AROMATHERAPY FOR TRAVELLERS

All it takes to have a relaxed holiday or healthy business trip, without the usual minor physical and mental ailments associated with travel, is an aromatherapy kit consisting of just eight essential oils.

The eight essential oils are chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, and tea tree. In addition to the above you would need 200ml (7fl oz) of base oil (sufficient for a two-to three week trip), 10ml (2 teaspoons) of almond oil or vitamin E oil to be used sparingly on the brow and under the eye to nourish this delicate area, three empty plastic bottles with ray attachments, one vapour ring, one pack of chamomile teabags, rosewater (only if you have extremely dry or sensitive skin), a gauze and a flannel or washcloth. All this can easily fit into a small box without taking up much of luggage space.

Some of the more common ailments that you will be able to use your kit for include:

JET LAG

If you anticipate a jet-lag after your journey, you could go in for a pre-flight aromatic bath using 1 drop of geranium oil, 2 drops lavender oil, 1 drop lemongrass oil and 2.5 ml base oil. Geranium is an excellent nerve tonic, and helps redress any imbalances in the central nervous system.

After reaching your destination and before retiring to bed for the next three put 1 drop camomile oil, 1 drop geranium oil, 1 drop lavender oil and 2.5 ml base oil in your bath for the next three days. This will you adjust to your new environment.

HEADACHES

A drop or two of neat lavender oil applied directly to the temples and massaged with a slight pressure in a clockwise direction brings relief across the forehead and bridge of the brow. Toxins tend to accumulate at a gap between the base of the skull and neck (called the occipital ridge) so massaging here can provide aid relief by dislodging the toxins, which create the tension and pressure felt across the whole head. Drink plenty of water to help flush the toxins through your body once they have been dislodged. Massage using 1 drop lavender oil, 1 drop peppermint oil and 10 ml base oil paying attention to this area, and across the forehead, cheeks neck and chest with the pads of your fingertips. Follow this with an aromatic bath using 3 drops lavender oil , 2 drops rosemary oil and 2.5 ml base oil. Remember to inhale the vapours deeply and, if it is bedtime, apply the headache formula to encourage a restful sleep

SUNBURN

After sunbathing take a soothing chamomile bath, using 4 drops chamomile oil and 5 ml base oil. Follow this by applying liberal amounts of the after-sun oil consisting of 1 drop chamomile oil, 1 drop geranium oil, 1 drop lavender oil, 1 drop tea tree oil, all in 20 ml base oil. Applying the after-sun regularly nourishes your skin, prolongs the tan, soothes sunburn and builds a resistance to future sunburn.

Avoid using oil on the skin while sunbathing as this will make you 'fry', and could result in damaging your skin. Cases of severe sunburn should be treated immediately by a doctor. In the meantime, apply a cold compress directly to the burn and surrounding area. Do not use oily substances to treat the burn. Lavender is the only oil that can be used neat, directly on the skin.