Images

My Top 5 Essential Oils

Essential Oils

Hi all,

Today I have decided to strip everything down to the basics. Many of the best products relating to relaxation, meditation and healing contain what we know to be ‘Essential Oils’ and this is what I am going to be counting down today; my top 5. 

IMG_4093

Essential oils have actually been used for thousands of years for both medicinal and health purposes. Because of their antidepressant, antibacterial and calming properties, essential oils are once again gaining popularity on the high street as a natural and cheap source of therapy and relaxation.

There’s no wonder why, considering the high cost of prescriptions and the potential side effects of conventional medications, adding essential oils to your personal medicine cabinet can make a world of difference. We have a whole cupboard dedicated to them in the downstairs loo at home.

IMG_4064

Essential Oil Stockpile at home!

The many benefits of Essential Oils include:

  • boost immune system
  • support digestion
  • balance hormones
  • improve brain function
  • reduce anxiety and stress
  • help aches and pains
  • help skin healing
  • promote sleep

So here comes the main event….

My Top 5 Essential Oils Countdown!

5. Lemon OilIMG_4072

Wow! So Fresh! Lemon Essential Oil!

Lemon Oil is one of the most recognised oils because of its refreshing and uplifting scent. I feel like I could take off and drift away it’s so light.

The benefits of lemon oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming and detoxifying  properties. Lemon Oil is a fantastic mood booster! – you can simply diffuse in the room or place a few drops in your hands, rub and inhale.

I try to use lemon oil when I am struggling to concentrate at home or start to get a massive annoying headache whilst doing University work.

4. Rose OilIMG_0569

My favourite flower!

There must be a special reason why this floral scent has been used in absolutely everything from perfumes to night creams.

Rose Oil is not just relaxing, but it has also been shown to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression.

The way I use Rose Oil is when I want to go to bed. I simply dab a small amount onto my pillow to help me drift off to sleep.

It always reminds me of Turkish Delight so I am always torn between wanting to simply use it or eat it. Ha. No that’s a bad idea.

3. Eucalyptus Oil

IMG_4050

Eucalyptus oil is made from the leaves of selected eucalyptus tree species.

From what I have researched, the trees belong to the plant family Myrtaceae, which is native to Australia, Tasmania and nearby islands.

There are more than 500 eucalypti species, but essential oils of Eucalyptus salicifolia and Eucalyptus globulus  are retrieved for their medicinal properties.

Hundreds of years ago, eucalyptus oil was used as an analgesic agent that helped to relieve pain. It was valued for its anti-inflammatory properties and its aid to improve respiratory conditions.

Eucalyptus oil benefits are extensive, and the oil is now commonly used in healing ointments, perfumes, vapor rubs. Therefore, eucalyptus oil is a great oil for cleansing the air and creating a clean surrounding.

I love this oil before bed time! If I have just had a shower I tend to turn my diffuser on and drop some oil into it to retain that lovely clean feeling you have just after a shower!

2. Peppermint OilIMG_4055

This was a close second!

I love Peppermint oil! It is really used to treat colds, headaches and muscle aches but similar to lavender, I find that Peppermint makes me sleep so much better!

I think it is simply because it feels like it is going to clear my head.

1. Lavender Oil

OF COURSE! It has to be Lavender oil!

When used in aromatherapy,  lavender oil is a brilliant yet mild sedative which helps to reduce stress!

Lavender is also believed to help balance hormones, to reduce feelings of nervous tension and some studies have even proven lavender oil to reduce feelings of depression!

However, from my own experience, lavender oil has been the best thing to both help me sleep and also just relax! Most of my beauty products and sleeping pillow sprays contain lavender and honestly, the oil is the best thing to have graced the planet in terms of helping me to get great night sleep! I can not live without the stuff.

Introducing lavender oil into my bedtime routine has honestly been an absolute blessing!

IMG_8070

one of my most favourite ladies in the whole world.

Once again, my gran was right.

 

L x

Sleepy; The miraculous £8 Lush bedtime body lotion I absolutely swear by!

Bedtime

Hi Everyone!

IMG_3628

Sleepy Body Lotion by Lush

At christmas, I had the absolute pleasure of testing this miracle bedtime body lotion which everyone in the UK is raving about when I discovered it in my stocking on christmas morning. I had actually seen the product before inside my nearest Lush store at the Potteries Centre in Stoke-On-Trent and seen the massive hype about the product all over Instagram and Facebook. I prayed that santa would bring me this product. It’s almost as if he knew I was struggling to get to sleep.

I am one of those people who procrastinates for long lengths of time when I go to sleep, thinking about the ins and outs about my next shift at work, worrying if I am going to get up on time in the morning and even what we are going to have for tea tomorrow night. It  sounds ridiculous but I really struggle to just relax at bedtime. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I just collapse into bed and that’s it, out. However, most of the time I do really struggle.

My Gran always tells me about qualities that lavender oil has and the ways in which it can help in day-to-day life, but I honestly did not realise how good it was until now.

yRIU5gnZRImhWoGNZrXJYQ

My lovely yet silly gran who nearly blinded herself with tee tree!

I swear she carries a little bottle in her bag everywhere she goes. Lavender oil and Tee Tree oil. Tee Tree Oil that she nearly blinded herself once, mistaking them for eye drops one night. But that is another story all together!

Honestly, this product massively lived up to the online reviews. It’s made with naturally occurring ingredients that are never tested on animals and is also packaged in recycled containers which feels really good knowing this when using. The main element of the lotion is lavender, which endless studies have shown can help decrease stress levels, reduce heart rate and make it far easier to relax.

It isn’t going to knock you out as soon as you hit the pillow but gosh it does make it easier to nod off! Honestly, once you try this dreamy body lotion also combined with an oatmeal infusion, you will never stress sleep again. It smells gorgeous. Every person who has tried the product in my family has said it is one of the best things that they have ever smelt. I’m sure I can smell notes of ginger but the ingredient isn’t even in the tub! How does that work? It smells different every time you use it. I’ve tried other lavender lotions and pillow sprays before but they do not work anywhere near as good as this.

Before I go to sleep, I sit upright in bed in my pajamas and pick up the pot which is permanently placed right next to my bed on my little side table. Yes. This is how much I rely on the product. I simply lather the smallest amount on my arms, neck and chest in a thin layer so that way I can smell the cream when I’m lying down, trying to get to sleep. The first time I tried this, I couldn’t even tell you how long it took me to fall asleep. I can’t remember. It must have been instant. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I don’t put it on because I don’t think I have time and just simply want to go to bed straight away but gosh, I do suffer. 

In terms of where to buy then Lush Sleepy Bedtime Lotion, Im afraid there is only one place. Lush

If I am being honest, the price of Lush stuff is always going to be slightly more expensive than other places such as The Body Shop but for this product, it is honestly worth the price and double. I recommend buying the smallest tub to start with. From personal experience, I have had the tub since December and I haven’t even used a quarter of it because you only really need a thin later. So unless you really like the product and want a tub that will last around five years, go for the 95g. 

  • £8.75 – 95g Small Size Tub 
  • £15.95 – 215g Medium Size Tub
  • £26.95 – 440g Large Size Tub

Click here to find your nearest Lush store

Overall, I would recommend this product above every bedtime sleeping product that I have ever tried whether that be roller ball essential oils and mood lights. This is down to personal preference however. Some of you may hate body lotions or might even be allergic to the stuff. Regardless, if you are someone who cannot sleep very well, like myself, introduce Lavender into your sleeping routine. Honestly, It will make a world of difference. 

Bedtime Product Rating – 5/5

Thanks for reading,

L x