Aromatherapy for Women: How to use essential oils for health, beauty and your emotions. Maggie Tisserand

times when cashmere shawls were imported from Kashmir in India, they were packed in boxes containing patchouli leaves, as the smell discouraged insects. The same is true today, and many essential oils will protect clothing from the ravages of moths.

      CONFIDENCE BOOSTER

      A ‘stiff drink’ is the old standby for nervousness before going to a party, or meeting someone for the first time, but what does a non-drinker do?

      You could take some Rescue Remedy, or else dab a little ‘confidence booster’ on the wrists or neck, or inhale the aroma from a bowl of warm water. For example, jasmine has the power to inspire strength and confidence in the wearer, and is one of the most exquisite and precious essential oils. In the time of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, only the privileged few would be able to wear such a fragrance, and even today jasmine is ‘rare’ in comparison to most other essences, which also makes it very expensive to purchase. However, a little goes a long long way, and because of the many special qualities it possesses, it makes a very good investment.

      BREASTS

      Few women are truly happy about the size of their breasts, thinking that they are either too big or too small. The discontentment can cause feelings of insecurity and unhappiness, which can lead to an impairment of sexual pleasure. I am not saying that aromatherapy can automatically transform the breast size, but evidence has been put forward to suggest that some plants contain ‘phyto-hormones’ (plant hormones). These work in a similar way to human hormones, which are responsible for many functions, including the development of the breasts. Geranium oil is purported to be very rich in phyto-hormones and so, after a friend of mine had stopped breastfeeding her last child and found that her bust measurement had shrunk to 32 inches, I decided to put the theory to the test. Ylang-ylang was blended with geranium in a sweet almond oil base (see recipe) and given to her with instructions to rub it in night and morning, taking a few minutes to massage the muscles of the chest wall, directly above the breasts. An improvement in the size and tone of the breasts was noticed gradually, over a long period of time, but perseverence has paid off, because now her bust measurement is 36 inches, and the muscle tone is so good that a bra is an ‘optional extra’.