The benefits of Lavender for your feet

Counting your steps, enjoying outdoor activities, standing on your feet all day, wearing heels at work, or runners to tackle a long to-do list? Whatever your lifestyle, take a little time to dedicate to the wellness of your feet, and they will repay you making you fitter for all small and big adventures of life!

Just think how much your feet do for you, and how much we depend on them, and as “we only have one pair” it’s important to take good care of them.

There are many ways to show some love to your feet and we will see how lavender can make a difference.

For example, when you feel that your feet are tired, a bit swollen, or getting too warm during the day, a refreshing and anti-fatigue foot soak will just feel like heaven:

try these soothing, refreshing, toning salts, to relieve tiredness and soreness thanks to the synergy of Bergamot, Geranium, and Vetiver essential oils.

After a good soak (at least 15 minutes) it’s time to deeply hydrate with a rich moisturizer. If lavender is your plant of choice look no further than this Lavender & Chamomile Lotion to deliver a nourishing and relaxing finishing touch.

Why not go the extra mile with a foot massage?

Foot massage therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on varying conditions making the feet a valuable avenue to enhance our well-being and treat a variety of conditions.

According to Harvard Medical School, numerous studies have shown that a foot massage stimulates your muscles, improves circulation, lessens stiffness and tension, and can reduce pain; it also helps relieving symptoms of stress and fatigue and can be an effective tool to decrease anxiety, promoting relaxation in your daily life.

A sedentary lifestyle, for example, may mean muscles are going for long periods without being used. Massaging your feet for a few minutes can greatly improve circulation in the lower extremities, providing more stimulation of pressure receptors. But what are pressure receptors?

Pressure receptors and reflex points on the feet are how Reflexology uses foot massage to treat different areas of the body. According to reflexology charts, our feet are divided into “zones,” with specific areas of the foot representing different organs within our body. Our left foot will stimulate the left side of the body while our right foot will stimulate our right side. With more than 15,000 nerve endings in our feet, stimulating those “reflex points” a reflexologist may encourage the person’s own healing systems to be activated, to help treat specific conditions and maintain well-being, promoting both physical and psychological health.

Therefore foot reflexology is a wonderful way to offer our feet the self-care they deserve, while simultaneously passing energy to other parts of the body.

What are the main benefits of Foot Reflexology?

• Improves blood circulation
• Boosts nerve response in the body
• Balances energy levels
• Reduces tension and stress
• Assists in the body’s healing process
• Enhances general mood
• Eases restless leg syndrome

…and much more

Can we make foot massage our at-home wellness practice?

Of course, a professional foot massage is a treat, but not necessary to get some benefits. If you are unable to get to a professional Reflexologist, you can perform your own at-home reflexology to better your mental and physical health. The feet are one of the few parts of our bodies that we can easily reach, so they offer a simple mean of self-treatment if nobody is available when we need some help.

Here is a guide to a do-it-yourself Reflexology foot massage:

All you need are a few minutes of calm, your hands, and a few of your favourite essential oils:  yes, aromatherapy principles applied to reflexology can transform this practice into a truly healing ritual.

Are you ready?

Sit in a comfortable chair. Bend your left leg and rest your left foot gently on your right thigh.

Pour some skin lotion or oil into your hand. The Wellbeing Massage Oil could be a great choice to address fatigue.

Rub it gently into your foot and massage your whole foot including the toes, arch, and heel.

Do a deeper massage. Press the knuckles of your right hand into your left foot. Knead your foot as you would bread. Or work the skin and muscles by holding a foot with both hands and pressing your thumbs into the skin.

Using your hands, gently pull the toes back and forth or apart. This stretches the muscles underneath.

Repeat on the other foot.

Because the skin of the feet is particularly good at absorbing essential oils, many reflexologists use aromatherapy in conjunction with their therapy.

Specific essential oils blend applied on specific reflex points can be very useful to treat areas that would be difficult to reach as neck and back.

To locate the relevant reflexology points, reference the chart above.

Let’s see some examples.

For more restful sleep:

Some areas of the body to focus on during reflexology are the pineal gland which is located in the brain and secretes melatonin and helps control our sleep cycle, and the solar plexus which encourages feelings of relaxation and peace. From a reflexology point of view they are located under the ball of the foot in the centre.

To enhance your bedtime routine, consider using a few drops of Sleepy Lavender as you massage your feet. This blend contains Lavender and Marjoram essential oils for the ultimate calm.

For headache relief:

Focus on applying pressure to your big toes. And especially for sinus headaches, press on each smaller toe to help relieve sinus pressure.

The Relaxing Massage Oil is the perfect companion to soothe an aching head. Peppermint, Lavender and Chamomile work in unison and can reduce pain and tension associated with headaches. You can also apply a drop to the temples, behind the ears and below the nose and breathe deeply.

For tummy troubles:

Focusing your pressure on the middle of the feet (reflex points for small and large intestines) may help clear any blockage and stimulates digestion. You will also want to give attention underneath the ball of your big toe (the stomach) for an overactive digestive system.

For stressed-out minds:

Stress and anxiety may be reduced by applying pressure on the balls of the feet (lungs) and under the ball of the foot in the centre (solar plexus), which will help you focus on breathing and encourage relaxation. You’ll also want to focus on the outer ridge of the big toes (neck) and outer pad of the feet near the arch (shoulders) to help relieve tension.

To combat the feeling of stress, try this popular aromatherapy synergy Less Stress Essential Oil Blend. It promotes stillness of the mind, combining Lavender, Clary Sage and Lemon essential oils. Combine a few drops of this blend with your favourite carrier oil or lotion, and you will be well on your way to relaxation.

In conclusion healthy feet are the foundation of an active lifestyle, and a regular foot massage is a precious pause with substantial health benefits.

So don’t miss out on this simple practise and see how you can improve your overall health and wellness.

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