Oils for Common Complaints

An easy resource to find suggested oils for many common complaints, catagorized by the condition or disease. These oils, depending on the ailment, can be burned in an aroma lamp, mixed in a carrier oil and applied, or put in a bowl of hot water and inhaled. Normally essential oils are too potent to be…

Read More

Essential Oil Reflections

In the law of microcosms/macrocosms, it is believed that everything is reflected from the most minute to the most expansive. Spirals within spirals, patterns within patterns. The world shows you where you are by mirroring it back to you. I believe that this idea is even reflected in the art of aromatherapy. In my over…

Read More

From Whence it Came

Essential oils are distilled from the different parts of the plant; some come from the flowers, others are extracted from the leaves, and some utilize the whole plant for their therapeutic effects. In general, depending on where the oils are extracted from, we can get a hint as to their effect on the body. We…

Read More

Top, Middle and Base Notes in Aromatherapy

In all my articles, I suggest which oils to use. I would like to now share with you how to blend the different oils to make a balanced and complete recipe for massage. Essential oils are broken down into three main categories when used for aromatherapy treatments. They are top notes, middle notes and base…

Read More

Benzoin

For thousands of years benzoin has been used in the East for incense and in medicinal preparations.  Here in the West it was commonly known as gum benjamin or Friar’s Balsam and the extract was cut in alcohol and used for respiratory complaints.  Now a days the gum is used as a fixative for potpourris…

Read More

Sweet Basil

Every spring I plant fresh basil in my herb garden so I can enjoy a summer of pesto sauces over my pasta dishes. Sweet basil is an easy herb to grow in this climate and has many uses, not only in cooking, but therapeutic as well. Originally grown around the Mediterranean, _ocimum basilicum_, is steam…

Read More

Spring – Liver and Gall Bladder

Spring is a time to cleanse and support the *Liver* (yin) and *Gall Bladder* (yang) since it is these organs and meridians that are highlighted during this time. The Liver/Gall Bladder meridians correspond to the Wood element, and relate to the eastern direction, to windy climates and to the color green. They control the sinews…

Read More

Late Summer – Stomach and Spleen

It is late summer and the Chinese believe that now the Earth Element, which is comprised of the *Stomach* (yang organ) and *Spleen* (yin organ) meridians, is highlighted.  Late summer falls somewhere midway between June 21st and September 21; the solstice and the equinox. From what I understand, this season is more of a feeling…

Read More

Autumn – Lung & Large Intestine

In Chinese Five Element Theory, the meridians that are associated with autumn are the *Lung* (Yin) and *Large Intestine* (Yang). The element is Metal and the emotion is sadness and grief. Autumn is a time when we settle back into routine. The summer’s ease and freedom give way to school schedules, more formal relationships and…

Read More

Summer – Heart/Small Intestine and Pericardium/Triple Warmer

Summer’s Fire Element is very complicated because it has 2 sets of yin/yang meridians associated with it. The dance that these meridians do with each other and with the other meridians in the body make for an intricate and complex relationship of balance, far too detailed for this article except as an overview. In summer,…

Read More