Tattoo healing using essential oils

An aromatologist from Wellington has come up with a different use for her essential oils which until a year ago, she was using to cure a number of ailments including depression and stress; she now also uses them to aid tattoos healing process.

Gillian Parkinson's innovative Tinkture Tattoo After Care is a secret blend of therapeutic grade essential and carrier oils which help tattoos to heal quicker as it aids infection prevention and lessens any pain, bruising and swelling that may occur when a new tattoo have been done.

She developed the solution after trying ineffective aftercare merchandise that were on the market at the time which in fact caused her arm to swell up and bruise all the way down to her wrist.





The next time she had a tattoo done, she was not willing to take any chances and so created her own concoction which she found reduced the initial swelling overnight, did not leave any bruising and healed the tattoo within 10 days which even caused the tattoo artist to be amazed. She then tested it out on a range of people and the positive reviews were the encouragement she needed to begin selling her creation.

Her new product has been so well received that it has even won consumer product category of this year's Grow Wellington Bright Ideas Challenge, which recognizes the top innovative business concepts within that region.


One Tinkture user, Char Hillerby, said that tattoos are becoming more symbolic and meaningful now whereas previously they were just a drunken sailors practice. She spoke of the product highly and complimented the fact that it spreads lightly so it does not irritate when applied. Furthermore, the fact that it is vegan is also very appealing to many people who are now opting for vegan tattoos and vegan aftercare.

How to keep you on moving..

Health experts say that certain varieties of essential oil can combat tiredness and make you feel re-energized instantly.

They advise that many people are bursting with energy in the morning but by lunchtime, tiredness and dreariness sets in and applying a dab of aromatic oil on the forehead and taking a 10 minute break will eliminate these negative feelings and make you feel invigorated.

To keep yourself alert and energetic throughout the day, fill a small bottle with water, add four drops of eucalyptus, rosemary or lemongrass oil and shake well. Then sprinkle or spray this water mixture around you, your desk and the corners of the room to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of your home made natural room spray

Essential Oils as a Cleaning Alternative

Essential oils are not just useful for aromatherapy or for their fragrance properties; they can also be used as a natural, non-toxic alternative to harsh, chemical cleaners.

Not only will this give you piece of mind that this method is not harmful to you, your family and your pets, it is also the environmentally friendly way.

You can either buy essential oils from natural shops or online and a small bottle will last you for ages as you only need a few drops!



Here is our list of five essential oils that are most commonly used as natural cleaners:



Eucalyptus - To remove germs, simply wipe down solid surfaces with a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil and/or make a spray with a few drops of the oil in water to disinfect the air. You can also add a few drops to your washing machine hot wash cycle to kill any dust mites that may be residing in your clothing.

Grapefruit - Add grapefruit essential oil to a vodka, vinegar and water mixture and spray on glass windows or mirrors and then wipe down with old newspapers to create a sparkling result with a smudge and streak-free shine.

Lavender - If you are having trouble sleeping, forget buying sleeping pills and soothing music CD’s, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath to soothe and relax your mind or spray some diluted oil onto your bed sheets and pillowcases for a good night’s rest.

Lemon - Not only does lemon smell super fresh but also is great when you put a few drops of lemon essential oil on a cloth or sponge, use this to wipe your stove, sink, work surfaces and stainless steel appliances and then rinse it so that the oil can refresh your drain and pipes as well. Lemon breaks down and combats grease whilst sanitising them to result in a clean and shiny kitchen. Adding a few drops to your dishwasher can remove food smells and freshen it up.

Tea Tree Oil - This essential oil is also known as Melaleuca and is great as a mould-inhibiter so a few drops in your home’s damp areas will help to curb mould growth. You can also mix it with baking soda to create an excellent scrub for stubborn issues with sinks, baths, showers and toilets.

Hopefully, this gives you an insight into just a few ways you can use your favourite essential oils to make your own natural, anti-bacterial, fungicidal cleaning products with the added bonus of a lovely fragrant home. Not only will using these oils make you feel invigorated and calm, it may make you want to clean your house more often!