The wisdom of Autumn
Walking in the woods at the weekend with a blue sky overhead, I see the beech leaves have turned a yellowy-orange, sense the air feels cooler and I can almost hear the earth breathing a sigh of relief due to the recent much-needed rain – Autumn has truly arrived! It’s the time of year to give our body and mind a seasonal rest. Instead of viewing autumn as the end of summer’s vitality, why not welcome autumn for the special gifts it offers: deep introspection, warm-aromatic baths, cosy comfort and the wisdom that comes from embracing the natural cycles.
Now is also the time to reach for your favourite essential oils to mark this change in the seasons to maintain your wellbeing all year round. I recommend choosing one or two oils that particularly appeal to you and resonate with your shift in mood – but it can also be fun to experiment with some less familiar scents to make your own personalised blends and perfumes.
One of the joys of cooler weather is the age-old ritual of taking a hot, aromatic bath. Woody and earthy scents like vetiver, cedarwood and cypress are grounding and encourage deep relaxation – vetiver is known as the ‘oil of tranquillity’ in India. Layering natural fragrances and experimenting with personalised scents is one of the best ways to have fun with aromatherapy!
Aromatherapy tips for Autumn
It’s easy to incorporate some simple blends into your daily routine in a variety of different ways. Below are some suggestions based on essential oils which are readily available, but feel free to experiment with your own combinations. Our exclusive ‘Blending Notebook’ – only available through Aqua Oleum – provides a complete beginner’s guide to the fascinating ‘art of blending’.
· For evening baths, choose aromatic oils to encourage a sense of warm, cosy comfort.
· When taking a morning shower, add a few drops of a bright, scented blend to revive your body and uplift your spirits.
· Diffuse fragrances throughout the day, at home or at work, by simply putting a blend of essential oils into a room diffuser to enjoy their aromatherapeutic effect.
· Incorporate a moisturising body & facial oil into your daily routine to feed your skin.
· Focus on your hair care too – an aromatic oil treatment is the perfect way to condition and moisturise it.
· Select a personal pulse-point perfume for special moments in your day – reviving or sultry according to your mood.
Simple & seasonal aromatherapy blends for Autumn
BATH BLENDS: Add a total number of 10 drops of essential oils to the bath once it is full, add a handful of Dead Sea Salt or Epsom Salts (optional) then agitate the water well. Relax for at least 10 minutes in the warm water then drink a cup of herbal tea to help rehydrate the body.
Soothing Blend:
· 5 drops Lavender essential oil
· 3 drops Vetiver essential oil
· 2 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil
Muscular Relief:
· 3 drops of Rosemary essential oil
· 5 drops of Lavender essential oil
· 2 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil
Stress Fix:
· 4 drops Lavender essential oil
· 3 drops Frankincense essential oil
· 3 drops Bergamot essential oil
MORNING SHOWER: Start your day with an aromatic lift even when the skies are grey outside. Citrus scents create an immediate feel-good feeling. Just put a few drops of your chosen selection of essential oils onto the base of the shower tray before stepping in.
· 4 drops Lemon essential oil
· 3 drops Orange essential oil
· 3 drops Bergamot essential oil
ROOM DIFFUSION: Vaporising essential oils is an excellent way to not only scent a space naturally, but also to prevent the spread of any unwelcome airborne germs. In addition, it is a brilliant way to beat any unwelcome blues. Below are some blend suggestions but you can also try tuning into your intuition and trusting where it guides you…
Uplifting Blend:
· 3 drops Orange essential oil
· 4 drops Peppermint essential oil
· 3 drops Bergamot essential oil
Sleep Blend:
· 8 drops Lavender essential oil
· 4 drops Rose Maroc 5% essential oil
Immune Booster Blend:
· 2 drops Tea tree essential oil
· 5 drops Bergamot essential oil
· 3 drops Eucalyptus essential
BODY OIL: When temperatures drop, your skin can dry out, so it’s important to keep it hydrated by paying special attention to your daily care routine. Make up a moisturising & nourishing body oil which can be applied to all areas of the body – best applied to warm, damp skin. Don’t be afraid to adjust the recipe if you wish, by simply keeping to the same proportions. Add all the oils to a clean glass tinted 100ml bottle and shake well – use within 6 months.
Aroma-Spa Blend:
● 50ml Sweet Almond oil
● 50ml light Coconut oil
● 25 drops Rose 5% essential oil
● 10 drops Frankincense essential oil
● 10 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
FACIAL OIL: Add all the ingredients to clean 30ml glass tinted bottle then stir gently to combine well. Apply to face and neck using upward massage strokes morning and night. Leave on overnight if possible. Frankincense and rose oil form a dynamic skin duo with cell-renewing and regenerative properties while lavender is healing and rejuvenating.
Radiance Blend:
· 20ml Jojoba oil
· 10ml Rosehip Seed oil
· 2 drops Frankincense essential oil
· 6 drops Rose Maroc 5% essential oil
· 2 drops Lavender essential oil
HAIR CARE: Apply the blended oils to all your hair, taking care to rub it well into the tips and any dry ends. Wrap your head in a towel or shower cap, then leave on for at least 20 minutes. Shampoo thoroughly before rinsing off with water to remove the oil effectively and to leave your hair looking shiny and smelling beautifully fragrant.
Restorative Conditioning Hair Treatment: (or After-Sun)
• 1.5 tablespoons Jojoba oil
• 1.5 tablespoons Castor oil
• 1 drop Peppermint essential oil
• 1 drop Lavender essential oil
• 1 drop Rosemary essential oil
PULSE POINT PERFUMES: All our 3% or 5% blends, such as neroli, jasmine, sandalwood and our new organic 3% rose otto make perfect ready-made, botanical perfumes. To make up your own individual 100% natural perfume, add 10 ml of jojoba or light coconut oil to a clean, tinted glass bottle, then add 10 drops of essential oils, one by one – starting with the base notes, then the middle notes and finally the top notes. Carefully check the developing perfume at each step and adjust your recipe accordingly. Stir/shake well and allow to develop for 3 days before use.
Example Personalised Perfume Guide:
· Base notes – Frankincense, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Black pepper, Vetiver, Cedarwood
· Middle notes – Peppermint, Rose, Lavender, Orange, Ylang ylang, Cypress, Geranium.
· Top notes – Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Orange, Lime