Searching for the term ‘Aromatherapy’ brings up several pages claiming aromatherapy is a fraud of some sort. That essential oil manufacturers and retailers are making ‘dubious’ claims of the efficacy of essential oils. These folks don’t seem to have done their homework, or compared the validity of scientific inquiry to that produced by conventional medicine, which in fact could easily be claimed as ‘dubious’ using the same criteria. Ok, well actually there are no criteria used, just a few blurbs that present aromatherapy as a soft science, on that should be neglected along with everything else that’s every been found under the heading of ‘new age’.

How about we all agree on this? That SOME of aromatherapy is in-fact a ’soft science’? That SOME people may feel more relaxed when inhaling Lavender, for example, and some will not? Aromatherapists will not disagree on this point — they will however put up a defense when the medical applications of essential oils are thrown out with the soft side of ‘aroma’ therapy. Science IS BACKING UP many of aromatherapy’s claims with valid data, even on the ’soft-science’ of the practice. Here’s a look at the science behind aromatherapy, the holes in arguments of the popular debunkers, and why aroma-medicine has it’s place in today’s medical practices.

Aromatherapy really suffers from an image problem. Most people hear the word, and believe it has really to do with ‘the smell of things’ rather than with ‘things that smell’. Its a small but very important distinction. Aromatherapy is really the complete branch of medicine that uses the chemically-volatile (easily evaporated) constituents of plants for treatment of a wide variety of ailments. IT DOES NOT only have to do with the effects these plant chemicals have on people that smell them. Virtually every professional aromatherapist will tell you that the great medicinal promise of aromatherapy does not reside in their pleasing aromas, but rather in their abilities to successfully treat a wide range of infectious illnesses (like MRSA, the ‘Superbug’), their action as chemotherapy agents, anti-inflammatory agents, wound-healing agents, and other ‘hard’ medical applications.

This historic summit was held at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm
Beach Florida on January 14, 2006.  The summit convened to unify the leadership
in the Living Food Movement, establishing scientifically based common standards for
optimum health.  Leaders from eight countries (with a combined total of 411 years following this
lifestyle) agreed on the following standards:
(Compiled and Organized by Jameth Sheridan, N.D.)

The Optimum Diet for Health/Longevity:
•     Vegan (no animal products of any kind, cooked or raw)
•     Organic
•     Whole Foods
•     High in nutrition such as vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients
•     Highly mineralized
•     Contains a significant quantity of chlorophyll-rich green foods
•     Contains adequate complete protein from plant sources
•     Contains a large proportion of high-water content foods
•     Provides excellent hydration
•     Includes raw vegetable juices
•     Contains all essential fatty acids, including Omega 3 fatty acids from
naturally occurring plant sources
•     Is at least 80% raw (the remaining to be Vegan, whole food,
and organic)
•     Has moderate, yet adequate caloric intake
•     Contains only low to moderate sugar and exclusively from whole food
sources (fruitarianism is strongly discouraged)
•     Is nutritionally optimal for both detoxification and rebuilding
We also agree that:
• Supplementation with Vitamin B-12 is advised.
• The addition of enzyme active superfoods and whole food supplements is also advised.
• This way of eating can be further optimized by tailoring it based on individual needs
(within the principles stated).
• Benefits derived by following these principles are proportional to how well they are followed.

The Sun Flower Method

Following is the equipment you will need to make a sun flower essence: a clear glass bowl, fresh mountain or spring water, sharp scissors or a crystal, or stone (used only for this purpose), a camera, a notebook or journal, something to write or draw with, a funnel (preferably glass), tweezers, a strainer (this is not an a necessity - muslin or cheesecloth work well), a 2-4 ounce  dark amber or cobalt blue glass bottle (4 ounces is a good size), organic brandy, apple cider vinegar, glycerin, or red shiso vinegar, and a local wildflower guide.

Offering: bring a gift to offer to the flowers – suggestions include Indian Tobacco (Lobelia), cornmeal, sage or sweetgrass, a song, a prayer, crystal or offering of personal choice.

Find the plants from which you wish to make into a flower essence.
They should be plants growing in a pristine natural setting or cultivated organically; away from traffic; in abundance.

You may wish to spend some time in mediation with the plants prior to harvesting. Get clear and enjoy the process of developing this relationship.

Ask and gain permission and NEVER take the grandmother flowers.

Ask for a sign and be sure to stay open to recognizing when your sign appears.

When you have made a connection with your plant make your offering.

The process:  The best time of day to harvest the plants is when the plant is at its peak power, usually sometime between 11 am and 3 pm. If possible use natural spring water that is found near the plant.

Begin by preparing yourself. Peaceful, open, joyful, present and clear.
Do NOT make the flowers when your thoughts or emotions are turbulent or chaotic.

Fortunate birth, by The Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

In the kingdom of children
Every one of is this child
An innocent being
Who jumped into heaven
And landed in Shambhala.
Fortunate birth is who you are-
Everything is perfect in your world.

Your clothing is the midst of heaven,
Your feet covered by dragon’s breath,
You are the most fortunate beings are earth.
You are the children of dharma.
Nothing can close your open heart.
Other children suffer, caught in perpetual dilemma-
Because Buddha has touched you,
You are fortunate.

Be dhamic now,
Be powerful now,
Be benevolent now-
Not for me, not for others-
But because that is your blood.
When you feel privileged, use it.
When you feel ashamed, pounce.
Consume that hesitation -
It’s only a flicker of your imagination.

You are the blessed people on this earth.
Every atom of your being is Buddha-
What is left is joy.
You have no excuse;
Don’t sulk.
You can be sad, for sadness is
the most genuine expression.
Expression of goodness is who you are.
Being a child of dhama is dilemma.
Being a child of dharma is freedom.

Consume this hesitation of not knowing.
Never doubt,
only walk forward.
Love everything.
For that is why you are here.

With the incredible aroma of the finest chocolate, dark Cacao seed oil makes a highly intriguing exquisite, and delightful scent. Use Cacao absolute with confidence as a rich middle note in all of your love potions. Sensual, heady, and delicious while adding a hint of intrigue, cacao is an excellent ingredient in erotic formulations. Cacao is known to open the heart chakra, healing on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.  Research shows that smelling cacao reduces levels of stress and anxiety. Cacao may also help to reduce cravings and addictive patterns. The scent of this exquisite essential oil is at once mystical and magical. We recommend cacao essential oil for increasing creativity and connection to your heart chakra. Cacao is a ‘potentiator’, enhancing the yumminess of the other essential oils with which it is blended. Cacao essential oil is loved by the children as well as the elders and makes a nice addition to one’s collection. Cacao Absolute is a must for chocolate lovers as the aroma is that of the finest dark chocolate – we think it is good enough to eat!

A small evergreen tree, the aromatic Amyris is native to Asia, Haiti and other Caribbean islands, as well as Central America. Patience is required, as this tree that grows to be 2-4 meters needs approximately 30 years before it produces its sweet essential oil.

Amyris’ woody, balsamic aroma is relaxing and calming to the nerves.  Its cooling action also helps to relieve frustration and sexual tension as well as general stress and irritability. The scent is both uplifting and soothing with a strong anti-inflammatory action. This oil both slows the aging process and regenerates the skin, making it an excellent choice for facial care blends.

Amyris, also known as ‘West Indian Sandalwood,’ is a great choice for use as a base note fixative oil. Commonly found in soaps and other ‘Sandalwood’ products in place of ‘true’ Sandalwood, Amyris supports vibrant physical health by helping to remove physical and etheric toxins that congest and distort the body. An alternative choice in place of the endangered ‘true’ Sandalwood, Amyris is a healthy, inexpensive and sustainable substitute in many aromatherapy applications.

Connected to the planet Venus, Amyris suggests ‘amour’ (love) as she is both calming and nourishing to the heart chakra. Amyris anchors one’s energy in a state of receptivity and openness, thus enhancing the flow of grace by opening the pathways for love, inspiration, and transformation.

Helping us to balance in our natural rhythms and cycles, Amyris aligns us with the feminine energy of the moon. Heightening intuition, creativity, and imagination, Amyris is an excellent oil for dreamers, artists, musicians and poets as she supports them in connecting with creative source energy.

Blood sugar is a very interesting subject…it appears to be distinct and unique in its expression from individual to individual. The health of one’s body and mind is intimately connected to one’s blood sugar balance. Numerous inter-connected factors include but are not limited to: one’s eating patterns (timing, nutritional value of food, ); one’s patterns in relation to movement and rest; the use of stimulants (coffees, teas, white sugars, cooked chocolates, sodas, etc.); stress and cortisol levels; the health of one’s organs of digestion and absorption; the release of toxins from the system; and one’s patterns of thoughts and emotions.

To the best of it’s ability the bodies natural regulatory patterns are constantly seeking a harmonious balance. A spacious and investigative look at one’s life can prove beneficial in the quest for optimal health.
Blood sugar imbalances have been linked to ADD, ADHD, diabetes and hypolglycemia, eating disorders, drug use/abuse, emotional outbursts, obesity, depression, poor test scores, lower athletic performance, immune related illnesses, PMS, fatigue, and many other states of dis-ease including coma and even death. Studies indicate that prison populations have a higher than average levels of blood sugar imbalances.

Craving sweets is an indication that we need more minerals from living foods sources and more usable protein from high vibration sources. Additionally these cravings can have emotional and psycho-spiritual indications.  Ex. A feeling of lack of ’sweetness’ in one’s life.

Seeds and greens both provide high levels of bio-available proteins. The best seeds are flax, sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame. On average these seeds are 2 parts fat to one part protein.

Adrenal Health

Adrenal glands are no bigger than a walnut and weigh less than a grape. They sit like a tiny ‘pyramid’ on top of each kidney. Their location is spelled out in their name; ’ad’ ‘renal’ means ‘over’ or ‘above’ the ‘kidney’.

Important ‘control centers’ for many of the body’s hormones These powerful endocrine glands manufacture and secrete steroid hormones including coritsol, DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone, as well as adrenaline all of which are essential to ones health, vitality, and overall well-being.

The adrenal hormones support and affect every tissue, organ, and gland in your body. Their main purpose is to enable one’s body and mind to deal with various forms of stress including injury, disease, and adaptability to situations. The adrenals (largely) determine the energy response of your body to every change in one’s internal and external environment, in fact, every cell in your body responds to signals from the adrenals.

One of the essential functions of your adrenal glands is to draw all your body’s resources into “fight or flight” mode by increasing the production of adrenaline and various other hormones. I would like to re-name this response “fight, flight, or freedom”. When the adrenals are healthy one’s ability to respond to situations appropriately is enhanced. This renewed freedom allows for a whole host of possibilities.

When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release energy stores for immediate use, sharpen your senses, slow digestion and various other secondary functions. This function is extremely important in emergency situations.

Oils that uplift the Spirit

A fantastic and mysterious relationship occurs between plants and their environment. The plants bodies absorb and alchemically transform the soil, water, sunlight, moonlight, and air. The bodies of the plants convert the elements of the Universe into elegant art forms, foods, medicines, and fragrances. The plants create their aromatic fragrance from the nutrients of the soil and its symbiotic relationship with its environment. The rhythm of the celestial heavens is cultivated by the plant as it develops under the radiant sun, the luminous moon and the sparkling stars. The natural flow of rain, underground rivers and streams, as well as mountainous snowmelt brings the living water into the plant. The winds and breezes blow the air and ether around the plant as she continues to refine her beauty and gifts. Aromatic plants and flowers are arguably some of nature’s most incredible creations. The earth’s garden of plants and flowers is glorious and vast containing highly effective medicines for every nature of physical and non-physical ailment.

In humans, the olfactory (sense of smell) region is an area of about 2 and a half square centimeters and is located in each of the two nasal cavities between and below the eyes. Containing approximately fifty million primary sensory receptor cells, this region is highly intricate. Incredibly, the olfactory sense is 10,000 times more perceptive than the sense of taste and is able to distinguish a nearly infinite number of element compounds at very low concentrations. When compared to sight, we find that olfaction is more complex. In order to span the visible spectrum humans’ use only three types of photoreceptors; in contrast, the sense of smell relies on hundreds of distinct classes of receptors.

Wise Woman skin care: using essential oils for natural healing.

Wise women will notice that therapeutic grade pure essential oils are often found in the highest quality beauty care products designed for mature skin. It is known that essential oils have many beneficial and therapeutic properties including the stimulation of cellular metabolism, the regeneration of tissues, reduction of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effects, as well as various hormone-like activity. These known benefits are the therapeutic fundamentals for wise woman topical support of the health and beauty of aging skin. Not only are these natural (nature made) essential oils good for the skin, they are much kinder to the planet than synthetic concoctions made in a laboratory and the results of using pure therapeutic grade essential oils on one’s skin can certainly be as profound. Beyond these obvious benefits, the wise woman (that’s you) can make a skin care blend that is precisely suited to her skin’s personal needs and at a fraction of the cost of the high-end synthetic blends. Many of the ingredients that are required are available locally at your health food store. The more exotic items found either on the internet or through mail order from providers of therapeutic-grade aromatherapy and apothecary supplies. As a curious woman you may ask, “What makes essential oils and their complementary carrier oils so effective for natural skin care?” The answer is found in nature herself. It happens that their elemental structures of the plant oils are beautifully and decidedly compatible with that of our skin. The truth is, essential oils are easily absorbed through the various layers of the skin and even through the skin’s individual cell walls. This compatibility makes them extremely simple to create and use your own formulas.