Here’s a Q&A with Lisa Basso, Aromatherapist and founder of Inner Senses and our latest FOUNDERS TALK feature!

We recently featured Inner Senses 7 Wonders Face and Body Oil as one of our Star Picks for June.

What is in your wellbeing toolkit?

I receive regular Reiki treatments as I find it a wonderful Holistic treatment which definitely benefits me; mind, body and soul. Drinking plenty of water is so important for how my body and brain function, I attempt to drink a minimum of 2 litres per day, although some days I do fall short.

The use of essential oils in my daily life, as you’d expect, is hugely important. A few drops of Grapefruit, May Chang, or Sweet Basil dropped onto the shower floor in the morning and the invigorating aromas help to kick-start my day wonderfully. Diffusing Rosemary, Basil or Lime during my working day helps energise me and improve mental clarity and focus. At night I’ll use Frankincense, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Neroli or Clary sage in a bath and/or diffuser to help calm my body and mind, relieving tension and preparing me for sleep.  A little Mandarin or Sweet Orange smeared onto the air-vent in my car fills it with a fresh and uplifting aroma.

I grow a small amount of Aloe Vera and will often break off a leaf, slice open lengthways and remove the jelly from inside, this can be mashed/put in blender and it has so many therapeutic uses; fabulous in skincare and deeply moisturising for my thick curly hair, I even swallow a small cube which is really cleansing. I love the idea of being able to use things I’ve actually grown and nurtured in this way.

Wellbeing is a work in progress, so what would you consider to be your biggest wellbeing challenges?

Recognising when I need sleep, rest or self-care and making time for it. This can be a busy challenge as a mum and with a business to run. Because I love what I do and have a workshop at home it can be difficult to switch off from my work and I’ll often stay up working until silly-o-clock! Too many late nights and early mornings do take their toll on my wellbeing and recognising when my body and mind need to rest and switch off – then actually taking this time out – is vital. I’m not as good at this as I should be, but I’m a lot better than I used to be; like most of us, I’m definitely a work in progress!

What is your favourite product from your Inner Senses range and why?

Ooh that’s tricky as I’m currently in love with our new Golden Sunset Exotic Body Oil (the Brazilian Cocoa CO2 extract makes me go gooey!), but if I had to take just one product to a desert island it would be the Rose Precious Facial Oil. The combination of Rose Absolute and Bulgarian Rose Otto oils in this product is a perfect example of how true pure and natural scents can never be truly replicated synthetically in a lab, it’s fresh and vibrant aroma is never sickly or too sweet like synthetics Rose oils. It’s suited to all skin types and I find it suits my skin all year round; light and easily absorbed enough to use during hotter temperatures but rich and nutrient-dense enough to give my skin extra TLC during the winter months. I love how plumped and dewy my skin feels after using it and it’s a great primer, used 10 or 15 minutes before my makeup application it ensures such a smooth finish.

For those not familiar with aromatherapy what would you say to them to encourage them to incorporate it into their lives?

Aromatherapy – the use of therapeutic Pure Essential Oils derived from plants, fruits, flowers etc – is a simple, therapeutic, natural and pleasurable way to support a more healthy lifestyle for adults, babies and children alike.

Simple; because essential oils can be added to the bath, diluted for use in massage or skincare, diffused in an oil burner or electric diffuser or dropped onto a tissue for inhalation, to name a few popular methods.

Therapeutic; because essential oils have such a huge variety of beneficial effects on the mind/body/spirit. They are superb active and natural ingredients to improve and maintain healthy radiant skin.  They can help relieve many physical conditions, from coughs and colds to aching muscles, poor digestion, sore throats, stiff arthritic joints and so much more. Importantly, in the often stressful modern age that we live, essential oils can reduce anxiety and tension, uplift the mood and assist in a good sleep pattern and quality of sleep.

Natural; essential oils are the complete essence of the particular plant with nothing added or taken away.  They are, basically, just as Mother Nature intended. When used safely they are a natural and effective choice for dealing with a myriad of day-to-day minor ailments and wellbeing issues.

Pleasurable; our senses of smell are all too often overlooked, but it is the most primitive of our senses (we smell a fire before we see/feel/hear or touch it!) with deep connections to our emotions. A scent can trigger feelings of joy (that beautiful aroma which remind you of a fabulous holiday or a favourite loved one) and resurrect long-gone memories in an instant. Using essential oils, especially around the home, is such an enjoyable way to surround ourselves with natural and beautiful aromas. And so easy.

Find out more about Lisa’s Inner Senses Range on her website