From Nature to Nurture: How Aromatherapy Brings Essential Oils to Life
Essential oils and aromatherapy are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same thing. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts, bottled drops of nature with unique scents and properties. Aromatherapy is the way we use those oils to emotionally support us: blending them into skincare, rolling them onto pulse points or diffusing them to create a calming space. Think of essential oils as the ingredients, and aromatherapy as the nurturing ritual.
Why Blends Matter
A blend is simply two or more essential oils working together in harmony. You don’t need to identify each note, it’s about how the combination makes you feel: comforted, uplifted, or calm.
Essential oils are exceptionally powerful and are usually diluted in a carrier oil, measured by the drop. Here’s a safe guide for everyday use:
- 1% dilution → 1 drop essential oil per 5 ml carrier oil
- 2% dilution → 2 drops per 5 ml carrier oil
- 0.5–1% dilution → for face, sensitive skin, children, or the elderly
- 3% dilution → short-term, for specific therapeutic purposes (not large body areas)
Safety notes:
- Always patch test first.
- If skin becomes warm or flushed, remove with a damp cloth immediately.
- Some oils (like cinnamon, clove, oregano) need much lower dilutions.
- If pregnant, breastfeeding, on prescription medication, or living with a chronic condition, seek advice from a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare professional.
Examples of Essential Oils with Common Contraindications
- Grapefruit – May interact with certain medications (such as statins or some blood pressure medicines).Eucalyptus – Can be too stimulating for those with epilepsy.
- Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, Thyme – Can irritate skin if used above very low dilutions.
Used with care and respect, essential oils are a wonderfully supportive and natural way to enhance wellbeing.
The JustBe Family of Blends
The JustBe Signature Blends have been created by Gail Bryden, a qualified Clinical Aromatherapist. With professional training and a deep understanding of how essential oils interact with both body and emotions, each blend has been thoughtfully formulated to be safe, balanced, and effective. This means they can be enjoyed with confidence, bringing the benefits of aromatherapy into daily routines, even for people Gail may never meet.
Every blend is designed to support a specific mood or moment:
🌿 JustBe Happy – Vibrant blend of pink grapefruit, lime and bergamot. Bright and zesty, like sunshine in a bottle.
🌿 JustBe Active – Refreshing blend of bergamot, warming clove and eucalyptus. Helping you feel motivated and ready for whatever’s ahead.
🌿 JustBe Energised – Uplifting blend of geranium, pink grapefruit and rich ylang ylang. The perfect pick-me-up when you need a little boost.
🌿 JustBe Tranquil – Calming blend of grounding cedarwood, lavender and geranium. Blended to bring stillness and peace.
🌿 JustBe Pure – Soothing blend of sweet mandarin and comforting lavender. For those times when you’re in need of reassurance.
🌿 JustBe Kind – Gentle blend of bergamot and mandarin. Light, refreshing, and nurturing, like a warm hug.
🌿 JustBe Detox – Balancing blend of juniper berry, geranium and sparkling pink grapefruit. Ideal for clarity and a fresh start.
How to Choose Your JustBe Blend
The best way to find your perfect JustBe blend is to listen to your intuition. Ask yourself: How do I want to feel? Then trust your nose, your body knows what it needs. Think of your sense of smell as your own natural prescription for wellbeing: simple, gentle, and effective. Often, the aroma you’re most drawn to will smell the strongest on your skin. If you can’t smell it, it may simply mean you don’t need it right now.
You may also notice yourself being drawn to certain blends at different times of the day, week or even season, sometimes guided by the words or even the colours.
Which JustBe Blend Are You? 🌿
Finding your perfect JustBe blend is a little like finding your favourite song, it depends on your mood, your energy and what you most need right now. These 3 prompts might help:
1. How are you feeling right now?
a) Tired and sluggish
b) A bit stressed or overwhelmed
c) Low in mood and need a lift
d) In need of comfort and care
e) Wanting to stay clear-headed and balanced
f) Energised but want to keep the momentum
g) In need of a full refresh
2. Free time looks like:
a) A long walk followed by fresh juice
b) A quiet afternoon with a book or yoga
c) A brunch with friends, laughter and sunshine
d) A cosy blanket and self-care time
e) Tidying your home and creating calm
f) An adventure or a workout that gets you moving
g) A reset—decluttering and starting fresh
3. The word you’d love to feel more of this week is:
a) Vitality
b) Peace
c) Joy
d) Comfort
e) Acceptance
f) Motivation
g) Clarity
Your Results
✨ Mostly A’s → JustBe Energised – Bright, zesty and motivating.
✨ Mostly B’s → JustBe Tranquil – Soft, soothing and peaceful.
✨ Mostly C’s → JustBe Happy – Uplifting, joyful sunshine in a bottle.
✨ Mostly D’s → JustBe Pure – Soothing, cocooning and reassuring.
✨ Mostly E’s → JustBe Kind – Gentle, nurturing and comforting.
✨ Mostly F’s → JustBe Active – Fresh, invigorating and motivating.
✨ Mostly G’s → JustBe Detox – Clean, clarifying and refreshing.
🌿 Tip: Many of our customers enjoy having two or three blends on hand, one to uplift, one to calm and one to refresh.
Final Thought: The 'ideal' blend is the one that feels right for you in any given moment. Let your intuition guide you, allow the power of scent to gently support your wellbeing and remember that taking a deep breath is sometimes all that you need to feel like yourself again.