Base Formula Blog

Holistic advice for dealing with stress

sharonlovett — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:42:52 +0000

Very few of us go through life never suffering from some form of stress related health issues. Whether it manifests as headaches, sleeping problems, low energy levels, mood swings, low confidence or self esteem issues, or just a constant low grade level of anxiety, it’s something that needs resolving before it undermines your health any further.

As most stress related conditions gather momentum as a result of various factors coming together, it is usually a combination of different solutions that increase your resources and help make the long lasting changes that you deserve.

Here are some steps that can help:

Identify the reality of the situation and decide not to put up with feeling like this any longer!
Exercise is key. If you have high stress, your levels of the “fight or flight” hormones in your blood stream will be consistently high. This can then undermine the functioning of different aspects of the endocrine system and cause fatigue and an inability to “wind down” even when the opportunity arises. Exercise helps to flush out the stress hormones and re-balance posture, helping to release any muscular tension. It also stimulates the release of neuro–chemicals called “endorphins”, which can help to boost your mood and ease any aches and pains.
Drink plenty of water! Key in so many metabolic processes, proper hydration will help ameliorate various different effects of stress and help to prevent premature ageing too.
Stimulants need to be kept to a real minimum. As already discussed, if you are stressed you may have over-stimulated adrenal glands. Drinking too much tea, coffee or alcohol will further exacerbate the problem, leaving you feeling permanently “wired”, unable to relax, and could lead to a disrupted sleep pattern. This then becomes a vicious cycle – as you will then get over tired and less able to relax. Remember to be mindful of your own limits, some people are much more sensitive to caffeine than others, for instance. One person may be fine with 4 cups of coffee daily, whilst others can feel the effects of one single cup!
Sugar also needs to be kept to a minimum if you are stressed. Too much refined sugar can cause extreme blood sugar swings that interfere with concentration, mood and natural energy. If you need a boost try fresh fruit, a little high quality organic dark chocolate, a natural energy drink or a savoury snack.
Supplements can really help if your stress levels are high. Vitamin Bs, EFAs (essential fatty acids) & Vitamin C can be indicated, plus tonics/stamina/immunity boosters such as Ginseng – an “adaptogen” that can help the body adapt to stress (try Elagen) – and herbs such as Valerian to help you relax in the evening, and herbal teas such as Chamomile.
If your sleep pattern is disturbed, try a “wind down” period before you go to bed. Read, do some deep breathing or mediation exercises or listen to a visualisation/hypnotherapy CD. Write a diary to help you to “dump” things that are on your mind and preventing you from relaxing. Always try and finish on an “up note”.
Essential oils are supreme stress relievers. Use them to lift the mood in your work place by vapourising them. Regular massage with holistically chosen essential oils is second to none for comprehensive therapeutic effects. Add your favourites to any of Base Formula’s fragrance free bases and make your own stress relieving lotions, creams, shampoos, conditioners, bath and shower gels or relax at the end of the day in a bath soak made with essential oils and dead sea salt, miscible bath oil or bath milk. Specific stress relieving essential oils include detailed below – remember to choose what you are naturally drawn to as these will be what you most need!
Rose, Neroli, Petitgrain, Jasmine, Melissa, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Lavender, Bergamot, Geranium, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Vetivert, Marjoram and Rosewood.

Certain oils are useful for specific types of stress related conditions i.e. Lavender for headaches, Ylang Ylang for high blood pressure and Rose and Geranium for PMT etc.
A little of what you fancy does you good! Remember to treat yourself on occasion, rather than waiting for someone else to do it. Try and always have something on your horizon to look forwards to – to give you a little boost and spur you on through the rough stuff.
Change is the key. Remember “if you do what you’ve always done you’ll get what you’ve always got”. If you need help to ease your stress and create more positive internal dialogue – Hypnotherapy and/or TFT (Thought Field Therapy) may be perfect for you. There is a useful TFT website to try: 2calm.com
Be kind to yourself and remember that “you get more of what you focus on the most”, so try and focus on the positive aspects of every situation, whilst you work on the most appropriate forms of help for you. Change is the only constant in life – so embrace it and change the cycle of stress before it changes you.
Live “in the moment” as much as possible. Worry is often unfounded and just the product of over-thinking about things; “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow – it only saps today of its strength”.
Breathe – sometimes we hold our breath when we are stressed which creates more problems.
Never forget “laughter is the BEST medicine”, and learning to see the humour in as many situations as possible can alter our perspective and strengthen our resolve.

Finally it worth noting that a little stress is a good thing – it’s stimulating and it can give us a creative boost, we just need to remember to slow down and smell the roses every now and then – from the plant or the bottle!!!

Joannah Metcalfe
Consultant Aromatherapist

Disclaimer: The information provided on the Base Formula blog is for personal information and interest only. It is not intended to offer professional medical advice or treatment for any condition. We recommend that you consult your GP or nurse if you have any health concerns whatsoever. Our advice has been provided on the basis that there are no known contra-indications to treatment. If you have any health problems or are taking any medication you should seek advice from your healthcare provider prior to using aromatherapy. We would also advise that you make an appointment with a local aromatherapist who will be able to take a full case history and offer you tailored treatment advice. Please note that Base Formula accepts no liability for misuse of essential oils or other products or for any reliance on the information provided within.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.

Use aromatherapy to help prevent & treat sporting aches & pains

sharonlovett — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:46:54 +0000

Whether you’re a sports fanatic or simply exercising to keep fit it’s important that we don’t push our bodies too hard. Remember – ’training’ not ‘straining’ is the aim!

Aromatherapy can help to prevent injury and ease the pain of inflammation or stiffness if problems do arise. So you can get fit without the pain, improve your mood and smell great too!

To help prevent injury try 1 drop of Black Pepper and 4 drops of Rosemary in 10mls of base oil and massage vigorously into muscles before exercising. This combination of oils will stimulate your circulation and warm up your muscles, helping to increase stamina and lessen the likelihood of muscle strain or injury. Remember to warm up AND warm down by stretching your muscles out before AND after exercise.

After exercising make up a soothing lotion to smooth over tired muscles to help ease muscle spasm, stiffness and inflammation – at the same time as moisturising your skin. Add 1 drop of Peppermint, 1 drop of Roman Chamomile, 1 drop Plai and 7 drops of Lavender essential oil to 10ml of our fragrance free Moisturising Lotion.

If you’ve got a strained muscle, sore joints or any bruising try a stronger anti-inflammatory blend of 1 drop of German Chamomile, 2 drops Plai, 4 drops Marjoram and 10 drops Lavender with 10ml of cooling Aloe Vera & Seaweed Gel.

You can also try a cold compress first and then use the gel afterwards:

For a cold compress take a large bowl and add ice and water. Add 10 drops Lavender and 1 drop Peppermint. Place a square of muslin or a flannel in the water. Soak well and apply to the injured area – leave for 10 mins (refresh the flannel regularly). Finish by smoothing on 5 drops of neat Lavender.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.

Super rich gardener’s hand cream recipe

sharonlovett — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:26:23 +0000

If you’re a keen gardener then Spring will be your busiest time. Plants are waking up and winter clear-up has to be done, not to mention getting on top of the weeds before they really get going – and this is all before we can start planting this year’s garden.

Unfortunately all of this gardening can have a detrimental effect on our hands. The embedded dirt and constant washing of our hands leaves our skin feeling really dry and rough. This can then lead to painful cracks, calluses, dry cuticles and split nails. Coupled with all the usual scratches, scrapes, aches and pains your poor hands will almost certainly be in need of a little TLC.

To help protect your hands try covering then in moisturiser (see recipe below) before putting on your gardening gloves. This will help the clean-up operation as dirt will be trapped by the oils in the moisturiser and will wash off more easily. You can also pop a little cream under your nails to prevent dirt getting underneath.

If you still can’t get rid of ingrained dirt then try making your own stain removal scrub. Simply mix some porridge oats with milk and rub into your hands for a few minutes. This will not only help remove stains but the oats will also help to soothe and soften the skin.

Once your hands are lovely and clean make sure you apply plenty of moisturiser to keep your skin feeling soft and smooth. Try our super rich hand cream recipe below.

Super Rich Gardener’s Hand Cream Recipe

100ml fragrance free Moisturising Lotion
5ml Vitamin E Oil
2 drops of Benzoin essential oil
4 drops Frankincense essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil
8 drops Geraniun essential oil
6 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil

Mix ingredients together and store in an air tight jar.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.

Holistic advice for spring allergies

sharonlovett — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:29:33 +0000

Spring brings blue skies, sunshine (well, it’s meant to, but we’ve not seen much of either of these so far!), singing birds, blooming flowers and blossoming trees – and unfortunately for some, the onset of hay fever!

If you suffer from seasonal allergies you’ll know that there are numerous over the counter and prescription medicines that can help. But, if you prefer a natural approach we’d recommend you try the following holistic advice to help avoid or minimize the symptoms

Avoid dairy produce as this may generate excess congestion when you are already coping with excess mucus.
Try rinsing out your nasal passages with salt water (morning and night) to help reduce inflammation and remove stray pollen grains that might be causing irritation.
Take extra Vitamin C – try BioCare’s Low Acid Vitamin C Powder (Magnesium Ascorbate rather than the high acid Ascorbic Acid) – 1gm daily am and pm if you’re very congested. (Seek further advice if you are on medication)
Try a regular aromatherapy inhalation with 2 drops Frankincense, 1 Eucalyptus and 1 Tea Tree. This is the most effective way of delivering the essential oils’ decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties straight to the problem zone.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.

Wash the rain away with our natural home spa treats

sharonlovett — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:00:34 +0000

Feeling cheesed off with all this rain? Why not treat yourself to a natural home spa this weekend. Many of us are feeling the pinch in these recessionary times, so there’s no better time to realise that you can treat yourself ‘really’ indulgently, without spending a fortune. If you use our products as a base, and blend in your own essential oil combinations, you’ll know there’s no hidden chemicals or exorbitant costs – just the scent and therapeutic benefits of the pure, skin loving essential oils.

If you’re a therapist, perhaps you should also start making up more products for your clients that are specific to their individual needs and favourite aromatherapy fragrances? Treat yourself first, enjoy the results and then grow your ideas and business opportunities from first hand experience.

Bath Salt Boost:

Blend 100g of Dead Sea Salt with the following essential oils, add to a lovely warm bath and wash your blues away:-

For Him: 10 drops Lavender, 8 drops Bergamot, 1 drop Benzoin and 4 drops Sandalwood

For Her: 10 drops Lavender, 8 drops Bergamot, 4 drops Geranium and 2 drops Neroli or Rose.

Refresh & Radient Facial:

First of all, put about a litre of pre-boiling water into a bowl. Add 2 drops Geranium and 2 drops of Lemon. Steam your face for 5 minutes to open up the pores and release any congestion. Then splash your face with cold water after steaming to stimulate your circulation. NOTE: Bypass this if you have any broken veins, as the heat could worsen the condition.

Then, try this exfoliant face pack blend. Massage it in using circular motions and leave to dry for 5 -10 minutes. Then place a warm wet flannel on the face to soften the mask and wash off to see your skin gleam!

3 tblsp White Kaolin Clay
1 tblsp Fine Oatmeal
2 tblsp Dead Sea Salt
1 tblsp French Green Clay
1-2 teaspoon Soya Bean Oil/Olive Oil/Sweet Almond Oil (chose your preferred carrier oil)
4 drops Lavender
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Petitgrain
1 drops Frankincense

Skin Moisture Balm:

Save yourself a fortune and cheer yourself up at the same time! Make yourself this lovely, luxuriant body moisture balm and enjoy the effect, the scent and the low cost! Blend all of the following ingredients, stir well and store in airtight jars.

250ml Moisturising Lotion
2 tblsp Aloe Vera & Rose Hydrating Gel
2 tsp Vitamin E Oil
20 drops Lavender
15 drops Geranium
10 drops Orange Sweet
6 drops Rosewood
6 drops Ylang Ylang

Clinical case study – Grief

sharonlovett — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:45:58 +0000

Clinical Case Study by natural health therapist, Joannah Metcalfe

I see this gentleman, who is in his early forties, once a month – usually for preventative aromatherapy massage and Reiki. He usually has some degree of neck/back shoulder tension/discomfort. He has an open, relaxed nature and is usually someone who finds it easy to laugh at life’s challenges and keep them in proportion, discussing any concerns easily and with a degree of self awareness.

However, on this occasion I had been briefed by a relative (with his permission) that he was struggling. It was the 1 year anniversary of the death of a very close family member, who he misses dreadfully. This, coupled with a few other issues at home and at work had compounded, and it had all become too much. He had begun to break down at the mention of his loved one, and was finding work a real pressure.

When he came in – we had decided to book a two hour session to give us all the time we needed, I first of all asked him, in his own words – to describe to me how he was feeling, and what he was worried about, if he felt able. We have a good rapport and level of trust, built up over a period of 8 years, so he found it easy to talk, which was great. With a little encouragement and discussion I was able to ascertain there were 3 main areas of concern, a work issue, a home issue but the foundation issue – the main problem that was causing the essential difficulty, was grief. I asked him if he felt that if this feeling was different for him – if he felt that the other issues would be resolvable. We agreed that he had begun to lack perspective on these other issues due to the emotional turbulence he was feeling in relation to his loss.

I suggested therefore, that we focused on this aspect of how he was feelings, and then reviewed how he was feeling about/coping with the other issues. I also suggested that we have 3 more sessions weekly to back up the momentum we started that day, so he felt additional support and was less worried about losing his job through “being unable to cope”. He appeared to feel very positive that things were beginning to move forwards almost immediately. A degree of relief at admitting how he was feeling, instead of keeping it “all inside” (not wanting to upset /worry his family). I also reassured him that I had helped other people in similar situations very successfully, so I felt confident that we could improve how he was feeling. I was also informed that he had been for a check-up to his GP, who was discussing the possibility of anti-depressant medication, had signed him off work for 2 weeks and asked to see him again at the end of that period. I asked him to let him know about our sessions, which he already had discussed, and the GP was very positive about it. Times are changing!!

I first of all started with a TFT (Thought Field Therapy) session, to clear some emotional blocks and release the lack of self confidence and fearful feelings that he had. After a mere 30 minutes he was laughing rather than crying when we revisited certain issues. I said that it was important that he could look back and remember the vastly predominant happy memories he had shared with his relative, without the recent sadness occluding these happy feelings and pictures in his mind eye. He was delighted that this began to happen again within this time. Yet again I was impressed with how quickly this therapy unlocks peoples inner resources and innate capabilities with such profound rapidity and gentle effectiveness, as blocks are released.

I then gave him a back massage and some Reiki, as he was holding on to a great deal of tension and his posture was quite hunched. I used Lavender, Petitgrain and Sandalwood to ease the physical and emotional tension and to boost confidence and a feeling of calm reassurance.

We finished with a 45 minute Hypnotherapy session. In this session I concentrated on various techniques (including NLP) to help him to release his worries and fears (in a content free way) and allow his confidence and self esteem to gather momentum once again. I finished this session with some “time line” work “future pacing”, getting him to imagine experiencing some future happy times (he had mentioned some events he was looking forwards to) and bringing those positive happy feelings back into the present moment, reinforcing his natural optimism and the “feel good factor”.

He left looking a completely different man. His colour/complexion was pink (it had been white when he came in 2 hours previously) his posture more relaxed and upright. He was grinning and laughing, and recounting some positive memories of his loved one as he left.

This type of session is always such a joy, as it enables you to hand back the inner resources that we all have within us, but sometimes lose connection with. Occasionally we all need a little help to get back to feeling ourselves once again. I have seen this gentleman again this week and he was delighted to report that he was able to remember his loved one without feeling upset, he was sleeping better and feeling more himself. We will continue reinforcing these feelings over the next few weeks, just to make sure he’s back on track. Then back to our monthly sessions once again, unless anything else needs additional attention or resolution.

Joannah Metcalfe

Q&A: Is orange essential oil safe to use in the sun?

sharonlovett — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:00:50 +0000

Q: Can you tell me if your Orange Sweet essential oil is a ‘folded’ essential oil’? I would like to use it in a body lotion but I live overseas where it is sunny most of the time.

A: Our Orange Sweet essential oil is a ‘whole’ oil. It is not a ‘folded’ version, so we wouldn’t recommend that you use this oil in a ‘leave on’ product if you’re going to be out in the sun.

Certain whole essential oils such as Orange, along with other citrus oils, are phototoxic which means that they might cause skin discolouration in bright sunlight (even when properly diluted in an appropriate base). It is therefore best to avoid using these oils if your skin is going to be exposed in sunny weather.

A folded essential oil is one that has been further distilled to produce a stronger, more concentrated oil. During this process ‘terpenes’, the substance that makes an oil phototoxic, are removed, which means that folded essential oils are generally ok to use in the sun. As an alternative to Orange essential oil you could try our Bergamot FCF, which has had its ‘Bergaptene’ removed to minimise its photoxicity. We would however advise that you still use this oil at a concentration of less than 1%.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.

Try our oil cleansing method…

sharonlovett — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:01:14 +0000

If you’re sick of spending good money on expensive cleansers that leave your skin feeling dry and tight, you could try making your own all natural cleanser at home with a few simple aromatherapy-based ingredients.

Although cleansing your face with oil may sound a bit strange and counter-productive it can actually work in a surprisingly effective way. The oil cleansing method actually removes the bad oil from your skin and replaces it with good oil, while soap-based forms of cleansing pull ALL of the oil from your skin which can cause it to dry out.

An oil cleanser will help to remove dirt and make-up (which is often oil-based) and your skin’s own natural oils. As it is a natural oil itself it won’t dry out your skin as you are essentially replacing one oil with another.

Cleansing oil recipe

50ml Jojoba oil
2 drops of Palmarosa essential oil
2 drops of Geranium essential oil

Jojoba is as close to the skin’s own natural oil (sebum) as you can get. When you use it on skin that over produces sebum it can help to rebalance the skin. By applying the oil your skin thinks that it has produced enough sebum which therefore helps slow down production.

Palmarosa is often used in skincare for its lovely fragrance and its sebum-balancing, hydrating properties. It also helps to regenerate healthy new skin cells.

Geranium has a balancing and soothing effect on all skin types and can also help to balance sebum-production.

How to use the oil cleansing method

Apply a small amount of the cleansing oil to your face and neck and massage in in circular, upward movements. Then take a hot, wet flannel and press it against your face until the flannel becomes room temperature. The heat will help to open the pores and allow the oil to pull out impurities that are lodged deeper in your skin. Finally, remove the remaining oil with cotton wool soaked in one of our hydrolats, and moisturise as normal.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.

Q&A: Using seaweed powder in face masks?

sharonlovett — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:49:46 +0000

Q: Can I use your Seaweed Extract Powder in a face mask?

A: Yes our Seaweed Extract Powder, can be mixed with either our Ultra Fine French Green Clay or Ultra White Kaolin Clay to make a skin nurturing face mask. Seaweed has been used therapeutically for centuries. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and can help to balance natural moisture levels and restore the texture and tone of the skin. It also has detoxifying properties and can aid skin healing.

To make your own mask we’d recommend mixing 1 tsp of Seaweed Extract with your chosen clay base (Kaolin clay is the mildest and is more suited to sensitive skin). Blend with one of our hydrolats until you get a porridge like paste and then apply to the skin. You should only need to use a face mask once a week, this will ensure that the skin has adequate time to regenerate.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.

Help for headaches

sharonlovett — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:09:45 +0000

There are lots of different types of headaches and many causes. The main types however are:-

Tension headaches - mild to moderate with a fairly constant pressure/pain felt in both sides of the head and neck.

Migraines – Symptoms can vary and there are different types of migraines. Usually presents with a moderate to severe pulsing pain on one side of the head. Symptoms can get worse with activity and there may be accompanying nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and sensitivity to light and noise.

Cluster headaches – frequent short burst of one-sided pains across the temple or around the eyes. The pain can reoccur daily for several weeks and then subside. New clusters may develop at some point in the future.

Please note that this only a general guide. Symptoms may vary by person so you should always seek medical advice for a confirmed diagnosis.

Prevention

Regular aerobic exercise can help to prevent or reduce the severity of headaches. You should also avoid common triggers such as certain foods, alcohol or preservatives. A healthy balanced diet, eating regularly to avoid drops in blood sugar and keeping yourself well hydrated are also important.

Cure

Simple painkillers are the most common form of treatment for most headaches, however taking these too regularly can lead to even worse headaches which are known as analgesic-induced or drug-rebound headaches. Complementary therapies such as aromatherapy can be an extremely useful, effective alternative to conventional medicine.

If you suffer from headaches why not try the following blend of essential oils:-

3 drops Cornmint (Peppermint China)
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Valerian

Blend into 50ml of Aloe Vera Gel and apply to temples, alternatively rub into the hands and then massage your scalp in a shampoo like motion. If you regularly suffer with headaches you could also blend these oils into a fragrance free shampoo and conditioner and use daily.

Please visit our website for more details on using essential oils safely and effectively.