The beginning of aromatherapy is shrouded in the mists of time. The identity of the first person to utilize the healing properties of plants is unknown but well sealed urns filled with aromatic resins have been unearthed in the tombs of Pharaohs. The ancient Egyptians, Indians, Chinese and Greeks used oils for perfumes, drugs, spiritual and ritualistic purposes. Evidence shows that essential oils have been used for well over 6,000 years.

The word ‘aromatherapy’ was coined in the late 1920’s by Rene’-Marice Gattefosse’, a French chemist, who after accidentally discovering that lavender oil was able to heal and prevent scarring of a severe burn on his hand. In 1964 the results of a study was published which showed the effectiveness of treating medical and psychiatric disorders with essential oils. The first aromatherapy clinics were established in Paris, Britain and Switzerland in the 1960’s.

The word ‘aromatherapy’ is somewhat of a misnomer as it suggests that the methods of healing utilizing essential oils works exclusively through the sense of smell affecting emotions. However, oils have individual elements which work with the body’s chemistry to affect certain organs or systems as a whole. Essential oils have three modes of action within the body, pharmacological, physiological and psychological. The pharmacological affect happens when oils are ingested and enter the bloodstream thereby reacting with the hormones and enzymes of the body. Physiological is the mode in which the oils affect the systems of the body by sedating or stimulating. The psychological affect happens as a result of the odor being inhaled. This area is the most commonly known however, it is the least understood. It is basically known that the scents can induce an immediate and powerful response that defies rational analysis. However, it is not only the aroma that is important for therapeutic benefit but also the chemical reaction between the oils and the body.

Aromatherapy is a part of the larger field of herbal medicine.  However, since most plants produce essential oils, it important to understand the therapeutic qualities of the oil versus those of the whole herb which is taken or prepared in a different manner. Herbs give many of their benefits to water and alcohol but do not have the aromatic elements and therefore do not have the same effects on the mind and body.

The potential of essential oils has yet to be fully realized even though medical herbs have been used for centuries, although many have been exploited to form compounds for use in our modern pharmaceutical world. Research has long held the traditional belief of the therapeutic benefits of particular plants although terminology has changed quite a bit. For example, basil was described as an herb that “taketh away sorrow” and as “good for the heart” whereas modern terminology now describes it as an antidepressant and/or a prophylactic. It is also important to note that essential oils can cover a wide range of activities, for instance one oil can be a stimulate for particular body systems while being a sedative for another.

The use of aromatherapy is applied in settings that range from health spas to hospitals to improve mood, encourage relaxation, lessen anxieties, as well as to relieve pain, itching and more. There is also evidence to show that some oils help to strengthen the immune system and reduce blood pressure. Currently there are no boards that certify or license aromatherapists in the US but many are trained in some other form of holistic therapy in which aromatherapy is included. To locate a qualified aromatherapist one can contact the National Association of Holistic Therapy at www.naha.org.

Essential oils can be used at home in simple yet effective ways too for both cosmetic and medical reasons. They can be used as perfumes, added to baths for relaxation or to treat itchy, irritated skin, and to treat minor complaints such as achy muscles, headaches, colds and congestion. For home use just be sure to consult your doctor, holistic practitioner and a reliable reference source.

Not all aromatherapy products labeled as aromatherapy are pure and natural.  It is extremely important to read products labels to make sure there are no artificial or other unpure chemical components are added. Products with added artificial ingredients do not provide aromatherapy benefits and can be harmful. It is best to use certified, pure therapeutic grade essential oils from a reputable company and/or trustworthy holistic practitioner.

The use of essential oils covers is wide and varied sharing holistic qualities such as with aromatherapy while also playing an active role in the pharmaceutical industry. Aromatherapy’s history is long, but unfortunately there is still much to be learned but with the ever-increasing danger of plants becoming extinct there is a real risk that some plant sources will be lost as will the many treasures they have to offer. So while there is still time, fall in love with what nature has to offer and stop to smell the roses.

Ayurvedic medicine places much of its emphasis on prevention and maintenance. These principles are based on understanding how to bring and maintain balance in the mind, body and spirit according to one’s own constitution. Ayurveda teaches that just as one has a unique set of finger prints; one also has a unique constitution which is their own individual combination of mental, physical and emotional characteristics.  This constitution of ours is affected by many factors, both internal and external which can cause imbalance.  Examples of the stressors which contribute to imbalance would be diet and food choices, emotional and physical trauma, relationships, and seasons.  Once these stressors are understood and the appropriate actions are taken, then balance can be restored.  Ayurveda teaches that mind, body and spirit work together in maintaining balance.

Ayurveda is based on three basic energies which are present in everyone and everything and can be related to the basic biology of the body: vatta, pitta, and kapha. These energies are required for movement = vatta, metabolism = pitta and lubrication = kapha.  While everyone has these qualities of energy, one is usually primary, secondary and third or the least prominent.  Improper cellular function due to an excess or deficiency of one of these energies is usually the cause of disease.  Another cause of disease is the presence of toxins. When we think of toxins most of us usually think of poisonous chemicals, which is accurate but toxins also include emotions of anger, fear and hate; therefore whether toxic chemicals or toxic emotions, vatta, pitta and kapha all work together to keep the body free of disease. However, ayurveda does not focus on disease. It focuses instead on the balance of energies, so when there is minimal stress and the flow of energy is in balance, the body’s natural defense systems are strong and healthy.

Ayurvedic medicine encompasses many techniques for evaluating health. The basics include observing pulse, tongue, eyes and physique as well as tone of voice. A diagnosis is made based on these observations and direct questioning of the patient. Recommendations for treatment may include lifestyle changes, to include changes to the diet; the inclusion of herbs; cleansing programs to help rid the body of toxic buildup and a daily routine which includes the use of meditation or prayer and exercise. Ayurveda is an ancient medical system which addresses all aspects of life – mind, body and spirit. It recognizes individuality and responds accordingly.

Ayurveda continues to be widely practiced in India as well as in Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In the US, it is considered to be a CAM, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Most practitioners of Ayurveda study in India, where there are more than 150 undergraduate and 30 postgraduate colleges for Ayurvedic medicine. Training can take 5 years or longer with most students who receiving either a bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, BAMS) or doctoral degree (Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, DAMS). The US has no national standard for training or certifying Ayurvedic practitioners, although a few states have approved Ayurvedic schools as educational institutions.

While many of the therapy techniques of Ayurveda, such as massage, nutrition, meditation, yoga, etc. are categorized on their own as CAM and touted as highly effective, the system of Ayurvedic Medicine is an ancient medical system that is still used and relied upon by millions; after all it is the Science of Life.

Vibrational healing originates on the belief that human bodies are made up of interconnected fields of putative energy. When the body is not well, whether it be a common cold, heart break, or even something more serious, it is believed that the body has an unbalance in one or more of those energy fields. Vibrational healing is the practice of rebalancing your body’s energy to restore your health.

Some scientist call it a pseudoscience, others call it a life force energy assisting us to keep our body and auric field in balance and in harmony with in ourselves and in our environment.  However, no lone culture can claim this method of healing as their own. Different civilizations such as the Egyptians, Aborigines, Chinese, Japanese, Natives of the America’s, and Aztecs have used this method to better their lives.

Richard Gerber is a physician who has been in his field for over twenty-five years now. He has extensive research on alternative medical diagnosis and treatment. He has also written several books on the matter. One of his favorite methods to use is color and light healing.

There are five popular types of vibrational healing, crystal and gemstones, lights and colors, plants and herbs, air- earth- fire- water, and sound and music.

From the beaches to the rock on the city concrete, the crystals and gemstones commonly used during vibrational healing can be found almost anywhere. These stones heal holistically, by placing them all over your body. They help detect the root of illness and assist in in re-balancing the bio magnetic sheath that surrounds the physical body.

Color is a simple form of visible light energy, the sun is actual a very power healer, scientifically proven people are not as happy on cloudy days. Candles, wands, prisms, colored fabrics, bath treatments, and colored eye wear are some tools used in color therapy.

Trees and flowers both have nutrition in them, and many people use this form of healing today, it is called herbalism. Herbalism also includes minerals, shells, and some animal parts.

Next are Air, Earth, Fire, and water. These are four basic elements, and as living organisms, we need air to breath, earth to live on, fire to heat our food among other things, and water to replenish us. As you can see all of these methods help balance our body to feeling like it’s self again. Have you ever felt cranky or just not the same when you’re hungry? It may be because the energy in your body is unbalanced and food can fix that.

Sound and music are the also ways to balance you’re energy back to normal. If you ever have a song that make changes you’re mood from happy to sad you have experienced vibrational healing. Music can affect moods from happy to sad, but even more so they can help re-balance your energy.

Vibrational healing can provide a cure in multiple ways. It can be very effective helping along with other modern medicines and get you back on the right track. Next time you’ll feeling down and out, try playing some of your favorite music, eating your favorite food, lighting some incents and just sit back as your body begins to balance back to normal.

These sensations, combined with numerous others, are connected with out-of -body experiences (OBE), an experience that involves  feeling detached from one’s body while observing it and its surroundings from a different location.  The most characteristic OBEs occur during sleep and are often synonymous with near-death experiences (NDE). The feeling of falling, floating and jerking awake has been reported in several studies on OBEs, offering an explanation for the familiar perception  of cascading out of bed.

Although scientists have been studying out-of-body experiences for years, very little is known about the phenomenon.  It is believed that OBEs are triggered by mental trauma, dehydration, sensory overload and lucid dreaming.  While doctors have been able to analyze induced OBEs, spontaneous OBEs have no way of being measured.  The evidence of OBEs is best described in testimonies by real people who have cultivated the various components of an out-of-body experience which include: falling asleep physically but not mentally, waking up mentally but not physically and experiencing a deep, meditation-like trance.

The contexts of OBEs vary as much as the people having them.   Some have had the ability to contact loved ones who have passed away (also known as after-death communication or ADC), foresee events that end up occurring in the future and most commonly: encounter a sense of spirituality.  The OBEs tend to start out in a dream-like manner and morph into an awareness of literally being outside of the body.

Below is a testimony taken from the archives of a blog that allows users to share their experiences with others who have had similar OBEs:

My OBE’S started back in May 2010. The first one I had I couldn’t move. Then as I kept having them I have went through different stages, like floating then flying, going through walls, walking, talking. It feels so real and what a feeling, but can be very tiring upon waking up. My breathing is somewhat heavy and drenched in sweat like I have ran a race. And a few times It was hard to wake up from it. I usually try and jerk myself awake. I try and write down all that I’ve had but I’ve had so many it’s hard to keep track of them. I feel it’s a gift, especially now that I’m having them and being able to see and talk and touch my deceased husband and to hear his voice again and having him wrap his arms around me is so amazing. I feel so blessed.

The sense of being paralyzed, also known as sleep paralysis, is a common factor in out-of-body experiences as well.   This sensation is often preceded by a person feeling as if they have been pulled out of the body.   This component of an OBE is most commonly seen when accompanied by a near-death experience.   My very own grandmother has told me of having a simultaneous OBE and NDE during a hysterectomy shortly after my mother was born.  She explains that during the very common procedure she felt herself float out of her physical body and was able to see herself on the operating table below.  She then tells of hearing doctors yell “code blue” and was overcome by a white light.  She prayed for God to let her live in order to raise her children and within seconds felt her mental state join the physical body.

Whatever your spiritual stance may be, it is hard to deny that we have the ability to travel into a so-called “parallel universe.”  While many scientists would describe an out-of-body experience as an optical illusion, which is what happens when they try to recreate the experiences for theoretical purposes, you cannot argue with hundreds, maybe even thousands, of stories depicting such recollections.

As you fall asleep tonight, remember that your dreams may be a window to something much more fascinating than you are able to fathom.  You could possibly encounter your first OBE and begin a journey of self-exploration or have a meeting with someone you haven’t seen in a while.  Or maybe you will be shown a glimpse into the future.  Whatever it entails, have a safe trip.

There are different types of energy therapy such as magnet therapy, light therapy and qigong, but for the purposes of this article we will focus on Reiki, an energy therapy falls under the categories of Touch Therapy, Therapeutic Touch (TT) and Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch (NCTT) which has been shown to promote healing, relieve pain and anxiety.

Reiki was developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui. “Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive”(reiki.org). There are many branches of Reiki but the more commonly used forms are known as Traditional Japanese Reiki and Westernized Reiki. Traditional Japanese Reiki is the original form of reiki as taught and used by Usui.  Western reiki is accredited to Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American who grew up in Hawaii. In the mid-1930’s, she traveled to Japan due to a medical crisis, which is when she learned of Reiki and brought it back to America.

Historically, reiki was used as a form of self-care however, it is being provided more and more by health care professionals in a number of different clinical settings. In a Reiki session, the client lies or sits comfortably, fully clothed. The practitioner’s hands are placed lightly on or just above the client’s body, palms down, using a series of varied hand positions which are held for a minutes, or until the flow of energy is felt. This feeling has been described as sensations of tingling and/or heat in the hands. Receivers of reiki have described feelings of tingling, warm and/or cool sensations, and sleepiness, as well as being in a state of total relaxation. The number of sessions received depends on the health needs of the client. Some of the benefits of Reiki include, stress relief, reducing high blood pressure, pain relief, raising the vibrational frequency of the body, removing energy blockages and more. If used in conjunction with other natural therapies such as meditation, homeopathy, etc. the affects of those therapies are then strengthened.

Reiki practitioners’ training and expertise varies but no special background is needed to receive training. However, Reiki must be learned from an experienced teacher known as a Reiki Master; it cannot be self-taught. Specific techniques taught can vary greatly but traditional Reiki has three degrees or levels, each focusing on a different aspect of practice. Each degree includes one or more attunements or empowerments which are believed to activate the ability to access Reiki energy. Training for first- and second-degree practice is typically given in 8 to 12 class hours over about 2 days. Some students seek master-level (third-degree) training but becoming a Master can take years.

Reiki healing is a natural and gentle form of therapy that promotes health for the whole being, mind, body and spirit. More detailed information can be obtained by visiting a Reiki practitioner and by browsing www.reiki.org.

Acupuncture was brought to the US after President Nixon visited China in 1972 and a reporter, James Reston, who was traveling with him received acupuncture after undergoing emergency surgery. Reston was so impressed with his experience that upon returning to the US, he wrote an article about acupuncture. Later, in 1997, the National Institute of Health (NIH) formally recognized acupuncture as a mainstream medical option, stating that the treatment was safe and effective for treating a wide range of health conditions.  Awareness continues to grow although many conventional physicians are still not familiar with the theory or the practice of acupuncture.

Acupuncture is used successfully to treat conditions ranging from back pain, nausea, migraine headaches, anxiety, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), sensory disturbances, and insomnia. There is evidence which shows that acupuncture is effective at treating well over 100 health conditions. Also, there is a study which confirms that acupuncture increases our pain threshold, which can explain why it so effectively acts as a long term pain reliever. Evidence also suggests that acupuncture also increases blood circulation and affects white blood cell activity thereby affecting our immune function, as well as helping to reduce cholesterol and regulate blood sugar levels.

The number of treatments required varies depending upon the condition and the patient. Obviously, the more chronic conditions warrant more treatments however, improvements can be noted after only one treatment by some. Patients are urged to follow the prescribed treatment plans even if there is immediate relief. Also, patients should not approach or begin acupuncture with the notion of just trying it see what will happen. Acupuncture has been seen to have startling affects, even in infants and toddlers. Even veterinary applications are being utilized.

As with most medical protocols side effects are possible however, they are rare with acupuncture. The most common is bleeding and bruising at the site of needle insertion but no post acupuncture infection has ever been reported. Obviously, needles should be new, clean and not previously used. Those with bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners are urged to first see their primary care physicians.

As with any medical treatment, it is important to seek practitioners who have proper training and certifications. Most states require acupuncturists to be licensed and have the title (LAc). A list of licensed physicians trained to perform acupuncture can be obtained through the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. Doctors of Chinese Medicine and acupuncturist are also certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  Other medical practitioners practice acupuncture as well, namely naturopathic physicians and Oriental Medical Doctors (OMDs) along with medical doctors and nurse practitioners. When searching for a practitioner, the aforementioned organizations and/or your primary care provider are great resources. In addition, the web also offers assistance for finding practitioners along with a list of their credentials for your review.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains, and more and more people are finding that it has a negative affect on their health.  Symptoms can range from mild sensitivities to severe intolerance such as in those with Celiac Disease. However, gluten sensitivity is a real problem and there is scientific evidence to show that it does exist, however it is different from celiac disease.

Celiac Disease causes the body to attack its own tissue. It can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis and other serious health problems. People are not born with this disorder but something happens that triggers its onset. Speculation has it that agricultural changes are the culprit. Gluten sensitivity is not as obvious as celiac disease. There are more than 100 symptoms that point to gluten sensitivity which is one reason why it is so hard to diagnose. More studies are needed, but researchers believe that gluten sensitivity is due to a natural immunity response. In other words it is the body’s natural response to repel invaders. Therefore, gluten sensitivity is not an allergy but an immune disorder.

While diagnosis is difficult, more and more people are being diagnosed because there has been an increase in diagnostic abilities and because physicians are more aware of the disorder. Treatment is to avoid foods with gluten; some who are sensitive to gluten may be able to tolerate small amounts but those with celiac disease must remove gluten completely and forever.

Many of the foods that have been staples in our diets for thousands of years contain gluten, yet the body will attack it as if an enemy has invaded the camp. The following foods contain gluten and should be avoided:

• Baked Goods – including cookies, cakes and crackers

• Bread – most bread contain wheat and other grains such as kamut, spelt, rye, barley, semolina and others.  All of these grains contain gluten.

• Breakfast cereals – including farina, cream of wheat, even oatmeal unless it is free of gluten contamination

• Pasta

• Beer and liquors– gluten-free beers are available; potato vodka is ok as is other alcohol that are made from

• Salad dressings

• Prepared meats – such as deli meats, and any meat or fish that has been breaded, coated or marinated.

Unfortunately, there are so many other foods that belong on this list and it is difficult, at first, avoiding these foods but there is help available if needed, such as a nutritional therapist or health coach. Also, more and more companies are manufacturing gluten free foods, and hundreds of gluten free cookbooks are available.

If you suspect you have gluten sensitivity, it is important that you notify your physician so that he can properly test you and monitor your progress while on an elimination program. Removing some of your favorite foods may seem like punishment at first, but there are so many other foods available that you won’t even miss those old favorites once you get past the initial shock.

Joseph Campbell, famed Mythologist and the author of the book The Hero with a Thousand Faces will finally get his own documentary.

Produced and directed by Pat Solomon, the film is an exploration of Campbell’s studies and their continuing impact on our culture.

This film will also feature Deepak Chopra, Mick Fleetwood, Rashida Jones, Tony Hawk, Catherine Hardwicke, Laird Hamilton, Robert Walter, Akiva Goldsman, and others.

For more information about the film, please visit the film’s website here.