More on Aromatherapy

June 2, 9:19 AMMiami New Age Spirituality ExaminerMargaret Ann Lembo

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Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils that are derived from plants, flowers, barks, roots and resins. The use of essential oils goes back thousands of years. It is the chemical constituents within the oils that can have an affect on us physically, mentally or emotionally. Oils can be inhaled by placing some on a hanky or within a diffuser. You can also put them on your body combined with carrier oil like sweet almond oil, jojoba oil or grapeseed oil. Putting the oil on the bottom of the feet is an effective way of getting the oil into our system.

Here are some oils you can use regularly:

Bergamot is the scent that gives that distinctive flavor to Earl Grey tea.
For the Body: Bergamot is antiseptic and anti-biotic. Bergamot has anti-infectious properties that are helpful with infections of the respiratory system. It’s effective on skin conditions especially when they are stress related like eczema, shingles and herpes. Keep in mind that you want to avoid strong sunlight after use as it increases photosensitivity of the skin. I’ve actually gotten deep brown spots where I applied it after taking a walk on a sunny day. It took weeks for it to go away.
For the Mind and Emotions: Bergamot has a sedative effect while still being uplifting so it’s great to use for anxiety, depression and nervous tension.
For the Spirit: Use this oil to quiet the mind in preparation for meditation. Bergamot increases peace and happiness and therefore assists in bringing a calming state for meditation.

Chamomile is either German or Roman. The German Chamomile is blue in color because of the azulene content. We will discuss the Roman variety here.
For the Body: Chamomile is anti-biotic, anti-infectious and anti-septic. I’ve had great results using chamomile on skin infections. The oil from Chamomile flowers is calming and healing for the digestive system. It also promotes sound sleep. The calming energy of this oil eases muscular pain, headaches, neuralgia, menstrual pain, irritable bowel syndrome.
For the Mind and Emotions: This oil eases anxiety, tension and anger.
For the Spirit: This soothing oil brings peace. Peace brings heightened states of meditation and with that comes higher awareness and spiritual connections.

Clary Sage is euphoric! It is one of the main ingredients in my special blend which I named Euphoria. Avoid using Clary Sage before driving or operating equipment.
For the Body: Clary Sage is a hormone balancer whether you need it for PMS, fertility or menopause. It is helpful during labor for expectant mothers but shouldn’t be used while pregnant until it is time for the delivery of the baby. It also helps migraines and headaches. It’s also an aphrodisiac.
For the Mind and Emotions: Clary Sage calms nervous tension, the racing mind and panic attacks.
For the Spirit: The euphoria and calming affect of this oil will bring the peaceful energy necessary for a blissful meditative state. It will open your consciousness by letting down barriers. Once those barriers are dissolved, it brings in greater possibilities for connection with Spirit Guides, Angels and guidance from Invisible Helpers. Smell Clary Sage just before bed to encourage sleep and vivid dreams.

Frankincense is famous as it was one of the gifts of the Magi. Wise men knew that this resin provides connection with Christ Consciousness.
For the Body: Frankincense is especially good for reducing mucous and helping to clear the lungs to breath better when having bronchitis or other respiratory challenges. It is useful to use when you have a head cold.
For the Mind and Emotions: This scent is comforting and calms situations when one is feeling anxious or is being obsessive. It slows down breathing which is good when you’ve worked yourself up into a frenzy.
For the Spirit: Inhale Frankincense to achieve a heightened state of awareness. It has been used in religious and spiritual practices for thousands of years. It has been used to banish evil spirits. You can use it in a spray along with Sage, Sweet Marjoram, Lavender, Pine and Cedarwood to clear away negative energy around yourself, others and your home or office.

Ravensara is an interesting alternative to Eucalyptus. It has a softer scent.
For the Body: Ravensara is antiseptic, anti-viral, antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious and an expectorant. Use it for colds, glue, bronchitis, muscular pain and fatigue. It is also an excellent treatment for athlete’s foot especially when blended with Tea Tree oil.
For the Mind and Emotions: It is deeply relaxing when it is used in massage oil. It’s a general tonic for all the subtle bodies. Ravensara may be used for insomnia. When you have the sleep you need, your mind and emotions are rebalanced.
For the Spirit: This essential oil helps you deeply relax. When you deeply relax, you allow spirit to come forth with messages, insights and inspirations. Calm down and listen to the spiritual voice within.

Tea Tree is a scent that I’ve observed men like to use. It is made from the Meleleuca tree and leaf. It is sometimes spelled Ti-Tree. This is one of those essential oils that is a must-have in your holistic medicine cabinet. I’ve made a blend with tea tree and other anti-type oils that I call Auntie M’s Anti. I always carry it on the plane with me (in my quart size zip lock air line approved plastic bag) to smell on a hanky and have circulate to keep those airplane germs away from me.
For the Body: Anti-biotic, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-bacterial, insecticide, and an expectorant. I’ve had good results using tea tree oil on red ant bites and I’ve been told it has helped with the relief of itching from sea lice. (That’s for us Floridians in the summer months.) It’s a decongestant and it stimulates the immune system. It cleans wounds and clears boils and blemishes.
For the Mind and Emotions: Tea tree is revitalizing and refreshing especially after a shock. It brings mental clarity.
For the Spirit: The mental clarity relieves the monkey mind syndrome otherwise known as the hamster wheel affect that your thoughts play on you. Clear the mind, relax and release the unseen toxins to make a cleaner connection with your spiritual side.

There are different qualities of oils, just as there are different qualities of Olive Oil. The Crystal Garden has very high quality, medical grade oils and you can find the higher grade oils. Be sure to ask the store personnel if the oils they carry are therapuetic or medical grade.

For More Information: Visit the website: www.SmudgeInSpray.com; www.thecrystalgarden.com, read Medical Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaubelt; The Directory of Essential Oils by Wanda Sellar or Essential Aromatherapy by Worwood.