Raynaud’s Syndrome is a condition where blood vessels in a person’s extremities shut down when exposed to cold. It is caused by peripheral blood vessels overreacting to colder temperatures and can result in painful and discolored extremities. The Vagus Nerve New research suggests an alternative method for treating Raynaud’s symptoms indirectly via the vagus nerve….
Raynaud’s Phenomenon: An Aromatic Exploration – Part I
Raynaud’s Syndrome is a condition where blood vessels in a person’s extremities shut down when exposed to cold. It is caused by peripheral blood vessels overreacting to colder temperatures and can result in painful and discolored extremities. Raynaud’s syndrome was first identified by a French physician named Auguste Gabrielle Maurice Raynaud in 1862. It often…
Aromatic Rituals: Caring for our Heart during Leo Season
You may be familiar with the proverb, “home is where the heart is,” first coined by the roman philosopher, Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.). Beyond the physical space, the notion of home speaks to the space where we may find respite and solace by turning inwards and dropping into our heart to find belonging and…
Adrenal Fatigue PART III: Promoting Resilience — Essential Oils for HPA Axis Support
HPA axis dysregulation is fundamentally caused by stress, which can take many forms: Psychosocial stress (relationships, finances, housing insecurity, discrimination, etc.) Inflammation (diet, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, infection, insulin resistance) High or low blood sugar Insufficient sleep (sleep apnea, poor sleep habits) Interventions should first and foremost target these root causes of stress in order…
Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Chances are, if you are reading this, you are either pregnant or know someone who is or will be. Congratulations! Pregnancy is a particularly beautiful time for a family, but it is not always the most comfortable time for the pregnant parent. Plant extracts, in the form of whole herbs, herbal infusions, essential oils, and…
You Go to My Head: Essential Oils and the Blood-Brain Barrier
Life blood, it’s no joke. Blood delivers nutrients to all the tissues and organs of the body, eliminates carbon dioxide and metabolic wastes, transmits hormonal signals throughout tissues, and mediates peripheral immune activity. The vascular tree is made up of many types of blood vessels: Arteries and smaller arterioles that deliver oxygen and nutrients to…