into hibernation. Research has shown that our body and mind are able to rest more fully when we’re alone, and that one of the most effective ways to unwind is by connecting with nature. But getting in touch with the elements and natural world can take many forms and doesn’t always mean going outdoors, since we can also invite nature into our homes.
The art of ‘hygge’
As Christmas approaches, creating a restful, warm and inviting atmosphere in our home is part of a long-standing festive tradition. Gathering greenery and making wreaths, decorating the Christmas tree with lights and hanging mistletoe, ivy and holly decorations about the house, are all ways of bringing the outside, indoors. Now is also the time to embrace the art of the Norwegian ‘hygge’ lifestyle, which is about taking time off from our usual sense of busyness, and instead to enjoy being together with people we care about – or to appreciate spending time alone. It’s very rewarding to create a cosy and convivial vibe for family and friends, but at such a potentially frantic time of year, self-care is perhaps more important than ever – to simply relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures.
Scent your space with natural aromatics
One way to transform your home as Christmas approaches, is to use natural aromatics to scent your space, which can not only create a welcoming atmosphere, but also help to relieve some of the stress that often comes with the holiday season. Essential oils are perfect for creating a relaxing mood and enriching your home with the classic scents of Christmas, for example our specially formulated room fragrance, ‘Festive‘. Natural aromatics are also ideal for crafting hand-made gifts, which is a pleasurable and fun thing to do, and can make cost-effective and thoughtful gifts. Take a look at my latest recipe book, ‘Mud Salt & Medicine‘ for some ideas to create at home.
My ten favourite festive essential oils
There are whole range of oils which offer a natural way to enjoy the very essence of Christmas. Whenever I smell the fresh, resinous, coniferous scent of pine essential oil, for example, I’m instantly reminded of the refreshing, evergreen scent of the Christmas tree. Below are ten essential oils that I always associate with other aspects of the Christmas season, including mulled wine, pomanders, spicy Christmas pudding and festive mince pies.
Pine: this fresh-clean aroma is perfect for enhancing the scent of the Christmas tree
Cedarwood: resinous & woody, this forest aroma will bring the wilderness inside
Frankincense: a classic Christmas oil with a spicy-balsamic scent which calms the mind
Myrrh: One of the original Christmas gifts, this balsamic scent is restorative & soothing
Cinnamon: a powerful, spicy oil reminiscent of winter feasts & cosy nights by the fire
Nutmeg: a sweet, warm-spicy scent, which is mildly narcotic & helps uplift the spirits
Orange: this citrus aroma brightens up spice blends & adds a fruity, festive warmth
Clove: lovely combined with orange for a classic ‘pomander’ blend of fragrances
Lavender: a relaxing, healing & soothing floral scent – the classic anti-stress remedy
Ginger: a spicy-woody scent, which is rich & warming – a traditional aphrodisiac!
Some natural aromatic ideas for the festive season
Room Fragrances: Using an aromatic diffuser is the perfect way to scent your home naturally! At Aqua Oleum we offer a range of beautifully designed, effective electronic models, which can be used with any of the pure essential oils listed above. I have also formulated a range of ready-to-use ‘diffusion blends’ that are easy to enjoy in all kinds of rooms and spaces including Festive, Sacred Space, Mountain Air, Brighten & Defence.
Bath Soak: After a long day, add a few drops of lavender or frankincense to your bath for a relaxing soak that will help melt away any tension. This is one the most pleasurable, comforting and relaxing ways to spend a quiet evening, which also encourages restful sleep. The therapeutic effects of a hot bath can be further enhanced by adding some Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts to the water. Don’t forget to drink a cup of warm herbal tea after your bath and if possible, apply a scented Body Oil, while your skin is still damp.
Aromatic Gifts: At Aqua Oleum we have curated a selection of twelve Aromatherapy Gift Boxes, which make the perfect present for all kinds of people, since we offer a wide range of options. Making DIY presents is also a creative and economical option, as it is easy to make gifts such as Scented Candles, Bath Salts or Pillow Sprays. I’ll be writing more about how to make these is my December Journal and also provide lots of other recipes and craft ideas.
Book Inspiration: With over 100 hands-on recipes, my book Mud Salt + Medicine is a perfect guide to making personalised Christmas gifts, or it also makes a lovely Christmas gift in itself! Other books at Aqua Oleum include my best-selling classic ‘Encyclopedia of Essential Oils’, ‘The Blending Notebook’, ‘The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Sourcebook’ and ‘The Essential Aromatherapy Garden’ – all available from Aqua Oleum and signed by the author. My ‘Introduction to Home Aromatherapy’ video series also makes a great gift for anyone wanting to learn more about essentials oils and what how they can be used in the home.