~Baths Adding a few drops of essential oils has a profound effect on your bath. Below please find some suggestions. These can be used alone or in combinations. To help you sleep: lavender, chamomile To wake you up: rosemary, geranium, grapefruit To help detoxify your body: juniper, cypress, rosemary (Please note that I have read that juniper and cypress actually help you lose weight if used often enough because they increase the metabolism. Aromatherapists have warned that only the parts you want to shrink should be submerged, i.e. if you don't want your breasts to get smaller.) To help lessen depression, cramps and achy feelings during menses: clary sage, lavender, marjoram, chamomile, rose. (Please note that clary sage has been known to increase menstral flow.) To feel sexy: patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, frankincense, vetiver To help vaginitis and candida: lavender, Tea Tree To help herpes: eucalpytus, Tea Tree ~Bath Salts A neat gift to make for yourself or someone you love is bath salts using essential oils. You will need epsom salt, sea salt, sweet almond oil and up to three essential oils of your choice. The quantity you use of salt is up to you and will determine the amount of oil used. Mix the salts in a glass container then add enough sweet almond oil to moisten and then a few drops of essential oil(s). The epsom salts comfort sore muscles, the sea salt rejunivates the skin, sweet almond oil is a great moisturizer and essential oils smell wonderfully while also increasing your immune system. Essential oils I recommend are lavender, ylang-ylang, patchouli, jasmine, rose, clary sage and frankincense. Please note that the oils in the bath salts will make the bathtub slippery; however, they evaporate so that the slipperyness is usually gone the next time you use the bath. ~Facial Toner Facial toner is a refreshing, great to wake-up the skin, especially on a hot day. You will need a spritzing bottle, distilled water, and 3-4 drops each of the essential oils of your choice. I recommend choosing a couple of these: lavender, ylang-ylang, clary sage, jasmine or rose. ~Hair Rinse Hair rinses are a great moisturizer for the hair and can help keep or restore the color. Use these rinses after you have washed and conditioned (not required) your hair. Do not rinse out. If you have light hair you will need a glass bottle, distilled water and chamomile oil- just a couple of drops. Chamomile is sometimes a blue-green color and a little goes a very long way. If you have dark hair you will need a glass bottle, distilled water and rosemary oil- just a couple of drops. If you would like to just have a lovely, holy smell in your hair, you will need a glass bottle, distilled water and frankincense oil- just a couple of drops. My husband loves this! ~Massage Oil Massage oils can contain whatever essential oils you wish; however, there are some specifically used for their healing and purifying properties. I usually make about 1oz at a time. You will need sweet almond or olive oil, juniper, cypress and rosemary oils. These oils are chosen because of the purifying and cleansing properties. They help cleanse the blood of impurities that cause sore muscles. Always massage toward the heart. ~Moisturizer for Mature Skin My husband and I use this every day and it has helped heal and soften our skin tremendously! I mix about 1oz at a time to keep the blend fresh. You will need sweet almond oil, lavendar, frankincense and wheat germ oil. Put about 3 drops each of the essential oils and just a little bit of wheat germ oil as a preservative and because it has Vitamin E. I have read that some aromatherapists believe that lavender actually rejuvinates skin cells, that is why it is used for burns. This is a great mixture for healing acne scars.