AROMATHERAPY

Foot Care - 2 - Aromatherapy

FEET TREAT FORMULAFEET TREAT FORMULA

 The following formula gives a wonderfully restorative treatment for feet. Use 3 drops of this synergistic blend in each bath and add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts and 1 teaspoon of rock salt.The following formula gives a wonderfully restorative treatment for feet. Use 3 drops of this synergistic blend in each bath and add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts and 1 teaspoon of rock salt. 

SPA FOOT BATH SYNERGISTIC BLEND

Alternatively, blend the whole formula with 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts and 1and a half dessertspoons salt. Mix in the blender and use as needed in hot water, soaking the feet for ten minutes. Follow by using the appropriate foot massage oil.Alternatively, blend the whole formula with 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts and 1and a half dessertspoons salt. Mix in the blender and use as needed in hot water, soaking the feet for ten minutes. Follow by using the appropriate foot massage oil.

FOOT PROBLEMSFOOT PROBLEMS

Black TOENAIL

Toenails that turn black are caused by bruising under the nail which can be caused by a blow, ill-fitting shoes or by stubbing your toe. Nails that have become loose shouild be taken off by a chiropodist if they are causing a problem.Toenails that turn black are caused by bruising under the nail which can be caused by a blow, ill-fitting shoes or by stubbing your toe.

Nails that have become loose shouild be taken off by a chiropodist if they are causing a problem. Use 1 drop of oil of hyssop under the toe, as far as you can get it, for the first three days. Then make up a toe massage oil by diluting 5 drops of hyssop in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.

Blisters

Dilute 2 drops of tagetes oil in 2 drops of iodine and apply to the area. If your feet are susceptible to blisters, soak them in cold tea (this is an old dancers trick) make up a pot of strong tea and add it to a bowl of water.

INGROWING TOENAIL

To stop an ingrowing toenail becoming infected massage daily with the following:

FALLEN ARCHESIf the arches causes pain and aching, massage the instep towards the heel of the foot with the following.  TIPS FOR THE FEETSoaking, the feet in a mixture of 3 drops of rosemary oil and 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl of warm water will soothe away tiredness.The ice treatment applies to feet as well as to other parts of the body: 3 drops of lavender oil in a bowl of iced-water is excellent for swollen feet. Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

Fallen Arches

If the Arches cause pain and aching massage the instep towards the head of the foot with  the following.

Tips For The Feet

Soaking the feet in a mixture of 3 drops of rosemary oil and 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl of warm water will soothe away tiredness. The ice treatment applies to feet as well as to other parts of the body: 3 drops of lavender oil in a bowl of iced water is excellent for swollen feet.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Worwood: 

MUSCLES-Aromatherapy

Muscles can be toned with essential oils, used in conjunction with exercise. Add the oils to a bath or to a massage oil applied either before or after bath.To keep muscles supple, put the essential oil on a face-cloth and rub on to the muscles in the shower before exercise. Use the following essential oils:

Essential Oils For Supple, Toned Muscles

Aerobic exercise is helped and improved when using essential oils,whc h not only tone muscles but faciliate easier breathing and increased circulation,Aerobic exercise is helped and improved when using essential oils,whc h not only tone muscles but faciliate easier breathing and increased circulation, 

Essential Oils For Aerobics

OVER-exercised Muscles

Over-exercised muscles cause pain and in some cases the inability to move without trembling as the muscles struggle to contract.

Rest is the best remedy, followed by hot baths and massage. If pain continues to be a problem you may have an injury. Ice can reduce swelling, if there is any, and the pain caused by inflammation.

Follow this with a hot bath into which you have put 3 drops of marjoram and 2 drops of lemon and soak for as long as possible. Afterwards massage with the following oil: 

MASSAGE OIL FOR OVER-EXERCISED MUSCLES

 Topical Analgesic Ointment

The following ointment can be applied to painful muscles. Combine the lanolin and rosewater in a bain-marie and when this mixture is cold add the essential oils and mix well.The following ointment can be applied to painful muscles. Combine the lanolin and rosewater in a bain-marie and when this mixture is cold add the essential oils and mix well.

If you prefer a stiffer base , add 20gms of beeswax at the bain-marie stage.If you prefer a stiffer base , add 20gms of beeswax at the bain-marie stage. 

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

Foot Care - Aromatherapy

For all dancers, and most sportspeople, it is the feet that take the pounding, and caring for them is of paramount importance. Feet that are well cared for can withstand the pressure placed on the twenty-six bones in each foot as well as avoiding the very real pain of blisters, corns and bunions.For all dancers, and most sportspeople, it is the feet that take the pounding, and caring for them is of paramount importance.

Feet that are well cared for can withstand the pressure placed on the twenty-six bones in each foot as well as avoiding the very real pain of blisters, corns and bunions.Blisters can become infected, especially those on the toes, and they need to be seen to immediately.

Lavender may sting, but 1 drop on an open blister will stop it from becoming infected. Corns develop over a period of time and become painful. Tagetes is the oil to use on these - massage 1 drop on the affected toe when the corn hurts.

Dancers have to cram fragile toes into blocked ballet shoes, and modern dancers are expected to be agile on heels so high that most of designed for specific foot needs; they are synergistic blends so make up a bottle of essential oil using these proportions.

FOOT OILS SYNERGISTIC BLEND FOR DANCERS

 FOOT OILS SYNERGISTIC BLEND FOR ATHLETES

Walking, jogging or running cause different pressures within the foot and a different oil is required. It has been found that female walkers use more force when their heel hits the ground so they might be wise to use padded heels.Walking, jogging or running cause different pressures within the foot and a different oil is required. It has been found that female walkers use more force when their heel hits the ground so they might be wise to use padded heels.

FOOT OILS SYNERGISTIC BLEND FOR WALKERS, JOGGERS AND RUNNERS

 The constant heavy landing on the ground can not only make the feet sore and cause strain on the hip bones, it may also put pressure on the head as we try to keep it up high. This can result in migranes.The constant heavy landing on the ground can not only make the feet sore and cause strain on the hip bones, it may also put pressure on the head as we try to keep it up high. This can result in migranes.If you are feeling worn out, here is a tremendously relaxing remedy.

Lavender is an excellent antibiotic and will help to heal any blisters and cuts. Take a large bowl and cover the bottom with a dozen or more small, round stones.Pour in enough hot water to cover your ankles and add 2 drops of lavender oil. Sit back, inhale the vapours and then roll your feet gently over the pebbles. 

The African marigold produces the essential oil of tagetes, which has bee much researched and proven to be an excure for bunions - so much so that there is now a Marigold Clinic in London.The African marigold produces the essential oil of tagetes, which has bee much researched and proven to be an excure for bunions - so much so that there is now a Marigold Clinic in London.

It can also be used for corns, calluses or hard skin, and to strengthen the joints and feet. Make an oil using 30 drops of tagetes oil to 30ml vegetable oil and rub all around the bunion and the other toes, paying particular attention to inflamed areas or those that you want to heal.Use every night for as long as you continue to have inflammation or pain.

If your feet have been especially battered and bruised, or if you have a problem with corns, bunions or inflamed joints, here is a formula which will both heal and strengthen.If your feet have been especially battered and bruised, or if you have a problem with corns, bunions or inflamed joints, here is a formula which will both heal and strengthen.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

Methods Of Treating Injury

HEAT

HeatWhen heat is applied to an area of the body it dilates the capillaries and increases blood flow. Blood nourishes the tissues and can hasten healing, reduce muscular spasm and reduce pain, but applying heat does carry the risk of seepage of blood and plasma to the injured area.

If this were to happen healing would be prolonged and swelling and fluid retention would be increased. It is important therefore that heat is not applied to an injured area until at least twelve hours has passed.

COLD

Cold causes contraction of the small capillaries and this decreases the amount of blood collecting around a wound - which could prolong the healing ti8me. The application of cold to an area of injury reduces bruising, swelling, inflammation and pain.

RICE 

Rest, ice, compresses and elevationm' are words so often repeated by physiotherapists and sports therapists that they ahve been shortned to form the word 'Rice' which is drummed into anyone with an injury that needs care.

REST

Resting an injury is extremely important to assure that no further damage takes place. And when you are adv ised to rest, that doesn't mean don't  go danc in g next Friday night, but rest now - immediately!

ICE

The ice methods are so helpful in treating all sorts of injury that they are referred to throughout this book, not only for the treatment of sports injuries. Ice can stop internal bleeding, bruises and inflammation and in so doing decreases healing time, if applied correctly.

There are many methods. The polystyrene cup method enables you to hold the ice to a specific part of the body without freezing your hands. Fill a polystyrene cup with water and freeze it.

When it is required , cut the sides a few inches to reveal a solid block of ice, which can be applied to the injured area.ice may also be placed in a bowls or buckets into which you put the toes, feet, fingers, hands or elbow, and other areas of the body affected. Top up as required.

In physiotherapy departments ice is often put into a polythene bag, crushed and then placed between two towels and wrapped around the injured area.

Although this method has to be used in some circumstances, the dripping wet towels can be most uncomfortable.Whichever method you use, apply the ice to the injured area for at least twenty minutes, then allow twenty minutes' rest before repeating the application. Continue in this way for three to four hours.

COMPRESS

A compress can be made with a bandage or a piece of material, folded to form a pad. This should be wrapped firmly over the area to prevent swelling.

Compresses can be hot or cold. Compression is often needed to reduce the level of blood flowing to the area but should never be so tight that it decreases circulation and causes the injured person to experience pain, numbness or the skin turning blue.

ELEVATION

By raising the injured limb higher than the heart, swelling and pain can often be prevented or lessened. Elevation is espcially important for dancers. Use whatever you have handy to support the limb-pillows, cushions or whatever.

OINTMENTS

An ointment can be made which provides a carrier for the essential oils. In some cases the essential oils are more effective when used during a sporting activity in this way, than when used in a vegetable oil base.

Make the basic ointment in the following way. Using the bain-marie method, blend 50gms of anhydrous lanolin and 30ml almond oil.

(This will give a total of 90ml.) When well blended together, mix in your essential oils. Essential oil formulas are given for individual injuries and conditions which can be combined in this basic ointment.

MASSAGE OILS

As a general rule, use 1 drop of essential oil to each millilitre of base vegetable oil. In the acute stage of injury, however a higher dose may be needed than prescribed here.

This may be up to double the usual amount. When the acute stage has passed, revert to the 1-1 rule.

COMPRESSES

During the acute stage of injury, unless specific directions have been given, use a total of 8 drops of esential oil on the compress - whether that is hot, cold, wet or steamed.

CABBAGE LEAF

Iron a cabbage leaf (see page 92) and leave it on the affected area while still warm. Appy for ten minutes and repeat if necessary.

CLAY POULTICE

Add 2 tablespoons of green clay to hot or cold water and blend until a thick and sticky paste is achieved. Then add the essential oils and mix well. Apply to the area and wrap with a bandage or piece of muslin.

MASSAGE or MOVEMENT CARE

Massage is extremely effective in the treatment of muscular spasm and contrction, and used in sports injuries it can reduce fluid retention and swelling while stimulating blood circulation and lympathic flow.

Massage should always be gentle. Long, gentle smooth strokes are most useful for sports injuries. Use the flat of the hand, moving away from the injured part, but always in the direction of the heart - from hand to shoulder, foot to thigh, and so on. 

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood