ask the aromatherapist

by Alison Harriman

Carol asks: I got bergamot and jasmine today - what are these oils good for? Can they be mixed nicely?

Alison says: Both are nice on the burner, though with the high cost of jasmine, I tend to use it in a blend exclusively. Bergamot is a member of the ruticea or citrus family. These oils have a refreshing and uplifting effect. May relieve headache and feelings of malaise and fatigue. A wonderful oil for the burner, it combines nicely with a drop or two of orange essential oil.

In a blend, or alone, bergamot is a skin tonic and can be helpful in treating disorders such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. Excellent blend with eucalyptus for skin sores.

And yes, bergamot does blend well with jasmine as a skin tonic.

Jasmine is obtained from the delicate white flowers of the climbing tree and are picked at night, when the scent is at its height. Because it takes such a large amount of flowers to produce an ounce of the essential oil, it is very expensive and is often adulterated (diluted with another oil). Which is what I suspect you have there, Carol.

Reputed to be an aphrodisiac, jasmine is a powerful nervine. Very useful in easing depression, soothing to the nerves and warming to the emotions.

It can be blended with mandarin and lavender to make a tonic for stretch marks and scarring.

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Alison Harriman is a fully qualified Holistic Therapist with a special interest in essential oils and their use in aromatherapy. She is a Fellow of the International Council of Holistic Therapists (Federation of Holistic Therapists). If you wish to find a therapist in your area, or are interested in training as a therapist, the FHT may be of help to you.

Alison's own aromatherapy business may be found here.

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