Holiday Aromatherapy
Essential and carrier oils can be a boon when you are on vacation, a long way from home in an unfamiliar climate, often much hotter than you are accustomed to, with no family GP at hand. These concentrated essences in their little 10 ml bottles take up so little space in a suitcase or hand baggage and can be extremely useful both as first aid and prophylactic measures to treat discomforts ranging from blisters to sunburn. Obviously, if you have severe sunburn, an infected mosquito bite or a serious wound, you must consult a pharmacist, doctor or hospital; but for the lesser, niggly health problems that can occur, particularly in Mediterranean/hot climates and spoil things, aromatherapy can often sort you out and let you get on with enjoying your holiday!
BLISTERS
Apply neat Lavender essential oil and cover with a Band Aid. If shoes have caused the problem, wear another pair for a few days, or- better still- if possible go barefoot. Salty sea water helps to heal blisters too.
BURNS (minor)
Apply neat Lavender or Tea Tree oil, but only if the burnt area is small and shallow. A deeper burn covering a larger area-10% or more of the affected skin- is more serious and should be treated by a doctor. Chamomile Roman and Chamomile German are also recommended for burns due to their powerful anti-inflammatory effect and these can also help to ease the pain.
CUTS, GRAZES AND MINOR WOUNDS
Bath the affected area in 500 ml warm water to which 5 drops of Lavender oil and 2 drops of Tea Tree oil have been added. Alternatively, apply 3 drops of the above oils directly to the wound and cover with a Band Aid.
DISENFECTANT WIPES
A synergistic blend of equal amounts of Lavender, Thyme and Eucalyptus essential oils is effective against most known bacteria likely to be inhabiting your holiday apartment. Moisten cotton wool or tissues with this blend and wipe over surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom.
INSECT DETERRENTS
Ants can (and in my travelling experience, usually do!) invade holiday apartment kitchens. Ants detest the smells of Lemon, Peppermint and Thyme oils, so it is a good idea to sprinkle a few drops of one of these oils directly where the ants tend to congregate.
Citronella is the oil of choice as a mosquito deterrent. Although it shouldn’t be used neat on the skin, it can be diluted and blended into just about everything you apply to your body- cleansing lotion, skin toner, moisturiser, shampoo, hair rinse, body oil etc etc. Steam bowls, burners, candles and cottonwool impregnated with Citronella oil can be invaluable indoors, especially during the night and early morning hours when mosquitos tend to bite. Lemongrass and Lavender are also helpful at keeping them at bay- but to a lesser extent. A useful synergistic blend is 4 drops each of Thyme, Lavender and Lemongrass. Add this blend to an unscented skin toner or lotion before you go out for the evening.
NAUSEA AND TRAVEL SICKNESS
Ginger or Peppermint essential oils inhaled from a tissue can help to alleviate this problem.
PEELING SKIN
This can be a nuisance on holiday. You’re a week into a sundrenched time of relaxation and fun; you’ve attained a beautiful, golden tan- and then it starts to peel off in unsightly patches!! Peeling skin is basically dead skin, a reaction to being burnt by strong sunlight. What to do? Don’t pick at it. Coconut oil is extremely effective for smoothing and moisturising the affected skin down temporarily when you’re out for the evening in your skimpy white/black/whatever number. Aloe Vera gel is soothing and cooling as an after-sun treatment. A few drops of Lavender or Peppermint oil can be added to enhance the effect. Unfortunately, I don’t know of anything that will actually stop skin from peeling once it has started-nature takes her course. If anyone out there knows different, please let me know!
SUNBURN (minor)
Soak a towel in a bowl of cool water into which either 6 drops of Lavender oil or 6 drops of Peppermint oil have been added. Apply this poultice to the burnt area until it becomes warm, then reapply as necessary.