Student Inspirations: Essential Oils on a Budget and More

Now found at the new student blog here: http://earthschooling.info/thebearthinstitute/students-blog/

Consulting Tips for Aromatherapy

Now can be found at the new student blog here: http://earthschooling.info/thebearthinstitute/students-blog/

Consulting Client Tips: Aromatherapy Oils as Tea

A student a few weeks ago turned in their aromatherapy paper and mentioned using one drop of thyme in a glass of water for her client. This is a wonderful recommendation. One thing we need to remember as practitioners, however, is to emphasize that they should use only ONE DROP in warm water for their essential oil tea. Essential oils are very powerful and more than one drop would be like taking 2 or 3 cups of tea at one time. I find if I don't mention this to clients they tend to "sneak in" a bit extra. We all still have that idea in the back of our minds that, "more is better" and "herbs are natural so they are safe". Neither of these is true when it comes to natural healing. Using essential oils in water is also a good solution for people who travel. I often recommend that people traveling overseas bring tea tree. Adding one drop to your water daily can help prevent infections while traveling.

Student Excerpts: Cinnamon Oil Reminder

A good reminder from a student's assignment:

"I have made a Cinnamon leaf oil to rub into my clients aching joints. I have picked this for its ability to act as a warm wrap, soften cold, and painful joints. Caution: Always make sure it is leaf oil as cinnamon bark will irritate the skin."

Student Excerpts: Affordability and Variety in Healing

This excerpt and my comments are taken from Janet's assignment on aromatherapy. Great job Janet!

Aromatherapy

I want to start off by saying I choose a lot of my oils not only for the properties but also for the affordability.

This is brilliant! I always do this too. First, I ask what people already have in their home, then I think of things that they can use from their kitchen or common items, then I start with the most affordable oils and herbs. Another benefit of this is that the most affordable ones are usually also the most abundant ones. Some of the more expensive oils and herbs are expensive because they are harder to find and some have become over-harvested to near-extinction.

I have learned if you can make things affordable, yet effective to people they are more likely to use it and stay with it. A lot of people just do not have the money now days. If I can make them an effective affordable oil treatment it works for both of us. I have to purchase these to have on hand and also sell them to the consumer, so that is why you might see some similar treatments in some areas. I know they work and they are the more attainable and affordable of the oils. Hope that makes sense and you understand what I mean. Then on top of that a lot of the basics cover so much and are so well rounded it would be silly not to use them if they work regardless of the repetitive nature J Also I have a wonderful flu oil that I burn, when someone is getting a cold or during the winter months. It is Eucalyptus/Tea Tree and just a little bit of cinnamon mainly for the scent…….it is a really great aroma and seems to work well and makes the house smell nice.

I completely agree. I once wrote an article on how you can heal everything with just three herbs (or oils). If each person would pick a variety of three and really get to know those three they would be amazed at what they could do with just three oils or herbs.

Student Dialogues - Aromatherapy and Numbness

Student Work: Aromatherapy for numb fingers: An oil would be good to rub on the hand, fingers and wrist. It cold be carried with him and used as needed. I would use Roman Chamomile (muscle pain), Coriander (circulation), Lemon (CNS stimulant) and Pine (circulation). With the ability to keep it with him at all times, he could use it as needed.

My Feedback: A salve might be better than an oil – if one uses an oil they might be less likely to use it because it would just be “too oily” and take a while to absorb into the skin. My son does not like oils for this reason so we make him salves or add oils to base salves or creams already available on the market. You can make a nice simple salve by melting 1 TBS. of beeswax (grated) into 5 TBS. of oil and then adding some essential oils to it right before it starts to solidify.

Student Dialogues - Aromatherapy and Arthritis

Student Suggestions: Arthritis: I would use Blue Chamomile (anti-inflammatory, arthritis), Juniper (arthritis), Lavender (analgesic) and Rosemary (arthritis, muscle pain).
This is easy to use. I would make into a massage oil and apply to the area. This could be carried easily with the client at all times. It will be easy to use and apply and keep with a person. My client gets upset when the pain starts and has trouble in thinking of what they need, so to have it already prepared for her and easy to use will cut down on that.

My Feedback: When I lived in the Middle East I met many women who were told (by their mother or some wise woman) that they should drink chamomile tea for arthritis. All of these women healed themselves on just one cup of chamomile a day. You might try, adding a cup of chamomile tea to this program. Additionally, I would recommend using something gentle on a daily basis (like the lavender and chamomile) but make ANOTHER mixture with the juniper and rosemary for days when the pain is worse. Those are strong oils and would be too strong for you to use on a daily basis.

Student Dialogues - Aromatherapy and Grief

These are some of my feedback notes to a student that turned in the test for the aromatherapy unit. As always, I post these with the idea that all students can learn from each other:

Student answer: (An aromatherapy mixture for grief) Since there is grief and guilt, which is a disappointmentI would make a blend of the following: Rose (disappointment, grief, sadness and shock), Jasmine (disappointment, grief, sadness), and Rosewood (sadness).
I would use these oils because of the ease of administration. As well, they will quickly go to the limbic system, effecting the emotions. I would use this blend as a spray that the client could either spray in the air when needed or wear as a perfume.

My Feedback: This sounds perfect – oils are so good for grief because they surround the body with their healing properties and they work on a strong emotional level too, with scent memory. Rose is perfect for this situation. Jasmine would be a great addition. The rosewood is good too, however, perhaps not necessary. You might want to try it with just the first two before you add more. I tend to stick with one or two and THEN go to three. I don’t like going beyond three ingredients. I like to focus instead on really getting to know each herb to the depth of its being. I think a lot of formulas on the market today use many many herbs because they are only looking at one aspect of the herb’s personality. An herb has a deep personality much like a person – layers and layers of it. Some of them hidden until you know them well. So I recommend using one herb or oil for a while and really getting to know it. Not just what is in the books – but an intuitive knowledge as well.