The aroma is the deepest manifestation of prana in a herb. Arjun Das - Ayurveda class notes While studying Ayurveda with my teacher, Arjun Das, I was struck by his poetic statements about Fennel. Arjun shared: Fennel is about digestion and transformation. Fennel inspires us to accept our body and self. It provides nourishment and vitality. Relationships (both with self and others) are about digestion. Fennel supports us in ‘digesting’ another, perhaps come to a better understanding of ‘other’. (my words) Arjun recommends that when couples are having difficulty that they drink fennel tea READ MORE
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Ginger/Lemon Salt scrubs
What you will need to make 4 jars of scrub: 3 cups of sea salt 1 1/2 cups Jojoba oil 30 drops Ginger (Zingiber officinale) 20 drops Lemon (Citrus limon) Combine sea salt and jojoba. Stir well. Add more jojoba oil if desired. Then add in your essential oils. Stir well again. Scoop salt scrub into sterilized clean jars. Cap and label. For this label: I cut an 8 /12 by 11 piece from a paper bag then ran it through my ink jet. The label looks like this. I was quite happy with it. I cut the label to size and then carefully put a piece of clear packing tape over it READ MORE
How to Make Vanilla Extract
Making a fresh batch of vanilla extract can be a wonderful gift for the holidays. There is so much to love about the orchid Vanilla. In a previous blog I wrote about how to make a vanilla bean jojoba infusion. Now we turn to an alcohol extract which can be used in baking as well as added into coffee and other beverages. According to Natural Standards: Vanilla, and its main constituent vanillin, are among the most popular aromatic and food flavoring agents and are extensively used by the food, beverage, perfumery (such as candles and body oils) and pharmaceutical industries. Vanilla has READ MORE
Lemon Expression by hand!
For those of us who have a fascination with all things aromatic, I was excited to receive a book entitled "The Volatile Oils" by Eduard Gildemeister. I ordered the book which was published in 1922 for the pictures although there is some interesting information too. This is a collector book not really a book to learn about aromatherapy or essential oils. Here are a few of the photos and the reason why I got it. This picture shows people peeling the lemon rinds off and beginning to express the lemon essential oil by hand. Women expressing the lemon essential oil by hand. READ MORE
How to Make Bath Fizzies
These are easy to make and fun gifts to give. Ingredients 2 cups Baking soda 3/4 cup Citric acid 1/4 cup or so of dried herbs (dried roses, lavender, calendula, and/or chamomile buds work well) 20-35 drops Essential oil (depending on essential oils used and desired strength) A cookie sheet with wax paper placed on it. Molds to press into I used 18 drops Lavander (Lavandula angustifolia), 15 drops Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and 3 drops Patchouli (Pogostemom cablin). Combine the baking soda and citric acid. Stir well. Add in 1/4 or so of dried herbs. Stir. READ MORE
Peppermint and Nausea – A case study: End of Life Care
Client hx and presenting problems: Marie was admitted to the nursing facility with advanced, end stage breast cancer. Marie had a history of resolved breast cancer, that later returned. Rather than be pushed for treatments, Marie choose to not tell her family that the cancer had returned. As her condition progressed, she was experiencing increased weakness. Marie ended up in the hospital at that point. Continued to choose no treatment. Was admitted to the nursing facility as a hospice client. Marie’s biggest problem as her condition progressed was nausea. She was given Zofran for the nausea READ MORE
Internal Use of Oregano: An Exploration
Oregano: Origanum vulgare by Jade Shutes My interest in writing this article comes from the ongoing questions I receive from individuals regarding the internal use of essential oils. This week a student wrote in and asked about the internal use of Oregano and since I have been interested in the Oregano supplements I see at Whole Foods I decided to dive in and explore why Oregano supplements are gaining in popularity and what the difference is between taking the essential oil oregano internally versus supplements available from reputable supplement/herbal/vitamin companies such as Gaia READ MORE
The Wellness Wheel by Heidi Nielsen
Wellness Wheel One Woman’s Journey for Healing By Heidi Nielsen When I think of the ways aromatherapy has transformed my life, I feel incredibly grateful. Whether I am hopping into the bath with some Lavender, using Peppermint on a tissue during a road trip, or rubbing a Eucalyptus salve on my chest when I am fighting a cold, I feel very blessed to have these essences in my life. I was introduced to Aromatherapy during my pregnancy with my son Sage, over 15 years ago. Having limited knowledge as to what essential oils were, I was inspired to learn more about their benefits, and so I READ MORE
Chronic sinus issues: Case study success
Aromatherapy for Chronic Sinus Issues CASE STUDY by Graduate of the School for Aromatherapy Studies NOTE: To maintain client confidentiality we do not provide either the clients real initials or the practitioners name. KC is a 65 years old salesman. He’s had sinus issues for over 10 years. His head and nose was continually stuffy making it extremely difficult to breath during the day and almost impossible to get a restful night sleep. His ears felt plugged and, because he wasn’t able to hear himself, he talked very loudly. He said when he spoke, to him, it sounded like he was in a READ MORE
How to make Vanilla Infused Jojoba Oil
Vanilla, the (really) early years It is the ancient Totonaco Indians of Mexico who were the first keepers of the secrets of vanilla. When they were defeated by the Aztecs, they were demanded to relinquish their exotic fruit of the Tlilxochitl vine, vanilla pods. When, in turn, the Aztecs were defeated by the conquering Spaniard, Hernando Cortez, he returned to Spain with the precious plunder - vanilla beans - which were combined with cacao to make an unusual and pleasing drink. For eighty years, this special beverage was only enjoyed by the nobility and the very rich. Then, in 1602, Hugh READ MORE