Aroma Blend – Turnaround Your Thinking

A continuation in my Aroma Blends series.

This blend is about assisting you in turning around your thoughts, taking them from the negative to the positive.

 

Turnaround the thoughts you are having, from I should to I will, from I wish to I do, in the process turning around the direction of your life. When you are making changes on your Life Journey, there are many times when you sit and think, I should or I wish. Take control of your life, leave the old thought patterns behind and move ahead by turning around these internal sayings to create positive energy that will support your journey ahead without the heavy energy of others pulling you back and down.  This blend is focusing on speaking up in a manner that will allow you to move forward in your truth, to speak that truth to yourself.

 

This blend contains three essential oils: Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Spearmint (Mentha spicata) and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

 

Cypress

 

Middle note, throat chakra

 

Cypress is used physically as an astringent and styptic, calming, antispasmodic, and a neurotonic. These properties bring with them the emotional aspects of:

 

• drying up the flow of negative thoughts
• calming the mind
• balancing the nervous system

 

When direction is needed, when the ability to stand up for yourself is lacking, the will-power is weak, Cypress plays an important role.  When an idea takes hold, Cypress is to firm up that idea, to take it and hold true to that idea.  It also allows you to transition to these new ideas, and to hold true to them once that has occurred, while allowing the past to be let go and left in the past. It can assure the ideas are given confidently, with an inner peace and wisdom that the path is true. Cypress assists in counteracting the weak willed, which comes with the indecisive words such as I should or I wish. It gives balance to the true path of I will and I do.

 

Cypress will allow the journey to move ahead, with confidence, strength and balance, ensuring the doing of the life journey occurs, without being blocked by indecision.  Interestingly, while writing about Cypress, the negative attributes of being blocked came into being, until the positive attributes were brought forth, then the flow occurred with strength and determination.

 

Spearmint

 

Top note, throat chakra

 

Spearmint is used physically as an anti-catarrhal, cicatrizant and digestive. These properties bring with them the emotional aspects of:

 

• releasing internal anger that focuses on your guilt at what you should have done
• healing the scars of the old, and allowing the new thoughts to move ahead
• breaking down the fear that is associated with moving ahead, with turning the thoughts around to a new direction

 

Spearmint allows you to release any guilt that has been holding you back, and empowering the weakening words of I should or I wish. It releases any anger from the past that is driving the indecision that is holding you back.

 

Spearmint will bring communication of the stronger words of I will and I do, with clarity, energy and invigoration, ensuring that the words have been digested and are communicated with an uplifted and carefree spirit, away from any guilt and internal anger.

 

The use of spearmint will allow the choice of the words to flow strongly, with consistency and reliability. The words will remain true to the purpose of I will and I do.

 

 

German Chamomile

Middle note, throat chakra

German Chamomile is used physically as an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and decongestant.  These properties bring with them the emotional aspects of:

• soothing the frustration of the negative thoughts
• releasing the negative thoughts that are cramping the movement forward
• stimulating the apathy that these thoughts will create

German Chamomile will allow for the organization of the thoughts to occur, to sift out the negative thoughts holding you back, and allow the clear communication of the positive thoughts that are required in your current life journey.

The ability to clearly break the pattern of the negative thoughts is the benefit of German Chamomile in this blend.  It will allow you to stop criticizing yourself and let the negative, weak words go from your vocabulary and allow the positive, strong words to come forward without the apathy that has been holding you back.

Crystals to use with the Turnaround blend

Sodalite: recognize and articulate the true doing words from within you, to move forward in your life journey with clarity and truth

Aqua aura: to release the blockages in communication

Aquamarine: assimilate knowledge about yourself, allowing for clear communication, relieving the stress that is put upon you by yourself

Lepidolite: the niggling negative thoughts that allow you to fail, no longer exist, clearing blockages

Kyanite: allows will and intent to become one

Pyrite: increases positivity when you are feeling inadequate

 

Daily tasks to use with the Turnaround blend

Write in your journal the positive doing words you will use today

Speak from your heart with clear intention

When you find yourself using less empowering words, stop, consider what is empowering, or doing, and change the internal language

Stand in front of a mirror and speak out loud your empowering daily words five times in the morning, and repeat them in the evening.

 

Turnaround your thinking

 

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Aromatherapy Blends – Clarity

Today’s blend I want to share with you is about clarity, being able to see the wood in the trees, rather than being overwhelmed by all the little things happening around you.  To assist you in your heartfelt journey, seeing it clearly and with joy, understanding and peace.

Clarity

Letting go of the struggles in life allows you to move forward without the past baggage, without the old habits and limitations, moving forward you see clearly your true path of happiness, through understanding of yourself and others, with true joy in your heart.

This blend contains three essential oils, Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Mandarin

Top note, heart chakra

Mandarin is utilised physically as an antispasmodic, antifungal, antiviral, digestive, sedative and relaxing essential oil.  These properties bring with them the emotional aspects of:

• relaxing the mind

• relieving the emotional cramping within, that occurs due to holding onto past baggage

• allowing for relaxation and joy, resulting in an uplifted feeling

• alleviating the internal attack of emotions on your better self

Mandarin is an overall message of happiness and speaks especially to the inner child that everyone has within them, and allows you to welcome the inner child into your existence.  Mandarin has a sense of joy that allows you to embrace and enjoy life in the here and now, allowing the emotional baggage of times past to be released and let go.

When you require Mandarin in your life, you are usually experiencing a compulsiveness, especially about small things, examples of which are housework, dwelling on past experiences, tasks that take you away from stepping back and looking at the overall picture, what it is that you are striving for.  The clarity that Mandarin brings into your life is to allow you to let go of the small things in life, the past baggage, and to see the future clearly, with the inspiration and joy of your inner child that accompanies the clarity of your journey.

Mandarin allows you to have the clarity of your heartfelt journey, without allowing issues to detract you from that journey. It allows you to stop being self-pitying, and to move forward with joy in your heart, to experience the fun of your inner child, to enjoy self acceptance while relating to others compassionately and unconditionally with love and joy.

Mandarin removes the fear of betrayal and allows you to take a lighter approach to the clear heartfelt journey you see before you.

Teatree

Top note, third eye chakra

Teatree is utilised physically as an immunostimulant, anticatarrhal, analgesic, antifungal and antiviral essential oil.  These properties bring with them the emotional aspects of:

• release of the struggle within
• get the emotions off the chest
• release the emotional pain directed towards self
• release the attack on the better self

Teatree provides an overall message of understanding, releasing old ways, old events and old emotions.  This understanding of the role of these old ways, events and/or emotions in your life allows you to move forward with an intuitive knowing of the path ahead, with clarity.

Teatree will allow you to see intuitively what you have always known and understood to be true, but have never acted upon.  Teatree gives you the permission to follow your intuition.  It gives you the light to see clearly the knowledge you have always had within you, so you can answer your questions yourself.

Teatree gives you the knowledge of success in your future, with clarity and a knowing that it is there for you. It gives you the ability to see the truth within and the ability to act upon it with clear knowledge and trust that it is true.  The answers have always been within you, now you can access them with clarity.

German Chamomile

Middle note, throat chakra

German Chamomile is utilised physically as a digestive, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, cicatrizant, decongestant and hormone-like essential oil.  These properties bring with them the emotional aspects of:

• balancing to the emotions
• healing the emotional scars within
• clearing the foggy mind
• calming to anger
• reducing the cramping of the internal emotions

German Chamomile provides an overall message of calmness, peace, healing and soothing delivered with understanding and empathy.  It is especially useful for removing the irritation, resentment, bitterness or deep emotional baggage that is associated with old habits, self criticism and criticism of others.

German Chamomile is a great communicator, allowing for personal expression with active listening, giving great understanding to those around you in a soothing and calming manner. It allows you to clearly see and hear what is happening to those around you, so that criticism of either yourself or them does not occur.  The support German Chamomile gives is empathetic, relaxed and patient in nature.

German Chamomile allows you to clearly see your journey, and to communicate this to others with clarity and purpose. The truth of you walking your talk shines through in your ability to communicate clearly.

Crystals to use with the Clarity blend

Rose quartz: this allows you to become receptive to the joys of all forms of creative endeavours

Aventurine quartz: uplifting, encouraging lightness and enthusiasm for life

Purple fluorite: allows false illusions to be removed, increases your ability to concentrate

Azurite: helps support you to act on your intuitive information, to transfer your inner wisdom and knowledge to normal thoughts

Turquoise: helps to link your intuitive inspiration with all your self expression, to find your true path in life by attuning with your Higher Self, enables you to articulate your emotional issues clearly

Aquamarine: allows you to assimilate knowledge to the world, and to yourself, in a calming and soothing way

Daily tasks to use with the Clarity blend

Smile at everyone you meet every day

Rejoice in balance, good and bad, pain and joy throughout your day

Spend time in silence, to hear your intuition

See what is around you in nature, what colour is it, what shape is it? These details will enhance your ability to see with clarity what is around you

Begin a journal expressing your feelings, such as what you are grateful for daily, what your past emotions have been and how they feel to you today

Clarity

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Aromatherapy Blends

I’ve realised it’s been a while since I’ve written about one of my passions in life – aromatherapy, and the blends I make with these amazing products of nature.

Essential oils have more properties than just the physical ones that the scientists may rave over in randomised controlled trials (well, they actually are more inclined to rave over the physical properties of the individual chemical constituents than the oil itself, we do live in a reductionist society after all, where we need to break everything down to the smallest particle to ‘understand’ it!)

As many of you know, I’ve been on a journey this last few months, and within that journey, I’ve been turning to my essential oils to boost my mental and emotional wellbeing at the same time.

The question may be, how do I know what essential oils to use, and when?

The thing I love about essential oils is that they have the ability to work on more than just the physical level. There are different ways of using the oils, spiritually, emotionally and physically. They are even spoken about working on the aura.  No, we cannot document this, and we cannot show it scientifically in the current paradigm. One day, I believe there will be techniques available for measuring these changes – now that will be a WOW factor for me!

In the meantime, we operate on these levels based on feedback from the users of the oils for these particular purposes. We also evaluate what the properties are that relate to the physical symptoms that the oils are beneficial for, and then correlate them to emotions.

This can be shown in things such as

• anti inflammatory = anti inflammatory for the emotions, e.g., reduce anger
• analgesic (pain reliever) = suffering from pain of guilt, or pain of grief
• litholytic (ability to break down stones in the body) = break down hardness, e.g., when one hardens due to a pain, and they do not forgive easily, so to soften a hardened person
• carminative (gas-releasing) = someone with trapped emotions, that need to be released
• cicatrizant (healing) = healing of emotional situations, e.g., where there are emotional scars remaining

As you can see, it becomes easier to relate the essential oils to emotional issues, when you delve further into the physical properties the essential oils are known to be effective on.

I now want to begin a journey of essential oil blends for you to share with me.  Over time, these will fill the pages of a beautiful book, but in the meantime, I’m happy to share them here for  you.

Aromatherapy

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Aromatherapy Blend Focus on the Future

Sometimes we get stuck in day to day routines and we can’t see clearly where we’re heading. This is a time we need to focus on the future so that the steps become clear where we are to head to achieve that future.

 

1. To give clarity when the future is obscured, allowing you to step back from what is holding you back.

2. To allow spiritual growth within, ensuring that the future is what we are going to achieve with inner strength, to be all that you want to be.

3. Visualisation, the future cannot be clear to us if we don’t visualise it regularly. Visualise it and it will manifest. Ask and you will obtain all you need for your future.

Lavender

Lavendula angustifolia

All that you want to be

4. Emotional clarity, release the irrational thoughts that are holding you back. Obtain clarity of your thoughts, allowing you to focus on what needs to be done, without self-doubt

5. Get positive results for moving ahead, get direction on where you are going with clarity.

6. Release resentment that may be holding you in your current place, release it with joy in your heart, allowing you to focus on the future with that same joy.

Lemon

Citrus limonum

Positive clarity and joy

7. Come out of your shell with passion and energy to achieve your goals

8. Unleash the woman/man within with a passion to be who you want to be, with inner strength.

9. Move forward in your own strength, with practical focused steps to lead you to your future.

Cinnamon

Cinnamonum zeylanicum

Passion with practical strength

Enjoy the combination of these essential oils to allow you to focus on what you need to do in order to achieve the future you know is there waiting for you, with inner strength and confidence, and a practical, clear and focused plan!

Lavender looking towards the future, with clarity and focus

 

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Aromatherapy Blend to Breakthrough Barriers

What do you want to break through in life? Is it in your studies, your business, your personal life, or something as simple as wanting to try a different hobby?

Whatever it is that you wish to break through, I’ve been looking at an aromatherapy blend that will assist you in doing this on the mental and emotional level.

The emotional barriers that will be addressed include:

1. Combat mental fatigue

This will ensure that you can keep going and focused on the task ahead, without giving up due to mental fatigue

2. Combat disappointment

Remember the old saying, if at first you do not succed, try, try and try again? We don’t always succed initially, so we face disappointment, when this happens we need something that is going to allow us to push through that disappointment.

3. Breaking down rigidity

When we’re trying to push through a barrier, it’s usually because we are outside our comfort zone. In these instances, we need to break our old comfort patterns that we rigidly hold onto. We need something that is going to allow us to break down that rigid pattern and allow a new one to grow

4. Breaking the conformist pattern

Often we are perceived to be certain people and to react or behave in a defined manner. In order to break through barriers, we need to change those patterns, to look within to see who we truly are, to stand in our own truth and believe in ourselves. Ultimately we know what needs to be done to break the pattern, we just need to do it

Petitgrain

Citrus aurantium var. amara

Trust the Knowing

5. Getting on with it

Breaking through barriers and we need to just get on with it, perserverance is required, an ability to move on regardless. To do this we need to ensure we’re not operating in extremes, we need to be steady and balanced

6. Boost self-esteem

Our self-esteem is to be strong when we are breaking through barriers and forging ahead outside of our typical comfort zone. In order to change patterns, to break through barriers, we need an inherent self-belief that we’re doing what’s right for us, only a strong self-esteem can support this type of break through

7.  Enjoyment

Breaking through barriers can be hard work, can take many different hours in your work day and can ensure that  you become focused solely on your purpose, forgoing all other fun! We must ensure we have balance to break these patterns, make sure we do so and come out the other side in a healthy and happy state of mind!

Geranium

Pelargonium graveolens

Balanced

8. Self-Doubt

How quickly does self-doubt undermine us when we are trying to break through barriers, it’s very easy to return to the old comfortable position, to second guess that what we are doing is right. We need to ensure that doubt is replaced by self-confidence

9. Stress

Stress builds up to create tension when we are working very hard at achieving a goal and breaking through a barrier. We need to ensure that calmness and peace reign strong

10. Emotional guilt

How often do you work all hours and feel so guilty about neglecting those you love, merely because you’re trying to achieve an outcome that suits your purpose? We need to put the guilt aside and wrap it up in love, allowing love for those around us to be sublime and encompassing, remove the guilt and replace it with love for all, this will allow you to push forward with confidence and support.

Ylang ylang

Cananga odorata

Peace

What are you going to breakthrough?

Enjoy the Breakthrough blend of Petitgrain, Geranium and Ylang ylang

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Thuja, Sabina & Cedarwood

Remedies from the Cupressaceae family

I now also wish to look at Thuja and Sabina.  As these two remedies are also from the Cupressaceae family, I believe we will find more similarities than differences.

Thuja occidentalis

Also known as American Arbor-Vitae (tree of life), Eastern White Cedar, Yellow Cedar and Swamp Cedar, as well as other names.

Thuja – tree of life

The Thuja type is often described as having a low self-esteem, with a sense of ugliness inside, though they hide these feelings to the outer world and provide a picture of themselves that they believe others wish to see. This outer appearance is very important to them.

So, again, we see a lack of self-confidence, similar to the Cedarwood, however this time, the lack of self-confidence is derived from a sense of internal ugliness and worthlessness. The behaviour of the Thuja types is to present a pleasing picture, so we may not see the dominance of others around them, however in the early stages of their illness this can be seen when they portray themselves as confident and arrogant.  We do also see the dogmatic type of behaviour, this is portrayed as being a slave to duty, fanatic about their health and also religion, with a rigidity of ideas. The Thuja types are generally very closed, yet polite and mild mannered. They have an underlying feeling that if people really knew them, they would not like them, and they have the need to fit in, almost a desperation to fit in.  In early stages, the overbearing and dictatorial picture can be seen which relates to Cedarwood.  Cedarwood is utilized to improve a sense of self-worth and self-acceptance, which appears to fit well with the Thuja picture.

My internal ugliness means I must present what is acceptable, not who I am

Physically the sphere of action of Thuja is the mucous membranes, though of the genito-urinary region rather than the respiratory system, mind, nerves and skin.  The urinary sphere of action does fit with the Cedarwood physical picture also.

I would be happy to utilise Cedarwood in a blend when using the homeopathic remedy of Thuja. Both appear to be supporting an individuals need to improve their self-worth, and self-acceptance, providing the person with a confidence and belief in themselves to move forward with the next obstacle in their journey, with a degree of self-belief.  Thuja types may also have a past experience that was abusive, and as with Cedarwood, there will be an element of healing this past experience.  On a physical level the urinary mucous membranes are covered in both Thuja and Cedarwood.  I believe that Thuja and Cedarwood are working in the same direction and would be beneficial to work together.

Sabina

There is little to be found on the mental and emotional picture of Sabina, as the emphasis is more on the physical aspects of the remedy.  The picture that does appear on the personality type of Sabina is mainly one of sadness and dejection, nerves irritable, specifically to music, and overall lowered vitality of personality with an enhanced sense of duty towards their family.  This is difficult to compare to the Cedarwood, as there are few specifics, though an overall protection of the family, the weak ones, would be similar.  From a remedy relationship point of view, Sabina is stated to be complementary to Thuja.

Physically Sabina has a sphere of action on the female pelvic organs, specifically the uterus. This does not relate well to the physical actions of Cedarwood, so I would not use Cedarwood with Sabina.  Though, when I look further at Juniper berry/wood, it may be more appropriate to use that essential oil instead.

In beginning this journey, I have discovered there are many different oils that may be beneficial to homeopathic treatment, used as either a supportive treatment or used in conjunction with the homeopathic remedy to support the direction of cure, to improve the secondary action where the body begins the healing process itself.  I have also begun to look at the oils and the remedies in a new light, always a beneficial thing J

Aitken, S, nd, http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/thuja-occidentalis-emerald-american-arborvitae.aspx, viewed 15 July 2013

Bown, D, (1995), The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, London

Caddy, R, (1997), Aromatherapy, Essential Oils in Colour, Amberwood Publishing Ltd, Surrey

Chevallier, A, (2001), Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, Sydney

Davis, P, (1991), Subtle Aromatherapy, The CW Daniel Company Limited, London

Grandgeorge, D, (1998), The Spirit of Homeopathic Medicines, North Atlantic Books, California

Morrison, R, (1993), Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms, Hahnemann Clinic Publishing, California

Haynold, B, (2007), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lycopodium_clavatum_151207.jpg, viewed 28 June 2013

Price, L, Price, S, (Eds) (2007), Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 3^rd Ed, Elsevier, USA

Price, S, (2000), Aromatherapy and Your Emotions, Thorsons, London

Sankaran, R, (2002), An Insight Into Plants Vol 1, 2^nd Ed, Homoeopathic Medical Publishers, Mumbai

Tigerente, (2004), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Veratrum_album_Dachstein.jpg, viewed 28 June 2013

Vermeulen, F, (2000), Concordant Materia Medica, Millenium Ed, Emryss bv Publishers, The Netherlands

Vermeulen, F, (2002), Prisma, 2^nd Ed, Emryss bv Publishers, The Netherlands

Vikoula5, (2012), Cèdre du Chélia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C%C3%A8dre_du_Ch%C3%A9lia_15_%28Algeria%29.JPG#filelinks, viewed 26 June 2013

Worwood, V, (1990), The Fragrant Pharmacy, Bantam Books, London

Worwood, V, (1995), The Fragrant Mind, Bantam Books, London

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Veratrum album & Cedarwood

Veratrum album

 

Liliaceae family. Also known as White Hellebore, usually grown in the mountains in Central and Southern Europe.

The Veratrum type is often described as being dogmatic in their views, being over-mentalised and not connected to those around them, that they have a drive in their daily work to achieve.  Initially this can be seen to be similar to the Cedarwood personality type in that they too can be dogmatic in their views, selfish and dominating.  However, for the Veratrum’s this drive is due to an underlying fear about their position in society/work/family.  They can, and often do, lie or cheat in order to maintain this position, due to the fear of losing it. It’s not due to an underlying lack of courage or self-esteem, Veratrum’s have plenty of that.

The outward personality symptoms of Veratrum appear to be relevant to Cedarwood, however, the underlying reasons for those personality symptoms do not correlate well with Cedarwood and the underlying need for strength and courage.  Veratrum’s are more concerned with maintaining their current position, no matter what.

The need to lie to maintain their position

Physically Veratrum album has an affinity with the nerves, specifically those in the abdominal region, though also heart and blood vessels.  There is also an affinity for blood, respiratory and digestive systems.  We can see a correlation between Veratrum and Cedarwood in the area of respiratory and circulation, however, like Lycopodium, there is an affinity for the digestive system that is not reflected in Cedarwood.

Overall, I would not be as confident using Cedarwood in conjunction with a Veratrum remedy as the underlying nature of the personality type does not fit, and as such, the essential oil and the remedy would be working on different aspects, not supporting the underlying causation, though an external personality is similar.  Hahnemann discusses how we are to strengthen the vital force to ensure the secondary action of the body occurs, the movement in the direction of healing. In order to undertake this, both the essential oil and the remedy need to be supporting the vital force.  I’m sure there is another oil that will benefit the Veratrum types.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Cedarwood and Lycopodium

Which Homeopathic Remedy Relates to Cedarwood?

Homeopathically several remedies came to my mind when studying the personality and emotional states of Cedarwood. After analysis of the main personality symptoms of Cedarwood, the remedies that I differentiated are:

Lycopodium, Veratrum, Thuja, Sabina

Of this list two were solely based on the personality type (Lycopodium, Veratrum), and two were from the same botanical family as Cedarwood (Thuja, Sabina) – Cupressaceae

It has been stated that Lycopodium was once a great tree in the forest, over millennia, it has diminished to it’s current moss state, as you can see from the photo (Haynold, 2007), it does have the appearance of a conifer

And Veratrum is a lily, from the Liliaceae family (Tigerente, 2004).

According to Sankaran (2002), the group containing Cupressaceae, is that of conifers.  This group also covers the firs and yews. I wanted to just look at the cypresses for this exercise, though will keep the information in my mind.

Although, in understanding that the Junipers are also of the Cupressaceae family, it has made me look at the essential oil Juniper, though more on that another day!

Interestingly, the compensation Sankaran (2002) discusses for the conifers is: “strength: you become strong and protective of others who are brittle and fragile”. I can see how this relates to the Cedarwood, as they are strong and protective of their immediate family. I’m sure we all look at our family as fragile in many differing circumstances.  The active reaction is “hard:rigid” this too, we can see in Cedarwood, where their behaviour can be dogmatic. The passive reaction is “indolence:fearful:weak” this too, can be seen in Cedarwood, where there are fears for facing the next obstacle.

Lycopodium

So, my first thoughts went to Lycopodium.  Mainly because of the courage and strength issue.

The Lycopodium type is often described as a coward, of having a lack of confidence or an inferiority that they are constantly trying to overcome.  They are also considered a bully and domineering, again due to their inferiority.

They wish to recover the power, strength and dignity that they have lost, however their lack of confidence in their own self stops this happening.  Usually they are intelligent, however with an element of stubbornness!

In order to grow, one must believe, have confidence

Now I can really see how Lycopodium and Cedarwood are shaping up to create the same outcome, one of a person that grows in their own self belief to have the strength and courage to face the next obstacles that come their way.  I would definitely consider using Cedarwood in support when I am treating someone with Lycopodium

As we can see, the mental symptoms appear to be correlating well, especially in the area of:

Problems with self-esteem and low confidence

Bullying, domineering, arrogant behaviour to family and those with less authority

Now, what about the physical symptoms of Lycopodium, and how do they relate to Cedarwood?

With Lycopodium, nearly always there is a urinary or digestive disturbance. Often there are catarrhal tendencies too. On the surface this appears to compare favourably with the indications for Cedarwood, which include antiseptic for urinary tract infections, mucolytic for catarrh in bronchitis, and a lymph tonic acting as a diuretic.  The Lycopodium cough can appear to be rattling with much mucous.

However, the digestive symptoms relevant to Lycopodium do not appear to be relevant to Cedarwood.  Cedarwood is not indicated for digestive disorders, more for circulatory disorders.  This may be an area that needs to be investigated further for Cedarwood?  Do we know if the ketones in Cedarwood are digestive, as some ketones can be.

Overall, Lycopodium and Cedarwood do appear to be working in the same direction for the client, predominately on the mental/emotional level, but also at some aspects on the physical level, so I would be happy to utilise Cedarwood in conjunction with Lycopodium.

Next time, I will look at ……. Veratrum album

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Essential oils & Homeopathy

Various homeopathic remedies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As an aromatherapist and homeopath I am often told that we cannot use the two modalities together, however I have different thoughts on that idea.  I’ve never been one to run with the crowd, so I’m not surprised that I’m not doing so on this idea either!

When I discuss ‘subtle aromatherapy’ I am discussing the use of essential oils in a diluted manner, very similar to the preparation of homeopathic remedies. The low % use in ‘subtle aromatherapy’, 1% or less, allows for the spiritual and emotional use of the essential oils rather than relating specifically to the physical use, when the blend is approximately 2 – 3%. I am going to be addressing the spiritual and emotional level of the essential oils and homeopathic remedies, rather than just the physical level, though I will briefly refer to this also.

When assessing essential oils for their subtle aromatherapy properties, I need to assess what chakra it may relate to, what it may be used for physically and if it has been given a personality profile.  When assessing the homeopathic remedies, I will also be assessing these aspects and matching them.  This match should then be beneficial.

I want to run a series of blogs that looks at the essential oils, and how they are used, and also look at homeopathic remedies and how they’re used, joining the two together to make a real justification for their joint use.

These blogs will contain the beginning aromatic blend.  After this details on each individual essential oil will follow.  This will include the history of use, the plant it’s from, the chemical constituents and the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of each oil.  Once each oil is explored, I then will continue with equivalent homeopathic remedies that will be supported by each oil.

As aromatherapists tend to utilise blends of essential oils in carrier oils (for therapeutic massage or products) I will also be exploring the use of the unique blend to support differing homeopathic remedies also.

As you can see, this will entail some dialogue, so this will become a series of blogs.  I trust you will enjoy the journey with me in learning more about the essential oils and the homeopathic remedies that relate well to these oils.

Blend 1: Cedarwood, Jasmine, Nutmeg

To begin this journey, I want to use my intuitive side to see what emerges for study.  So, I used my Aromatherapy Insight Cards this morning to see what essential oils I should be discussing in my blogs (I chose three cards as my aromatherapy blends usually contain three essential oils to give a balance).

The essential oils I am to look at with you in this series are:

Cedarwood – base to middle note

Jasmine – middle note

Nutmeg – middle to top note

With the balancing effect of the three types of notes, it appears that I have intuitively chosen a balanced blend.

The use of the terms base, middle and top note reflects the overall molecular weight of the essential oils, the heavier base notes stay on the skin for longer, thus also holding onto the lighter top and middle note oils to ensure effective use.

As I mentioned earlier, I want to explore each oil individually, and then the blend in total, while also investigating which homeopathic remedies appear to reflect the totality of each essential oil, and ultimately the blend.

Let’s begin with…… Cedarwood

Cedarwood, Cedrus atlantica – essential oil

  Name: Also known as Cedrus libani subsp atlantica (Note: cedarwood is obtained from many different sources, so the source is important to know), though we typically see it for sale as Cedrus atlantica.

Source: Cedrus atlantica is native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria.  Other types of cedarwood are found in differing areas, e.g., Turkey, Lebanon, and Nepal.  Due to the nature of gardening it is also within Europe and America today. Other essential oils commonly called cedarwood are Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar, or Eastern Juniper) and Cedrus deodora (cedarwood Himalayan). So, if you are going to choose cedarwood after reading about it here, make sure you are sourcing the one I’m discussing.

Folklore: Cedar oil was said to be used for embalming by the Egyptians, and is used in temple incense in Tibet, while Turkish carpet shops are often constructed from cedar to deter moths.  Folklore describes the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and Solomon’s Temple as being built using cedarwood. Typically though, cedarwood oil has been used to deter insects.

General chemical makeup: Cedarwood comprises 50% sesquiterpenes, or hydrocarbons, while the remainder of the constituents are alcohols (30%) and ketones (20%).  Boring stuff, but vital in order to understand the potential therapeutic uses of cedarwood essential oil.  In this instance the presence of a higher percentage of ketones gives us an indication that it would not be suitable to use for pregnant women. However, the presence of hydrocarbons and alcohols allows us to speculate that the therapeutic properties will include those of antiseptic, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, calming and generally immune system boosting.

Enough of the chemical aspects I hear you say, what does it get used for??

Subtle Aromatherapy:

Strength & Courage

in times of adversity, with fairness

Positive Personality:

 Powerful, dignified, strengthening, grounding, kindness

Negative Personality:

 Dictatorial, obsessive, demanding, selfish, paranoid

Related Chakra:

 Solar Plexus

 

Physical Aromatherapy:

Used physically for bronchial and urinary infections; breaking up catarrh, antiseptic, healing of wounds, calming and as a stimulant for the lymph and circulation systems

Overall Use of Cedarwood:

Based on these properties and principles, Cedarwood can be considered where:

1.  The emotions need to be flowing more freely, releasing & healing toxic emotions, such as jealousy, obsessions, gloom, selfishness
2. There is fear of the next obstacle to be faced, to support the individual’s growth in their own unique place in the world
3. There is a need to persist in the journey ahead, to stand in your own space without judgement of others, or becoming irrational or oversensitive
4. Focus and willpower are required

In order to achieve:

1. an identity that is uniquely your own
2. to face the hurdles of life today, with strength and integrity
3. self-acceptance
4. self-respect
5. balance and control over your own life
6. emotional healing of past events, hurdles, lack of self-worth
7. stimulation of a clogged mind

To Be

Next time…… which homeopathic remedy suits Cedarwood?

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ