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Energizing, Clarifying and Focusing Blends

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The energizing effect of aromatherapy is much desired by users of essential oils. The physiological and psychological effects of oils that are sharp, fresh and penetrating can invigorate fatigued muscles, stimulate emotions, clarify the mind or subtly inspire the creative process.

Energizing Shower Gel
A vigorous, aromatic shower featuring energizing essential oils is a great way to wake up to the work day. This recipe is especially effective in the midst of a strenuous work week, to combat yesterday's fatigue and prepare for today's challenges.

Most natural food stores sell unscented bath and shower gels or vegetable oil based castile liquid soaps. These make good carriers for essential oils, and can be used to make your own energizing shower gel. Apply the gel with a soft natural sponge and work up a rich lather. Rinse and start the day fresh!

To 2 ounces of unscented liquid soap add the following essential oils:

* 14 drops cypress
* 8 drops lime
* 3 drops black pepper
Mix your shower gel in small batches so it's fresh and vital each time you need a boost.

Clarifying Study Blend
The aroma of herbs and essential oils can be used to influence memory. For instance, clear memories of a wedding day or high school prom may be recalled when smelling roses or carnations, Ophelia says in Hamlet,

There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember . . .

The pungent aroma of rosemary oil is quite distinctive and not easily forgotten. This recipe for a clarifying study blend incorporates Ophelia's wisdom featuring rosemary essential oil. Try brief inhalations of the blend while committing facts and figures to memory, and again while trying to recall the information. The mental clarity that this powerful blend inspires may help you recall the important details needed to ace a test or shine at your next presentation.

* 9 drops rosemary
* 14 drops lemon
* 2 drops cypress

Aromatherapy for Creative Inspiration
Creative people including artists and writers use their senses -- sight, touch and smell -- to draw inspiration for their work from the world around them. The attitudes and emotions that aromatherapy inspires can positively affect the creative process. Two oils that are especially supportive of creative work are clary sage and bergamot.

Clary sage oil coffles from a robust plant with colorful spires of white, pink and blue flowers. A field of summer blooming clary sage is a striking, bee buzzing, impresionistic tapestry. This visual feast is replicated in the essential oil with its warm-herbaceous, sweet-mown-hay aroma. Clary sage is euphoric, powerful, radiant, warm, lively, comforting and strengthening.

Bergamot oil is expressed from the peel of the bergamot orange which grows throughout the rocky Italian countryside of Calabria. Bergamot's fruity-citrus, spicy, sweet, floral aroma is refreshing and balancing. The oil is versatile, adaptive and inspiring.

Focusing Temple Massage
Use this massage blend to facilitate creative work and to enhance concentration. To 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil such as sweet almond or grapeseed add:

* 3 drops clary sage
* 3 drops bergamot
Place 1 or two drops of the mixture on your fingertips and gently massage your temples. Cose your eyes as the warm, sweet aroma of the blend penetrates; envision the creative work before you.

Energizing aromatherapy offers an opportunity to wake to the vitality of life. Invigorate your daily routine by using energizing oils such as basil, black pepper, clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, hyssop, nutmeg, oregano, peppermint, pine and rosemary. These dazzling scents can infuse our lives with the aromatic forces of nature.

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