Gift Yourself - Aromatherapy for Your Feet

At this time of year, we seem to spend a lot of time on our feet.  Shopping, parties, get-togethers, cleaning up the house for company, cooking, your job...you name it...

Don't neglect your feet. Many activities at this time of year require us to stand for long periods of time and this can lead to pain in the feet. Wear comfortable shoes, and try to maintain good posture: hold your shoulders back and your back straight. You'll be surprised at the relief your feet feel at the end of the day.
If you experience chronic foot pain, try making little circles with your feet during the day, as if you're making a circle in the sand. Sit when you're able to sit, and stretch your feet forward and backwards. Install footpads in your shoes which will mold to the natural contours of your feet. Footpads are insole cushions which massage the pressure points of the foot when walking.

Now let's talk about a little recipe for aromatherapy foot massage oil (This can all be done in the comfort of your own home - without those fancy spa prices!) -If your feet are particularly sore after a long day, you can make an herbal Epsom salt bath for relief. A terrific blend can be made by adding 4 drops of peppermint oil and 4 drops of eucalyptus oil to 1/2 cup of Epsom salts. Mix well and add to a foot tub of hot water. Don't forget to breathe in that aromatherapy massage oil as that's half the treatment!  (if your skin is sensitive to natural oils, decrease the blend to two drops each).



Foot blisters, corns, and ingrown toenails all cause significant pain and can really hurt during all the extra activities (as well as those high-heeled and pointy-toe shoes). Try to find shoes that are comforatble and pretty and nourish your feet when you get home if they're hurting.

Athlete’s foot is just another condition that can crop up from abused feet. Aromatherapy offers many benefits to sufferers of athlete’s foot. With a dab of Tea Tree oil, you can treat athlete’s foot by applying the oil directly to your foot with a cotton ball. Or you can make a soothing foot bath by adding 20 drops of Tea Tree oil or Geranium oil to a bowl of hot water. Soak your feet for at least 25 minutes and then massage this aromatherapy oil into your foot. 
"I ain't saying it's right. But you're saying a foot massage don't mean nothing, and I'm saying it does. Now look, I've given a million ladies a million foot massages, and they all meant something." - John Travolta, Pulp Fiction