AROMATHERAPY

The Fragrant way to Beauty

The human face is like a book - it tells a story- each wrinkle represents a chapter in your life and each blemish tells a story of misuse.

Laughter lines tell the world that your life contains humour, while a drooping mouth says there is an underlying sadness or anger to your tale.

The vicissitudes of each life are written large across the front-page: sadness, ill health, stress and tension, crisis, disaster, they are all there for the world to see.

No face is a mask, and even if we cover our skin with camouflaging make-up, that too tells its own story - that we have something to hide.

The skin that covers our body reacts to our emotions, so that people under stress often find their skin becoming dry and taut, and in severe emotional states, dehydrated.

Hormonal changes produce spots and blemishes, as well as increased oiliness with dry patches.

Climate also affects face and body skin. Hot weather can produce lumps and bumps as well as dryness and wrinkles, while moist damp air has a beneficial effectand gives the skin a dewy texture.

Cigarette smoke can age a face by making it grey and wrinkled, and pollution has the same effect - which is why I am seeing more and more young women with prematurely ageing facial skin.

We used to be able to wash our faces in soft rainwater, but who wants to do that any more with acid rain destroying the beauty of the human face as surely as it destroys the beauty of the European forest?

Until fairly recently it was thought that the skin was a waterproof coating through which nothing could be absorbed into the layers below. Now, all matter of medications are applied directly on to the skin for absorption.

But those working with essential oils have always known that they are absorbed into the body, not only because their therapeutic values can be seen to be working but because oils applied directly on to the skin are excreted - through urine, faeces, perspiration and breath.

This has been shown scientifically many times over. and ' the sweet smell of success' is easy to observe without any scientific apparatus other than a human noise.

Moreover, particular oils have their preferred methods of exit and the route they travel is a factor in deciding which oil to use.

It is indeed because the skin is such an effective absorber that essential oils need not be taken orally - where in any case they only come into contact with the digestive system and all its rubbish.

The natural and extremely small molucules of essential oils penetrate the dermis and get to work with their purity maintained.

Technically, the skin is an organ weighing about four kilos which protects us from the outside world and regulates the body's natural cooling and heating systems.

There are few differences between male and female skins.

The epidermis is the outer layer of skin cells and the one we see, but that is the product of the lower layer of skin called the basel laye, where new plump, moist cells are produced.

These travel upwards and outwards and on their journey they encounter various hazards that lose them some of their moisture, making them leaner.

It can take three to four monthsfor cells to reach the epidermis, and if you are treating your skin the results may not show for that length of time (although some treatments will make you look younger in about an hour).

And of course the reverse is true: damage done by eating the wrong foods, not enough vitamins or a low immunity can also take up to four months to show on your skin.

When the skin cells reach the outer layer, they fall off and become household dust.

Our skin is a living and dying, regeneratin organ, forever on the move.

Skin cells are rich in substance called keratin which also makes up nails, and skin cells, like nails, can become brittle and flaky.

Skin is an excretory organ and is constantly at work to throw off toxic waste - not only under the arms, but all over.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

A-Z of Dance and Sports Injuries - 6

Leg Sprain (Lower Leg)

Dance-Jogging-Running-jumping-Skiing-Most Sports

Over stretching the ligamnets in the legs. Use an ice pack four times a day for twenty minutes at a time.

Afterwards massage with the following:

After forty-eight hours change to hot compresses, on which you have placed 2 drops each of rosemary and lavender.

Between treatments keep the leg wrapped with an elastic bandage and periodically massage the whole of the leg from the ankle to the thigh.

Leg Strain (Lower Calf Muscle)

Dance-Running-Jogging-Aerobics-Most Sports

Injury to the muscles and tendons in the calf.

Follow treatment as for sprain by using this oil:

Neck Sprain

Contact sports-Diving-Gymnastics-Motor racing

Violent over-stretching of ligaments in the neck region. A collar is usually prescribed and should be worn at all times.

Use an ice pack around the neck area, for at least fifteen minutes at a time.

Massage the neck and shoulders three times a day using the following.

The ice-cup method can be used to relieve pain.

If you have headaches as a result, use 5 drops of peppermint oil in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and massage around the back of the neck, up to the hairline.

Nose Injury

Apply an ice pack immediately. Gauze can be placed in the nostrils to stop bleeding: 1 drop lavender oil on the gauze before cutting it into two pieces.

See a doctor. If the nose is broken, smooth the following oil gently over the forehead and cheekbones:

If the nose is not broken, apply ice three times a day and massage the nose area, as well as the forehead and cheekbones with the above oil.

The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

A-Z of Dance and Sports Injuries - 7

Shoulder Strain

Contact sports-Boxing-Throwing

Injury to muscles and tendons. Use the ice method for ten minutes at a time and after forty-eight hours use the heat compress or flannel method.

Three times a day massage all the arm and shoulder area with the following:

Thigh Injury - Ham Strings

Dance-Gymnastics-Running-Competitive sport

An injury to the ham string tendon which connects the thigh muscle at the back and side.

Use the ice method and ice packs for at least ten minutes four times a day. Also massage three times a day using the following.

Wrist Ganglion

See Foot ganglion

Wrist Strain

Contact sports- Pole Vaulting-Skiing-Bowling

Over-stretching of one or more ligaments in the wrist. Apply an ice pack three times a day. Afterwards massage with the following oil:

The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

A-Z of Dance and Sports Injuries - 5

Groin Strain

Competitive sports- Contact sports- Dance (male)

An injury to the muscles or tendons in the lower abdominal area.

Use the ice method over the tender area and afterwards use the following oil to massage gently all over the lower abdominal area, the thights and groin, but taking care to avoid the genitals.

Hand ContusionContact sports-Falls

Bruising of the skin and underlying tissue. Place the hand in a bowl of ice and leave it there for ten minutes. Do this three times a day over a fourty-eight hour period. Also massage as often as possible - the whole of the hand and fingers with the following

Hand Ganglion

Hand Sprain

See Foot Sprain

Head Injuries

A blow or jar to the head should always be checked by a doctor. Until then, keep the head up, apply ice and 2 drops of neat lavender to the area.

Hip Strain

Contact sports- Dancers-Aerobics-Running

Injury to the muscles and tendons that join the hip joint to the thigh bone. Rest and take a cold sitz bath three times a day.

Apply ice to the area and massage allover both hips and thighs using the following

Knee Cartilage Injury

Contact sports- Football-Rugby-Dancers-aerobics-Jumping

Damage to the cartilage in the knee. Apply ice to reduce swelling and inflammation. The knee should be bandaged to prevent further injury and keep elevated when the patient is sitting.

Use the ice method three times a day, alternating with hot flannels, and then massage the area with the following

Knee Synovitis (Water on the knee)

Contact sports-Dancers-Aerobics

Massage four times a day with the following

The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood