More evidence that low-calorie sweeteners are bad for your health
Studies show that artificial sweeteners can raise the risk of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, including stroke.
You might think of aromatherapy as being a chick thing…
And yet men have played key roles in ‘aroma’ long before it became a ‘therapy.
The ancient Egyptians used perfumes and plant oils extensively for their effects on both men and women, but also as offerings to gods. Indian and Chinese cultures both have long histories of using plant oils as medicine. The Greeks and Romans also used aromatherapy. It is reputed that the roman Emperor Nero relied heavily on rose oil to cure his headaches, indigestion and lift his spirits.
The term ‘aromatherapy’ was actually coined in the early 20th century by René-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist.
In recent years pioneers like Robert Tisserand, an English aromatherapist, have helped disseminate knowledge about essential oils and their uses all around the world.
On a slightly more mundane note, millionaire businessman Will King (founder of the King Of Shaves company) is said to have put down the roots of his successful enterprise while experimenting with his girlfriend’s essential oils for his own personal use.
As we celebrate both Men’s Health Week and Aromatherapy Awareness Week, this week we thought we’d come up with some clever ways for men to make good use of aromatherapy blends to enhance their lives and well-being.
Make your own
Making your own essential oil blends is fairly easy, though a few rules apply. As a general principle, you should never put neat essential oil on your skin, but instead mix it into a carrier oil. Some exceptions do apply such as for lavender, tea tree and a few others.
For sensitive skin and face we recommend 2 drops of essential oil per 10mls of oil. For formulations used on the rest of the body use 4 drops per 10mls of carrier oil.
If you want to scale your creations up to man-size bottles that would be 50 drops per 250 mils of oil for the face and sensitive skin and 100 drops for blends used on the rest of the body.
Which carrier oil you use is up to you. Light vegetable oils like almond or grapeseed are virtually odourless and are good all-rounders. A slightly richer oil like jojoba is also a good choice because it is very similar to the oils produce by the skin. Coconut oil is also a great option and makes a wonderful massage.
If you are going to make a large amount it also helps if you have dark coloured bottles to store your blends in.
Good quality oils are an investment in yourself. Whichever ones you choose buy the highest quality oil possible. We recommend looking for Soil Association certified essential oils or those sourced from wildcrafted plants. Avoid any oils that do contain any synthetic fragrances, chemicals, parabens, or animal ingredients.
Try these blends
There is very little to guide us about how men and women might respond differently – if indeed this is the case – to aromatherapy. Women, studies have shown, are more acutely aware of the scents around them. But being aware of an aroma is not necessarily the same as being affected by it.
Some scents such as spices and musks are considered more ‘masculine’ while florals are usually thought of as ‘feminine. But in between these are a whole range of aromas that suite everyone.
The blends below tend towards being more ‘masculine’ and have been put together to help address some specific stresses and health concerns of men.
Headache relief
Peppermint’s analgesic and antispasmodic properties have long been used to relive headache and sinus pain, muscle aches. Applied topically peppermint can dilate blood vessels which produces a cooling effect.
In one study, when peppermint and eucalyptus were applied topically to large areas of the forehead and temples it increased cognitive performance and produced a muscle-relaxing and mentally relaxing effect. But peppermint alone produced an analgesic effect causing the greatest decrease in headache pain.
You can use peppermint in a compress applied to the forehead and back of the neck. Inhalations, for instance via a diffuser or burner may also be helpful. But if you don’t have time for a compress try dabbing a drop of peppermint onto each temple as an emergency aid. For larger areas or for massage make sure to dilute in a carrier oil.
Stress relief
When you’ve worked all the hours of the day and then some try relaxing with this stress-busting blend. In 20mls of oil mix
Use as a massage oil for neck and shoulders or mix in milk instead of oil (to aid dispersal in the water) and add to a comforting bath.
Focus
We all get tired and lose focus from time to time. Try this simple blend to help keep your mind sharp. In 20mls (2 tsp) of oil blend
Rosemary has been shown in studies to be particularly effective improving memory and focus.
Hair loss
There is some evidence that a combination of essential oils applied topically may stimulate hair growth in people with alopecia areata. In one study participants massaged either an essential oils blend, or a non-treatment oil into their scalps each night for 7 months. The results showed that 44% of those in the treatment group experienced new hair growth compared to only 15% of the control group. The treatment oil contained essential oils of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood, in a base of grape seed and jojoba oils.
A close shave
Shaving oils are becoming a popular and with good reason. They help condition your skin while you shave and also help you avoid the nasty chemicals that lurk in shaving foams.
By making your own you can personalise a scent that is truly unique. Even if you still like foam, try applying a shaving oil (with or without added essential oils) first – it will help your razor glide more smoothly over your skin.
Good carrier oils include olive, almond and jojoba essential oil. Coconut and avocado essential oils are more expensive, but are deeply enriching and nourishing to skin. To 30 mls (1 tbl) of oil try adding 2 drops each of:
Sore muscles
Whether you are an active guy or one of those who just goes for it really hard every once in a while, sore muscles can leave you feeling old and achy. Try this blend to help warm and ease the pain.
In 120 mls (4 oz) of carrier oil such as jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, almond oil add:
If you’ve got sore joints or muscle cramps try this blend. To 60mls (2 oz) of carrier oil add:
To give your mixture extra power, consider using St John’s wort macerated oil for half (or all!) of your carrier oil. Applied externally it has a lovely woody aroma and is excellent for aches and pains of all kinds.
Sensual massage
For an essential oil blend to use as a massage (and even as an aphrodisiac) try the following
To a base of 120 mls (4 oz) of sweet almond oil add the following:
Make the mixture up a little ahead of time and allow the aromas to meld together completely. Enjoy!
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