Cultivate Self-Love this Valentine’s
Valentine’s day doesn’t only have to be about date nights and partnerships. I think it’s about time we reconstruct our notion of Valentine’s and what that means for cultivating self-love. So, this Valentine’s day is inspired by love, harnessing the healing benefits of aromatherapy plant powers. Light a few candles, enjoy a steamy bath accompanied by a warm mug of tea, treat yourself to a face mask followed by a body massage. There are so many things you can do with aromatherapy to inspire love. Follow through to learn more!
Love Inspired Aromatherapy Recipes for Valentine’s Day
1. A Heart full of Roses: Diffuser Blend
This love inspired aromatherapy recipe is a soothing treat to your Valentine’s day ritual. Diffuse these aromas to cultivate a sense of calm in your mind and body. Rose essential oil exhibits anti-anxiety and anti-depressant properties, promoting relaxation while relieving sexual dysfunction (Mohebitabar, Safieh et al., 2017). Jasmine essential oil is also anti-depressant with sedative and pain-relieving actions. Finally, cedarwood atlas’ grounding and stabilising aroma has shown to exhibit anti-anxiety and stress relieving properties.
Ingredients
- 2 drops rose essential oil
- 2 drops jasmine essential oil
- 1 drops cedarwood atlas essential oil
2. Flowers of Love: Face Mask
This face mask infuses the decongesting properties of kaolin clay with hibiscus and rose powders, leaving your skin soft and nourished.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp hibiscus powder
- 1 tsp rose powder
- 4 tbsp white or pink kaolin clay
Directions: combine dry ingredients in a sterilised jar, mix well and store for future use.
Pro tip: Clay absorbs metals within metal spoons and this will compromise the quality of the clay. To prevent this, use a wooden or ceramic spoon to mix the preparation.
How to Apply:-
- Pour 1 tbsp of dry face mask mixture in a bowl. Blend just enough wet solvent (optional: aloe vera gel, yoghurt, or honey) to create a thick paste. It shouldn’t be too thick or too wet, just at the right consistency. You can increase the dry amount alongside wet ingredients according to your liking.
- Apply the mask on your face until it starts to dry. This should be between 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse your face with warm water.
- Pat dry and finish it off with your favourite facial mist and serum.
3. Bathe with Love
This love-inspired aromatherapy bath is deeply relaxing for the body and mind. The floral notes of rose and lavender essential oil will calm your senses, while sandalwood and ylang-ylang stabilise your mind. Light a few candles, play some meditate music, and tend to your body with love.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pink Himalayan salt
- 1 tbsp carrier oil of choice (jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed or coconut oil)
- 3 drops rose essential oil
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 2 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
- optional: sprinkle lavender, rose or chamomile flowers
4. Release and Let Go: Body Scrub
A body scrub is a great way to exfoliate dead skin while promoting a fresh, new glow. This aromatherapy recipe for valentine’s day will leave your skin feeling as soft as ever. Sugar is a simple ingredient that can exfoliate the skin, while the gentle aromas of lavender and geranium, alongside nourishing oils will help get rid of the old and welcome the new.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/3 cup jojoba, apricot kernel, evening primrose, grapeseed and/or sweet almond oil
- 3 drops rose geranium essential oil
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
Directions: mix ingredients in a bowl until fully blended. Pour the mixture into a sterilised jar and save it for future use. Apply a small amount on your legs and hands, and gently massage in circular motions. Rinse off with warm water then pat dry.
5. Self-Massage for Love
Create a space for intimacy within your own body with our DIY massage oil for self-love. Harness the aphrodisiac powers of rose, ylang-ylang and frankincense to anoint your body with nurture and care.
6. Venus 10ml roller bottle
This love inspired aromatherapy recipe infuses the venus-ruled essential oils for your meditation practice. The floral aromas of rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang are deeply relaxing and can promote a sense of calm and love. Their sensual aromas are wonderful companions to a meditation, or simply as an encapsulating perfume.
Ingredients
- 10 ml sweet almond oil
- 3 drops jasmine essential oil
- 3 drops rose essential oil
- 2 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
- optional: 2 rose buds
Place rose buds into a sterilised 10ml roller bottle. Pour carrier oil to top it off, then blend in the essential oils. Close with a lid, and mix well between your hands. Let it sit for 24-48 hours before use. To apply the aromatherapy blend, rub the roller bottle on the nerve points around your body: your temples, your neck, collarbones and chest, your wrists, behind your knees and ankles.
