“One kind word can warm three winter months.” – Japanese Proverb

In winter there are stretches where the rainy days seem endless, the cold more penetrating and you long for some sun and warmth. This is the time to diffuse your mood lifting essential oils and massage those cold hands and feet to bring back warmth and improve your circulation.

Mood lifting essential oils
The citrus oils are fabulous for lifting your mood and bringing some sunshine into your life on even the darkest days. Put 5 or 6 drops in your diffuser for an instant lift. The aroma will not last long so combine with a warming oil such as cinnamon or ginger to make the aroma last longer but remember even if you can no longer smell the oil it is still in the atmosphere affecting your mood.

Citrus oils to try in your diffuser are:
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) brings cheerfulness and helps release anger
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) helps remove heavy, negative feelings and encourages optimism
Lemon (Citrus limonum) uplifts you emotionally, mentally and spiritually
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) helps to ease stress and calm you
Mandarin or Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) brings a sense of childlike happiness
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) helps you lighten up and find your sense of humour

Warming oils
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) eases arthritis by warming aches and pains.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) relieves arthritic aches and pains and helps alleviates coughs and colds.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) warms and soothes arthritic aches and pains.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragans) soothes arthritis and promotes relaxation.

Recipes
Tropical Island
Lemon 2 drops, lime 2 drops, mandarin 2 drops, cinnamon 1 drop in vaporiser

Sunny day
Sweet orange 2 drops, grapefruit 2 drops, black pepper 2 drops in vaporiser

Nourish
Bergamot 2 drops, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 2 drops, nutmeg 1 drop in vaporiser

Warming massage blend
Black pepper 2 drops, ginger 2 drops, lavender 1 drop in 10 mls cold pressed vegetable oil. Massage into cold hands and feet or double amount for a warming full body massage.

Ginger Infusion/Tea
You may also like to try drinking warm ginger tea
Cut very thin slivers from the ginger root, and simmer them for 10 minutes using about 6 thin slivers from a root of average thickness, to each cupful of water. Add a little honey to make a drink to quell travel and morning sickness, stomach cramps and for colds and flu. (Recipe from Patricia Davis)