Understanding the basics of aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, assisting and comforting me at different phases of my life. My very first memory is the smell of roses when, as a child, my mother gave me her last kiss goodnight. As she bent close I could smell her favourite scent – rose. Ever after the fragrance of roses has always instilled in me a feeling of security and love.
The smell is for me the smell of freedom and long hot summers. When I was a teenager I would spend the summer at my grandfather’s house in France. There was a pine forest behind his garden, and as the pine needles literally cracked under the hot sun they released their fresh aroma. Today the freedom and happiness of those holidays is rekindled each time I walk through pine trees or smell the fragrance.
Lily of the valley always brings me joy and reminds me of the time my son was born. My room was filled with the sweet smelling flowers.
Aromatherapy involves more than fragrance. Plant essential oils have therapeutic powers in addition to beneficial fragrance, and all are antiseptic in different degrees. In the plane on the way to India a few years ago, my index finger began throbbing violently. A rose thorn had lodged in it two days before, as I pruned my roses. It was now turning septic. I straight away applied tea tree oil neat to the finger. By the time I arrived in Bangalore the swelling had almost gone and the throbbing had stopped.
Other oils have the power to comfort. Just before my guru, Marguerite Maury died, she gave me a personal formulation of different oils which she asked me to spread on her coffin. Their strong aromas, released in the confines of the small church in Switzerland, enveloped me and comforted me as Marguerite had so thoughtfully intended.
During the late nights spent writing my books the stimulating odiferous molecules of basil placed near my desk helped me overcome the physical tiredness I felt, and helped to keep me going.
Over the years plants, flowers and their essential oils have been my great companions, healers and fortifiers, and it is impossible to imagine a world without them.
Sadly, however, it is a false claim that the therapy is 100 per cent safe, and that the therapy is for everyone; there are actually some severe dangers in self-help aromatherapy.
It is for this reason I wrote the Aromatherapy Bible. It gave me as much pain as joy to write. On the one hand, I have enjoyed all the research, talking about the plants encountered on my travels, their therapeutic values and the method of treatments. But on the other I have had to use a critical eye and condemn certain essential oils and their curative values for safety reasons.
The reader should also be aware that the demand for certain plant essences has contributed to the wrecking of forests and has added to the pollution of our planet. Further, for economic reasons some oils are often adulterated, and this of course affects their therapeutic value. Essential oils must be absolutely pure and of the very best quality for use in therapy.
I created the Aromatherapy Bible website www.aromatherapybible.com to help people understand essential oils and enjoy the benefits of essential oils. Also to warn them to be careful that as demands for alternative therapies have increased in the last few years, it is time to make sure that the public takes serious precautions before embarking on self-treatment. Essential oils are drugs and should be considered as such.
I do not prescribe essential oils internally. Many essential oils are very strong indeed, and have a corrosive action which could be a danger if used in this way. (If certain oils can perforate metal – for example clove oil – what can they do to the human body?) The methods used are external application and, my own preference, vapour inhalation. If the essential oil is well diluted in a chosen carrier oil or in water, it can give very good results, offer relief, and be very pleasurable, causing an immediate sense of well being when inhaled. Essential oils are only used neat in special circumstances.
With the dangers of oils still in mind, I have also given alternative methods of treatment from the plant world. Instead of the oils, the plants themselves can be used in the form of tisanes or cooking, when you can still find and benefit from the essential oils in minute proportions. In fact, a dish without herbs is a dish, without sense: the addition of herbs or spices to a dish enhances the subtle fumet (aroma) of the food and not only sharpens the appetite but facilitates the digestion – as well as, of course, pleasing the taste buds. Rosemary, for example, aids the functioning of the liver and promotes the body’s digestion of fatty meats like lamb and pork.
In my latest book: ‘Secrets of Youth & Beauty’, I show you how to make your own plant oils from bought or home-grown plants. The finished oils contain tiny but beneficial proportions of essential oils, and will be absolutely safe to use.
My Aromatherapy Bible website provides you with details of over 80 plants, including botanical and historical research on each and their therapeutic values.
Best wishes
Danièle
Wonderful skin in Spring
I love the Spring season. In London, we just live next to St James’s Park, which I visit every day when I am here. Spring is my favourite season with the burst of new life.
Every spring reminds me of my grandfather and our magic walks to the forest to pick up the first daffodils and make bouquets of mixed spring flowers.
It was the time we used to escape by the magic black door at the bottom of the garden into another world, the wonderful world of flowers. In spring beauty, freshness of green colour leaves happen overnight.
I often think that spring time is a better time than New Year for resolutions. It’s time when nature renews herself and you feel like renewal too.
It is time to embrace new concepts, new ideas, and fresh thoughts.
It is time to think about feeding your skin from the inside out. Winter makes us want to hibernate in our caves and eat comfort food- now it’s time to emerge and start a fresher spring menu looking after our skin! This important because we don’t want to add synthetic or chemicals to already stressed skin.
Some practical help for your skin to look and feel wonderful:
Use a good Moisturiser. If your skin has become very dry for the last few months, do try my ‘Day Moisture crème’, with Angelica.
I will also advise you to use Jojoba oil with a few drops of Wheat germ added to it and placed on a damp cotton wool as your daily soothing cleanser before applying the ‘Day Moisture Crème’ which you massage, gently with finger tips.
Alternatively some women find their skin becomes very congested over winter. Deep cleanse with Papaya fruit will restore suppleness and softness with its natural exfoliating effect.
Buy a Papaya, use the pulp of the fruit add to it a few drops of wheat germ, 1 tea spoon of honey and 3 drops of essential oil of Organic Geranium or Organic Rose. Make into a paste and apply on the face and neck for at least 10 minutes. Lie down placing some damped cotton wool with Camomile tea on your eye lids. Remove the Papaya Mask with warm Camomile tea then, apply the “Day Moisture Creme” gently with finger tips.
Simply enjoy!
Now you are ready to go for a long walk and enjoy a sunny spring day and go and buy yourself some daffodils and placed them near your desk and enjoy the colour and subtle Aroma.
Best wishes
Daniele
Perfume with essential oils for St Valentine’s Day
This is an ideal time to look at a new perfume which would do you good and put you in a good frame of mind.
Aromas can be a master of illusion. It has always be a proof of seduction for the opposite sex.
Perfumes like all smells, leave a strong impression on the subconscious mind and the memory of a person, or indeed of a place which is often influenced by the Aromatic vapours present at the time.
Perfume is much more than a mere decorative frivolity. Together with the way you dress, it can and should be an extension of your personality. It can also influence the image you try to project and is a way of communication with other individuals.
It can lend a hint of flamboyance to someone usually rather shy or reserved, making them more extravert and confident under its influence. I have always found for so many years that aromas in Perfumes can profoundly affect a person’s emotional and mental state.
So it is a perfect time to search for the aromas which could lift your spirit and make you seductive.
Turn to natural organic essential oils to create your own individual perfume formulae instead of applying chemicals on your skin.
To compose your own fragrance I recommend the essential oils which have been praised for their aphrodisiac properties.
One of the reasons they work so fast and effectively is because they act directly on the limbic portion of the brain which is responsible for modulating sexual behaviour.
Which ones should you choose:
Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Neroli, Orange, Nutmeg,
Black pepper, Tuberose, Jasmine.
For instance some Organic Rose has a wonderful tinge of lemon flowers, and Frankincense with a peppery note, so they can be use on their own.
Ylang Ylang is warm but also has floral notes and make you breeze deeply to absorb the scent, always good with the citrus notes.
Orange gives you this warm fruity smell and is good mixed with floral notes like Neroli, Tuberose or Jasmine.
Black Pepper is warm peppery sweet goes well with Rose or Ylang-Ylang.
Nutmeg adds this wonderful richness of warmth and spice to a fragrance work interestingly with Tuberose making the perfume very strong.
Jasmine is nice on its own but also good with citrus notes.
If you want to know more about how to make your own fragrance, in my book: ‘The Secrets of youth and Beauty,’ you will be advised wisely. A good guide to help you to create your own sublime perfume.
So Have a good Valentine’s Day and apply the right perfume for your benefit and the benefit of others!
Best wishes
Daniele
Happy New Year and 2009 to all the visitors to my website
Positive essential oils and scents for this year!
Start the New Year with a positive scent, bring to your attention a new scent every day and enjoy and recognize and memorise the notes. It can be from a flower like a Rose, leaves of a tree like Eucalyptus, bark from Cinnamon, pods from Vanilla and so on…
This kind of meditation on a fragrance can be very positive to your psyche and can change a state of mind which is usually stress and depression early January after couple of week’s holiday.
Coming back to public transport and the office can be quite stressful: It can feel as if you’re surrounded by a barrage of germs on every side! People snuffling into handkerchiefs, sneezing through scarves and coughing behind coats sleeves.
Prevention is better than cure. Make sure your immune system is in good condition with supplement of Echinacea and cod liver oil. Do eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and substituting hot water with lemon and ginger for your usual morning coffee. A nice change can also be rosehip tea with a squeeze mandarin and honey.
Take with you in a small bottle with a mixture of half Rosemary and half Eucalyptus essential oils which you would have mixed. Apply few drops to a tissue and time to time bring it to your nose and inhale the fumes for couple of minutes. Keep next to your desk at work.
Air in your house needs changing - even when it’s really cold. Every other day open all the windows and let clean air in for at least half an hour to an hour or so. Central heating can be very drying to your skin, but it can also weaken your respiratory system.
Always place a bowl of water by each radiator to slowly evaporate or spray the air with the following time to time. In a spray bottle (100) ml add 20 drops of peppermint and 10 drops of lemon, 10 drops of Ravensare essential oils, then add warm water.
Shake well and spray well the room a few times a day. I always do this before exercise, yoga or meditation - it makes sense. Not only you will deal with germs in the room but also your respiratory system will benefit from it. This is much better than air freshener-artificial chemicals can actually make respiratory problems worse.
To counter the winter evening blues, try to get at least some fresh air exercise every day. Rainy weather is dreary, but a cold clear day is so invigorating. It boosts energy levels and the sunlight makes a real difference to your spirits- even if only for 10 to 15 minutes walk in a lunch break.
Your New Year resolution could be:
De-stress with a massage each month, using essential oils such as: Orange, Geranium, and Neroli.
During the winter months, a good time to change your skin regime; start to make your own product, save money save your skin.
Look at my video at the bottom of my Home page: www.danieleryman.com and see how easy it is making your own facial serum, or consult my latest book: “The secrets of youth and Beauty “For many valuable and helpful skin recipes.
Never be out of a good moisturiser. My Daily Moisture Crème product is a good way to start looking after your dry skin keeping it looking radiant, especially when you have central heating.
Best wishes
Danièle
Essential Oils – Easy healthy recipes
All essential oils, apart from their antiseptic and bactericide properties, have natural hormones and traces of vitamins, minerals and the antioxidants that are so important in rejuvenation.
All these organic essential oils have natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. They are tremendously helpful for healing minor burns, scars, when the integrity of the skin is damaged. They not only reduce the possibility of infections, but also stimulate the regeneration of new skin cells to encourage healing.
Here are some simple but wonderful recipes that you can make to help you and your family during this coming Holiday season. All of these oils are in my Starter Pack which are 100% organic.
Lavender: To Combat insomnia and induce sleep
Something for all of us! Very often the inability to sleep is caused by easily remedial factors such as lack of exercise, too many stimulants like coffee and tea, cigarettes and alcohol or eating too late in the evening. These are all best avoided. The following can be of help.
Apply few drops of Lavender on a tissue and leave it near your pillow for a good night sleep.
Have a warm bath with Organic Lavender essential oil half an hour before going to bed to induce sleep. Inhale the fumes relax for 10 minutes in the water, breathing deeply (15 to 2o minutes).
Ever feel stressed or panic? Here is what you can do…
A simple remedy to help you feeling calm: Place two drops of Lavender in the palm of your hands, rub them together vigorously, and inhale the fumes slowly breathing deeply. You will notice the difference.
Rosemary – Acneique conditions
Treat acne spots with cotton bud by applying some of the essential oil of Rosemary neat; rub gently on the acne spots and the red irritated spots. You can follow with a hot compress. Apply twice a day.
Many plants and plants oils have an effect on the nervous system, just as their pleasant smells can always help lift spirits.
The essential oils can help balance the nervous system, restoring, galvanising into action.
Wake up with Rosemary essential oil by rubbing a few drops on your torso before your morning shower. You will find this a great way to recuperate after sleep, by simply inhaling the fumes during the shower time.
During the day, place a few drops of Rosemary on a tissue and inhale when feeling tired or low by placing the tissue near your nose.
Leave a tissue in your car with Rosemary essential oil when driving to be alert. Don’t forget that a lot of accidents are caused when you are tried at the wheel.
Grapefruit: A wonderful perfume Organic essential oil
Add a few drops to a clear non-perfumed shampoo for lustre, or use a few drops in the last rise water.
Grapefruit is an ideal essential oil for young people. It is a tonic to keep in good health.
In 10 ml Almond oil in a large egg cup add 6 drops of essential oil of Grapefruit 3 drops of Wheat germ, massage on your torso, arms, feet and legs – every day and see the difference!
Ylang Ylang: An aphrodisiac, stimulant body Oil
In 20 ml (2 egg cups) Almond oil, add 10 drops of Borage oil +
4 drops of wheat germ. Mix well. It is good to keep in a little bottle for those ‘special days.’
Apply on the body after a warm bath or shower.
Add 10 drops of Organic Ylang-Ylang, you will be rubbing noses that night! Enjoy.
Roman: Chamomile: Excellent Facial Serum
To soothe any dry skin. Ideal to also use after an illness or during menopause.
In one egg cup, pour half Argan oil, half Rose Musqueta, 5 drops of wheat germ. Mix well and place in a little bottle. Use morning and night.
PEPPERMINT: Helps alleviate headaches and migraine
Place one drop of the Peppermint essential oil in the palm of your hands, rub your hands together, then gently massage , temples, forehead , back of the neck, then inhale the fumes for a few minutes by placing your hands near your nose.
You will find that this will help significantly.
Lemon: To help combat Flue
Flue and colds although a common condition can be treated and helped with this organic essential oil.
Place some very hot water in a bowl add 3 drops of Lemon organic essential oil, place a small towel on your head and inhale the fumes for a couple of minutes.
Make also an oil to rub on torso and sinus when starting a cold.
In one egg cup place Jojoba 5 ml, Borage 5 ml , 2 drops of wheat germ add 10 drops of Lemon, mix well and place in a little bottle .
Apply , massaging gently three times a day around sinus, torso , behind ears , temples, back of the neck.
Geranium: A natural antiseptic
Geranium is a very antiseptic essential oil and is great to use when you have been bitten by an insect i.e. Mosquitoes bites or any insect bites.
Rub on the bite straight away with a cotton bud the essential oil neat, massage gently the area.
Place near your bed some Geranium essential oil in a cup of warm water 3 to 4 drops it will help to keep the insect away.
Place a few drops 10 of Organic Geranium essential oil in a pint of water when you are rinsing your bedding. Place in the rinsing compartment of the washing machine.
I do trust that those recipes will be of a great help and know that you will enjoy preparing them for yourself and the family.
Best wishes
Daniele
Essential oils facial massage for your man
Men love Beauty products, the other day I walked to my bathroom to find my husband trying one of my skincare products, under pressure he confessed that he likes the way my skincare smell and they felt great on his skin.
No more needed to be said and I gave him a facial and a back rub and he loved every moment. You could do the same .It is a loving gesture. You can have a giggle doing his treatment and it is a good time to catch up with each other.
The truth, it seems, is no matter how much men like to complain about “Waste of time and Money” buying beauty products, they love all those scented creams and the clean herbal therapeutic fragrances.
For Christmas you could give your man a treat by giving him a treatment and also make him few products which I am sure he will enjoy using. It is such a special gift and it will be so much appreciated.
You only need The Starter Oil Pack and can start making some Facial Serum, in the winter it will really be such a good product on his skin after shaving, a body oil to use after sport or bath essence to be added to his bath or to rub on his torso before a shower.
Take your pick of the following and enjoy doing it!
‘Anti-ageing Facial Serum’ recipe for the facial massage:
Proportion of essential oils use -
10 ml of Jojoba Oil
3 drops of Wheat germ
2 drops of Rosemary
2 drops Orange
2 Drops of Lavender
Place in a small cup or an egg cup.
Have everything ready and show that you are professional!
The Facial Treatment:
Place everything on a small table nearby
4 Small towels and some tissue.
You need a bowl of hot water and another of cold add 1 drop of Rosemary to the hot water bowl.
You can do the treatment having your man sitting on a chair or having him lying on the side of the bed,
Clean the face with a damp hot flannel, alternate cold and hot flannel to stimulate the circulation.
Then massage the anti-ageing Serum.
Take time massaging along pressure points at forehead, sinuses, temples and nose, the massage should last a few minutes, (5 to 10) it must be very soothing, and the serum will penetrate even the thicker epidermis of a male skin.
After the soothing massage take surplus off with the damp flannel.
Apply some of your moisturiser the Day Moisture Creme
I can tell you that this will awaken and enliven even the grumpiest man!
Best wishes
Daniele
For so many more easy practical recipes see my Book: ‘Secrets of Youth & Beauty.’
Care for your skin with the power of natural ingredients and essential oils
Plants and the power of natural ingredients inspired and enthused me all my life. Often it takes science a while to explain why a plant works when people have been using it and feeling the benefits for centuries. The Aztecs prized Oil of Chia as a moisturiser so much that it was reserved for the use of the emperor alone. Scientists have only just recently discovered that it contains a high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids, important in cell regeneration.
I have travelled the world to learn about different natural therapies, researching both traditional and scientific explanations. While living in Asia, I studied Chinese Herbalismas well as traditional practices in India. It is interesting to find that sometimes the best insights come from ordinary people using the world around them for health and beauty.
In the Caribbean, I saw women crushing tamarind pods and using the juice to protect their skin. My research confirmed tamarind is high in anti-oxidants helping neutralise damaging free radicals, stimulate skin repair and protect against environmental pollution. Tamarind is now one of my favourite ingredients and I use it in many of my products.
Study and research are both essential, but it’s my work as a practitioner, treating thousand of women over the years, that’s taught me most. I believe in simple, accessible care for your skin – not treatments that take hours to prepare and endless bottles spilling out of the cupboard. I want all women to have what’s best for their skin. Having beautiful skin is not about miracle cures and vast expense – it’s about excellent ingredients, expert knowledge and simple daily care.
When I work on a new product or develop a new formulation and it can take years. Each product works on different levels. Each ingredient is carefully selected, not only for its own properties but for how it works in harmony with others, boosting the overall product.
For example, my Facial Serum with anti-ageing properties contains powerful seed oils. These have a high level of essential fatty acids to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. On their own they wouldn’t be able to penetrate the skin’s barrier for deep down replenishment and restoration but with the correct added essential oils they blend and penetrate so much better. They also help to rejuvenate the skin with their therapeutic properties.
The special Facial Serum absorbs instantly, and in a few minutes, leaves your skin fresh and dry, with the wonderful therapeutic aroma lingering on for some considerable time.
Best wishes
Daniele
Acupuncture
In the early 70′s I lived in Malaysia and I started to be interested in Acupuncture. I was amazed by the success of acupuncture given as the anaesthesia for major surgery, which was being successfully performed by placing acupuncture needles on some of the Meridians.
It was known to the West only to a selected few until that time, now there is an explosion of interest. Today acupuncture is one of the most popular and effective contemporary healing techniques, practised in almost every country. But what is new it is the way acupuncture is finding its way through the Beauty sector, Cosmetic healing.
I was taught acupressure by Marguerite Maury (the legendary pioneer of aromatherapy), which was similar to shiatsu as both techniques have a similarity with acupuncture. Acupressure involves pressing specific points on the meridians to stimulate or sedate the flow of vital energy in the body and using finger pressure only. In Cosmetic healing, acupuncture helps the blood flow in vital part of the face and is concern to bring energy back in those areas, using the needles on specific part of the face and neck, following the yang meridians.
Helping in case of bad circulation, loss of collagen, pale colour, lack of tone and texture and also dealing with wrinkles. It can be very helpful around menopause time and in case of premature ageing of the face.
The pathways of the meridians were first charted many thousands of years ago, but they have since been mapped and measured by modern technological methods. Yin meridians run from the toes upwards. Yang meridians run from the head and fingertips down to the toes.
The treatments can be obtained from different practitioners but the essential points to those treatments is to follow each session by using an application of Organic essential oils mixed in an organic base oil, well chosen and gently massage on certain part of the face after each session to maximize the effect of rejuvenation.
Look at my website for The Organic Essential oils and Base Oils for rejuvenation, and my ‘Youth & Beauty Pack’ is an important item to help those treatments.
Best wishes
Daniele
Marguerite Maury, the legendary pioneer of aromatherapy
I was privileged to be the spiritual child, pupil and disciple of Marguerite Maury, working with her in Paris and London.
Marguerite Maury died 40 years ago this week. Every year the 25 of September I think of her and buy a bunch of roses, which were her favourite flowers. Their subtle and various aromas make me remember her. Roses were always present in her home. I always remember that she placed essential oils of roses in a special porcelain dish near her working desk. She just enjoyed so much their delicate and relaxing aromas.
She used to say to me: “You see COCO” (her nickname for me), “it is the way to start the day, to meditate on this wonderful aroma and it makes me feel so well.”
The healing virtues of roses have been known from time immemorial. Essential oils correctly selected are capable of healthy preventive action.
They are a strong natural antiseptic with a high content of Vitamin C, which can be traced in the essential oil. Flower water of Roses is good to decongest and helpful for irritated and sensitive eyes. Roses are a heart fortifier, inhaling their fragrances can help cure a bad headache and also good for women cycles regulating their function. Marguerite Maury felt that above all was the sense and feeling of happiness that the natural rose fragrances give. She believed firmly that the individual under its influence will benefit from it.
We can still appreciate her work and seize her spirit. Living close to her, I can’t forget her scientific mind and curiosity and her love for Aromatherapy which she would communicate to so many people. She has inspired me all my life and I know that her wonderful contribution to Aromatherapy will never be forgotten.
Best wishes
For further information on Marguerite Maury see: http://www.danieleryman.com/aromatherapy_articals/marguerite_maury.html
Select more natural alternatives in skincare
The skin is the largest gland in our body and what we put onto our bodies outwardly does get absorbed inwardly.
Every day women and men reach naively for their shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, deodorant and numerous personal care products without giving a second thought to the fact that those items in our daily routine which apply to our scalp, face, hair, lips and eyes and on our body are exposing us to an incredible amount of synthetic chemicals over approximately 200 and all that before we start our day and our daily routine.
Many of these ingredients in beauty products can really damage the skin in accelerating skin ageing.
Don’t forget that what is put in those products are the cheapest ingredients or the most profitable ingredients and not necessary the ones which are beneficial to your skin.
On labels, do beware to the ‘flowerily herbs’ and the synthetic aromas that claim to be natural products.
Select more natural alternatives.
I have created those 100% Organic essential oils and Organic base oils pack for you to make your own recipe and treating your skin to the best and more efficient alternative, enhancing the Natural benefits , giving you guidance through the recipes of the book” Secrets of youth and Beauty” published recently by Pan MacMillan.
Save your skin, save money and don’t go for cheap alternatives which contain hazardous chemicals.
Best wishes
Daniele
