West Coast Aromatherapy

February 2010

2010-02-10T10:09:00.001-08:00

I can't believe how quickly time seems to fly by. Here we are and its February 2010 already. Those of you who are Winter Sports enthusiasts will of course know that the 2010 Winter Olympics are just around the corner with the opening ceremonies happening on Feb 12. I'm not much into sports myself but even I got caught up a bit in the buzz when the Olympic Torch made its way through Tsawwassen yesterday afternoon.

No doubt a lot of people will be caught up with all things Olympic for the next 2 - 3 weeks and if you are one of those people, I hope that you won't forget to incorporate the benefits of essential oils into your Olympic experience. After all there are essential oils one can use to help keep one calm when the competition heats up and one is rooting for that special team or individual. Then there are the oils that will lift one's spirits, if the the team or individual one is rooting for has a disappointing showing. There are oils to help combat the ravages of staying up late to watch all the competitions; and oils to help one hop out of bed refreshed ready to enjoy the new days offerings or oils that can help if we eat or drink too much while we are watching.

Tucked in there this Sunday is Valentine's Day. If you are looking for a nice gift to make that special person in your life there are some easy suggestions on the blog posts I did for Valentine's Day last year and on the Origins of Valentines Day the year before. There are some synergies and a recipe for some special Chocolate Mint Truffles on these pages. There are lots of other recipes in my e-book Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

February 21
Reiki Level 1
$150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: None

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

If you don't want something as formal as a course perhaps you'll find what you are looking for in one of our E-books or our Aroma Massage DVD.

E-books currently available:
Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .

Ash Wednesday - Lent

2010-02-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

Ash Wednesday, this week marks the beginning of the Lenten Season for many Christians. This is a time that is associated by many people with 'giving up' something pleasurable as a preparation for the coming of Easter. Certainly this is one way to discipline ourselves, however, I believe that if this is all we think of when we think of Lent we are missing the whole point.

My own belief is that from time to time, it is a good practice for all of us to take time to have a closer look at ourselves, at our way of being in the world and contemplate whether we are living our lives in the best way possible. We certainly don't need to belong to any religion to do this, nor do we have to reserve this practice for a particular time of the year. However as Lent is already in most 'Westerners' frame of reference it makes sense to do this at this time of year.

Lent traditionally lasts 40 'fast days', not counting Sundays and interestingly enough the number 40 throughout the Bible signifies the preparation for something special:

The rain lasted for 40 days in the mighty flood - Noah
Moses stayed on the Mount Sinai forty days (Ex 24:18)
Jonah gave the people of Ninevah forty days to repent (Jon 3:4)
Jesus, before starting his ministry, spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting (Matt 4:2)

You might be wondering what has any of this to do with aromatherapy or the use of essential oils and I am here to remind you of how versatile the essential oils are and how well they can be incorporated into every facet of our lives, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

For those who choose to spend a little time each day reviewing who they are and where they are in their lives each day, the addition of an essential oil or essential oil synergy could be invaluable.

Firstly, there are the oils that facilitate the quietening of our minds and help us connect to that inner place in ourselves where we can commune with the Divine. The article on the main website on Meditation and Essential Oils could give you some ideas on oils to use for this purpose as can the Meditation Blends page.

Secondly, as we are only human, as we look at ourselves and our lives there are sure to be emotions and feelings that come up for us to examine and release. Once again the essential oils can be very helpful in assisting up on this journey. The article on creating Your Own Special Blend lists oils that are helpful for enhancing things like Courage, Serenity, while there are others that will help with understanding other moods and emotions that need to be addressed and released such as Aromatherapy and Anxiety and Anxiety Blends; Aromatherapy and Depression and Depression Buster Blends; Stress and Aromatherapy and Stress Buster Blends.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

February 21
Reiki Level 1
$170.00 plus GST
includes William Rand's book, Reiki, The Healing Touch.
Prerequisites: None

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

If you don't want something as formal as a course perhaps you'll find what you are looking for in one of our E-books or our Aroma Massage DVD.

E-books currently available:
Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .

The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.

Cajuput - Melaleuca cajuputii

2010-02-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

Cajuput Melaleuca cajuputii is also known as Melaleuca quinquenervia S. T. Blake; Melaleuca leucadendron (L.) L. var. minor (Smith) Duthie; is a member of the Myrtaceae family and is native to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

The name Cajuput is derived from the Malaysian ‘caju-puti’ which means ‘white tree’. Cajuput is also known by a few other common names including white tea-tree; paper-barked tea-tree and swamp tea-tree. This evergreen is a shrub or usually single-stemmed tree that can grow up to between 25 - 40 meters tall. It has an extensive root system, a layered, fibrous papery, grey to white bark, alternate, lanceolate, ash-coloured leaves and small creamy white, scentless flowers that are arranged on a long spike terminating in a tuft of leaves.

The leaves are very aromatic and the essential oil is steam distilled from the fresh leaves and twig tips. I find the aroma of the oil to be sweet and herb-like,and according to a source I read recently, the aroma could be described as resembling a blend of camphor, cardamom and rosemary. The leaves and twig tips are collected in autumn, steeped overnight in water, and then distilled in copper vessels. The yield is quite small.

Did you know...
Cajuput oil is slightly greenish due to the presence of traces of copper?
Australian aborigines treated aches and pains with Cajuput. One way was to crush the leaves in their hands, then rubbing them on the affected areas; another was to crush the young leaves and twigs and then steeping them in hot water. This liquid was then used to bathe the affected area and the rest was poured over the head. Crushed leaves were sniffed to cure headaches.

The essential oil contains around 44% oxides (1,8 cineole); 42% monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene; 8 % alcohols (alpha-terpineol, linalool, terpinene-4-ol) about 5% sesquiterpenes and a small amount of esters. It is a good expectorant, anti-septic and analgesic oil. In dentistry it has been used to relieve discomfort caused by dry sockets.

On a subtle level Cajeput can help one to recognize and overcome dysfunctional and abusive relationship patterns, which in turn enables one to create healthier and more harmonious behaviours. Cajebut can give one a boost when you feel your energy is lagging. It can also help to clear what is getting in the way of your full self-expression. Cajeput is also considered to have the ability to connect us with childlike devotion to the Universe. Generally safe to use. Undiluted it may irritate mucus membranes. Caution in Pregnancy.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

March 20
Advanced Massage Techniques
$150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: some training in bodywork

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

If you don't want something as formal as a course perhaps you'll find what you are looking for in one of our E-books or our Aroma Massage DVD.

E-books currently available:
Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .

The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.

Safety Issues - Interactions between essential oils and coumadin/warfarin

2010-03-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

Recently one of my students posted to our student/graduate group asking whether any essential oils would be contra-indicated for someone on Coumadin and I thought that this would be a good topic for the blog.

Coumadin, one of the brand names for warfarin, is an anticoagulant. Originally it was launched in 1948 as a rat poison and is in fact still available for this purpose. At first it was thought to be too toxic for human consumption, however in 1951, the failed suicide attempt of a navy recruit who had taken a large dose of rat poison led clinicians to discard dicumarol in favour of warfarin. The first clinical study with warfarin was reported in 1955. In the same year, President Eisenhower was treated with warfarin following a heart attack. In the early 1950's it was approved for use as a medication and today it is the most widely prescribed anticoagulant drug in North America. However, there is a downside, warfarin can interact adversely with a number of commonly used medications as well as some foods. It is important therefor that its use is monitored by frequent blood testing to ensure that an adequate and safe dose is being taken. There is a lot of information available on the web on coumadin (warferin) however here is a summary of some of the cautions to keep in mind.

Warfarin is contraindicated in pregnancy.
The only common side effect of warfarin is hemorrhage (bleeding).
The risk may also be increased in elderly people.
Avoid sudden changes in dietary habits. Avoid ingesting unusual increases or decreases of foods high in Vitamin K (liver, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, green tea, certain vegetables, cheeses and certain vitamin supplements). It is best to avoid strictly vegetarian diets that consist of foods high in vitamin K.
Many commonly-used antibiotics, will greatly increase the effect of warfarin by reducing the metabolism of warfarin in the body. Other broad-spectrum antibiotics can reduce the amount of the normal bacterial flora in the bowel, which make significant quantities of vitamin K, thus potentiating the effect of warfarin.
Thyroid activity also appears to influence warfarin dosing requirements.
Excessive use of alcohol affecst the metabolism of warfarin and people taking warfarin are often cautioned against the excessive use of alcohol.
Many drugs interact with warfarin.
Warfarin also interacts with many herbs and spices, both those eaten in food (e.g. ginger and garlic) and those used for medicinal purposes (e.g. ginseng and Ginkgo biloba). All may increase bleeding and brusing in people taking warfarin; similar effects have been reported with borage (starflower) oil or fish oils.St. John's Wort, sometimes recommended to help with mild to moderate depression, interacts with warfarin; it induces the enzymes that break down warfarin in the body, causing a reduced anticoagulant effect.

And what about essential oils?

Methyl salicylate is the component to be aware of. When it is applied topically to the skin it is absorbed transdermally without any problem, quickly finding its way into the bloodstream and once there it can potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and could cause internal hemorrhage. Methyl salicylate is a component found in many liniments, however it is also found in large quantities in the essential oils of Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) and Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) both of which are composed of naturally occurring methyl salicylate at around 98 - 99%. This makes it a very easy oil to adulterate by simply adding synthetic methyl salicylate. While there are those who find these oils to be very effective in sports therapy, muscle blends etc, if you must use then, do it with great care and only over very short periods of time.

Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs, in their book Essential Oil Safety, say

These oils should not be used in therapy, either internally or externally. Do not use if taking anticoagulants (e.g. aspirin and heparn).

Also in Essential Oil Safety, Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs have a listing on blood clotting mentioning that both garlic and onion oils demonstrate anti-platelet activity which is essential for blood clotting. However these are not two oils that one would find in most aromatherapist's kit. They do however say that :

Anti-platelet activity is also demonstrated by eugenol and iso-eugenol and is due to an anti-prostaglandin action. It would be prudent to avoid oral administration of garlic oil, onion oil, and all eugenol-rich oils in those with blood clotting problems. This group includes people with haemophilia, liver disease, kidney disease, prostate cancer and systemic lupus erythematosus. It would be prudent for anyone taking anticoagulant drugs, such as aspirin, heparin and warfarin to avoid oral use of the same group of oils.

Note the method of use they are talking about is oral. All the other references for contra-indications for herbs and warfarin I was able to find in the reference books I have on drug-herb-vitamin interactions were also for the oral use of the herb. If you wanted to carry this over to the use of the essential oil, then it would pertain to the oral use of the essential oil. With the exception of Birch and Wintergreen, essential oils applied topically on the skin or by one of the inhalation methods should not present a problem. Oils taken internally might. Another reason why we don't recommend the internal use of essential oils unless one has had specific, extensive training in that method.

Herbs listed as having a potential interaction with warfarin by A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions, Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr DC, Editor in chiefr, Alan R Gaby MD, Steve Austin ND, Forrest Batz PharmD, Eric Yarnell ND, Donald J Brown ND, George Constantine, RPh, PhD :

Ginger as it has been shown to reduce platelet stickiness in test tubes. Although there are no reports of interactions with anticoagulant drugs, people should discuss it with a health-care professional if they are taking an anticoagulant and wish to use ginger.

Herbs containing Coumarin Derivatives
Although there are no specific studies demonstrating interactions with anticoagulants, the following herbs contain coumarin-like substances that may interact with warfarin (coumadin) and may cause bleeding. These herbs include dong quai, fenugreek, horse chestnut, red clover, sweet clover and sweet woodruff.

The only herb on this list that we do have an essential oil for is fenugreek and I will say that, as far as I know, none of these cautions have found their way into aromatherapy literature.

Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions Bible, Richard Harkness, Pharm. FASCP & Steven Bratman, MD information on herbs for which we have essential oils:

Ginger - possible harmful interaction.
The herb ginger is used for nausea associated with motion sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy and the postsurgical period. Ginger appears to thicken the blood by interfering with the ability of blood platelets to clump together. As with feverfew, this raises the concern that ginger might increase the risk of abnormal bleeding when taken with warfarin (coumadin). However, there is no evidence at present that the blood-thinning effect of ginger is significant in humans. Though an additive effect of ginger and warfarin appears to be theoretical based on current evidence, it may be best to avoid this combination except under medical supervision. Ginger flavored drinks should not present a problem, but candies containing whole dried ginger are potentially of concern.
St. John's Wort - possible harmful interaction
The herb St. John's wort is primarily used to treat mild to moderate depression. Evidence suggests that St. John's wort may interfere with warfarin, possibly requiring an increased dosage of the drug to maintain the proper therapeutic effect. Seven cases have been reported in which the blood thinning effects of warfarin have been impaired in individuals taking St. John's wort. A 'hidden' risk lies in this type of interaction. Suppose your physician has raised the warfarin dose to take into account the effect of St. John's wort in holding down drug levels. if you then stop taking the herbal product, it would be like releasing the brakes, and your warfarin levels could surge dangerously high. For these reasons, if you take warfarin, avoid St. John's work except under a physician's supervision.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Creating a Soul Synergy

2010-03-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

St Patrick died on March 17, 460 AD and the Irish people set aside the day to mourn. He became the patron saint of Ireland. Mourning turned to commemorating him and celebrating his life. Americans have inherited this custom. On St Patrick's Day in the United States, millions of people celebrate whether they are Irish or not! While this is a day that many of us in North America celebrate and have fun on, have you ever thought about creating a special essential oil synergy to capture the true essence of this holiday? If you did what would you put into your synergy?

I find creating synergies that capture a mood, or an idea, or a person to be truly fascinating and both an art and a science. First one tries to unravel the mystery around the concept and then once one has identified the oils one creates a synergy that is both aromatically pleasing and energetically potent.

Today I thought that I would share some ideas I have around a synergy for St. Patrick. When it comes to creating these sorts of blends, I do often fall back on the knowledge I have gained taking the Spiritual PhytoEssencing Diploma and if you are interested in knowing more about this modality you can read about it in the Spiritual PhytoEssencing Soul Blends article in the newsletter on the website.

While there are a number of legends that have grown up around St. Patrick the only undisputed record of his life appear to be a couple of documents that he wrote himself. What seems to be fact is that:

St. Patrick was born in Britain into a wealthy Christian family that had strong church connections.
As a young man, some say around 16 years, he was abducted by raiders and taken to Ireland where he was kept as a servant to herd sheep.
After more than six years, he said he heard the Voice of God telling him to leave Ireland. He escaped and walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast.
After escaping to Britain, he reported that he had experienced a second revelation. In a dream an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. Although the date is not mentioned in his writings it is generally accepted that his mission in Ireland started in 432.
Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish.

Legend

Saint Patrick became a cult figure in Early-Christian Ireland and was soon proclaimed a saint.

He is credited with driving all the snakes out of Ireland.
He is said to have fasted for forty days and nights of fasting on Croagh
Legend also has it that he light a paschal fire to defy the High King of Tara and his druids?

Saint Patrick is always shown with the shamrock because he tried to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to some Irish pagans using the analogy of the shamrock.

A Spiritual PhytoEssencing Blend is usually very complex and can contain up to 25 different essential oils, however the synergy I am making for St. Patrick's Day will be very much more simplified and only consists of 5 oils.

Several themes present themselves very clearly in the information above and these are the themes I have chosen to reference Dr. Berkowsky's material to identify essential oils for my blend:

Abducted: Benzoin
Druids: Oakmoss
Religious:Bitter Orange
Snakes: Basil
Visions: Cedarwood

I hope that you have fun creating a synergy for St. Patrick's Day and the day itself!

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

March 20
Advanced Massage Techniques
$150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: some training in bodywork

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

If you don't want something as formal as a course perhaps you'll find what you are looking for in one of our E-books or our Aroma Massage DVD.

E-books currently available:
Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .

The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.

Seasonal Allergies

2010-03-17T09:49:00.001-07:00

Now that the weather has started to warm up, at least around the Lower Mainland I am seeing more and more people whose seasonal allergies have started up again.

I did address this in Spring of 2008 but it is worth looking at again. There is the article with the Blends for Hay Fever while the article on Hay Fever on my website has lots of good information about this condition. As I say in this article:

An oil which I have found to be particularly effective in dealing with the symptoms of hay fever is Tanacetum annum commonly called Blue Tansy. Not to be confused with regular tansy which is Tanacetum vulgare which is NOT used in aromatherapy at all.

Consider the symptoms that are being experienced with the hay fever and then tweak your blends accordingly for instance oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, spike lavender, ravintsara and myrtle can be useful for sneezing and runny noses. German chamomile is helpful because of its anti-allergenic properties. Niaouli and ravintsara have excellent immunostimulant and restorative properties.

There are a number of different ways to use the oils and you can see some of these in the Newsletter Ways in which Essential Oils can be Used, however one of my favorite ways for this condition is to make up a personal inhaler for the person to use when ever they need it. I know that Spring has really got into full force when my son requests his inhaler. I generally just put in Tannacetum annum in it for him. He seems to like to carry it around with him most of the time as it really helps with his symptoms, and as his is a grown man I think that's saying something!

Easter is not that far away and if you are thinking of creating any special Easter Aromatic Gifts you might consider purchasing our ebook Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons.
Other E-books currently available:
Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .
The Hawkins Protocol

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

March 20
Advanced Massage Techniques
$150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: some training in bodywork

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

If you don't want something as formal as a course perhaps you'll find what you are looking for in one of our E-books or our Aroma Massage DVD.

Sweet Fennel - Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce

2010-03-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

An essential oil is produced from both sweet fennel and bitter fennel, however the oil used in aromatherapy is sweet fennel.

Did you know...
The word fennel is derived from the Latin fenuculum, which means 'hay'? It is thought that the plant got its name because it was frequently used as a fodder.

The ancient Greeks called it marathon, which means 'to grow thin'. It would appear that fennel was one of the earliest 'slimming aids'! Because of the feeling of fullness that it gives, it is said that wealthier Greeks ate fennel to help them slim down.

Fennel is also well know for its many supportive effects on the digestive system. It helps to improve digestion and ease stress-related indigestion. It may also relieve colic, gas, hiccups, nausea and vomiting. Fennel oil helps to tone the smooth muscles of the intestines and through this action it can help strengthen peristalsis and counteract constipation. constipation.

In her book , Aromatherapy Science, A guide for healthcare professionals, Maria Lis-Balchin mentions a study done by her in 1996 that showed Sweet Fennel oil had a strong spasmogenic effect on electrically stimulated smooth muscle of the guinea-pig in vitro. She also says:

Fennel oil increased phasic contractions of muscle cells at high concentrations and had a relaxant effect at low concentrations; fellel contracted tracheal muscle (Reiter and Brandt, 1985).
Fennel oil is mildly oestrogenic, due to the anethole content (Albert-Puleo, 1980).
Fennel oil has increased liver regeneration in partially hepatectomised rats and has show anti-inflammatory action (Wren, 1988).

Leung & Foster, in their Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Second Edition say:

Fennel oil has been reported to have spasmolytic effects on smooth muscles of experimental animals. (T. Shipochliev, Vet Med. Nauki, 5, 63 (1968) through Chem Abstr., 70 86144e (1969).
It also exhibited antibacterial activities in vitro. (F.M. Ramadan et al., Chem Mikrobial. Technol. Lebensm., 2, 51 (1972)

There is a mini profile on Fennel in the Articles Archive on the website.

On a subtle level, Fennel helps one to identify the root causes of self-rejection and encourages the ability to embrace oneself. It can help to increase courage, confidence and motivation and promote uninhibited communication. It helps one to discover what it is we want to say and then to express that to others in a positive way.

Contra-indications and Cautions: Do not use during pregnancy. Use with extreme caution if suffering from epilepsy. Use with caution on sensitive skins as this oil may cause mild skin sensitization.

Easter is just a week and a half away, if you are thinking of making your own Easter gifts this year, our e-book, Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons may have just what you are looking for.

Our other e-Books and DVD :

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

April 17 & 18 (2 day workshop)
Seated Chair Massage
$300.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: None

Easter and Passover

2010-03-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

According to a couple of charts I found on the Internet, when it comes to classifying the percentage of the world's population as to what religious group they belong to, approximately 33% fall under the heading of Christianity, with around 0.22% under the heading of Judaism.

Easter is the most important annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year the celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ begins on Thursday April 1 with Holy Thursday and ends on April 4th with Easter Sunday. While Passover is the holy day and festival commemorating the biblical event of Hebrews' escape from enslavement in Egypt. This year Passover started at sunset on Tuesday, the 30th of March and will continue for 7 days until sunset Monday, the 5th of April.

So what do the two have in common and what's any of this got to do with using essential oils?

Well firstly, as you can see, this weekend Christians and Jews all over the world will be celebrating Easter and Passover and for many the meaning behind these feasts is more than special food and chocolate treats.
Secondly, we can see that both feasts celebrate Mankind's gratefulness to God for His Intervention and Deliverance.
Those of you who have read the blog for longer will have seen that I like to create special essential oil synergies that capture the essence of special people and special events. I find that the energetics of these specially created 'soul' blends are phenomenal and using them certainly enhances my experiences around the situation. If you'd like to read more about 'soul blends' I have written both a blog and an article on the subject.

So today I would like to suggest that if you celebrate Easter or Passover, you might like to create your over very special blend to suit the occasion. When creating the blend you would consider your own special intentions for this season and incorporate essential oils into the blend that reflect your hopes, wishes and dreams. Then by using the blend you will be able to subtly bless yourself and everyone else around you.

So how will you choose the oils that will go into your blend?

Here are some ideas:

Think about what this season means to you and what you would like to highlight in your blend. Choose your theme and depending on how complex you want to make your blend you can certainly choose more than one theme to blend on.
Consider the essential oils that you have and given their subtle properties decide which ones would fit the themes you want to reflect. There are mini profiles on many of the essential oils on my website's Article page as well as an article on Your Own Special Blend.
Create your blend.
Use your blend in the most appropriate way for you over the next few days.

Themes, from Dr. Berkowsky's Repertory that I have considered for my Easter blend include:

COURAGE: Benzon; umin; elemi; jasmine; myrtle; patchouli; sage; tagetes; tea tree; valerian; yarrow
DEATH: angelica; basil; bitter orange peel; cypress; frankincense; lemon; myrrh; neroli; yarrow
FAITH:cedarwood; cistus; clary sage; coriander; frankincense; geranium; grapefruit; juniper; marjoram; myrrh; rose; rosemary; sandalwood; vetiver
GRIEF: angelica; benzoin; bitter orange peel; cistus; clary sage; cypress; elemi; eucalyptus; frankincense; geranium; ginger; helichrysum; hyssop; jasmine; juniper; laurel; lavender; lemon; lemongrass; marjoram; melissa; myrrh; myrtle; neroli; niaouli; nutmeg; palmarosa; patchouli; peppermint; pine; ravensara; Roman chamomile; ravensara; rose; rosewood; sandalwood; silver fir; St John's wort; valerian; vetiver; violet; yarrow
JOY: bitter orange peel; cistus; coriander; frankincense; ginger; hyssop; juniper; lemon; lemongrass; melissa; myrrh; neroli; niaouli; patchouli; rose; rosewood; vetiver; violet
SCORNED (rejected): benzoin; bitter orange; carrot seed; helichrysum; jasmine; juniper; lemongrass; mastic; myrrh; neroli; niaouli; nutmeg; peppermint; Roman chamomile; sage; thyme; vetiver; yarrow
WOUNDS, Puncture: cypress; ginger; hyssop; melissa; St. John's wort; yarrow

There is no listing for salvation however, I would consider sage (Salvia officinalis)and/or clary sage (Salvia sclarea) for this. From my Aromatherapy 201 course notes under Sage: the Latin name Salvia is derived from the same root as ‘salvation’ since sage was considered to be able to save people from illness and death. It was called ‘herba sacra’ sacred herb by the Romans.

If you are still thinking of making your own Easter gifts this year, our e-book, Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons may have just what you are looking for.

Our other e-Books and DVD :

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

April 24 & 25 (2 day workshop)
Seated Chair Massage
$300.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: None
Please note that the date has changed for this workshop!

Sorting out Different Cedars

2010-03-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Someone recently questioned me about the difference between Cedars and I thought that this might be worth sharing on the blog.

It can be a little confusing at times to figure out which cedar tree fits where as what are commonly classed as cedar trees fall into two different Botanical Families, Cupressaceae and Pinacea.

When it comes to classifying the plant the categories are
Family: While there are major differences there is also a distinct pattern of similarity and genetically they have a lot in common.
Genus: First part of the Latin name of a plant – always capitalized.
Species: Second part of the Latin name of a plant – always written lower case.

Belonging to the Cupressaceae Family we have
Virginian Cedarwood – Genus Juniperus – Species virginiana
Texas Cedarwood – Genus Juniperus – Species mexicana

Belonging to the Pinaceae Family we have
Atlas Cedarwood – Genus Cedrus – Species atlantica.

Himalayan Cedarwood is a relatively new addition to aromatherapy however its Latin name (Cedrus deodara) gives you the clue as to which Genus and family it belongs to. It belongs to the Pinaceae Family and the Genus Cedrus and Species deodara.

From the Encylopedia Britannica:

Cupressaceae
The cypress family (order Pinales), 30 genera with 133 species of evergreen ornamental and timber shrubs and trees, distributed throughout the world. The leaves of these plants are opposite or whorled and usually paired or in threes. Adult leaves are narrow, scalelike, and pressed against the branchlets, which themselves are often flattened. Awllike juvenile and transitional leaves are often present on mature trees. The male reproductive structures are borne at the ends of short twigs; the female structures (cones) are terminal, with opposite or whorled scales, consisting of both a fused bract (modified leaf) and a scale. The cones, usually woody, have erect ovules.
Pinaceae.
The pine family of conifers, 11 genera and 210 species of trees (rarely shrubs) native to north temperate regions. Fir (Abies), Keteleeria, Cathaya, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga), hemlock (Tsuga, with Nothotsuga sometimes segregated), spruce (Picea), golden larch (Pseudolarix), larch, or tamarack (Larix), cedar (Cedrus), and pine (Pinus) contain many species that are sources of timber, paper pulp, oils, and resins. Some are cultivated as ornamentals. Both male and female reproductive structures are borne on the same plant. The needlelike leaves are solitary, in bundles, or on specialized short branches. The pollen-bearing male cones are solitary or clustered and have many spirally arranged scales, each bearing two pollen sacs. The compound, seed-bearing (ovule-bearing) cones also have many spirally arranged scales. Each scale is free from the bract below it and bears two inverted ovules on its upper side. In members of the genus Pinus, the bract tends to become fused to the scale and thus disappears as the cones mature.

Rosemary Caddy in her book "Essential Oils in Colour" says:

The Cupressaceae family generally aids nervous tension, rheumatism and cellulite while the Pinaceae family is highly antiseptic and generally aid respiratory problems.

An example of how the different cedar essential oils might be used can be seen if we look at using them for the Respiratory System: Atlas Cedar has mucolytic properties; Juniperus virginiana has expectorant properties and Atlas cedarwood dries excess phlegm. All the cedars can be used for bronchitis, cough, catarrh, chronic congestion, sinusitis and excess mucus.

West Coast Aromatherapy - 11 Years!

2010-04-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

I just don't know where the time goes but on April 15th the West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy is 11 years old!

To share the celebration I decided to add a Free Gift or discount to the orders that come through on April 15 and 16, 2010 to celebrate!

Order one e-book and you can receive a second one FREE!
If the e-books you choose are different prices, the e-book with the highest price will be used as the order and the lower priced e-book will be the free one.

Order any one of the Aromatherapy Courses (Aromatherapy 101, Aromatherapy 2o1 or Full Professional Course) and get the Aroma Massage DVD FREE!

Order the Aroma Massage DVD and receive a $20.00 discount on the regular price.

Order the Caddy Home Study Chemistry Course and receive a $25.00 discount on the regular price.

Sign up for the April 24th & 25th Seated Chair Massage Workshop and receive a 10% discount.

Offer Only Good for orders that come in on April 15 and 16, 2010
and use the Code: WCIA 11th

Looking back over the years I am so grateful for and to all the wonderful people who have touched my life because of the West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy. The wonderful students and graduates who have passed through, and who are passing through, the programs. Their wonderfully inquiring minds have pushed me to continually learn, study and review, and this has only enhanced my own knowledge and practice of aromatherapy. Thank you all for the wonderful years and I look forward to many more in the future. I am also grateful to my colleagues in the field, who have been such a good resource for me and my students and graduates. I don't sell essential oils etc so it is wonderful to be able to have these resources to call on.

To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take
nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind
that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you
is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the
good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off
the word or action for the expression of gratitude.
- Albert Schweitzer

E-Books and DVD

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

April 24 & 25 (2 day workshop)
Seated Chair Massage
$300.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: None
Please note that the date has changed for this workshop!

Chicken Pox and Essential Oils

2010-04-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I need inspiration on what to write on for my blog and this week it comes from the possibility that my grandchildren may have Chicken Pox. They have been exposed and are now waiting to find out whether or not they actually have it.

Chickenpox is one of the classic childhood diseases. A child or adult with chickenpox may develop hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts. Chickenpox is caused by the virus varicella-zoster, a member of the herpesvirus family. The same virus also causes herpes zoster (shingles) in adults.

According to the University of Maryland's Medical Centre:

Chickenpox can be spread very easily to others. You may get chickenpox from touching the fluids from a chickenpox blister, or if someone with chickenpox coughs or sneezes near you. The vaccine usually prevents the chickenpox disease completely or makes the illness very mild. Even those with mild illness may be contagious.

When someone becomes infected, the pox usually appear 10 to 21 days later. People become contagious 1 to 2 days before breaking out with pox. They remain contagious while uncrusted blisters are present.

Most cases of chickenpox occur in children younger than 10. The disease is usually mild, although serious complications sometimes occur. Adults and older children usually get sicker than younger children do.
In most cases, it is enough to keep children comfortable while their own bodies fight the illness. Oatmeal baths in lukewarm water provide a crusty, comforting coating on the skin. An oral antihistamine can help to ease the itching, as can topical lotions. Trim the fingernails short to reduce secondary infections and scarring.
Safe antiviral medicines have been developed. To work well, they usually must be started within the first 24 hours of the rash.
Until all chickenpox sores have crusted over or dried out, avoid playing with other children, going back to school, or returning to work.
The outcome is generally excellent in uncomplicated cases. Encephalitis, pneumonia, and other invasive bacterial infections are serious, but rare, complications of chickenpox.

Once you have had chickenpox, the virus usually remains dormant or asleep in your body for your lifetime. About 1 in 10 adults will experience shingles when the virus re-emerges during a period of stress.

So while essential oils won't directly prevent one getting chicken pox, they are a wonderful way to soothe and relieve the discomforts that accompany this condition.

Which oils would you consider using:

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) - excellent for skin regeneration. It helps to heal wounds and scars and is a very calming oil. It also has analgesic properties and helps with anxiety and crankiness.
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutica) -analgesic, anti-inflammatory, temperature reducing. It has been found to be helpful in treating acne, boils, burns, wounds and ulcers.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) -anti-inflammatory and strongly antiseptic has been found helpful for acne, herpes, impetigo, wounds (infected) and cold sores.
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) - has antiseptic and cell regenerating properties. It has been useful for eczema (dry, wet & oozing), scars and wrinkles. It regulates sebum and aids in the regeneration of skin.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - with its analgesic, calming and cooling properties has been found to be helpful for skin rashes.

How would you use them:

Topically, in a mist spray to help prevent the itching. Hydrosols can be excellent for this use too.
Cool compresses of essential oil - hydrosol mixutres can be applied regularly throughout the day to the vesicles for topical relief.
In the bath, combined with bicarbonate of soda to help prevent itching.
In a diffuser, to help disinfect the room and calm any of the emotional swings that might accompany someone who is not feeling well.
In a room mister to disinfect the air and bedding.

Rosemary Caddy, in her book Aromatherapy, the Essential Blending Guide suggests blending a combination of lavender and German chamomile will provide relief for the itchiness while at the same time guarding against infection getting into the chickenpox spots. 12 drops of Lavender combined with 6 drops of German chamomile added to 100 ml of Calamine lotion and applied all over the body twice. 4 drops of lavender combined with 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda can be added to the bath for relief . 4 drops of Tea Tree added to a mister bottle full of water and sprayed in the rooms of the house to combat the spread of infection.

E-Books and DVD

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

April 24 & 25 Seated Chair Massage - 2 days -$300.00 plus GST
Prerequisites : None

May 15 Reiki Level 1 - $170.00 plus GST includes
William Rand's book, Reiki, The Healing Touch.
Prerequisites: None

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) (Cymbopogon flexuosus)

2010-04-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

A mini profile of lemongrass will be found on the main website and a more in depth profile is to be found in the Aromatherapy 201 course notes. Cymbopogon citratus West Indian Lemongrass and Cymbopogon flexuosus East Indian Lemongrass are both members of the Gramineae family. Lemongrass is a fast-growing perennial grass native to India and grows to a height of up to 5-feet and has yellow-golden leaves and stems. Its production of a network of roots and rootlets, can rapidly exhaust the soil.

Lemongrass is used quite extensively as a flavor ingredient throughout Southeast Asia. The essential oil is extracted from the leaves of a tropical grass by steam distillation with a yield of around 0.2%-0.4% for West Indian lemongrass and a yield of around 0.5% for East Indian lemongrass. Citral is a major component for both types of lemongrass although East Indian lemongrass essential oil usually contains a slightly higher content of citral than West Indian lemongrass. The grass that is left over after the distillation process is fed to the local cattle. Traditionally, West Indian lemongrass is used in Chinese medicine to treat colds, headache, stomach ache, abdominal pain and rheumatic pain.

Did you know....
When neral and geranial are both present in an oil they are jointly known as Citral? Citral has excellent anti-fungal properties and is known for its stimulating and insect repellent qualities. Geranial has a strong lemon odor, while Neral's lemon odor is less intense, but sweeter. Citral is used in perfumery as an aroma compound for its citrus effect. Citral is also used as a flavor and for fortifying lemon oil. Citral is also used to mask the smell of smoke.

Lemongrass essential oil, both East Indian and West Indian, are used as the starting materials for the synthesis of ionones and Vitamin A as well as the production (isolation) of natural citral.

Lemongrass essential oil is considered by many to be stimulating yet relaxing. It has been used from a variety of conditions including nervous exhaustion, stress, headaches, fatigue and irritability.

In her book, Aromatherapy Science, Maria Lis-Balchin, refers to a number of research studies done by herself and colleagues that showed lemongrass oil to be strongly antispasmodic to smooth muscle of the intestine in vitro and also to uterine muscles.

Cautions: Generally considered non-toxic, however lemongrass is a possible dermal irritant so it should be used with care when applying topically to to skin. Avoid in pregnancy.

Are you ready to learn more about the use of essential oils? As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

E-Books and DVD

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

May 15 Reiki Level 1 - $170.00 plus GST includes
William Rand's book, Reiki, The Healing Touch.
Prerequisites: None

Mother's Day

2010-05-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

We will celebrate Mother's Day on May 9, next Sunday and although this has become very commercialized it is for me a time to remember my mother. This will be my second Mother's Day without her but she is always close to my heart and not a day goes by without my thinking about her and treasuring her for the wonderful lady that she was. Mothers are very special people and as we all have one I thought that I'd share the following poem/story. I don't know who the author is but it says it all.

Mothers
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. She asked, "Is this the long way?"

And the elder said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed and when they reached the top, they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I have given them strength."

And with the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory of stars, and they guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children the Great Spirit."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and a beautiful land. And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone on your journey to the sky." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and she walked out of sight. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered clothes she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space ... not even death!

I am aware that not everyone has been as blessed with their relationship to their mothers as I have been, however whether or not we have received the nurturing we were hoping for from without, it is also true that we need to go within to draw from our inner core the nurturing and support we need. Essential oils are wonderful in their ability to help us access that part of ourselves. So why not make an essential oil blend to connect us to the nurturing qualities we are looking for? To help you to decide on which oils to include here are some ideas from Dr. Berkowsky's Spiritual PhytoEssencing Repertory where he lists the following rubrics and their associated oils:

Nurturing: angelica; benzoin; blue chamomile; calendula; carrot seed; cedarwood; cinnamon; cistus; dill; Douglas fir; fennel; frankincense; geranium; grapefruit; jasmine; laurel; lavender; lemon; marjoram; neroli; nutmeg; patchouli; pine; Roman chamomile; rose; silver fir; vetiver; violet; ylang ylang.
Nurturing : defective: Calendula; carrot seed; Douglas-fir
Mother, aversion to: citronella
Binah, Sefirah of: black spruce; calendula; carrot seed; cistus; cumin; dill; eucalyptus; fennel; frankincense; ginger; grapefruit; jasmine; laurel; lemongrass; melissa; myrrh; myrtle; neroli; nutmeg; rose.
Malkhut, Sefirah of: bergamot; black spruce; blue chamomile; cedarwood; citronella; cumin; galbanum; geranium; helichrysum; jasmine; marjoram; myrrh; neroli; patchouli; Roman chamomile; sandalwood; silver fir; vetiver.

In the Kabbalah, Shekhinah is considered to be the female aspect of God and is the presence of the divine in the material world. Upper Shekhinah is identified with the Sefirah of Binah ‘the upper mother’ and emanates from the heart and expresses it as an active force which then descends and concentrates in the Sefirah of Malkhut 'Lower Shekhinah'. Rose is also an oil that is often associated with Shekhinah.

Are you ready to learn more about the use of essential oils? As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

E-Books and DVD

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

May 15 Reiki Level 1 - $170.00 plus GST includes

William Rand's book, Reiki, The Healing Touch.

Prerequisites: None

June 19 Reiki Level 2 - $150.00 plus GST

Prerequisites: Reiki Level I

July 17 & 18 Caddy Chemistry Workshop (in class) $300.00 plus GST

Prerequisites: None

German Chamomile - Matricaria recutita

2010-05-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

German Chamomile is a wonderfully gentle and healing oil. It has great soothing properties and is certainly one of the oils I turn to first for any skin conditions and you will find a mini profile of German Chamomile on the Articles Page of the main website. This oil is also profiled in more depth in the Aromatherapy 201 course.

On a subtle level German Chamomile can promote a feeling of being at peace with yourself. It can also help to transform negative feelings of self-disgust, anger, loneliness, abandonment and grief into more positive ones. German Chamomile has been found to have a calming and balancing effect on the emotions. It also supports one in being able to calmly and clearly speak one's truth without anger, harmful ego or animosity.

Dr. Berkowsky, in Berkowsky’s Synthesis Materia Medica/Spiritualis of Essential Oils says of German Chamomile:

Matricaria derives from the Latin word for womb, and, in some ways, the action of chamomile is reminiscent of warm, buffering amniotic fluid. The German word for chamomile translates as “mother herb,” and, here again, one senses chamomile’s moderation-through-nurturing character.

Jennifer Jefferies in her Aromatherapy Insight Cards says:

German Chamomile is for LETTING GO.
To be used for breaking negative patterns and releasing old habits that are not working for one. Chamomile is essential for removing life's limitations.

Did you know...

During the Middle Ages, Europeans scattered chamomile flowers on their floors? Stepping on the flowers released a sweet fragrance into the atmosphere.

Chamomile was said to possess the power to replenish a person’s energy when they were confronted with adversity.

Precautions: Tested at low doses it has been found to be non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. Skin sensitivity can occur in some people.

Caution: This is a highly odoriferous oil so it is suggested that one use it sparingly in synergies otherwise it can tend to overwhelm other oils blended with it.

I also found this interesting abstract on PubMed:

Phytomedicine. 2009 Apr;16(4):284-6. Epub 2008 Dec 20.
Observational study: Matricaria chamomilla may improve some symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Niederhofer H.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Regional Hospital Bozen, Via Guncina 54/A, 39100 Bolzano, Italy. helmutniederhofer@yahoo.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been proven to be effective in some cases of ADHD. In this open trial, Matricaria chamomilla, a serotonin and noradrealine reuptake inhibitor, actually used as an antidepressant, has been checked for this indication. METHOD: Three 14-16-year-old male psychiatric outpatients, diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder (ADHD) have been rated at baseline and while taking Matricaria chamomilla to determine its efficacy as a treatment for ADHD. Improvement was valuated using comparisons of Conners' parent ratings. RESULTS: Patients' mean scores improved for Conners' hyperactivity, inattention and immaturity factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample size is very small and therefore generalization is very difficult, this observation indicates that Matricaria chamomilla might be a slightly effective treatment also for ADHD. PMID: 19097772 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Are you ready to learn more about the use of essential oils? As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

E-Books and DVD

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

May 15 Reiki Level I - $170.00 plus GST includes

William Rand's book, Reiki, The Healing Touch.

Prerequisites: None

June 19 Reiki Level II - $150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: Reiki Level I

Essential Oil Insect Repellent

2010-05-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

As the weather warms up it is time to start thinking about being prepared for those pesky insects that love to bite us in the summer.

When approaching this there are two things we need to prepare, firstly a repellent and secondly a skin relieving blend in case they still manage to get through our defenses.

Essential oils that have traditionally been classified as insect repellents include citronella, bergamot, tea tree, litsea cubeba, cedarwood, melissa, peppermint, aniseed and patchouli.

When we look at many of the essential oils that are considered to be particularly good against mosquitoes, like Citronella, Eucalyptus citriodora (lemon eucalyptus), Lemongrass, Litsea Cubeba (May Chang), Leptospermum petersonii (lemon scented tea tree) and Melissa, we see that they all contain the aldehyde citronellal. This aldehyde is known to have insect repellent qualities so it would be a good idea to include oils containing it in an insect repellent synergy.

The first building block of essential oil chemistry are the hydrocarbons. In a hydrocarbon, like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes the structures are made up entirely of carbon and hydrogen atoms. However once an additional atom or group of atoms links onto one of these carbons it causes the molecular structure of the hydrocarbon to change. It is the part of the structure that links onto the carbon which is more vulnerable to change than the rest of the structure and this vulnerable or ‘reactive’ part of the structure is called its functional group.
A functional group is a small part of an organic molecule consisting of a single atom or group of atoms that substitutes for a hydrogen atom and has an effect on the properties of the molecule as a whole. It is the chemically active centre of the molecule. For example in the alcohol family the functional part of its structure is the –OH part. You will therefore immediately know that if a chemical constituent is an alcohol it will have this –OH in its structure and that it is likely to react chemically in a certain way. Chemists classify chemical constituents into families according to their functional groups. Therefore knowing the chemical family will give one information about the chemical constituent’s likely chemical behavior. Functional groups include phenols, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers and oxides.

In the case of aldehydes the Functional Group is formed when an oxygen atom is double bonded to a carbon atom at the end of the carbon chain with the fourth bond (single) always being a hydrogen atom. A reaction typical of all aldehydes is their ready oxidation to the corresponding organic acids.

Citronellal is an aldehyde with the chemical formula C10H18O and has a lemony odor. It is obtained especially from citronella oil and is used in perfumery and as an insect repellent.

As mentioned the aldehyde citronellal, pictured here, is found in citronella (around 35%), melissa (around 7%) and lemon eucalyptus (around 80%). It has a strong, citrus and coarsely rose-like odor that is characteristic of citronella and has antiseptic, bactericidal, embryotoxic, insectifuge, perfumery, sedative properties.

Citronellal has insect repellent properties, and research shows high repellent effectiveness against mosquitoes.
Jeong-Kyu KIM, Chang-Soo KANG, Jong-Kwon LEE, Young-Ran KIM, Hye-Yun HAN, Hwa Kyung YUN (2005). "Evaluation of Repellency Effect of Two Natural Aroma Mosquito Repellent Compounds, Citronella and Citronellal". Entomological Research 35 (2): 117–120.

Research has also shown that citronellal has strong antifungal qualities.
Kazuhiko NAKAHARA, Najeeb S. ALZOREKY1 , Tadashi YOSHIHASHI, Huong T. T. NGUYEN and Gassinee TRAKOONTIVAKORN (2003). "Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella Grass)". JARQ 37 (4).

The one caution one needs to keep in mind when working with aldehydes is that they can be irritating on the skin so it is a good idea to include some oils in the synergy with skin healing type properties. One of the reasons that Patchouli makes a good addition to any Insect Repellent synergy is that the Patchouli alcohol (around 32%) found in this oil is thought to contribute to the anti-itching properties of the oil. Also beta-caryophyllene (around 20%) has known anti-inflammatory effects.

Are you ready to learn more about the use of essential oils? As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

E-Books and DVD

Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.
Aroma Massage DVD.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

June 19 Reiki Level II - $150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: Reiki Level I

Cypress - Great for Varicose Veins?

2010-05-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

In aromatherapy circles, Cypress is well know for its very beneficial action on veins. It is this action that can bring relief to tired aching legs at the end of the day or after long hours of standing on your feet.

You will find a mini profile on Cypress as well as an article on Varicose Veins in the archives on our website. Cypress was also the subject of a blog written in October 2007.

Cypress is traditionally considered to have astringent, bactericidal and balancing properties. It constricts blood vessels and is recommended for broken capillaries, cellulite, hemorrhoids, pyorrhea, rheumatism and sweaty feet. A look at the average chemical profile of Cypress shows that this oil contains around 75% monoterpenes, 10% alcohols, 5% esters, 3% sesquiterpenes and 1% oxides. Alpha-pinene, a monoterpene and cedrol, an alcohol are two of the components that probably contribute to the vasoconstrictive effects we find in Cypress that are so helpful for varicose veins, and in fact hemorrhoids as well.

However here is some food for thought. In her book Aromatherapy Science, A guide for healthcare professionls, Maria Lis-Balchin says:

Aromatherapy Uses:
Cypress oil uses include: circulatory problems; coughs, flu, rheumatism, excess fluids; broken veins on the face. It is said to be: a styptic, expectorant, diuretic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, vermifuge, vulnerary and 'the healer for blood, sweat, and tears' (Ryman, 1991): Lawless, 1992; Rose, 1992;Price, 1993; Sheppard-Hanger, 1995.

She continues with:

Scientific comment:
There are virtually no bioactivity data available for this essential oil, so the aromatherapy uses are based entirely on herbal usage, which is mainly using the water-soluble components and at best an alcoholic extract containing very little essential oil. There is therefore little justification for suggesting that cypress oil alleviates any of the conditions listed above. However, massage itself can alleviate many stress and muscular conditions and cypress essential oil can be used as a fragrance in conjunction with this therapy to provide a pleasant odor.
Herbal Uses:
Hippocrates recommended cypress for haemorrhoids with bleeding. It is applied externally as an astringent for varicose veins and taken internally for coughs, colds, flu and rheumatic aches (Ryman, 1991; Chevallier, 1996).

Unfortunately the lack of scientific research makes it difficult to prove the claims made by aromatherapists for the effectiveness of this oil. One thing is certain scientific research is mainly carried out by the pharmaceutical and fragrance industries. If there isn't a commercial end to the research, it often just isn't done.

So do I totally buy what Maria Lis-Balchin says? Well I can't argue with her with respect to the lack of research on the oil I certainly couldn't find any myself, especially when it comes to the use of cypress and varicose veins, but I have used cypress essential oil with many clients over the years and they have found relief for aching varicose veins. Was this just the placebo effect? I doubt it. Was it the result of massage? Again I doubt it as not all applications were made with massage? I see that she can accept the Herbal Uses for cypress, but what component in cypress is it that gives it its effectiveness? Often the effective ingredient in a herbal preparation comes from its essential oil content, and if this is true, why wouldn't the essential oil be effective?

Do we really need to have a research study proving the effectiveness of a particular essential oil on a particular condition before we can accept that the oil may have that property? Or can we accepts the practical experience gathered by many different aromatherpists using those essential oils for many years and with many different clients?

What do you think?

Bringing in the Light with Essential Oils

2010-06-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

Once again it's raining!! Lately we have been getting so much rain, granted it is interspersed with some sunshine just to remind us of what that looks like, but then it's back to rain again.

There are times when I just love the rain and how it clears everything out, feeds the earth and makes everything feel fresh and new. And then there are the times when if feels like its always raining and the sky is dreary. I think its time for an essential oil synergy to bring back the light and lift my spirits regardless of what is going on outside.

So what to put in my synergy:
Grapefruit: This essential oil is one of my favorites and always lifts my spirits. In Spiritual PhytoEssencing, grapefruit is associated with the anthroposophical concept of a “light organism”. According to Dr. Berkowsky’s Synthesis Materia Medica/Spiritualis of Essential Oils:

This refers to an internalized spiritual light body (in contrast to external light) which makes inner soul life possible. Internalized light acts as a beacon to the spirit, guiding it into the darkness of the metabolic processes and allowing it to permeate them, thus, establishing a connection between the spirit and the substances of the body.

Lavender: In Spiritual PhytoEssencing, Lavender is considered to be the Great Balancer, however it also has the theme of overcoming "stuckness". (Great for me being 'stuck' in having had enough rain, instead of seeing the benefits and pleasure it can bring, no matter how long it lasts!)

Silver Fir: In Spiritual PhytoEssencing, Silver Fir has a dynamic relationship to light metabolism that makes it unique among the conifer oils. Silver fir, largely because of its relationship to light, is considered to be one of the primary oils for the pineal gland. Dr. Berkowsky suggests that Silver Fir essential oil should be considered as an adjunct in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). So perfect for the grey weather!

And there I have my synergy for the day, or if the weather continues for the next few days: Grapefruit 5 drops, Lavender 3 drops, Silver Fir 3 drops. Just a few sniffs and the world looks brighter. I love essential oils and their ability to instantly shift my mood with just a few sniffs.

Upcoming Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

June 19 Reiki Level II - $150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: Reiki Level I

Always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses, when you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

Lavendula stoechas - French or Spanish Lavender

2010-06-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

As I look outside my window my heart lifts at the sight of my lavender covered in a myriad of wonderful dark purple flowers. However with the next breath I am reminded that although I say it is Lavender it is in fact Lavendula stoechas (also known as French or Spanish Lavender) that I have in my garden and this is a completely different plant, producing a completely different essential oil, to the Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) essential oil that we use so often and for so many different purposes.

L. stoechas is a hardy evergreen perennial, with short, gray-green, aromatic leaves and attractive purple bracts. I believe the variety I have in my garden is L. stoechas ssp pedunculata as it also has the purple bracts have the extra center tuft that looks like two rabbit ears. The leaves are very narrow and longer than the ordinary L.stoechas.

This plant traditionally grew along the Mediterranean coast in sandy, acidic soils or crystalline rocks. It is very abundant on the islands of Hyères, which the Ancient Romans called the 'Stoechades,' after this plant. Today it is primarily used as a garden plant.

It was most likely that L. stoechas was the Lavender that was used by the Romans and the Libyans, rather than L. angustifolia. It is plentiful in Spain and Portugal and the story goes that it was used to strew the floors of churches and houses on festive occasions, or to make bonfires on St. John's Day, in order to keep at bay any evil spirits that might be around.

The flowers of this species were used medicinally in England until about the middle of the eighteenth century and in France and Spain, country folk made a simple extract of the oil by hanging the flowers downwards in a closed bottle in the sunshine. This was then used to dress wounds.

Its aroma is more reminiscent of Rosemary rather than ordinary Lavender.

L. stoechas' Chemical Profile is also very different to that of L. angustifolia. L. stoechas contains around 70% Ketones (mainly fenchone, plus camphor, verbenone); 15% Monoterpenes (a-pinene, camphene, limonene) and small amounts of esters, sesquiterpenes, oxides and alcohols.

Precautions: Avoid during pregnancy and with babies and children. Because of its high ketone content it is highly recommended that this oil be used with caution and in small doses over short periods of time.

It has good analgesic, antineuralgic and anti-inflammatory properties and would be helpful for rheumatic pain and muscle aches and pains. It also has anticatarrh, expectorant and mucolytic properties and could be considered for use in cases of chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, coughs and congestion.

A study was done on the Ethnopharmacological evaluation of the anticonvulsant, sedative and antispasmodic activities of Lavandula stoechas by L.Gilani AH, Aziz N, Khan MA, Shaheen F, Jabeen Q, Siddiqui BS, Herzig JW. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Jul;71(1-2):161-7. of Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Aga Khan University Medical College, 74800, Karachi, Pakistan.
Lavandula stoechas L. (Lamiaceae) has been used for a long time in traditional medicine as an anticonvulsant and antispasmodic. The aqueous-methanolic extract of L. stoechas flowers (LS) was studied for its possible anticonvulsant and antispasmodic activities. When tested in mice, LS (600 mg/kg) significantly reduced the severity and increased the latency of convulsions induced by pentylene tetrazole (PTZ). LS likewise reduced PTZ's lethality. LS up to a dose of 600 mg/kg was found devoid of any hypnotic effect in mice, however, animals were found to be dull, calm and relaxed. The sedative effect of the plant extract was confirmed, as it prolonged the pentobarbital sleeping time in mice similar to that of diazepam. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, LS caused a dose-dependent (0.1-1.0 mg/ml) relaxation of spontaneous contractions. LS also inhibited K(+)-induced contractions in a similar dose range, thereby suggesting calcium channel blockade. This effect was confirmed when pretreatment of the jejunum preparation with LS produced a dose-dependent shift of the Ca(2+) dose-response curve to the right, similar to the effect of verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. These data indicate that the plant extract exhibits anticonvulsant and antispasmodic activities. Its calcium channel blocking property may be mechanistically related to these activities. Its usefulness in folk medicine appears thus to be based on a sound mechanistic background.
PMID: 10904159 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Father's Day - 2010 and Clary Sage

2010-06-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is Father's Day! This traditional celebration of the Men who 'gave us life' has taken quite a commercial aspect, but it is good for all of us to recognize the fact that without our Fathers (no matter what role they play in our lives) none of us would be here without them and every experience we had, or wished we had with them has, in part, shaped us into the people we are today. In 2008 I shared the story of the history behind this special day, plus a lovely poem that I find is always worth reading again. In 2009 I shared a recipe for an after shave and some great quotes about Fathers. So what do I write about this year?

For many of us coming from a traditional aromatherapy background, Clary Sage has long be associated with women and childbirth and female hormonal balancing so associating Clary Sage with Fathers might at first seem a little unusual. However in Spiritual PhytoEssencing, Clary Sage is one of the essential oils that Dr. Berkowsky has correlated with Fathers and Issues with Fathers. Spritual PhytoEssencing correlates a number of different essential oils with Fathers and our relationship to and with them, but for today I will touch on Clary Sage from this perspective.

One of the frameworks that Dr. Berkowsky uses in SPE is that of the Kabbalah Tree of Life and its Sefirah. According to Dr. Berkowsky Clary Sage has a powerful affinity for the Sefirh of Chokma or "Wisdom" and is often referred to as "Father". Dr. Berkowsky says that:

It is interesting to note that although Clary Sage is associated with the Sefira of Chokma, the father archetype, it is an important specific for gynecological problems such as menopause and PMS.

He also says: Due to its association with the male Sefirah of Chokma consider Clary Sage in those cases of female hormonal and reproductive system dysfunction where there has been a serious breach in the relationship with the father (e.g. weak relationship with father, absentee father; lack of insight and guidance from the father; weak male influence perpetuated in adult relationships with men). In other words Clary Sage is more likely to be a specific for female reproductive system disorders when male and female, father and mother, father and daughter, husband and wife, have turned their backs to one another.

Just some food for thought. If we are faced with issues like these, or know of others who are adding a little Clary Sage to the synergy might prove to be very helpful!

Upcoming Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

This Saturday, June 19 Reiki Level II - $150.00 plus GST
Prerequisites: Reiki Level I

Always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses, when you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

Endings & Beginnings

2010-06-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

This week I am reminded of the cycle of life and of how nothing stays the same. The school year is drawing to a close, with exams and graduations happening all around. Certainly a great example of how when one phase ends another unfolds and begins. We have also just celebrated the 'Summer Solstice', the longest day of the year, and the first official day of Summer. In my personal life I am also facing some endings and beginnings. The Centre where I offer my services is moving and over the last couple of days we have been busy packing everything up, the movers will be in on Wednesday and hopefully by the beginning of next week we will be unpacked and ready to offer services once again in an exciting new venue.

As I see transitions going on, not only around me for other people, but also in my own life, I wanted to create a special synergy to mark this exciting time of ending one phase and beginning a new one and these are the oils I have decided to use in my mister.

60 ml(2 oz) spray bottle
Distilled water
5 drops Bitter Orange - after all endings can be bitter sweet at times and strength.
4 drops Lemon - to foster the ability to let go and accept change.
3 drops Cypress - for going through changes.
3 drops Juniper - for clearing and cleansing.
5 drops Lavender - for balance and flexibility.
2 drops Neroli - because it's one of my favorite essential oils and it brings lightness.

I will also add 2 drops each of the Bach Remedies: Walnut (for protection); Beech (to ensure one keeps a positive attitude); Larch (useful when relocating); Wild Oat (to help one adjust to the changes).
If you are interested in reading more about Bach Flower Remedies you will find an article on them in the Newsletter

Upcoming Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

July 17 & 18 : Aromatherapy Caddy Chemistry - $300.00 2 days plus GST
Prerequisites: None

Always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses, when you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

Happy Holiday Weekend!

2010-06-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

We have a holiday weekend coming up and I am looking forward to some time off to relax, rejuvenate and just enjoy being.

July 1 is Canada Day - Happy Canada Day to all Canadians! As this falls on a Thursday, I'm taking the Friday off from the Centre where I do treatment sessions and so will have a lovely long 4 day weekend which I need after the move last week. It's amazing how tiring moving can be physically, I certainly got to use muscles I had forgotten I even had! Now I'm looking forward to a great weekend visit from my family and having time to top up my 'Nana tank'!

July 4 is of course a great day for celebration in the US and so I wish all Americans a very Happy 4th July!

If you are are out and about in the great outdoors don't forget your insect repellent you can check my previous blog for ideas on this and the blog on Melissa. If you are going to be doing lots of gardening, exercise, sports or walking perhaps the blog on Gardening Aches and Pains will give you some ideas on how to relieve any muscles aches or soreness. Some of these ideas certainly came in very handy for me this last week after the move.

July 17 & 18 : Aromatherapy Caddy Chemistry
$300.00 2 days plus HST
Prerequisites: None

Always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses, when you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils,

light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand,

the path of God just before you.

Robert Louis Stevenson

My Journey with the Chemistry of Essential Oils

2010-07-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

When I first started out in Aromatherapy 16 years ago the courses available, or at least the two I took, did not emphasize the chemistry all that much and at first I did not pay that much attention to the chemistry behind these wonderful gifts of nature. However as time went on I realized that there was a definite benefit to understanding the chemistry of I could see the benefit of having a better understanding of what the synergies could do, so a couple of years later I signed up and took a third course that was geared to the chemistry of essential oils. Unfortunately for me I had never taken much chemistry before and this sort of just made my eyes glaze over. I absorbed enough to pass the exams but I still did not really 'get' the chemistry and most of the information was filed away to be looked at, at a later time.

Many of the books available had a small section on Chemistry, but I generally moved over these sections pretty quickly in my eagerness to get to the sections on creating blends and reading more about what the authors had to say different oils were good for. However my eyes truly opened to the benefits of understanding the Chemistry of Essential Oils when I was introduced to Rosemary Caddy's Essential Oils in Colour in 2000. I purchased her two books and blending calculator CD, and the chemistry of both the individual essential oils and the blends of essential oils became tools I could really use. As this was something that I wanted to share with my students and graduates I purchased a License from CC Profiles to teach the Essential Oils in Colour courses and I have been offering these as in class workshops ever since. As time went on, I was repeatedly asked by some of my students and grads as to whether I couldn't offer these in a home study version as well and after getting Rosemary's approval I created the Caddy Chemistry Home Study Version. Once a year I still offer an in class workshop on the Caddy Aromatherapy Chemistry and the workshop this year is set for July 17 - 18. If you are interested in learning more about Chemistry and how it can be an additional tool in your use of essential oils, and you have the time perhaps you'd like to join me in this workshop. If you can't make the workshop, then of course there is always the option of the Home Study Version.

Rosemary Caddy's Books and Blending Calculator can be purchased directly from CCProfiles in the UK.

Upcoming Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.
July 17 - 18: Aromatherapy Caddy Chemistry - $300.00 2 days plus HST
Prerequisites: None

Always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

Dill - Anethum graveolens

2010-07-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

The name Dill is said to come from the Anglo-Sacon dylle, or the Norse dilla which means to soothe or lull, which is interesting as Dill has a long tradition of use in Traditional Medicine as an aromatic carminative and stimulant for digestive disorders. In fact dill water or Gripe Water as it is more commonly known has been used for children for many years. During the Middle Ages it was prized as a protection against witchcraft. Another legend says that if dill is infused in wine it will enhance passion in those who drink it. Early settlers in North America used to call dill "Meeting House Seed" as it was given to the children to chew during the long sermons to keep then from feeling hungry.

Through steam distillation, Dill seeds yield between 2.5% - 4% essential oils with most of the oil consisting of carvone (35 - 60%)a ketone, d-limonene and a-phellandrene, both monoterpenes. Dill seed oil is reported to have spasmolytic effects on smooth muscles.

Dill seed oil is not used that much in aromatherapy massage, which is how I mostly practice as an aromatherapist, however its major benefits are on the digestive system where it helps to calm and promote proper digestion, as well as ease flatulence, constipation and hiccups. Its anti-fungal, antiseptic properties are great for wound care blends. It is also used to assist childbirth and stimulate milk production.

Recently I have come across reports of using dill in combination with fennel and coriander as a insulin/blood sugar regulator, however I have not been able to find any formal studies that support this use so far.

In Spiritual PhytoEssencing, Dill is associated with the Themes of Finance and Business. A synergy of spikenard, lemon and dill might be a good Money Remedy Blend.

Precautions: Avoid during pregnancy (high ketone content).

Upcoming Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

July 17 - 18: Aromatherapy Caddy Chemistry This workshop has been cancelled however the course is available at any time in the Home Study Version.

Also always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

Summer 2010

2010-07-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

What are you up to this Summer?

Now that the flurry of the move for the Centre where I offer treatments is over I am finding that summer has quietened down considerably for me this last week. Suddenly I seem to have time to just sit and enjoy my surroundings. My little garden is looking lovely and proving to be a wonderfully restful place to sit in and contemplate. I am really enjoying the moments of peace and quite, although I have to admit that they do seem to be slipping away really quickly. I can't believe that we are more than half way through July - I know I keep seem to be saying this but I just can't believe how quickly time is moving these days.

I came across this little poem today:

"Mosquito is out,
it's the end of the day;
she's humming and hunting
her evening away.
Who knows why such hunger
arrives on such wings
at sundown? I guess
it's the nature of things."
N. M. Boedecker, Midsummer Night Itch

If Mosquitoes are a problem in your area our wonderful essential oils can be very helpful in keeping them away or if one of those pesky creatures does get through then there is always Melissa Hydrosol to ease the itch. I have always found that it works very quickly and efficiently and all sorts of pesky flying insects seem to relish the thought of feasting on my blood so if I am not diligent with the repellent I have to contend with bites.

If you are going to be away then the Articles Page on the Main Website Vacation Time with Essential Oils might be helpful as well as the Summer Blends and More Summer Blends articles. You will also find interesting and helpful articles there if you are finding Summer rather hectic and stressful. There is also the website Newsletter article on Bach Flower Remedies in action!

Upcoming Workshops for 2010

These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

August 21 - The Hawkins Protocol

Also always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
Infant Massage
Subtle Aromatherapy
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac
The Hawkins Protocol Book
Aroma Massage DVD

Juniper Berry

2010-07-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

I have posted information on Juniper Berry on the blog before and you can read that article and the one on the website by following the link.

In Berkowsky’s Synthesis Materia Medica/Spiritualis of Essential Oils, Dr. Berkowsky says that:

During the 19th century, it was a practice in French hospitals to burn juniper and rosemary twigs in the wards as a prophylactic disinfectant procedure to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including smallpox. In Mongolia, it was once standard procedure to administer juniper to women at the onset of labor. The Zuni tribe of the American southwest used juniper tea to relax the uterine muscles following delivery. Juniper was also used to treat wounds inflicted by animal bites. This may account for the translation of the Celtic word Juneprus which alternatively means biting or acrid. Various American Indian tribes used juniper as a disinfectant for wounds. It’s one of the herbs burnt by Tibetans as a means of driving off evil spirits. Juniper was once planted beside one’s front door as a means of keeping out witches.

In Spiritual PhytoEssencing there are a number of very interesting themes associated with this essential oil: For instance Juniper is consider when someone is a melancholy drunk. It is also used as a major grief remedy for those people who withdraw completely after the death of a loved one.

According to Dr. Berkowsky:

Juniper is also considered to be specific for certain cases of: nervous tension and weakness; anxiety; depression; worry; confusion; restlessness; psychological stagnation; fear of failure; fear of facing death; weakness of will. The theme of purification, is also a prominent feature of juniper’s action in the psycho-spiritual sphere. Juniper may aid in clearing negative energy, restoring objectivity, helping one to overcome the effects of emotional violence and in reducing obsessions and addictions.

The juniper alcoholic tends to be non-violent, melancholy, morose and withdrawn. When the juniper-type drinks alcohol it does not fuel rage but rather helps to sustain his need for withdrawal from life’s relentless assaults. The juniper alcoholic craves a barroom’s sheltering darkness and quietness and is moved by the songs of pain and loss coming from its jukebox.

So if you are creating a synergy for someone in whom you recognize these sorts of themes adding a bit of juniper to the blend may be just the thing to help them move forward from being stuck in their old patterns.

Upcoming Workshops for 2010

These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

August 21 - The Hawkins Protocol

Also always available:

The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
E-Books and DVD

Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
Infant Massage
Subtle Aromatherapy
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac
The Hawkins Protocol Book
Aroma Massage DVD