A day spa visit often begins with you choosing a preferred aroma from a range of essential oils. The idea is that you will be intuitively drawn to the one that most suits your immediate well-being needs. Treatments can then be tailored to whether your olfactory instincts indicated a desire to relax or re-energise. This is essential oil use at its most approachable, seen also in its match-your-mood use in home fragrances and body products. From the lavender bags of old, tucked under pillows to promote calming sleep, to the hippy flower-power era, where anointing yourself in pungent oils was common, to our time's interest in reconnecting with nature and our inner selves by using natural ingredients and focusing on personal well-being; essential oils have had a key role.
To highlight this, in our vitality issue we feature five New Zealand products with essential oils at their heart. Plenty more are available, especially if you are drawn to their use primarily for reasons of aromatic appeal. If you wish to delve further into their supposed healing powers, then head to a health goods store or a specialist aromatherapist.
Absolute Essential Sweet Lavender Oil $17.95
When the pioneering woman behind Absolute Essential, Bo Hendgen, arrived here 25 years ago she found few oils so set about sourcing and blending her own, including calming lavender to promote sleep and support skin. See absoluteessential.com
Linden Leaves Aromatherapy Synergy Absolute Dreams Body Oil $54.99
Christchurch-based Brigit Blair began Linden Leaves with a vision of exporting naturally based gift items that look lovely. For stockists see lindenleaves.co.nz
Kio Kio Aromacologie Antipodean Lavender & Rimu Hand & Body Lotion $29.90
Director Fiona Terry uses only natural fragrances for her original enticing products. Skin-friendly formulas are a focus because some oils can irritate. From selected gift stores and pharmacies, see kiokio.com
