Essential Oils to help runners
With Dublin Marathon on the horizon here I have been thinking about ways that essential oils can help runners. Here is a selection to support those of you who have got the running bug.
You can’t miss them along the coast and in all the beautiful parks in Dublin City at the moment. The runners. All shapes and sizes and all speeds. On their own or in groups, pounding the pavement, putting in the time on their feet in preparation for the main event here in Dublin. Taking place on October Bank Holiday weekend I thought now would be a good time to share some of my favourite ways for runners to use essential oils to soothe muscles, relieve anxiety and keep your skin in tip top condition.
Combat Chafing with Carrier Oils
One of the team here has been training hard and particularly during the warmer weather, chafing was a serious problem. This is where your carrier oils come into their own. A smear of sweet almond, jojoba or coconut oil on the area most likely to be affected (inner thigh, inner arm) will reduce the friction.
Added protection against harsh cold of dark mornings and evenings
One of my regular Facial Oil customers applies facial oil before a run during the colder winter weather, especially as more and more running in the northern hemisphere happens during darkness. She found that the Facial Oil gave added protection against the harsh cold air and chapped skin. As a bonus the delicious aroma of Jasmine blossom, Italian Red Orange and Sri Lankan Vetiver bring their own mix of sunshine and tranquillity on those cold winter mornings and evenings. Make it part of your getting ready to run routine.
Note: only use the oil on your face when running at night time. SPF needed for daylight running.
Get your running mojo on track
If you feel like you have lost your running mojo, why not add some rosemary or lavender to your diffuser on a day you plan to go running? What better than the fresh aromas from nature to remind you about what is so good about running outdoors, feeling carefree and alive? These high altitude oils in particular will lift the spirits and make us feel ready to tackle anything!
Nurture your body
Once that run is in the bag, it’s time to nurture your body and thank it for all its hard work. Treat your mind and body to a delightfully aromatic bath with benefits. Throw a handful of epsom salts into a cup add 2 drops of lemongrass and 3 drops of Lavender into the salts then add to the bath.
- Lemongrass – soothes tired muscles
- Lavender – is anti-inflammatory, eases muscle pain and is so relaxing
Then you can try my REST oil to help you wind down and prepare for sleep
A soothing and restorative massage oil
If your muscles need more than a bath and you would like to give those legs and feet a good old rub or you can rope a close friend in to help, here’s a quick recipe for a soothing and restorative massage oil that you deserve after all that effort.
- 2 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops of Frankincense
- 3 drops of Lavender
- 1 drop of Lemongrass
- Mix these oils into 20ml of sweet almond oil.
- You could also add the oils to 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel and mix well.
- Pop in a pot and use pre and post run.
Let me know if you use any of these ideas to help your running routines. Have you any others that you find beneficial?
USING ESSENTIAL OILS
When used appropriately, essential oils are a wonderful way to promote health and wellness in your home and in your life.
They are a way to connect with nature on a sensory level. Botanical Oils can evoke happy memories and feelings of joy in a moment. Enjoy those moments and feel the benefits as you incorporate them into your everyday life.
Do remember that essential oils are highly concentrated powerful botanicals. Each drop is distilled from a large quantity of plant material so only a little needs to be used. Always adopt the ‘less is more’ approach.
These oils are precious gifts from nature and should be used sparingly. They can also be harmful and are never to be used directly on the skin.
Read more about essential oil safety.