Aromatherapy for Seniors

Would you trade your wisdom and experience for a younger age? Most seniors I have spoken with have said “If I only knew then what I know now.” So while they are enjoying the benefits of knowledge and increased understanding, they would want to change how they feel in their golden years. Your skin cells become more fragile as you age, your hair follicles become brittle, your gastrointestinal system becomes more delicate, your bones may become fragile, and your sleep patterns are all mixed up. So how can we enjoy the benefits of growing older without suffering? Use aromatherapy products to provide a natural, chemical, and effective solution.

Physical Health
While our minds may say that we are only 25 years old, our bodies remind us that we are getting older. It is not as easy to do some of the things that we used to do without enduring some minor annoyances. For many seniors, the simple act of playing a round of golf, tending to our gardens, or playing with our grandchildren can cause sore muscles.

Try making an essential oil blend including 10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Rosemary. With these 30 drops, put 20 drops into 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and massage the affected area several times during the day. Use the remaining 10 drops to put into a bath to soak the strain away from your muscles.

The essential oils in this blend have the following natural chemicals. Eucalyptus is an analgesic, anti-rheumatic, and antispasmodic. Peppermint is an analgesic, topical anesthetic, anodyne, and anti-inflammatory. Rosemary is also an analgesic, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, and nervine. These powerful chemicals are a perfect combination to treat muscle aches and pains.

Beauty Health
As we age, it is important for our mental and physical well-being to look as good as we can. Unfortunately, the aging process often strips our bodies of some of the natural nutrients that keep our hair and skin looking lustrous and radiant.

Spoil yourself by making one of the following blends. For damaged hair, use 1 drop each of Cedarwood, Geranium, Lavender, and 3 drops each of Clary Sage and Rosemary. Mix all oils together into 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can use this blend two ways. Massage the blend on your hair and scalp; make sure to reach those split ends. Wrap your head with a towel and relax for one hour. Shampoo and rinse. Be sure to rinse well to remove the olive oil. Or you can add the blend to a mild shampoo and use on a regular basis to wash your hair.

To fight the signs of wrinkles, use 4 drops each of Geranium and Lavender, and 6 drops each of Clary Sage and Fennel. Mix the essential oils together. You can use this blend two ways. Add the blend to 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil. Then after washing your face, massage this mixture into your skin. Or you can add the blend to 4 ounces of fresh water and 1 ounce of witch hazel and use the combination as a toner twice a day.

Emotional Health
Sometimes it seems that our life goes full circle. Odds are if you had difficulty sleeping as an infant, then you may have periods of time now when sleep eludes you. And when you have had a bad night’s sleep, greeting the day with your full potential is difficult. Again, aromatherapy can come to your aid to help you enjoy restful sleep during the night and full energy during the day.

Treat yourself to the calming blend to help you sleep. Put 10 drops each of Orange, Lavender, and Chamomile into a small dropper bottle. From those 30 drops, you can put 15 into a nice relaxing bath. And if time does not permit for a relaxing bath, put the remaining 15 drops into 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spritz your body and enjoy the relaxing benefits of these oils.

For energy during your busy days, put 4 drops of Lemon, 3 drops of Rosemary, 2 drops of Peppermint, and 1 drop of Lavender into 8 ounces of water and use as a body splash to keep you going all day long.

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