THE sweet smell of success changed Sharon Ryan's life quite literally.

Deciding that there had to be more to her existence than being a cleaner, Sharon took up aromatherapy five years ago.

Today, she has a rewarding lifestyle that she wouldn't change for the world - helping not only private clients but older people, parents of special needs children and other groups to help themselves with the healing oils.

Sharon, married with one son, of Canterbury Street, Latchford, Warrington, is also writing a book that explains aromatherapy in simple terms.

A practical, down to earth woman, Sharon takes the mystique out of aromatherapy and is not afraid to reveal a few facts that will save money for the people she is trying to help.

One example is using grapeseed oil from the supermarket as a carrier oil in which to mix the dearer essential oils, instead of mixing them with the more expensive carrier oils such as sweet almond.

Sharon is motivated by the idea of trying to show people that they can often stay out of the doctor's surgery if they know how to treat themselves with the oils for a range of complaints.

"I always used to go off to the doctor the minute there was anything wrong with me," she said.

For back pain, Sharon recommends massaging with lavender. All oils except lavender should be in a carrier oil if they are coming into contact with the skin, she pointed out.

Lavender is also good for headaches and bruising. Eucalyptus can kill of airborn bugs in a few minutes if put in an aromatherapy burner, so Sharon is particularly recommending it at the moment, with all the flu germs around.

Peppermint clears the head and helps digestion.

Lemon is good for circulation and oil of black pepper helps to relieve constipation.

Sharon also shows people how to make creams from the oils, using "aqueous" cream - availalable at chemist for around £2. It is a lanolin free, unperfumed base cream and the oils can be mixed into it. It can also be diluted into a lotion with water, with sandalwood as a fixative.

Sharon holds the diploma of the International Institute of Hair, Beauty and Holistics.

She said: "My life has changed so much and it has given me a lot of confidence. It's lovely to see people in groups helping each other. They do a hand massage and many of them say they miss being touched. People in general who live alone miss the human touch but it is this that gives us a sense of well being."

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