First Aid In A Bottle

Three ‘essential oils’ are a must in every business traveller’s kit, claims Colin Hall, director Ananda Spa as he expounds on the simple, no frills ways to harness their therapeutic qualities effectively at home or on the move

There are hundreds of different ‘essential oils’ to choose from and from every corner of the world, all offering different therapeutic properties. However, for me the combined qualities of the powerful Lavender, Tea Tree and Lemon oils used together or singularly are the most effective. They are subtle, relaxing, invigorating, cleansing and immuno-stimulating. I never travel without any of these neatly tucked away in my wash bag.

Immediately upon arrival at my destination I fish these oils from the bag and either apply them, burn them or simply spray them around the room to protect myself from any infection or bacteria lurking in the room or office. Besides, I can also make my surroundings feel like home. Bring the art of aromatherapy and the use of ‘essential oils’ into your life and you can only benefit from their therapeutic properties.

Billed fondly as ‘first aid in bottles’, Lavender, Tea Tree and Lemon are oils with answers to most of our personal well-being needs anytime, anywhere. A medicine chest at home or a traveller’s kit should never be without a bottle of one or preferably all three bottles of these ‘essential oils.’

The traveller can use these oils to great effect in a bath, by simply breathing it from the bottle, rubbing it directly on the skin (only in the case of Lavender) where healing is needed, or in a room diffuser or burner.

I personally put a few drops of a selected oil on a tissue and place it on top of my computer, where the heat from the monitor disperses the molecules leaving the room smelling wonderful. The Lavender leaves me relaxed, the Lemon gets me stimulated and Tea Tree clears the respiratory system enabling me to perform my duties with enhanced vigour. These oils can be used in aromatic baths, alternate hot and cold sitz baths, sauna and steams, hot and cold compresses, gargles and mouth washes, inhalations, vaporisers, aromatic ointments, and finally their most widespread utility – for massages.

The following are some of the specific ways you can use them:

Take the cap off the bottle of your choice and for the purpose of your choice (Lavender for relaxation, Tea Tree for respiratory infections and Lemon for uplifting and clearing of the mind) and breathe deeply. Make sure the bottle is kept at least three feet away from your nose and use the hand to waft the vapours towards your nose. Its effects are nearly immediate.

Apply a few drops of Lavender directly on to a fresh burn or wound to aid in repair and pain relief.

For relaxation and a good night’s sleep take an aroma burner (it has a small container that is filled with water and heated usually by a candle) and add six drops of Lavender to the water and heat. The aromatic vapours are diffused as the water is heated. A similar process can be used with Tea Tree as an immune booster and Lemon oils for clearing and deodourising the room.

Create a natural air freshener to enhance moods, relax the mind, body and soul by adding 25-35 drops of Lavender or Lemon oil to two ounces of pure water in a mist spray bottle. Shake well before spraying into the air.

To assist breathing add three-four drops of Lavender, Lemon or Tea Tree oil to a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head, and breathe deeply for about five minutes.

In case of sleep related problems, adding three-four drops of Lavender oil in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the vapours with a towel over your head for about five minutes should do the trick.

Just to relax mix six-eight drops of Lavender drops to one teaspoon of full fat milk and stir the mixture into a warm freshly run bath. The same mixture and procedure can be used for an immuno-stimulating (or if you have a skin infection, cuts or pimples) full bath.

For an invigorating full bath, mix six-eight drops of Lavender, Tea Tree and Lemon oil to one teaspoon of full fat milk. Stir the mixture into a warm freshly run bath.

In case of a compress add five drops of Lavender oil to a bowl of hot or cold water. Submerse a cloth in the water, wring it out and place it on the required area. Hot compresses are useful for muscular pain and cramp relief (use Tea Tree), and cold compresses are useful for swelling or headache (use Lavender).

Four to eight drops of Lavender oil to a wash cloth works wonders to help you relax as you rub your body with a cloth after a shower. Adding four-eight drops of Lemon and Tea Tree oil to a wash cloth and rubbing it over your body after showering is highly invigorating.