Cleaning Essentials

Our skin absorbs essential oils so fast that they reach the blood stream within 20 to 30 minutes, flat. And that's the reason why essential oils are so effective.

Essential oils have many benefits. While most essential oils are antiseptic, some are antibacterial.

They are good for our mind as the fragrance of these oils activates nerve cells in the nasal cavity sending impulses to the area of the brain associated with emotions and memory [the limbic system].

Research proves that applying a few drops of essential oil, before your daily skin routine, actually doubles and sometimes triples its beneficial effects.

Rose, black pepper, cypress, juniper berry, fennel, coriander, parsley, sage, frankincense, carrot seed, grapefruit, bitter orange, lemon and nutmeg are all known for their potent detoxifying properties.

Use them this way

There are several ways to use essential oils for detox separately, or in combination, diluted and applied directly onto the skin, in the bath, or inhaled.

• Essential oils should be used in a bath following a specific procedure. Wait until the bathtub is full before sprinkling 8 to 30 drops of your chosen oils [depending on concentration and potency], as most oils tend to evaporate rapidly.
• Essential oils should never come in contact with eyes, so avoid immersing your head in the water. Do not use any soap in an essential oil bath, as some soap might interfere with—or even neutralise—the essential oil effect.
• Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin. Always mix them in a neutral base oil, such as almond or vegetable.

Learn the blend effect

Body

• A mixture of lemon, juniper berry, seaweed, and fennel oil is believed to have powerful detoxifying effects on both the skin and the internal organs.
• Another highly effective blend with immediate detoxifying action is composed of fir, fennel, hyssop, patchouli, and helichrysm, mixed with neutral base oil. This blend has a powerful cleansing effect on the body, and should be applied directly onto areas of toxicity. If you're not sure of the source of the problem, apply to areas where you feel weakness. Alternatively, you can use it to massage your feet and soles, where nerves terminate.
• For a potent liver and lymphatic detox, the perfect blend is a combination of geranium, rosemary, Roman chamomile, fennel, carrot, German chamomile, helichrysum and blue tansy. This combination efficiently cleanses the liver and the lymphatic system, even in cases of high levels of toxicity. It assists in the process of breaking up anger and hate, which is usually stored in the liver. For best results, apply over liver, solar plexus, or use for whole body massage.

Middle and lower back pain is often a sign of liver toxicity, and excess toxins in the body can occasionally trigger headaches.

Mind

For mind detox and stress relief, use a mixture of lavender, geranium, sandalwood, ylang ylang and blue tansy. This blend helps release emotional trauma from the body. It assists in freeing the cellular memory of various past traumas and experiences.

It is also effective for liver detoxification. It's a great blend to use in case of emotional distress. Generally, the solar plexus, liver and forehead are key areas to work on. You can also use it to massage your feet.

Try these feel-good recipes

Anti-ageing elixir

Mix together 15 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil with five drops of geranium oil into a 50ml vegetable oil base. Massage into face and neck before sleep. Use on the scalp once a week for 15 minutes before shampoo.

Anti-stress bath

In 100ml of neutral oil base, mix 50 drops of lavender oil, 50 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil, and 50 drops of mandarin oil. For tonifying, add 50 drops of rosemary oil and 60 drops of lemon oil.

Disclaimer: Avoid using the above blends, or any other essential oils without seeking advice from a professional aromatherapist, especially if you're pregnant or planning to have a baby.