When choosing an oil of the month for June, we decided to ask a few of the team for their favourites. This proved harder than originally thought, as there are so many we love, but we’ve managed to narrow it down to our final five Tisserand Aromatherapy Team Favourites… come back to us in 6 months for a new line-up.
First up we have Laura, Digital Marketing Executive, she chose Ylang Ylang, Cananga odorata.
“I love Ylang Ylang for its sweet, exotic scent. I like to blend with Cardamom, and Petitgrain in my aroma spa diffuser to help me relax and switch off after a busy day”.
Ylang Ylang is one of the headiest, sumptuous aromas of the flower oils, rich, exotic and intensely floral, with a deep musky undertone. The oil is steam distilled from the flowers from this tropical tree.
Its aroma is useful for relieving states of anxiety, it both reduces unease and calms fraught emotions. It is also considered to be one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs amongst the essential oils as it has the ability to relax yet uplift, uniting our emotional and sensual nature.
James, Digital Manager, chose Lemon, Citrus limonum.
He says “It has the most amazing aroma that seems to lift everyone’s mood”.
All the citrus essential oils do indeed lift your mood, one inhale can ease emotional tension and encourage positive energy. It can also be used as an immune-boosting oil, best used in your diffuser as it has powerful anti-microbial properties. Lemon essential oil is expressed from the peel of the fruit.
Joanna, Senior Graphic Designer chose Frankincense, Boswellia carterii,
She explains for her that “It has grounding and calming benefits and helps slow my busy mind. It’s versatile too, so it can be diffused in a blend with other essential oils to scent my home, or can be added to Jojoba Blending Oil for a nourishing skincare treat”.
Steamed distilled from the resin of the Frankincense tree, this essential oil has been used for centuries as a mediative aid, a skin healer and a mild muscle relaxant.
Its ability to calm and soothe emotions is well documented. It deepens the breath, helping you take stock of a stressful situation and ground you. Its therapeutic properties will calm you without making you feel sedated.
Emma, PR & Content Marketing Manager says Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanoides, is her favourite.
“I love it as a stand-alone oil; its sophisticated, expensive aroma always helps me to feel calm. Plus, it blends well with citrus oils – which are a close second. I find it’s always an ingredient in any new perfume I pick!”
Vetiver is steam distilled from the roots of this tropical plant. A classic base, it will be strong in a blend, meaning you only need a little for it to shine! It is sensual and deeply grounding and as Emma says, will definitely make you feel calm. Vetiver can also be used as a skin nourisher and is beneficial for mature skin.
(NB Vetiver can be very viscous, so it’s a good idea to place your bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to aid the flow.)
My favourite essential oil, without a doubt, is Neroli, Citrus aurantium, steam distilled from the blossom of the orange tree. I love the floral oils, and I love the citrus family, so this is a wonderful aromatic delight that has citrus and floral notes combined to make a sweet and creamy aroma that is sublime. Neroli is a great de-stress essential oil, it’s perfect to use when you feel overwhelmed and is a nourishing skin oil too, great for all skin types.
So, let’s put the above essential oils together into some suggested blends for you…
Nourishing Body Oil (not for face)
Add the following essential oils to 10ml of blending oil:
2 drops of Neroli Citrus aurantiu
2 drops of Frankincense Boswellia carterii
1 drop of Vetiver Vetiveria zizanoides
Apply to the body in long slow strokes
Restorative Diffuser Blend
Add the following essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa Diffuser:
3 drops of Bergamot Citrus bergamia
3 drops of Lemon Citrus limonum
2 drops of Ylang Ylang Cananga odorata
What are your favourite essential oils and why?
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.
