Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Professional Therapeutic Reflexology

Spirit Medicine Body Oil

In the previous post, I wrote about the birth of this formula and my recent personal use of.

CEDARWOOD (Juniperus virginiana)

The Nordic peoples used cedar as incense to invoke Wotan, the one-eyed god of storm, magic and harvest. Wotan calls up strength from deep inside to help us weather difficult and turbulent circumstances.

The word cedrus originates from an Arabic word meaning “power”.  Cedarwood oil thus is known as a fortifying and strengthening essential oil, one that gives us the will to hold firm in the face of crisis. It steadies the conscious mind and helps us to resist powerful emotions that threaten to undermine our spiritual certainty. Cedarwood oil bolsters the transforming power of the will so as to convert fear into wisdom.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterri)

Frankincense was employed in the worship of the Egyptian sun god Ra, a primordial symbol for whom was the Utchat, or “All-seeing” – the sacred eye that burned with judgment.  Frankincense oil rekindles the inner light of the mind.

Considered by many as the most important aromatic incense ingredient since history began, Frankincense was prominent in the ritual religious life of the ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations.  The oil is steam-distilled from the gum resin that results from the “wounding” of the olibanum tree.

Frankincense’s most important sphere of influence is with the nervous system.  Its ability to relax and uplift are unsurpassed. It smoothes the flow of stagnant chi and is said to “deepen the breath”. It calms and centers an unfocused mind, bringing deep clarification. Frankincense is an ideal aid to meditation, contemplation and prayer – it ceases mental chatter and stills the mind.  Facilitating a state of single-pointed concentration, it allows the spirit to soar.  Frankincense contains the power to focus our spiritual consciousness and imbue a potential for transcendent awareness. This oil helps us to forego troubling thoughts of regret and break free of our attachment to the mundane past. It promotes the cultivation of insight and spiritual discipline through the union of the ego and transpersonal self.

Frankincense oil is concerned with the transformation of the Self from an amorphous state of spiritual consciousness into a crystallized one.

MYRRH (Commiphora myrrha)

The effect of myrrh oil reaches far into the psyche, and can help us to both transcend and transform aspects of material existence. It heightens our awareness of the Self, which, to the ancient Egyptians, was depicted as the bird-like Ba-soul, formless and free.

The resinous Myrrh gum has played a role in religious and medical life for almost four millennia. Said to have come from the tears of Horus, the Egyptian falcon-headed sun god, Myrrh oil is considered a revered aromatic that both honors the dead and dying and assists in the elevation of consciousness of those in transition.

Myrrh’s effect on the nervous system is that of calming and soothing. It instills deep tranquility and grounding of the mind. It is a principal oil indicated for over thinking, worry and mental distraction.

On the spirit, Myrrh’s effect is one of inner stillness and peace; awareness freed from the restless and mundane. Vulnerary in nature, Myrrh helps to close the wounds of loss and rejection, sorrow and grief, and invoke the power of solitude.

This ancient esoteric plant oil unites the spiritual and the physical. By building a bridge between Heaven and Earth, it strengthens the link between our crown and base chakras.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium)

The medieval alchemical symbol “to amalgamate” signifies Neroli’s emotionally unifying and harmonizing effects.

Neroli is extracted from the fragrant flowers of the bitter orange tree (also known as the sour or Seville orange tree). Its delicately rich, floral sweetness is both soothing and euphoric, at the same time that its bitter note is grounding.

Since its introduction in Italy in the 17th century, Neroli has been recognized as an effective tonic for the nervous system. It relaxes the nerves and uplifts the spirit. As an all-round regulator of the nervous system, Neroli oil helps to ease mental and emotional tension, depression and anxiety.

Neroli is one of the best essential oils to calm and stabilize the heart and mind. It is particularly good for agitated conditions of the heart.

Neroli’s ability to reunite the solar and lunar (conscious and unconscious) makes it a valuable oil when there are unresolved, unexpressed painful emotions.  Neroli helps to re-establish the link between a disconnected body and mind, allowing denied emotions manifesting as physical pain and spasm to gently release. Neroli, therefore, instills the individual with renewed hope and joy.

(SWEET) ORANGE (Citrus sinensis)

Oranges have long been used as ritual gifts to bestow happiness and prosperity.

From an energetic perspective, the principal value of sweet orange oil lies in its ability to unblock and circulate stagnant chi. Its relaxing and uplifting qualities help to relieve tension and frustration. Its warm, sunny, sweet aroma conveys joy and positivity.  Sweet orange helps us to take an easy-going, more relaxed approach to life.

SPIKENARD (Nardostachys jatamansi)

The Amida Buddha has been a popular object of devotion since the 5th century.  A symbol of spiritual peace and compassion, his benevolent power to restore faith and tranquility echoes the qualities of spikenard oil.

Spikenard’s association, (like Frankincense and Myrrh) with Jesus highlights its age-old mystical significance as a precious aromatic medicinal and ritual oil.

Spikenard calms and regulates the heart, stabilizes the mind and settles the emotions. Its energetic and psychological effects pertain mainly to the mind and soul. Its calming effect helps to soothe the deepest forms of spiritual anxiety and can instill a profound sense of peace. The bittersweet pungency of Spikenard releases obstruction to the flow of chi, freeing the ethereal soul.  It works to replace despondency, bitterness and resentment with acceptance and compassion.  Spikenard relates to the eternal part of us that exists beyond the flux of illusion and suffering. This warming oil is perfectly indicated for the spiritual seeker struggling to find a stable ground of faith. It allows one to surrender, and awards the power of devotion to one’s path.

FORMULA  (all ingredients GC/MS tested and organic)

1 oz. organic jojoba oil

Myrrh – 2 drops

Neroli – 2 drops

Cedarwood – 1 drop

Frankincense – 1 drop

(Sweet) Orange – 1 drop

Spikenard – 1 drop

 

Spirit Medicine

A few years ago I was asked to create an aromatherapy product for a group who actively supported people who desired to transcend during their dying process. I was honored to contribute to this worthy endeavor and excited about the opportunity to just “live with” the energetic qualities of certain essential oils.

I had the opportunity the last few days to use these products with a friend who peacefully passed this morning after a long bout with cancer. Perhaps as a tribute to her and the inspiration she was in my life, I feel moved to share my thought-process in creating these two products. I’ll also share the formulas, along with my blessing to use.

My intention for both these products was to uplift and provide support for the individual’s transcendence. I was not looking to target any individual system of the body nor address any physical ailments. In every sense, my choice of oils and their route of application were guided by my understanding of essential oils as “messengers of energy and consciousness.” [i]

The first product was a massage oil, for which I chose jojoba as the base. I chose organic jojoba for its purity, subtle aroma and molecular approximation to the skin’s natural sebum. Since it is highly moisturizing, I thought it would be a good choice for the elderly and/or bed-ridden. The fact that it does not go rancid was a plus.

The second product was a spritz that could be sprayed around the client’s head. The base for this was distilled water.

I chose skin and inhalation routes because both applications allowed direct access to the circulatory system, thereby reaching every inch of the body.  Since the nasal cavity lacks a stratum corneum (the top protective layer of the skin), absorption is rapid. Absorption through the skin, by way of a massage, is slower. I liked that the products would provide both immediate and slower-acting absorption rates.

I took into consideration a balance between top, middle and base notes, with a result of two top, one middle and four base in all.

I also wanted the rhizome, wood, resin, flower and fruit parts of plants to be representative in the blends. A rhizome is present to support the person in time of fear and instability, and offer strength, balance and connection in a time of big change. The wood offers core support and centeredness; conducts energy and pushes one to go deeper. The resins, of which there are two, have been used traditionally to support inner reflection and meditation; to offer protection and heal wounds. The fruit uplifts, cleanses emotions, clears energy, protects and brings light to the heart and mind. The two flowers are calming and soothing to the mind, and offer emotional support. They encourage love and forgiveness. I thought that all of the above qualities would be useful at the time of one’s passing.

In addition to selecting oils according to their psychological and spiritual properties, I also created the massage oil to include all of the Five Elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The Five Elements is one of the two main pillars of eastern medicine and is most simply described as the phases or movement of energy, each of which either supports (creates) or controls the process.

My friend was unresponsive the last few days, resting peacefully, thanks to the loving attention of Community Hospice of NE Florida’s caregivers, so I have no tangible way of knowing if the oils and my contact with her feet eased her passage. I trust that they did though, as I know they soothed my loss.

Formulas shared in next two posts.

 

[i] Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit; p.7; Gabriel Mojay.

Creating Loyalty: Adding Value to a Client’s Experience

Let’s face it; you’d have to have your head in the sand not to recognize that people are more selective these days about how they spend their hard-earned money. In today’s market, even healthcare practitioners must compete for their client’s attention and loyalty. With just a little effort and forethought, you can stand out in the crowd.

A keynote speaker at a spa convention I attended many years ago said something that has always stuck in my mind. He said, “Give your clients a WOW! experience; not just the service they paid for and expect.”

There are lots of ways to deliver a WOW! experience. The ideas that I’ve used over the years seem to fall into two basic categories:

Show Appreciation

Here are some simple ways:

  • As she leaves, hand a client a gift certificate that she can use as she wishes, either for herself or for someone special in her life. (Most people will give it away, allowing you the opportunity to turn someone new onto the benefits of reflexology.)
  • Work your way down your client list and write one thank you note weekly. Do this the old-fashioned way; hand-write on an attractive card and let the postal system deliver. Remember to be specific as to why you feel blessed that this person is in your life.
  • Mail gift certificates to your clients (current and lapsed) the month before their birthdays. Invite them to redeem anytime during their birthday month. Make sure to state how much you appreciate them and their business.
  • When your client goes to pay you for the day’s session, tell them excitedly that they are your 100th appointment (pick a number) of the year/month/week, and that they get that session for FREE! This is the ultimate WOW! experience. Believe me, that client will tell all her friends about you.
  • Offer to host a 2-hour private class (at no cost) for your client and her friends on foot or hand care – in the comfort of her home. Teach them how to use the basic thumb-walking technique of reflexology on themselves.
  • Create a goodie bag of Epsom salts blended with a high quality essential oil and carrier, body scrubber of some sort and a small pretty bottle or jar of the lubricant you use during your sessions – give them away randomly as gifts. Don’t just wait until the end-of-year holidays. Do it “just because”. The surprise element and thoughtfulness far outweigh the small cost of these items.
  • Mail your client an article on something you know interests them. It could be the latest information on a health issue they’re dealing with or some other unrelated subject.

Add-Ons

Before beginning the session, surprise your client. Verbally state how much you appreciate his or her loyalty and as a way to express your gratitude you would like to add something extra special to that day’s session. Here are some examples:

  • Wrap your client’s hands in warm, soothing paraffin before a hand reflexology session, or while receiving foot reflexology. No charge.
  •  If you don’t already do this as standard procedure, begin your foot reflexology session with a soothing soak of Epsom salts and pure essential oils. Use a scrubbie glove to exfoliate. Water not only cleanses; it hydrates and offers a comforting segue from the outer world to the inner.
  •  Place well-wrapped heat packs on your client’s abdomen during your reflexology session. A warm pack on the tummy is divine.
  •  Create a custom-blended lubricant specific to your client’s health needs. Clients really appreciate this and often want to purchase extra to take home with them. Essential oils are absorbed through the feet, delivering the health benefits of the essential oils to the entire body. To learn how to incorporate oils into your foot and hand sessions, the therapeutic properties of essential oils, routes of application, proper dilution and safety guidelines, please join me for a fun and informative one-day hands-on journey into the realm of pure essential oils.
  • Weave stone therapy into your foot or hand reflexology sessions. Adding stones to a reflexology session invites the recipient into such a deep experience of themselves it almost defies definition. A real WOW! experience. In the Reflexology Rocks! class, attendees learn how to safely use hot and cold stones (basalt, marble and soapstone), utilize Himalayan salt crystals to reduce the effects of harmful electro-magnetic frequencies and are introduced to the benefit and placement of quartz crystal stones to balance the seven primary chakras.

Although my clients have been thrilled over the year with their WOW! experiences, I have to admit that I actually feel like I get the bigger WOW! My heart just swells when offering these simple gifts. Try it for yourself.

Reflexology and Essential Oils: The Perfect Marriage: Web listing.  Facebook Events listing.

Reflexology Rocks!: Web listing. Facebook Events listing.

Essential Oils and Pregnancy – Yes or No?

A conversation yesterday with a close friend regarding essential oil safety during pregnancy helped me see how much misinformation is out there. I decided that you might benefit from knowing how the word “contraindication” became associated with pregnancy (and other conditions) and aromatherapy.

Early research regarding the therapeutic use of plant essences was carried out in France, a country in which aromatherapy is a regulated practice. A medical license is required in France to prescribe, dispense and use aromatherapy, because oils are introduced orally, vaginally and rectally. Studies were conducted by introducing the oils into the internal environment of the body, not from external application. It was this protocol that produced the results that classified some essential oils as contraindicated for certain conditions.

Those initial studies determined that essential oils should not be administered orally during any stage of a pregnancy (unless under the supervision of a qualified medical doctor trained in aromatherapy and with great caution), due to the small molecular size of oils allowing for passage of the oils across the placenta and the blood-brain barrier of the fetus. Rectal and vaginal administration is also discouraged, since these routes can deliver at least as much oil to the fetus as can oral administration.

In North America, we limit our professional use of essential oils to inhalation and external applications, so things are a little different here. (Oral delivery of essential oils would fall under the license of practicing medicine.) Topical delivery (as in massage lotions and creams) should be kept to a 1% or 2% dilution: 5 to 8 drops/oz of carrier or 10 to 12 drops/oz. Keep in mind also, that only a very few essential oils should be applied directly to the skin; most should be mixed in a carrier oil, lotion, cream or butter, so as to avoid potentially serious skin irritations.

Below is a list of essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy. There are a few others that I have not listed, since they are rather unfamiliar oils. To see the full list and read more about essential oil safety with pregnancy and other conditions, please refer to Essential Oil Safety – A Guide for Health Care Professionals, a definitive book written by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs. This book is a must if you want to add aromatherapy to your reflexology or massage business.

Avoid Altogether:

Basil, birch, camphor, cinnamon bark, elecampane, ho leaf, hyssop, parsley leaf, pennyroyal, sage, sassafras, tansy, tarragon, thuja, verbena, wintergreen, wormwood.

Safe to Use (1% or 2% dilution – external application only)

Cardamon, chamomile (German and Roman), clary sage, coriander seed, fennel, geranium, ginger, lavender, lavandin, mace, neroli, nutmeg, palmarosa, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, spike lavender, star anise, yarrow.

I hope this article clears up yet another myth regarding pregnancy. If you are interested in learning about the properties of some common essential oils, safety guidelines and how to make your own products, please refer to yesterday’s post, A Surprise Offer, for a last-minute class, with a one-time-only, very low price.

 

A Surprise Offer!

I received a phone call yesterday from a woman from Arkansans, who will be in St. Augustine next week visiting family. She really wants to do a training with me – anything. I’m flattered and want to make it work for her. Of course, it’s cost-prohibitive to do a private class, so I came up with an idea.

I negotiated a lower rate with one of my venues for next Saturday – June 9 and can offer a reduced price of $90 to anyone who would like to attend the 1-day Reflexology and Essential Oils – The Perfect Marriage class.

You don’t have to be a bodyworker to attend. Although we will discuss specific conditions that reflexologists might be presented with, some past attendees have chosen to make products for massage clients or just for themselves. You can read a description of the class here.

I need at least 5 others to sign up in order to make it work, and must have commitments by Wednesday. It’s a good deal – I have never discounted my classes – so, give me a call if you are interested. 904/553.4067

Sole Salvation

We all know that lubricants moisturize, soothe and seal tissue. Do you know that they can also “feed” your feet with beneficial nutrients? We’ll look at three common ones here: an oil, a butter and an ester.

Castor Oil:

Castor is a pure vegetable oil obtained from the seed of the castor plant, and in its natural state is a pale yellow liquid with a mild odor (as opposed to the adulterated, “stripped-clean” white version often found in drugstores).

Castor has long been recognized for its ability to soothe dry, cracked tissue. A high preponderance of ricinoleic acid (a powerful anti-inflammatory) makes it a perfect remedy for red, itchy feet and undecylenic acid, another active ingredient in castor oil, is widely acknowledged as an effective anti-fungal treatment. Last, but not least, castor oil has been proven to have analgesic (pain-reducing) effects, according to a study published in the Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.

Jojoba

Although often referred to as an oil, jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) is actually a liquid ester wax derived from the seed of the Simmondsia chinensi plant. What makes jojoba particularly sweet to work with is the fact that its molecular structure closely resembles that of the body’s own sebaceous secretions and therefore absorbs easily into the skin. It contains high amounts of the alpha, delta and gamma tocopherols, natural forms of the anti-oxidant Vitamin E. It is non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (does not clog pores), and because it contains no fragile triglycerides, which easily break down and oxidize, jojoba does not go rancid or stain linens. I love it.

Shea Butter

This luscious butter – another of my faves – is cold-processed from the seed of the karite tree (Butyrospermum parkii). In addition to being a great moisturizer, one attribute for which it is highly reputed is that of soothing conditions of heat in the tissue, such as eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, dermatitis and burns (including sun-damaged skin). The list of benefits of this traditional African-derived butter is a lengthy one.

Pure shea butter is pale yellow in color. Beware of white shea butters; they have been treated with hexane (a toxic solvent) to remove both color and the butter’s natural nutty scent. Shelf life is a minimum of one year.

Quality

If you add up the number of times in a day that you put lotions and creams on your hands – you will realize the importance of using chemical-free products. Always purchase organic. You’re worth it.

If you add essential oils to your carrier, choose GC/MS tested oils so you know what you’re getting. Choose oils specific to whatever condition is being presented and you will have a doubly powerful adjunct to your hands-on work.

What do you massage into your clients’ feet at the end of a reflexology session?

Reflexology Rocks!

I clearly remember the first time that I experienced a Stone Therapy session. Back then, there was so much buzz about adding hot and cold stones to a bodywork session, I admit to a lot of skepticism. I decided to try it out anyway. And am I glad I did! The experience I had changed my relationship with myself.

I immediately began to seek out a qualified and experienced teacher, so that I could provide my clients with a similar experience. After hearing the same unbelievable feedback from my massage clients, I began to wonder what it would be like to incorporate stonework into an already deeply relaxing reflexology session. Well, the rest is history. Although it’s been a couple of years since I taught Reflexology Rocks!, I feel moved to do so again.

Stones are part of the earth element; they help us to reconnect with the earth’s grounding, stable force. Used as an extension of one’s own hands, hot and cold mineral stones enhance and often elevate a client’s experience of reflexology to one of almost primordial sacredness. (I didn’t make that up! Those are words I often heard from many nearly speechless clients.)

Rooted in the ancient Tibetan and Native American traditions, Stone Therapy seduces the mind/body to surrender all traces of mental and muscular tension – a logical adjunct to reflexology, don’t you think?

Chilled stones calm and cool inflammatory conditions while heated stones lull the recipient into a deep experience of themselves that almost defies definition. Together hot and cold stones provide a vascular workout for the entire body, both stimulating and relaxing the circulatory system at the same time. As contradictory as this may sound, it is this unique interplay of heat and cold that deeply relaxes and re-energizes a tired body. Homeostasis and balance restored: the prime intention of a reflexology session, right?

I invite you to join our small group on Saturday, November 12 in St. Augustine, Florida from 10am to 2pm, where you will learn how to safely incorporate aromatherapy and hot and cold stones into a hand or foot reflexology session. Stones and all related equipment will be provided in class; resources to purchase your own tools and accessories will be made available. Read more here.

Consider making a weekend of it. Participate in the Reflexology and Essential Oils – The Perfect Marriage class on Friday, November 11. Read how you can take advantage of a one-time only reduced fee.

A Sweet-Smelling Offer

Regular readers of this blog will recall a few months ago that I promised a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge in a one-day class of fun, hands-on activities – and at a cost that would be hard to resist. Well, here’s the offer:

On Friday, November 11th I will present an eight-hour class in St. Augustine, Florida, entitled Reflexology and Essential Oils – The Perfect Marriage, to a maximum of 33 people.

Like Shea Englebright’s original strategy (see Aims, Objectives and 108 New Appointments), I am playing around with my favorite numbers, which are 11, 22 and 33.

November 11th this year is of course 11/11/11 (which just happens to be a US national holiday).

All future classes will be priced at $110 plus $11 for classroom supplies.  For this November date only, the cost of supplies will be waived; the fee to attend is broken down as follows:

–  The 1st person to register attends FREE!  (Read how at end of post.)

–  The next 11 people pay $73.70 ($110 – 33%)

–  The next 11 people pay $85.50 ($110 – 22%)

–  The remaining 11 people pay $97.90 ($110 – 11%)

You will learn how to incorporate essential oils into both your professional and personal life, learn the therapeutic properties of 11 oils, routes of application, proper dilution and safety guidelines. I will introduce you to resources for GCMS-tested essential oils (the industry’s highest standard), organic carrier oils and lotions, and packaging. Included are a manual and all materials necessary to custom-blend the products you will take home.

Oh, yeah, one more thing: the names of all attendees of this class will be entered into a draw to receive one free colorful, 22.5 x 38 inch foot reflexology poster (the same poster I created for the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Professional Reflexology Certification)!

The class is open to everyone; no previous experience with essential oils or reflexology is necessary (although we will discuss certain health challenges typically presented to reflexologists). If you do have experience offering reflexology, you may want to take advantage of the 4-hour Reflexology Rocks! class the following morning as well.

So, what’s stopping you from adding new skills to your life? Sign-up for a sweet tax-deductible, fun weekend retreat in beautiful, historic St. Augustine, Florida. Who’ll be first? Act now! First person to post a comment on this blog site explaining how she or he will utilize their new knowledge of essential oils gets to attend FREE!

 

 

Spring Allergies

It seems everywhere I turn these days I am confronted by red, half-shut, puffy eyes and stuffed up noses. Even folks not usually bothered with spring allergies are complaining this year. Since I have never been plagued by seasonal allergies – and do not want to be – I decided a few weeks back to take things in my own hands. Here’s my successful three-prong method to keep the airwaves clear:

First off, I work all the sinus reflexology points daily, either on my hands or my feet, or sometimes even both. Throughout the day, I just grab a hand and spend a few minutes applying the press ‘n roll technique; or in the evening sometimes I work these points on my feet while relaxing on my sofa. I also hook & press the eye reflexes (some people call this technique “hook & back-up”) and work the cervical lymph node and adrenal reflexes as well.

I also work two Chinese meridian points, one on the face, the other on the hands. I generally hold each of these points for about 30 seconds at a time, aiming for three or four times a day. The points are:

• Large Intestine 4 (LI4). This is known as the “master pain elimination point”, and a well-known one to work when you have a headache. It is also used to address red painful eyes and nasal congestion. It’s located on the dorsal side (top) of both hands, in the fleshy tissue between the thumb and index finger. Do not work this point if you are pregnant.

• LI20 is located on the face, level with the bottom of your nostrils, both sides. It’s in the groove that is formed there when you smile. Great point for nasal congestion and discharge, loss of sense of smell, sneezing and itchy eyes.

The last item in my arsenal is a wonderful new product that I discovered, called Xlear. It is a saline solution combined with grapefruit seed extract and xylitol – nothing else – that is administered with a spray inhaler. Xylitol has the ability to prevent bacteria and other microbes from attaching to nasal mucous membranes; grapefruit seed extract is an excellent anti-microbial, and of course, salt cleans out the nasal passages. Non-addictive and much easier to use than a Neti pot. As a prophylactic, I use Xlear every night before heading to bed. Everyone with allergies that I have recommended this to has been more than pleased by the results.

For those of you who are currently suffering with nasal allergies you might also consider doing hot steam inhalations with essential oils of one or two of the following: cypress, eucalyptus dives, Siberian fir, rosemary ct. camphor or tea tree. You only need two or three drops total of essential oil in a hot bowl of water. Place a towel over your head and the bowl (creating a tent) and inhale for a few minutes. Do at least twice a day.

I know the conventional recommendation is to shut up your house during allergy season, but I just can’t make myself do that! It’s spring and the air is full of singing birds and warm, gentle breezes. Besides, allergy season provides a great incentive to do some work on myself every day!

Do you have any other proven natural remedies to share with our allergy-suffering friends?

Birthday Thoughts

Today is my birthday, and I always spend my birthday engaged in activities (alone and with people I love) that I want to see dominant in my life for the entire year to come. I think of it as “setting the stage” for the year ahead. I began the day as I always do, in gratitude. Thinking of all the blessings I have allowed into my life led to thoughts regarding the remarkable gifts that plants offer us in the area of nutrition, beauty and health.

I am so grateful for the plant knowledge I have that allows me to maintain good health and take care of myself when I’m under the weather. And I love how the easy application of essential oil therapy with my clients speeds their recovery and sets my practice apart from others.

Aromatherapy is so much more than many people realize. The chemicals in the plants and flowers are nature’s pharmacy – as strong and effective as pharmaceuticals – and without unwanted side-effects. They’re inexpensive and pleasant to work with. It just takes a little training to reap their numerous benefits.

I recall a young mother who hobbled into my office on a cane, just barely out of a lower leg cast. She had been in a frightening car accident that had to that point kept her in recovery for already six months. She was experiencing a lot of pain in her foot and knee, as well as a lot of tissue damage in the lower leg from the trauma and resulting surgeries.

I set about doing Thai reflexology to restore circulation and range-of-motion to her lower extremities, focusing my attention on reflexes relevant to all her complaints. She asked me to help her heal her leg tissue, so I created a personal blend of cicatrisant (skin-specific), anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial essential oils that we used in the session and that she religiously applied at home 3 times/day. It was gratifying to see her steady recovery in both areas over the short eight weeks we worked together.

The other person who comes to mind is a woman with a stubborn fungal infection on one of her toes. A number of over-the-counter remedies had failed; she asked me to intervene. I made up a strong blend of anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory essential oils and instructed her to apply at least 3 times/day. When I saw her the next week, she excitedly reported that the fungal infection had cleared up after only two days of essential oil use!

If you have been thinking about adding essential oils to your practice and personal life, consider taking a short formal training to determine your level of interest. A qualified instructor can communicate safety considerations, offer an introductory foundation in the science of essential oil therapy and instruct on blending guidelines in a relatively short period of time. After a concise introduction of this kind, you can determine whether or not you wish to pursue a path to certification.

The Academy has only one aromatherapy class scheduled this year: a 4-hour introduction during the national conference of the Reflexology Association of Canada in Winnipeg. Participants will leave this class with product they make and the knowledge and skill to begin safely introducing essential oils into their reflexology practice.

In the left side-bar are the names of two excellent essential oil training organizations with whom I have studied. Both offer a variety of classes, from introductory to full certification.