Lavender

Lavender is one of the most widely used, and easy to use of all the essential oils. Along with tea-tree, it's safe for everybody to use with no specialist information or training - as long as a few common-sense precautions are observed. Like tea-tree it's one of very few that can be used neat on the skin and which is very unlikely to produce irritation. The main caveat to that, however, is that recent research has shown that repeated/constant use of the neat oil can lead to sensitisation, so don't overdo it! Lavender's uses are also quite widely known and include: * A few drops on the pillow or sheets to aid sleep * vaporising ...  Read the complete review

I am a shift worker with an irregular shift pattern, which means I have great difficulty in getting into a sleep routine. It is especially difficult at this time of year with the heat and the bright sunshine streaming in the bedroom Window - despite the blackout curtain liners. There is also the noise factor with the neighbourhood kids being off during the summer holidays. After much experimenting,(and insomnia) I find the following works for me:- Boots foam Ear Plugs - 2 pairs in a case (costing less than £2). There are several other types, including a dearer set at £4.95 called Earplanes, which helps with ear pressure build up if you are flying. The ...  Read the complete review

Are you feeling stressed out? Perhaps you have been trailing around the shops hunting for bargains, or you have just had a long drive home after the christmas holidays visiting family and friends? Maybe, like me me, you have dooyoo-itus, you know, neck hanging down for hours reading opinions, because you have lots of catching up to do? Whether any of the above apply to you or not,I have something for you that will make you go Ooooooooh, Arhhhhhhhhhhhh, 'Oh yes!, that is just soooooo lovely, just a little bit to the right,Oh yes, that feels so good'! Is it my very own masseuse? No. Have I just sat in a hot tub? No. What I have got, ...  Read the complete review

Okay, hands up, confess, who thought that lavender was what old ladies use to scent their undies' drawer? Well. it is what they use. At least the actual dried lavender in bags is what they use. However, you don't need to be an old lady, or wear ladies undies to benefit from lavender in the essential oil form. Lavender is the only essential oil which is commercially produced in UK (as far as I'm aware) so when you go to buy it, you should always find it among the cheapest oils. (French lavender is in my opinion, better than the English equivalent...sorry about that!) The low price is because it is produced within UK and it takes relatively ...  Read the complete review

I was a bit sceptical about aromatherapy, I had heard that lavender was good for headaches. This I was a bit dubious about,but having suffered from seemingly incurable headaches I thought I'd give this a try. I had found out that not only was it good for headaches,it also happened to relax you a great deal too! All I did was apply 3-4 drops of lavender oil to the temples and relax.By the end of this I had certainly got rid of my headache, and was so relaxed you wouldn't believe. I had also found out that it worked just as well in bath water (5-6 drops), or mixed with sweet almond oil and massaged!(great fun and very relaxing!). If aspirin or ...  Read the complete review