What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using pure essential oils from plants to bring about healing and to enhance our physical, mental and emotional well-being.

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are pure plant extracts obtained from the flowers, leaves, fruit, wood, bark, seeds and roots of aromatic plants. Essential oils are complex mixtures of chemical constituents, the precise nature and proportion of which determine their therapeutic and fragrant properties.

What can aromatherapy do for me?
Aromatherapy is considered one of the best ways of treating and preventing stress. As well as creating calm and tranquillity in our lives it is used to relieve menstrual disorders, lift depression, assist our body's detoxification processes, improve our energy levels, relieve respiratory disorders, alleviate skin conditions and treat muscle and joint problems.

How can aromatherapy be used?
There are many ways in which you can incorporate the benefits of aromatherapy into your daily life through the use of essential oils:

Get a massage. This is perhaps the oldest and simplest of all medical treatments. The human touch has long been reputed as a source of healing on its own. Combine this with the therapeutic powers of nature through the many therapeutic properties of essential oils to deliver that relief of aching shoulders and a tired soul. Do dilute pure essential oils in a carrier base oil or use infused oils or a prepared massage oil blend. Alternatively, you may wish to experience a professional massage by a spa that uses Perfect Potion's range of oils.

Instructions for dilution: Use approximately 2.5 to 3% of pure essential oil. This is equal to about 5 drops for every 10ml of carrier oil (for a full body massage, the average amount of carrier oil that needs to be used is around 25ml).

Soak in a bath. The Romans love this and so do the Japanese. In fact, many civilisations have long been aware of the circulatory goodness of a warm soak. Soaking in a bath melts your stress and detoxify the body.
Instructions for dilution: Using 5 drops of essential oil in a tub, relax till you feel sufficiently warmed. For an enhanced detoxifying effect and where space permits, alternate between a warm soak and a cold shower to stimulate your body's natural detoxifying process.
For individuals with known heart ailments and blood pressure issues, care is required when engaging in baths.
Essential oil soaks for the feet and hands can be prepared by adding 2-3 drops of essential oil to a foot soak tray or bowl. Should you feel the need to disperse the essential oil throughout the water, use Perfect Potion's Dispersing Bath Oil Base. Dilute as per the instruction above.

Make a compress. These are highly beneficial for temporary, topical relief of skin problems, bruises and muscular aches as well as from painful periods. Use 5 drops of essential oil in 200ml of water hot or cold. Soak a clean 100% cotton face or hand towel in it and wring out before laying it over the affected area. Re-apply when desired.

Breathe it in. Add 5-10 drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water with visible steam. Place a towel over your head to create a cocoon around the bowl and take slow, deep breathes for instant relief of respiratory difficulties such as asthma, catarrh and the cold. Keep your eyes closed. Ensure that the water level gives sufficient clearance for the tip of your nostrils. For parents of young children, ensure constant supervision when giving them this relief. You can also try direct inhalation by applying 1-2 drops of essential oil on a clean sheet of tissue or handkerchief and bring it close to the nose for a few moments as and when required. Recommended oils for this activity: eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, tea tree, manuka, rosemary or thyme. Try Perfect Potion's Breathe Easy blend.


Treating common ailments

Acne
Related essential oils: bergamot | geranium | grapefruit | lavender | juniper berry | petitgrain | tea tree
Related Perfect Potion products: sos spot gel

Aging Skin
Related essential oils:frankincense | geranium | lavender | patchouli
Related Perfect Potion products:replenish face mask | replenish night balm | replenish serum | rosehip oil | skin elixir

Arthritis
Related essential oils:pepper, black | chamomile, German | ginger | lavender | juniper berry | marjoram, sweet | pine | rosemary
Related Perfect Potion products:aching bodies massage oil | super balm ointment

Broken Capillaries
Related essential oils:chamomile, German | cypress | geranium

Bruises
Related essential oils:pepper, black | fennel, sweet | geranium | lavender | marjoram, sweet
Related Perfect Potion products:super balm ointment

Catarrh
Related essential oils:Cedarwood | chamomile, German | eucalyptus | frankincense | ginger | lavender | marjoram, sweet | peppermint | pine | tea tree
Related Perfect Potion products:breathe easy blend | breathe easy ointment

Chapped Skin
Related essential oils:calendula infused oil | lavender | sandalwood | sweet almond oil
Related Perfect Potion products:calendula infused oil | tea tree ointment

Chilblain
Related essential oils:pepper, black | lavender | marjoram, sweet | rosemary

Circulation, Peripheral
Related essential oils:pepper, black | eucalyptus | ginger | lemon | marjoram, sweet | nutmeg | pine | rosemary

Cold Sores
Related essential oils:bergamot | chamomile, German | lavender | tea tree
Related Perfect Potion products:tea tree ointment

Colds & Flues
Related essential oils:eucalyptus | ginger | lavender | lemon | peppermint | pine | tea tree
Related Perfect Potion products:breathe easy blend | breathe easy ointment

Congested Skin
Related essential oils:geranium | juniper berry | lavender
Related Perfect Potion products:detox body buff | green tea purifying mask

Coughs
Related essential oils:cedarwood, atlas | clary sage | eucalyptus | frankincense | ginger | pine
Related Perfect Potion products:breathe easy blend | breathe easy ointment

Cracked Skin
Related essential oils:calendula infused oil | patchouli
Related Perfect Potion products:calendula infused oil | tea tree ointment

Cuts & Abrasions
Related essential oils:calendula infused oil | lavender | lemon | tea tree
Related Perfect Potion products:tea tree ointment

Dermatitis
Related essential oils:bergamot | carrot seed | calendula infused oil | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | juniper berry | lavender | patchouli
Related Perfect Potion products:soothe cream | soothe double cream | soothe oil

Eczema
Related essential oils:bergamot | calendula infused oil | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | juniper berry | lavender | patchouli
Related Perfect Potion products:avocado oil | evening primrose oil | jojoba oil | soothe double cream

Fever
Related essential oils:eucalyptus | ginger | peppermint
Related Perfect Potion products:breathe easy blend | breathe easy ointment

Flatulence
Related essential oils:pepper, black | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | fennel, sweet | ginger | mandarin | orange, sweet | peppermint

Fluid Retention
Related essential oils:cypress | fennel, sweet | grapefruit | juniper berry | mandarin | orange, sweet | rosemary
Related Perfect Potion products:detox bath soak

Headache
Related essential oils:chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | eucalyptus | lavender | marjoram, sweet | peppermint | rosemary
Related Perfect Potion products:cool it quick fix | super balm ointment

Indigestion
Related essential oils:pepper, black | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | fennel, sweet | ginger | mandarin | orange, sweet | peppermint | rosemary

Insomnia
Related essential oils:chamomile, Roman | lavender | marjoram, sweet | neroli | orange, sweet | petitgrain
Related Perfect Potion products:sweet dreams pillow mist

Jet Lag
Related essential oils:peppermint | geranium | lemon
Related Perfect Potion products:cool it quick fix | jet setter aromatic mist

Menstrual Pain
Related essential oils:chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | clary sage | lavender | marjoram, sweet

Muscular Aches & Pains
Related essential oils:pepper, black | eucalyptus | ginger | lavender | juniper berry | marjoram, sweet | peppermint | pine | rosemary
Related Perfect Potion products:active massage oil | super balm ointment

Oily Skin
Related essential oils:bergamot | cypress | geranium | juniper berry | lavender | lemon | may chang | mandarin | palmarosa | patchouli | petitgrain | rosemary | tea tree | ylang ylang
Related Perfect Potion products:balance moisture gel | geranium moisturising emulsion | green tea purifying mask | purify cleansing gel

Pre-menstrual Tension
Related essential oils:bergamot | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | clary sage | Evening Primrose Oil | geranium | lavender | marjoram, sweet | neroli
Related Perfect Potion products:evening primrose oil

Psoriasis
Related essential oils:carrot seed | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | Evening Primrose Oil | lavender | jojoba oil
Related Perfect Potion products:evening primrose oil | jojoba oil | soothe cleansing gel | soothe cream | soothe double cream | soothe oil

Rashes
Related essential oils:calendula infused oil | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | lavender
Related Perfect Potion products:beautiful baby bottom balm | calendula infused oil | soothe cleansing gel | soothe cream | soothe double cream | soothe oil | tea tree ointment
Rheumatism
Related essential oils:pepper, black | clove bud | chamomile, German | ginger | juniper berry | lavender | marjoram, sweet | peppermint | pine | rosemary
Related Perfect Potion products:aching bodies massage oil | super balm ointment

Sensitive Skin
Related essential oils:apricot kernel oil | calendula infused oil | chamomile, German | chamomile, Roman | jojoba oil | evening primrose oil | lavender | neroli | sandalwood | sweet almond oil
Related Perfect Potion products:pure plant hydration mask | Shea butter | soothe cleansing gel | soothe cream | soothe oil

Sinusitis
Related essential oils:cedarwood, atlas | eucalyptus | ginger | peppermint | pine
Related Perfect Potion products:breathe easy blend | breathe easy ointment

Sprains
Related essential oils:pepper, black | eucalyptus | marjoram, sweet
Related Perfect Potion products:super balm ointment

Stress & Tension
Related essential oils:basil, sweet | bergamot | cedarwood, atlas | chamomile, Roman | clary sage | frankincense | geranium | lavender | neroli | orange, sweet | patchouli | petitgrain | sandalwood | vetiver | ylang ylang
Related Perfect Potion products:cool it quick fix

Sunburn
Related essential oils:chamomile, German | lavender | peppermint
Related Perfect Potion products:aftersun rescue gel

Tinea
Related essential oils:tea tree
Related Perfect Potion products:tea tree ointment

Tired & Aching Muscles
Related essential oils:pepper, black | ginger | lavender | lemongrass | rosemary
Related Perfect Potion products:active massage oil | super balm ointment

Wounds
Related essential oils:calendula infused oil | lavender | lemon | tea tree
Related Perfect Potion products:calendula infused oil | tea tree ointment