[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10792″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Atlantic Aromatics set up in business in 1985, the same year that Only Natural did, and we’ve been proud to stock their top quality essential oils from the beginning. On Sunday the 9th of July we had a wonderful opportunity to attend a training day given by the company in Wicklow. Michelle, Ruth and Kim popped off for a delightfully scented and sensuous educational day. Here’s Michelle’s account of how they got on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With the sun shining the three of us headed off towards Greystones quite early for a Sunday morning. But hey we were happy to take one for the team as we knew more than likely it was going to be a day of sunshine, beautiful aromas and knowledge and what girl doesn’t want to know how to make her own chemical-free but oh so indulgent body products.
We arrived at Charlesland Golf Club and after introductions we all boarded the bus and headed off to the lavender fields at Kilmacanogue, there we were introduced to the four varieties of lavender growing there – many of them twenty years old and we also met some of the resident bees. There are actually some beehives on-site to ensure a steady supply but what was interesting to find out was that if there are too many bees on the flowers it actually reduces the yield of essential oils as the flowers are busy making pollen to keep their little friends happy, so you need a certain amount but not too many.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]From there we headed to the other side of the dual carriageway to ‘Fragrances of Ireland’s’ premises. There we were shown how much fresh lavender flowers it takes to produce lavender oil – 15kg of flowers produces approximately 15ml of pure essential oil. When you see the quantities in front of you it really starts to hit home how essential oils can be so potent and therapeutic. What we also learnt was that when making their lavender and rose waters, unlike other companies, Atlantic Aromatics, do not remove any of the essential oil so their waters are even more nourishing for the skin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10794″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After a couple of hours in the glorious sunshine we headed back to Greystones where David Kelly gave us a brief history of how it all started, we then watched a short video of the Fra family, suppliers of Atlantic Aromatics organic lavender oil. The Fra family have been lavender farming in the French mountains for 6 generations and it doesn’t seem to be stopping there, their children have gone into the lavender business too and are carrying on the old farming practices such as reproducing the plants by seed and not by cuttings. Apparently this traditional method is only being done in France nowhere else. This is just one of the suppliers to Atlantic Aromatics and they have many stories like this one.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In the afternoon after lunch (which I have a sneaky suspicion was supplied by Greystone locals The Happy Pear) came the really interesting part – the practical side of aromatherapy. We had talks from two aromatherapists firstly Christine Courtney from Obus School of Healing Therapies who as well as passing on some great knowledge such as mixing and general guidelines especially for babies also gave some really practical advice such as when smelling an oil take two deep slow breaths and smell the lid rather than bottle and then you’ll know if you like it or not.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10799″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]And also if you are looking to use oils therapeutically and you don’t have a bath, a foot bath will get the oils into the body the same, the water just needs to cover the ankles. She also passed on some warnings of the use of oils the main one being that menthol slows down the breathing of babies and children so no peppermint either on the body or burning in the room.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After Christine, Ellen Cox from Atlantic Aromatics spoke and she passed on some great advice on how to treat various conditions such as nail fungal infections, sun burn and chilblains using the power of essential oils. So between both Christine and Ellen we came away with a huge amount of knowledge to bring back to the store! We also know how to create baby soft skin from head to toe using our hand-made body scrubs, body butters and facial treatments. Below are just a few of the recipes but if you would like more just ask in store and we’ll be happy to share our new found knowledge.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10797″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Before you start mixing it is important to know the recommended dilutions especially if you are going to be using your mixture on babies and children. It is recommended for babies and children between 8 weeks and 6 years use 0.5% dilution and between 6 and 12 years use 1%. It is not recommended to use any essential oils on babies under 8 weeks.
General Mixing and Blending Guidelines
| Percentage Dilution | No. of drops in 10mls carrier | No. of drops in 50mls carrier |
| 0.5% | 2 | 12 |
| 1% | 5 | 25 |
| 2% | 10 | 50 |
| 3% | 15 | 75 |
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Basic Base Blend
Calendula Oil, Light Coconut Oil and Sweet Almond Oil in equal amounts. To this you can add any essential oils you like – a combination we tried on the day was Sandalwood, Geranium and Roman Chamomile to this base.
You can also create a base using Aloe Vera Gel, which I particularly liked – use 80% gel to 20% carrier oil such as calendula oil and on the day Angelica Root, Lavender and Orange Oils were added to this and it was really divine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Body Scrub
This is such a simple thing to make it almost seems too easy and will keep for a couple of weeks.
Atlantic Detox Massage Oil
Epsom Salts
Eye the consistency of the mix, not too dry or too runny. Use the body scrub on dry skin. Rinse off in the shower and pat skin dry.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Deluxe Face Treatment
Organic Rosehip Oil 5ml
Organic Almond or Light Coconut Oil 5 ml
Organic Rose or Neroli oil. Add 2 drops of either.
This makes a lovely night time treatment[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve truly had our love of all things Aromatherapy well and truly rekindled and to celebrate we’d like to offer you 15% off the entire Atlantic Aromatics range all through August.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10798″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
