Sensuality and aromatherapy are the perfect synergy. Incorporating the beauty and pleasure of plant essences into daily rituals can help keep us in touch with our sensuality and sexuality. When I speak about aromatherapy, I am referring to essences that are extracted from various parts of a plant -- bark, leave, peel, flower, leaf and seed. This is different from synthetic fragrance, which is made in a lab. They may have a similar aroma, but they do not have the complex chemistry which gives them their distinct properties. They are by their very nature -- "sensual."
The sense of smell is thought to be the strongest of our senses. It is where scent memories are stored forever. I remember the smell of the deodorant that my first boyfriend used. No matter what, the scent of that product brings me right back to him.
There are many lovely rituals that can be woven into daily life that are ways of honoring our body, mind and spirit. I have listed some of my favorite practices below that focus on the sensual use of essential oils (plant essences). Keep in mind that we do not use essential oils directly on the skin because they are so concentrated. They are commonly diluted in a carrier oil such as grapeseed, avocado, canola, almond and jojoba (my favorite).
Sensual Start to the Day
Every morning when I arise, I first turn on my diffuser filled with bergamot and orange (very uplifting) and then proceed to dry brush my skin. This involves brushing your bare skin in upward strokes. It is very stimulating and great for exfoliating the skin. Then I take a massage oil and massage my body, taking time to appreciate the feel of my skin knowing that I am honoring my body with this self care ritual. I also spray my face with rose water. Pure rose water is a by-product of the distillation process of rose oil. Then I proceed with my shower.
Mid-Afternoon Practice
A diffuser in my office is going all the time. Usually I fill it with uplifting citrus essential oils such as bergamot, orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit. It is at about 3 p.m. that I experience a slump in energy. Being a health nut, I rarely eat sugar and never drink coffee. Instead I reach for my uplift mist and mist the air around myself. Sometimes I apply the mist to my hands and then inhale the aroma directly. Or I use an aromatherapy inhaler. Taking a moment to breathe in an energizing essential oil immediately shifts my energy.
Bedtime Ritual
The pleasure of bathing can never be underestimated. I often think of what it would be like if everyone practiced this ritual at night. First I fill the tub adding a cup of Epsom salts as the water fills the tub. Once the tub is full I add a couple of capfuls of a relaxing aromatic bath oil. For up to 20 minutes, I enjoy the water surrounding my body and the feel of the oil against my skin. I breathe in the aroma of essential oils and release the cares of the day. Once out of my bath, I massage my feet with an aromatic oil paying attention to my toes and the areas of my feet that need special attention. When I get into bed, I either mist the pillowcase or put a few drops of my sleep ritual on the corner of the pillowcase to relax into a peaceful sleep.
Each day, you can incorporate essential oils for a sensual and self-honoring ritual that leaves you nourished on a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical level. Stay tuned for our next blog about "Romantic Rituals & Aromatherapy."
May you always take impeccable care of yourself,
Vali