30 Ml a.H. Juniper berry or cypress

Dilute hydrolate in 1 liter of water and drink daily; repeat for three weeks. You can alternate between the two hydrosols to relieve the monotony of just one flavor or combine the two in varying amounts to suit your taste. They are both very diuretic, and you will notice that for the first five to ten days you will be visiting the bathroom frequently. However, your body will come to a new balance, and the effect after three weeks is wonderful. This can be used on an as-needed basis thereafter or for occasional water retention as a result of hormone imbalance or lifestyle.

CYSTITIS

30 ml A.H. winter savory

15 ml A.H. sandalwood

15 ml A.H. balsam fir

1 drop E.O. lemon

Dilute in 1 liter water and drink throughout the day. Repeat daily for seven days, then stop. You may also take Aromatic Tinture of dandelion and cypress.

GOUT

Use both treatments concurrently for best results.

Internal Treatment

50 ml A.H. juniper berry or cypress or a combination

2 drops each E.O. lemon and grapefruit

Dilute in 1.5 liters water and drink daily for three weeks. Ideally you should drink 1 liter of plain water in addition to the flavored water to help flush the system.

Topical

2 ml E.O. juniper berry

2 ml E.O. immortelle

3 ml E.O. wintergreen (the real thing, not synthetic methyl salicylate)

3 ml E.O. basil or rosemary CT cineole

25 ml V.O. St. John’s wort infused in olive oil

Apply very delicately to the affected parts as required for pain.

PROSTATE PROBLEMS

It is unbelievably difficult to get men to “test” things, or maybe it’s just difficult because the suggestions are coming from a woman. Women seem to be the big experimenters when it comes to health. However, three male clients who were experiencing signs of normal age-related prostate inflammation all found their symptoms improved using this recipe. I would say it’s experimental but worth trying.

15 Ml a.H. Greenland moss

15 Ml a.H. Rosemary ct verbenone

Dilute in 1.5 liters water and drink throughout the day. Repeat daily for three weeks; take one week off and repeat as required. One of the men who had the most problems also took saw palmetto and pygeum in a capsule, and perhaps this is a “synergy of three” for this problem.

Nervous System

The best general-tonic hydrosols for the nervous system are melissa, neroli, both chamomiles, linden, and St. John’s wort.

ANXIETY AND STRESS

10 Ml a.H. Melissa

10 Ml a.H. Sweet fern

10 Ml a.H. Roman chamomile or linden

Combine the hydrolates and add to 1 liter of water or take undiluted ¼ teaspoon at a time, followed by a few sips of water. The sweet fern is an impressive system tonic and prevents the chamomile from causing sedation. Some people experience a laxative effect from melissa, but I believe this is because it relaxes us and allows the release of everything stress makes us hold.

CAFFEINE JITTERS OR EXAM NERVES

5 ml A.H. neroli

Add the neroli to a glass of water and sip slowly. The effect is usually palpable within two to three minutes. You can mist the neroli on your face at the same time, or instead, if the nerves are not too bad.

MENTAL CHATTER

5 ml A.H. angelica root

Add the angelica to a glass of water and sip slowly. This is extremely good for those who spend too much time thinking or in their head. It will ground you and slow down your mind at the same time.

DEPRESSION

1 5ml A.H. St. John’s wort

15 ml A.H. Echinacea

5 ml A.H. rose

Combine the hydrosols in 1 liter of water and drink daily for three weeks. Although the jury is still out on whether St. John’s wort hydrosol has the same intensity of effect as the macerated oil when used for depression, this combination seems to strengthen resolve, improve general well-being, and give a sense of calm and hope. The rose makes you feel valued. Not a bad start.

Muscular System

For most problems affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, the essential oils are of more use than the hydrosols. However, compresses and baths both can be useful methods of hydrotherapy, and hydrosols are an obvious adjunct in all water treatments. As was stated earlier, many health conditions are the result of chronic long-term dehydration of the body, and drinking plenty of water should be a part of any protocol dealing with muscular or joint complaints.

Refer to the hydrosol monographs for more information, and always consider the synergistic effects you can achieve using the same plant in both essential oil and hydrolate form.

ARTHRITIS

Use both treatments together for best results.

A.H. goldenrod

Compress the affected area with either hot or cold hydrosol, depending on which provides the best relief.

Topical applications of essential oils in conjunction with the hydrosol are very beneficial for arthritis. I make a trademarked synergy-of-three called Moose Grease containing goldenrod, black spruce, and Scotch pine essential oils in an ointment base that is neither heating nor cooling, just very pain relieving and anti-inflammatory.

15 ml A.H. goldenrod

10 ml A.H. juniper berry

5 ml A.H. peppermint

Dilute in 1 liter water and drink throughout the day. Repeat daily for three weeks; then take one week off.

ACHES AND PAINS

30 ml A.H. black spruce

30 ml A.H. Scotch pine

Soak a cotton pad or cloth with the hydrosols and apply to the area. Cover with a piece of plastic wrap and then wrap or cover with a wool cloth and bandage it in place; leave on for 30 minutes. Body heat will warm up the compress, and the heat will be held in by the plastic and wool.

LOTIONS AND POTIONS

Unless otherwise noted, all these preparations should be used at once or stored in the fridge and used within the advised time, usually less than three weeks if there is no alcohol added. Many of the recipes make only enough for one treatment.

DEODORANT #1

This recipe, from Forum Essenzia (1999), the German aromatherapy magazine, is by Dorothea Hamm. It is appropriate for both men and women.

2 drops E.O. bergamot

2 to 3 drops E.O. grapefruit

2 drops E.O. green myrtle

2 to 3 drops E.O. vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) or sandalwood

2 drops “essence” of iris

80 ml A.H. rock rose

20 ml ethyl alcohol (optional emulsifier/preservative)

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before use. Both vetiver and sandalwood inhibit the growth of odor-forming bacteria. Many people do not like to use alcohol on the skin, and if you choose to leave it out, you may wish to add a few drops of an emulsifier or soya lecithin to help disperse the oils in the hydrosol.

DEODORANT #2

If you prefer a powder deodorant to a wet or spray deodorant, try this version.

200 gm baking soda

50 gm rice powder

50 gm corn starch

8 drops E.O. petitgrain

5 drops E.O. vetiver

3 drops E.O. palmarosa

Put half the baking soda in a mortar and pestle or a glass bowl. Add the essential oils drop by drop, mixing them in well and making sure you crush any beads that form. Put the oil-and-soda mixture in a large jar and add the remaining baking soda and other powders and shake well. Store in a dark-colored jar with a tight-fitting lid. Apply with a sea sponge or powder puff.

My aesthetician and colleague, Simone Zrihen of Aroma-Terrapeutics, makes amazing beauty products. A major fan of hydrosols in skin care, she has formulated a complete body-care system that will keep you glowing from head to toe. All the recipes should be customized to your individual needs, and she suggests using only organic essential oils and organic, preservative-free hydrosols—naturally.

HAIR PACKS

Base

3 ounces white clay

1 ounce sage powder

1 ounce Rhassoul clay (volcanic ash from Morocco)

20 drops each of neem oil, nettle tincture, and horsetail extract

Mix together, then add ingredients listed below for your personal hair color and type.

Dark Hair

4 tablespoons base

2 drops E.O. thyme linalol

2 drops E.O. bergamot

1 drop E.O. palmarosa in 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil

Combine essential oils and base. Add Dark Hair Rinse (page 234) 1 tablespoon at a time to create paste. Use a soft brush to apply to scalp and hair. Leave on for a minimum of two hours or overnight (cover hair with plastic wrap and towel). Use Dark Hair Rinse for the final rinse.

Light Hair

4 tablespoons base

2 drops E.O. German chamomile

2 drops E.O. lemon

1 drop E.O. ylang ylang in 2 tablespoons sunflower oil

Combine essential oils and base. Add Light Hair Rinse (page 234) 1 tablespoon at a time to make paste. Use a soft brush to apply to scalp and hair. Leave on for a minimum of two hours or overnight (cover hair with plastic wrap and towel). Use Light Hair Rinse for the final rinse.

Problem Scalp

4 tablespoons base

2 drops E.O. wintergreen

2 drops E.O. lavender

1 drop E.O. rosemary cineole in 2 tablespoons rice bran oil

Combine essential oils and base. Add Problem Scalp Rinse 1 tablespoon at a time to create paste. Use a soft brush to apply to scalp and hair. Leave on for a minimum of two hours or overnight (cover hair with plastic wrap and towel). Use Problem Scalp Rinse for the final rinse. (If you cannot obtain real wintergreen essential oil, use goldenrod instead.)

RINSES

Prepare only as much rinse as you’ll need for one use—more for longer hair and less for shorter hair.

Dark Hair

40% A.H. rosemary verbenone

25% A.H. sage

25% A.H. lavender

10% apple cider vinegar

Light Hair

40% A.H. German chamomile

25% A.H. nettle or nettle tea

25% A.H. cedarwood

10% apple cider vinegar

Problem Scalp

40% A.H. frankincense

25% A.H. neroli

25% A.H. orange mint

10% apple cider vinegar

EYE COMPRESSES

Excellent for computer strained eyes, redness, irritation, and crow’s feet. Soothes and gives new sparkle to eyes. Soak two round cotton pads with the hydrosol and leave on eyes for 10 to 15 minutes while you lie down with your feet up. Use any of the following hydrosols—fennel seed, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, rose, cornflower, clary sage, or elder flower.

FACE PACKS

The basics are easy; it’s the specifics that are complex. That’s what makes a really great aesthetician worth her weight in gold. Every face will need different treatment, from area to area and from week to week. The T-zone is frequently oily, but the rest of the face may be sensitive and dry. Winter may cause broken capillaries, while summer sun can cause freckles or wrinkles. Get to know your skin and give it what it needs when it needs it, just like the rest of your body. Aromatherapy offers so much scope for custom treatments that you can certainly come up with some fabulous combinations that will keep you looking “gorgeous, dahling” all year-round.

These face packs remove the dead cells on the topmost layer of the skin and stimulate circulation. Add the essential oils and other oils to the base, then blend in the hydrosol 1 tablespoon at a time to create a smooth paste. Massage the pack gently into the skin with a circular motion and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and spritz with hydrosol.

Base