Many people undertake some form of detox and rejuvenation in the spring.
Exercise, exposure to fresh air and sunlight, lighter foods, fasting, and a trip to the spa are some of the most common methods of detox.
But why not add aromatherapy and essential oils to detox and get a bigger, more enjoyable bang for your endeavors? Not only do they detoxify the body, but they also strengthen the digestive and excretory systems and rejuvenate the skin.
First things first, what are some of the best essential oils for detox?
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi)
Helichrysum B. (Helichrysum italicum)
Juniper berry (Juniperus communis)
Lemon (Citrus limon) and tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Now that you know which essential oil to look out for, there are some excellent ways to add aromatherapy to your detox program.
Choosing the right application for an aromatherapy detox is also important.
Here are 3 ways to use aromatherapy and essential oils for detox and rejuvenation.
1. Add essential oils to salts and scrubs.
Salt and scrubs are wonderful for a stimulating detox. This abrasive action of salts and scrubs stimulates and exfoliates the skin and improves blood circulation in both the physical and energetic body.
Exfoliants and manual manipulations of the muscles activate lymph flow and the elimination of toxins from the body.
Natural sugars and salts such as Epsom salt, sea salt, and Dead Sea salt are more abrasive but can be finely ground and still provide beneficial stimulation.
Salts contain minerals and Epsom salt is rich in magnesium. Vegetable peelings such as finely ground nuts or fruit kernels provide a little natural abrasion and nutrients.
Natural clays pull toxins out from under the skin. Many clays also contain minerals that help rejuvenate the skin and nourish the body. Natural clays are a soft, soothing way to detoxify the skin.
To improve detox, add just a few drops (no more than 10 drops) of essential oils to an ounce of salts, scrubs, or clays. Be sure to select essential oils that are suitable for the application and use the correct dilution.
Facial skin and aged skin are more sensitive and reactive than the skin of the body. So start with less.
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Those extracted from citrus fruits (e.g., lemon, grapefruit, and tangerine) can cause skin irritation, but are usually fine when diluted and applied to the skin in the form of an exfoliator.
2. Try a detox massage and abhyanga.
Abhyanga is a type of massage and plays an important role in Ayurvedic practice and healing. Lots of warm, natural vegetable oil is applied all over the body.
It can be practiced regularly (daily) as a self-massage. Abhyanga is a great way to detoxify and nourish your skin and body. It can be used to draw toxins from the skin and fight cellulite, a symptom of clogged lymph.
Massage is a great way to activate the muscles and lymph, and stimulate blood flow and toxin elimination through the lymph.
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Add essential oils to the abhyanga at less than 10 drops per ounce, but up to 12-15 can be used.
3. Dry brushing.
While technically not an aromatherapy detox application, dry brushing can be combined with an aromatherapy detox to improve the detox process.
Dry brushing moves energy and stimulates blood circulation and lymph, thereby removing toxins. No oils or aromatic essential oils are required.
As the name suggests, no oils, creams, water or other substances are used.
Instead, a firm but soft brush is used to stroke the skin in a specific way: long surface strokes towards the heart for long areas of the body such as arms and legs, and circular strokes for the joints and stomach.
Dry brushing can be followed by a massage or an abhyanga.
Spring is a great time to detox from all those clogging winter foods and inactive pastimes.
In fact, if you are feeling sluggish or constipated, indulge yourself with an aromatherapy detox or abhyanga and add some sensual and healing essential oils.
Patricia Bonnard, Ph.D., ACC, is a certified leadership trainer of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a certified Martha Beck life coach. For more information, contact them or visit their website.
This article was originally published on starchaser-healingarts.com. Reprinted with the kind permission of the author.