WELCOME

I am excited to share my thoughts, suggestions, and experiences in hopes of helping those who are trying to focus on their health and wellness. By sharing my personal experiences and providing some suggestions, I hope to give some positive encouragement. We all have our own personal paths to take, but inspiration from others can help keep us motivated. Life is about learning and sharing. Let's focus on the positive as we find our "pathways to wellness".

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Run Down...Ramp up the Oils

Well, I let myself get run down...I know, practice what you preach. I look at these times as blessings because I am reminded how important it is to practice wellness in all areas of my life. Anyway, I didn't get much sleep the last couple weeks, I wasn't very attentive to my water intake or eating balanced meals and I also let my self get lazy with my daily essential oil routine. Well.....I came down with a slight fever and body aches in the middle of the night on Tues. It isn't the swine flu, but definitely a virus that took advantage of my low point. Needless to say, I immediately got my room diffuser going, applied Ravintsara, Niaouli (MQV), Frankincense, & Eucalyptus Globulus to my wrists, chest and nose. I even put a drop of Lavender in my Netti Pot to flush out my sinus cavities. After resting for a whole day, drinking a ton of liquids and using my oils my fever broke and aches went away. I stayed home one extra day to get my reserves back up. I can honestly say I am ready for work.
Essential oils are not a magic bullet cure all, but they may really help our immune system when we are under attack. If caught in time, our symptoms can diminish quickly and other bacterial infections and viruses can be warded off. Remember, it is important to use genuine/authentic oils to receive the best results.
May we all stay healthy this season. Take care and God Bless.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Cold & Flu Essential Oil Recipe

I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to let the last blog sink in. I didn't want a recipe to be lost within the information. The Cold & Flu recipe listed below is one that I have used for over 5 years. I will "tweek" it a little from time to time by substituting an equivalent oil "one" at a time. The body likes variety and by altering the recipe slighty every so often, our immune response stays alert and strong. Enjoy.

Cold & Flu Diffusor Blend
 5 ml size (undiluted genuine and authentic oils)

60 drops (2 mls) - Ravintsara
60 drops (2 mls) - Eucalyptus Radiata
30 drops (2 mls) - Eucalyptus Globulus

You may substitute one of the oils below for Eucalyptus Radiata:
Green Myrtle, Niaouli (MQV)

You may also add 10 drops of one of the oils below
Frankincense or Peppermint

When using the above blend in a diffusor of your choice remember not to use too many drops. The essential oils are effective even under our odor threshold. Remember "less is more". I have listed a few suggestions to get you on your way...

Candle Diffusor
Fill bowl with luke warm water 3/4 full
Make sure the tea light candle wick is cut to 1/4 inch to avoid burning the bowl
Add 6 - 12 drops of the oil blend to water (before lighting candle)
Be sure to check water level...do not allow to burn when water is too low
Do not leave diffusor unattended

Nebulizer Diffusor (small room size - up to 500 sf)
Add 30 drops (1 ml) to the glass reservoir
Place on a sturdy table or counter anywhere in the room
Turn on for no more than 15 min

Cotton Ball or Tissue
Place 6 - 8 drops on either cotton ball or tissue
Inhale every couple hours throughout the day
Oils will not diffuse prematurely if cotton ball or tissue is placed in a sealed PET plastic or metal container

HAPPY, HEALTHY SCENTS

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Let's get started...

Warmest greetings to all that have tuned into my blog. It has been an extremely busy few weeks as I prepare  to start up my new therapeutic massage and aromatherapy practice - Pathways to Wellness at Fresh Salon + Spa in Snohomish, WA. Our Grand Opening is Saturday, November 14th 2009.  I look forward to assisting clients along their personal wellness journeys. So, in the spirit of sharing, I would like to start the blog off by talking about the benefits of true aromatherapy. 

Most of the essential oils on the market today are adulterated with synthetic or natural materials. The industry is getting quite clever in fabricating blends to yield a chromatogram vaguely resembling that of a true oil. The unfortunate result is that the average consumer may not achieve positive results and therefore stop using essential oils all together. The best and only way to guarantee authenticity is to know exactly where an essential oil comes from and to obtain it from a reliable producer. Original Swiss Aromatics has been dedicated to making genuine, authentic oils available to the average consumer. They have strong relationships with upstanding producers from all over the world. I use them exclusively in my professional practice as well as personally. 

True aromatherapy is simply the use of genuine, authentic essential oils. The practice of using oils is not a "silver bullet cure all" nor should it be considered a "snake oil cure".  Essential oils are natural chemicals made by plant metabolism. These oils act as the plant's defense system much like our own immune system. As mentioned earlier, it is important to know that the essential oil is genuine and authentic, so that one can be confident in obtaining the desired benefits. Our bodies recognize and respond well to genuine essential oils. Even though aromatherapy is not an exact science, neither is modern medicine. Every person is unique and can react differently to natural substances. Nature's pharmacy of essential oils is like looking through a "kaleidoscope" of possibilities. I hope to to guide, teach, and support each of you as you embark on your personal aromatic journeys.

With all the media coverage of the H1N1/Swine Flu, it's a wonder that anyone leaves their house. Along with using basic preventative measures...washing hands regularly, keeping hands away from face, coughing and sneezing into elbow, avoiding extreme exposure risks, eating healthy, getting enough rest, keeping stress levels low, etc... Aromatherapy may also help keep one's immune system strong. Many essential oils have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. In addition, our immune system responds positively by receiving a "immune boost" reinforcing our natural response. One of my favorite oils for the flu season is RAVINTSARA - Ravensare Aromatica from Madagascar.  It is a powerful antiviral oil and blends well with the more well known oils such as Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata, Peppermint and Frankincense. The essential oil of Ravintsara is extracted by the distillation of  leaves. The main chemical components present are terpene alcohols and terpene oxides(cineole). Along with the benefit of being a powerful antiviral oil, it is also known to be an expectorant and gentle on the skin. Many people have had fantastic results in supporting the common cold, flu, bronchitis, shingles, hepatitis, fatigue, etc... Ravintsara may be directly inhaled by placing on a cotton ball or in a diffuser. This oil may also be applied directly on the skin. Use caution by doing a small skin patch test first. Some people may have sensitive skin.

I hope I have awakened an interest in you for aromatherapy and I look forward to sharing more information with you soon.  Let's stay positive as we strive to find peace and wellness in our lives.

God Bless All Of You !!!!!