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ANNE'S
THOUGHTS
Subtle
Aromatherapy:
Healing
the Mind, Emotions and Spirit
Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing industries
in the new millennium, gaining wide popularity in the United
States. From scented candles to fragrant massage oils and bath
salts, aromatherapy has captured the attention of the American
public.
Most of what is written about
aromatherapy is the physiological effect of the chemical constituents
of the essential oils of plant material. However, essential oils
can also cleanse, release and balance thoughts and emotions,
and open pathways to higher consciousness. And yet the effect
of essential oils on the mind, emotions, and spirit (MES) is
the direct result of their ability to physiologically change
the central nervous system and key brain centers.
The limbic mid-brain is the center
of emotions and memories. Within the limbic lobe are the amygdala
gland, which stores and releases emotional trauma, and the hippocampus,
which is responsible for long-term memory. Scientists now understand
that memories are also retained at the cellular level and essential
oils have a unique ability to penetrate and oxygenate cells.
Essential oils can clear the "fight or flight" sympathetic
nervous system response of traumatic memories while encouraging
a calm, relaxed parasympathetic response. Special glands of the
brain are thought to be the doorway to spiritual experiences:
the pineal activates inner sight and the master pituitary and
hypothalamus regulate the entire endocrine system, which is the
conduit of spiritual experiences.
The use of essential oils
with clear presence and intention to restore balance and wholeness
to the MES bodies is called Subtle Aromatherapy. It is the application of single essential
oils and specific blends to the energetic pathways of the body,
such as chakras, meridians, acupuncture points, nadis, subtle
bodies, and emotional & physical reflex points.
To neutralize, stabilize and
uplift emotions, use Rose, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Rose Geranium,
Bergamot, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Juniper, Spruce, Fir, Orange,
Tangerine, Neroli, and Jasmine. Blends using Sandalwood, Frankincense,
Myrrh, Patchouli, Elemi, Cedarwood, Lavender, Rose and Galbanum
have historically been used to create deeper, quieter, more insightful
meditation. For draining an overactive mind and creating
clear focus, essential oils of Rosemary, Peppermint, Juniper,
Lemon, Galbanum, Ginger and Cardamon have been used with much
success. It is also important to honor your personal preferences,
because the "nose knows" precisely what the energetic
system needs to release, restore and balance.
So what essential oils would
be best for this time of year when we are in transition from
winter to spring, emerging from stillness and darkness into light
and new life? Right now we have a strong impulse to emerge into
the sunshine and warmth. When the weather fluctuates back and
forth from cold and cloudy to warm and light, we often can experience
sadness and depression. Watching how the plant kingdom handles
this transition can be very helpful. When a seedling emerges
suddenly into the light, it still has its roots in the warmth
and darkness of the earth from which it came. There is support
and nurturance from the earth as it breaks through to sudden
light and the fluctuations of temperature. Essential oils
that ground us combined with those that open the crown and 3rd
eye chakras, as well as those with the balance of the neutral
heart create the perfect Early Spring blend.
BLEND
1:
2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Rose Geranium
3 drops Sandalwood
BLEND
2:
2 drops Cedarwood
3 drops Frankincense
4 drops Rosewood
Add oils to 1 tablespoon of an
organic plant oil such as sweet almond, grapeseed,
apricot kernal, or jojoba. Let it "age"
for 1-2 weeks, shaking every day to further blend the oils. After
1-2 weeks, apply a small amount on the bottom of each foot after
bathing in the morning and before going to bed at night. Also
put a little on the underside of the wrist at the crease between
the wrist and hand to nourish both the lung and heart meridians.
And apply a little on the 3rd eye between the eyebrows, and the
limbic brain point, which is one finger width above the 3rd eye.
(Be careful not to get oil into eyes.)
A wonderful, refreshing way to
use essential oils is in a shower splash, as they naturally
cleanse the body. First, fill a 2 ½-3-quart ceramic or
glass bowl with very warm water. Add 12-20 drops of your favorite
essential oils. Step in the shower and cleanse personal areas
with soap. Then scrub the entire body except the face with a
wet loofa, brush or sea salt to remove dead skin cells and stimulate
circulation.Remember, don't use soap with the loofa or brush!
Rinse and turn off water. Gently stirring the mixture with your
hand, take a cupful at a time and slowly pour the mixture over
the body from the neck (do not get mixture into eyes). Do the
front, back, and each side at least once, leaving a little of
the mixture in the bowl. Step out of the shower and pat dry.
Soak a clean washcloth with the remaining mixture and squeeze
out excess. Gently clean inside each nostril and then the face
and neck being careful to go gently around the eyes. Finally
clean each ear inside and out (the ear reflexes to the entire
body).
MORNING
SHOWER SPLASH
4 drops Rosemary
3 drops Peppermint
4 drops Rose Geranium
4 drops Juniper
4 drops Spruce
DREAMTIME
SHOWER SPLASH
3 drops Ylang Ylang
4 drops Bergamot
4 drops Sandalwood
Subtle Aromatherapy requires
therapeutic-grade essential oils that are 100% pure, non-adulterated,
organic and biodynamically grown when possible, and distilled
with little or no heat or pressure. There are many brands of
essential oils on the market these days, however few are of the
quality necessary for Subtle Aromatherapy. Most have been adulterated
with unnatural or inferior ingredients, and/or poor distillation
methods. These oils will not produce therapeutic results and
could be toxic to the body. I use essential oils from Young Living
Essential Oils, Body Bliss, and other select companies.
I encourage you to read, explore,
experiment and enjoy your journey with the wondrous living energies
of essential oils!
Anne Christine
Tooley, T.ACIACT, APP, MIAC has been a teacher and practitioner
of Vibrational/Energy Therapies since 1990. She offers Subtle
Aromatherapy tailored to your individual needs including creating
your own personal blend, ancient Egyptian emotional clearing,
stress reduction and relaxation, deepening spiritual awareness,
Aura-Soma, and more. She has a colorful, informative website
with more information on Aromatherapy and Aura-Soma at www.luminanti.com. Write her at 4402 Bradford
Ridge Rd., Efland, NC 27243, phone her at (919)563-1600, or EMAIL
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