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Dear Betsy, I HAVE purchased some rosemary essential oil. Can you recommend the best ways to use it? Can I put it straight on my skin?
Laura.
Dear Laura,
First of all check the bottle and confirm if it is a pure, undiluted essential oil. If it is then please do not apply it directly to your skin. If it is rosemary oil diluted in a base or carrier oil, such as sweet almond or grape seed oils, then it can be massaged into the skin.
Rosemary is a very stimulating oil which should NOT be used if you have high blood pressure, are epileptic or during pregnancy. Avoid using it on children under three years old and the elderly.
Rosemary has an excellent effect on our memory and I always recommend using it when studying for exams or attending lectures. The easiest way to use it in this study situation is to put a couple of drops of the pure essential oil on a tissue and inhale deeply five times.
Pop the tissue down the front of your blouse or shirt so that it continues to work on your olfactory system. Use it in the same way when you go to sit your exams and it can help your recall of information.
Rosemary is also good for helping to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss, so five drops added to 30 mls of pure jojoba oil and massaged onto your scalp and left for half an hour before shampooing, will enhance your crowning glory if used regularly, once a week.
Make sure you use jojoba oil as it mimics the sebum in our skin and is easily absorbed. Using any other base oil will negate the effects. Use a non-detergent, non SLS shampoo to maximise the results.
Rosemary is also good for tired aching muscles and arthritic conditions and lends itself to a post sport massage oil or bath. A blend of equal amounts of lavender and rosemary essential oils presents a perfect balancing bland for your physical and emotional needs.
Add three drops of each oil to a cup of full fat milk and add it to an already drawn warm bath and relax for 15 minutes.
For massage oil, add three drops of each oil to 60mls of sweet almond oil and use after a warm bath or shower.
It can be helpful as a jet lag 'upper' as it will stimulate the senses and your body systems. Use it in the bath, on a tissue for inhalation or add a few drops to your shower gel and have a good old scrub in a warm shower.
Inhalation of the oils on a tissue is most effective when you breathe in deeply through your nose, mouth closed, as your abdomen rises and swells, then breathing out through your open mouth.
Repeat this abdominal breathing technique three to five times. You can also use this breathing technique alone, without any oils to inhale, whenever you feel stressed or challenged or whenever you need clarity of thought or want to unwind.
Rosemary is also said to be a good digestive and is often used in cooking for this reason.
Try mixing a handful of fresh rosemary needles with some soften butter sliced lemon and a couple of garlic cloves. Stuff a fresh chicken with it and bake in a hot oven. A delicious, aromatic dinner that can be made even healthier if you substitute cold pressed olive oil for the butter.
Rosemary essential oil can be found in pharmacies and some beauty salons and spas in Bahrain, as can the carrier oils mentioned.
BETSY SAYS RELAX
TRY performing some abdominal breathing, as described above, just as you get into bed. Follow this up with deep muscle relaxation to ensure a deep untroubled sleep.
Begin by tightening at your feet and focus on totally relaxing and letting go of any tension in your feet, then move slowly up your body doing the same thing to each muscle group. End up with your face and most importantly your jaw. Many of us carry a huge amount of tension in our jaw and this can lead to teeth grinding in your sleep and tension headaches. A good way to release this tension is to open your mouth as far as you can, allowing your tongue to drop, hold for a few seconds then relax and close your mouth.
A couple of drops of pure lavender essential oil on you pillow will complete your sweet dreams ritual.
