Wintergreen Gaultheria fragrantissima or Gaultheria procumbens Wintergreen essential oil is distilled from the leaves of Gaultheria fragrantissima (native to Asia and N. India) or the North American native species Gaultheria procumbens. These species are commonly cultivated and distilled in Nepal and Sri Lanka for production of essential oil. Wintergreen essential oil often gets a bad rap due to the presence of methyl salycilate yet it is much loved for its strong analgesic activity. Wintergreen essential oil is a powerful analgesic (relieves pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces READ MORE
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Deepening your practice by deepening your relationship to plants
Learning the Language of Plants I believe that any form of plant work or plant medicine such as herbalism, aromatherapy, flower essences and cultivating plants can benefit from deepening our personal relationship with the plants. When we study academically, we learn with the left brain, we learn the plant names, their morphology, their actions, their constituents etc. all of which is human-based information. This knowledge gives us a valuable grounding and starting point but there is more to plant medicine than book learning and theory. Learning by initiation and letting the plants READ MORE
Unbearable Period? Here’s How To Alleviate Cramps + Balance Hormones
This one’s for all the ladies! I don’t think it’s too far of a stretch to say that many of us could write the book on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual cramping. After all, who hasn’t experienced period pain and cramping that makes you want to just lay down and relax? Frankly, we don’t talk about our sacred gift enough. Menstruation is a sign of fertility—the ability to bestow the gift of life. Understandably, we find it hard to honor that magic and spiritual perspective while wallowing in fetal position and canceling our social plans due to what can be excruciating discomfort. PMS READ MORE
SLEEP BETTER, SLEEP MORE! 5 ESSENTIAL OILS TO IMPROVE SLEEP
Sleep is a vital part of life and plays a major role in our physical and emotional health. Shocker? I think not. But did you know that the average person spends 1/3 of his or her life sleeping? While often underestimated, a good night of sleep can be rejuvenating as it allows our bodies and mind to rest from the daily stressors of life. Researchers suggest that lack of sleep is linked to stress, anger, sadness, mental fatigue and overall decline in mood. While the amount of sleep people need varies from person to person, The National Sleep Foundation suggests 7-8 hours of sleep daily. If READ MORE
7 POWERFUL ESSENTIAL OILS FOR OPENING YOUR HEART + MAINTAINING ITS HEALTH
The heart is the most important human organ. Without it pumping, we couldn’t sustain life. Many are mindful of how diet and exercise affect heart health, but aromatherapy offers complementary support with essential oils. Throughout history, aromas have been used to emotionally and physically care for our hearts. Recent research confirms what many have intuitively known about aromas and essential oils. Essential oils may prevent heart disease, and exposure to aromatherapy has demonstrated a beneficial effect on heart rate and blood pressure. One study in young women showed an association READ MORE
Learn how to use clay for healing: Part II
Using Clay As Medicine In Part I of how to use clays for healing, we covered some historical uses of clay, qualities of clay, and discussed 3 different medicinal clays. General Recommendations for Using Clay for Healing Avoid using anything metal with clay. Do not use metal utensils or bowls to mix the clay. For bowls and utensils, it’s best to stick to glass, stone, clay or enamel. Only use wooden or plastic spatulas or spoons when mixing clay with water. Do not heat clay before use. If you want a warm application place the bowl with the clay in a bain-marie, i.e. a double boiler READ MORE
Learn how to use clay for healing: Part I
Using Clay As Medicine Written by Cathy Skipper Clay may have contributed to the beginning of life on earth, recent scientific studies are suggesting. Several universities, including the Universities of Glasgow and Cornell, found that clay forms a hydrogel in simulated ancient sea water. This hydrogel contains a mass of microscopic spaces that can soak up liquids like a sponge. The sponge effect creates a confining space for organic molecules and biochemical reactions. What may have happened is that chemicals that were trapped in these spaces created by the clay could have, over billions READ MORE
How to Make a Herbal Glycerite
Learn how to make herbal glycerites What are glycerites? Glycerites are liquid herbal extracts that use vegetable glycerin as the medium to extract the medicinal properties from medicinal and aromatic plant material. After the plant material has soaked in the vegetable glycerin for 4-6 weeks, the plant material is pressed out, and the remaining glycerin is called a glycerite. What is glycerin? Glycerin is a colorless, odorless, viscous, sweet tasting liquid. It is derived as a by-product of the soap making process when the fat molecules in fixed oils, like olive, almond or coconut, are READ MORE
Hydrosols—The Quiet Revolution in Herbal Medicine
Distillation and hydrosols: connecting herbalists to aromatherapy. For a while now, I have been wondering why hydrosols do not play a more important role in both aromatic and herbal medicine. The more I work with them, the more I realize their potential and the more I see them playing a major role in plant healing across the board. One of the most important aspects of hydrosols is that we can make them ourselves and thereby deepen our relationship with the healing plants around us and be more sustainable. Hydrosols are also known as aromatic waters. They are the main product of steam and READ MORE
How to Make Natural Deodorant
Learn how to make your own Natural Deodorant With so much information out there about the ‘dangers’ of using most underarm deodorants, there is a growing interest in natural deodorants. I never really use underarm deodorants but about a year ago while I was in Seattle I found this awesome line of natural deodorants from a company called Schmidts based out of Portland, OR. The one thing I noticed however, is it did not age very well, it has become a bit crumbly. However, it is still highly effective. I have used their product a few times over the past summer and have to say, I love it! So READ MORE