Warming Essential Oils to Keep You Cosy!

Essential Oils for Warming Us

As the cold comes, our joints and muscles can get stiffer than usual, and we can also feel more tension than we do in the warmer months. I am going to go through some Essential Oils that are particularly good in the cold autumn and winter seasons, used in massage blends, or in a warm bath or footbath, to help keep the warmth in your body.

You can make these oils up into massage blends yourself, using (for healthy adults) a maximum of 12 drops of Essential Oil per 30ml of Base/Carrier Oil (I use Sweet Almond Oil). You can then use this blend for a full body massage, or just apply it to specific muscle groups or joints of the body as required.

Alternatively, you can mix a little of it with a small amount of milk, and pop this blend into a lovely hot bath, or footbath as preferred. If you don’t have time for a full bath, but can pop your feet into a warm bowl with some of these oils for even 10-15 minutes, you will boost your circulation and warm your body. Obviously I can also supply this blend to you if you would like me to!

Please note: at the end of each of the Essential Oil descriptions, I have listed any Safety Data to be aware of. If you are blending for a child or anyone with hypersensitivies/hyperallergies, or certain medical conditions, you should reduce the dose, and always contact myself or another qualified Aromatherapist for more advice, prior to application. These oils in particular are very strong, so please do read the cautions.

Some wonderful Essential Oils for use in the colder months are:

Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum)

This oil is a great rubefacient (brings warmth), and works hard on our Musculo-Skeletal Systems. It is fantastic for osteoarthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, and general muscular aches, pains and fatigue. It is analgesic, strengthening and wonderful for releasing sore and tired muscles. It is wonderful added to a warm bath, or in a massage or sports blend with other oils added. Note: It is very stimulating, so not recommended for bedtime, and should be used in low-medium doses. It can be a skin irritant in high doses for those with hypersensitivity, and this oil is too strong for use on babies or young children.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinalis)

This oil is also a very warming, energising, rubefacient oil. It is just wonderful for our muscles, helping with all aches, pains and fatigue, as well as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, joint stiffness and muscle tension. It is analgesic and anti-inflammatory, and it is very stimulating. Fabulous used in a warm bath after a busy day, but perhaps not just before bed. Note: It also should not be used on babies or children as it is much too stimulating, neither should it be used on individuals with hypersensitivity or unmedicated high blood pressure.

Juniper Berry (Juniperus Communis)

This Essential oil is yet another that is fabulous for the muscles too, being great for general muscle stiffness, cramps, post-sports treatments, gout, lower backache and rheumatism and arthritis. It is detoxifying too, and is both rubefacient and antirheumatic. Note: It should not be used for people with kidney problems, and again may be too strong for those with hypersensitivity, and too strong for use on babies and children. It should not be confused with the herb ‘Juniperus Savin’ which should not be used in Aromatherapy, and definitely not to be used in pregnancy.

Marjoram, Sweet or French (Origanum Marjorana)

Sweet Marjoram is another great choice for keeping us warm and supporting our muscles. It is a warming, sedative choice, working hard on cramps, muscular aches and pains, arthritis, joint pains and stiffness, sciatica and neuralgia. It is also very comforting and calming. I use this oil a lot, where muscles need supporting and where we need warmth, but maybe where Ginger, Black Pepper or Juniper Berry may be too stimulating or just not suitable for the client. Sweet Marjoram is an analgesic, sedative, and rubefacient oil, and is safe for just about everyone. Note: Slight caution with hypersensitive individuals, and it should not be used during pregnancy or menstruation.

Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris)

Pine Essential Oil is also a rubefacient Essential Oil that is wonderful for muscular stiffness, arthritis, rheumatism and cramps. It is analgesic, and also great for our respiratory system like Eucalyptus is, as it is antiviral and antimicrobial and a fantastic expectorant, so also great for the winter months. It is also brilliant for post-sports treatment. Note: It should not be used on hypersensitive skins or those with hyperallergies. Also not to be confused with Dwarf Pine (Pinus Mugo) which is a skin irritant.

A gorgeous warm bath is one of the very best ways to keep us warm on these cold days too! I hand make beautiful Aromatherapy Essential Oil Bath Bombs, which I can make with any Essential Oils of your choice. Why not order a few for yourself or for Christmas Gifts for your loved ones? They usually come in gift boxes with 3 large hearts or 6 small hearts for £10 per box, but I can also fill jars or do other quantities as preferred. I also have other moulds, so I can make flowers, stars or even bugs for the kids as required!

Remember that I offer other handmade and handblended products that you may enjoy too. I offer face creams, hand creams, foot creams, body creams, shower gels and obviously a variety of Essential Oil Blends (made to order with Essential Oils of your choice). The oil blends can be provided in plastic or glass bottles as preferred, or as small roll-on bottles – these are perfect for popping in a handbag or pocket. If you are interested in any of my products – do have a look at the ‘Products’ page on my website for more information and prices.