How a simple thing such as a scent can transport your mind to a happier, calmer state is something that this lady believer of aromatherapy tries to share with other people.
Indian-American author and alternative medicine advocate, Deepak Chopra once said that “Aromatherapy is extremely useful. If you want to go to sleep at night, and you have an aroma that calms your mind, it will help you sleep.”
In fact, it’s not only Chopra who believes in the efficacy of aromatherapy. Tina Marie Wise Gamutan, the owner and enterprising young lady behind Tia’s Aromatherapy & Specialty Girftshop has always been fascinated by it and has incorporated it into her life.
“Why to treat a trivial ailment with medicines and chemicals when it can be easily healed by something natural,” she rationalizes. “Don’t get me wrong though! Aromatherapy is not a replacement for mainstream medicine. Please don’t try healing a broken bone with frankincense. Whilst I am an advocate for the ‘natural way’ and I fully support modern medicine too!”
How a simple thing such as a scent can transport your mind to a happier calmer state is something that she tries to share with other people. “The use of aromatherapy oils for stress, skincare, sleep problems, cleaning have been around for thousands of years and it’s all offered to us by Mother Nature,” she quips.
Prior to opening her shop in 2012, she used to work in a corporate office. Together with her best friend, they would dabble in making room sprays to clear the negative aura that tends to linger in such a fast-paced environment.
“We would spend the afternoon eating Japanese food purchased that morning from Cartimar market then we would settle down with our crystals, sage, tarot cards, and our accumulated collection of essential oils,” shares Tina.
She admits that this practice has always been a place of healing for her which is why up to this day she’s still doing it. “We always talked about how my purpose is to help others and now that is exactly what I’m doing through the use of my essential oils,” she shares.
Two years ago she became pregnant and got conscious of the things she would put in her body. Luckily, she had a smooth pregnancy apart from the terrible acid reflux. She admits to being extremely wary about purchasing over-the-counter medicine so she turned to peppermint oil and used it in a diffuser.
“I literally can’t live without it now,” she quips. “During my pregnancy, I had a lot of spare time so I started making my sprays again and selling them among friends. The sprays soon turned into soap making, massage oils, beauty products, and candles.”
By this time, she was sitting at home heavily pregnant and every surface had some sort of aromatherapy product on it. This is when she decided to open her own wellness shop.
Aside from the products she made personally, her shop is also an official distributor of Essence of Cleopatra Aromatherapy. The essential oils are imported from Alberta Canada and the range of products has been formulated by a pharmacist with over three decades of experience. These oils are 100 percent natural and organic and each one is sourced from their country of origin.
Below are the oils that Tina considers as her “go-to remedies”:
- What is it? Peppermint oil
Benefits medicinally: This oil has been found to eliminate harmful bacteria, it can relieve muscle spasms and disinfect and soothe inflamed skin.
Benefits when used in Aromatherapy: It has natural expectorant properties which aid in clearing the nasal passage and receives congestion. It is also believed to soothe feelings of nervousness and enhances focus.
How to use:
-Dilute with virgin coconut oil and rub on soles of feet for a natural fever reducer or use it to relieve sunburn. You can also rub it behind the ear to reduce feelings of nausea
-Inhale to relieve the symptoms of headache
- What is it? Lavender Oil
Benefits medicinally: Known for eliminating bacteria, soothe inflamed skin, relieves muscle spasms, soothes bug bites, and speeds up healing of irritated and scarred skin.
Benefits of Aromatherapy: It has mild sedative properties so it is known for reducing stress by lowering cortisol levels. High cortisol levels have a direct correlation to lower immunity therefore lavender essential oil supports the immune system by reducing feelings of stress.
Due to these calming properties, you can use lavender as a sleep aid especially if you suffer from insomnia. This super oil also has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial & anti-microbial properties.
How to use:
- Use in a diffuser so the particles can be inhaled more effectively
- Dilute with a carrier oil and use topically. Can be used as a moisturizer or help to relieve insect bites.
- Provides soothing relief to minor burns and cuts
- Can be used to improve the condition and look of eczema, psoriasis.
- Can be used in the hair to combat lice and fights dandruff
- What is it? Tea Tree Oil
Benefits medicinally: This oil is a powerful antiseptic immune system stimulant that is beneficial in eliminating bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It can be used in cosmetics, household cleaning, aromatherapy. It is known to soothe topical allergic reactions, burns, dandruff, acne, and much more. Used topically Tea Tree oil can heal skin issues making it an excellent additive when making homemade beauty products such as soaps, toners, face washes, body washes.
Benefits in Aromatherapy: Tea Tree has natural expectorant properties so applying a few drops to a pillow can relieve congestion. You can also add a few drops of this oil to a steaming bowl of water and inhale deeply to aid the healing of a sinus infection.
How to use:
- Dilute with a carrier oil of your choice and use topically. You can use it on burns, cuts, sores, rash
- Tea tree has the potential to restore the skin’s complexion so dilute with aloe vera and distilled water and use a facial mist. You can also use it in your hair to fight dandruff or lice.
- Dilute and use it as an air freshener. It is natural, anti-microbial, non-toxic. It can remove bacteria, viruses, and mold from the environment.
Best-selling products
- “Sleep Easy” Sprays
Tia’s Aromatherapy has a range of Essential Oil Room and Linen sprays which are really popular. These are non-toxic, natural, and have a myriad of uses.
The most popular spray is “Sleep Easy.” It combines the healing properties of eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender to promote a feeling of well-being, ease, and restfulness.
This blended scent paves the way for a zen-like environment and state of mind. You can spray directly onto your bathroom tiles so the steam from the shower picks up the droplets and turns them to steam. Alternatively, you can spray on your countertops to keep the ants away.
- Strengthen and restore leave-in hair conditioner with vitamin
This all-natural hair miracle works wonders within ten days. You can see a visible change in the overall health and appearance of your hair. The combined ingredients moisturize, fights dandruff, promote hair growth, UV protection, and are overall designed to bring life back to those locks. It can be used as part of your daily hair routine. Just spritz 6-8 times on damp hair. Your hair will be left with the heavenly smell of lavender.
- Tea Tree toner
This unique herbal-based formula is ideal for those with oily or acne-prone skin. The tea tree extract is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that fight acne and keeps it at bay. The aloe vera aids in soothing and moisturizing and the L- glutathione supports the skin’s natural antioxidants to heal the appearance of blemishes. This toner adds a layer of protection to the skin by closing pores and tightening cell gaps after cleansing which leaves your skin with a clean, matte, healthy-looking appearance.
“Although essential oils can be used to treat various ailments they should not be used as a replacement for modern medicine,” she says. “I advise you use aromatherapy products in a supportive role to the medicines prescribed by doctors.”
All throughout this pandemic, Tina has been using a synergy of aromatherapy oils to boost her immune system. “Thieves oil, tea tree, and eucalyptus to name a few – these can be placed in a diffuser for maximum inhalation effect,” she concludes.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/TiasAromatherapy
By Ruby Asoy-Lebajo
#aromatherapy #essentialoils #supportiveroles #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph
Featured photo: Room and linen spray full set
Photos courtesy of Tia’s Aromatherapy
