What do I need to get started?

I get asked all the time, "What do I need to get started?"  Well, this is such a hard question to answer.  We all have different needs and preferences.  First of all, it takes a time to get comfortable with your oils and how to use them.  For that reason, I recommend starting SMALL!  No one IMO can learn 14 or more oils all at once!

Keeping this in mind, I have looked for starter kits with a few multi-purpose oils that meet the majority of needs for wellness for an average family.  We need more than just the essential oils to get started; there are tools that make their use safer and easier that I would like to see included for every beginner.

 I believe the single most neglected item for those just starting out is a reference book. We should not depend on social media being there every minute to answer our questions accurately.  A book that covers many common oils and gives information on how to use them safely is a critical tool that all oil enthusiasts should have from the beginning!  My favorite book to start with, that you can grow with too is The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness  by Purchon and Cantele.  There are other good reference books but this one really allows the reader to grow, covering from beginner to well past intermediate use (please read the whole book and not just skip to the formulas or you will miss vital information.)  A quality reference book is the best place to start in my opinion.  

Other beginner tools make things a lot easier but are not essential.  Roller bottles allow for easy mixing and easy application.  Following safe dilution rates, roller bottles will make sure you only use what you need.  I would hope everyone will consider roller bottles as part of their journey.  

What do you need to go with those roller bottles?  Carrier oils!  Essential oils work best and safest diluted in a carrier oil.  Different carrier oils have different properties.  Many companies recommend fractionated coconut oil (FCO).  The only real benefit of FCO is its long shelf life.  You do NOT have to use FCO!  Any oil in your kitchen you use to cook with will work.  Learning the benefits of Carrier oils also takes time so start with one or two and experiment.  I buy a good percentage of my carrier oils in the grocery store.  

The final tool that I believe everyone needs to start on an Aromatherapy journey is a way to facilitate inhalation without constant exposure to your oils of oxygen.  There are 2 main tools used to accomplish this, diffusers and personal inhalers.  Just starting out, I really like inhalers.  It helps get people away from the idea that the oils are just to smell good.  It also limits exposure to others while learning about contraindications.  I would hope that everyone will consider a few personal inhalers.  They are one of the most inexpensive, safest ways to use your oils.  

Wow, all of that and I have not even mentioned what essential oils you might want to start with!  Why would I skip the oils and start with the tools?  I have found that people neglect reference materials and safe delivery tools when just beginning.  Is it possible to skip these and just buy the essential oils to start with?  Of course.  Yet I am certain that you will have a smoother start if you add a few tools from the beginning.  

Now to the stuff everyone wants to talk about, the essential oils!  As I said back at the beginning, I recommend starting very small, 3 to 6 oils that can be used for a variety of things.  I picked out my top six oils that I believe fit those criteria.  I also am going to include a substitute for a few of those oils and why.  There really is not an absolute must start with "list."  I picked common, multipurpose oils that are frequently available.  

Lemon:  I am not certain I have ever seen a starter kit that does not include lemon.  Almost everyone enjoys the scent and it can be used for many things.  It also can be used to brighten or tone down the scent of an oil that you do not enjoy.  A few things Lemon can be used for; skin issues, antiseptic, immune support, reduce fever and is energizing.

Lavender:  Nicknamed the Swiss army knife of essential oils, it is one of the most versatile of oils out there.  It is also one of the gentlest!  A few things Lavender can be used for; skin issues, tissue regeneration, reducing body odor, anti-inflammatory, insect repellent, strengthens most body functions, antibacterial and antiviral, decongestant and expectorant, pain relief, antispasmodic, improve sleep, calms the nervous system and can be both energizing and calming.  (There are several types of Lavender.  This list is for Lavandula augustifolia.  Even within this, there are subspecies.  This is an oil worthy of years of exploration.)

Frankincense:  This is not always included in beginner kits.  It is slightly more expensive than other oils usually seen in these kits and that may be the reason.  Frankincense can be used for so many things!  A few things Frankincense can be used for;  antibacterial, skin issues, decongestant, and expectorant, reduces fever, aids digestion, diuretic, calms the nervous system.  (There are several varieties of Frankincense, as time goes on you can explore others. I generally recommend Boswellia carterii as the most versatile.)

If I were to start with only 3 oils, that would be where I would start.  For everyday, common uses, those three cover almost everything.  Most do not want to stop at just 3 though.  So how about a few others!

Tea Tree:  These days you can find Tea Tree Oil (TTO) in many products on store shelves.  It is worthy of its popularity due to usefulness.  A few things TTO can be used for; antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, skin issues, immune stimulation, decongestant and expectorant, and fever reducer.

Sweet Orange:  You can substitute almost any citrus; tangerine, blood orange, grapefruit, lime etc.  The uses are almost the same as for Lemon but having a second citrus allows for a variety of scent.  I love both Sweet Orange and Grapefruit for adding to blends, especially if there is an oil I do not enjoy within the blend.  Sweet Orange is more common in recipes and for beginners not comfortable with substitution, it is great to have.  If you pick a different citrus, you can substitute it for the orange, you will just have a different scent.  A few things Sweet Orange (and most citrus have very similar properties) can be used for;  skin issues, antiseptic, immune support, digestive support, reduce fever, and is energizing yet calming.  It is a difficult decision to place this as a second citrus to lemon as I personally prefer it.  

Spearmint:  I love spearmint; it is fresh, clean and effective.  Most kits contain Peppermint which is a worthwhile substitution.  For those new to oils, I would choose Spearmint as it does not have warnings with it but Peppermint does.  Peppermint should be avoided by 2 groups, children under the age of 3 and breastfeeding women.  Peppermint is perfectly safe for everyone else.  (Now if you have children under 3 but want to have peppermint for adults, that is where those handy personal inhalers come into play!)  A few things Spearmint (or Peppermint) can be used for; skin issues, digestive issues, liver support, antibacterial and antiviral, expectorant and decongestant, reduces fever, pain relief, often used for headaches, cooling, and fatigue.  

I have not found an exact kit that matches what I would recommend.  Some are very close to how I approach learning new oils.  Often, I believe it is better to make your own "kit" by picking just what you wish, to begin with.

Once these basic supplies are collected, take the time to learn each oil well.  You will come across formulas that suggest other oils.  Instead of rushing to buy more, explore whether or not you can accomplish the same benefit with what you have.  Learning to substitute, as well as learning all the uses for your oils, will save you a lot of money throughout your journey.  For most people, I would guess it will take weeks if not months to just really grasp a hand full of oils.  Once you have a thorough understanding of the oils you chose to start with, add 3 to 6 more and explore them the same way.

Note, I am not criticizing starter kits, many of them are excellent, they are just not what I would recommend.  

Lip Gloss

Lip Gloss: A step up from Lip Balm!

Well, it seems people are very interested in some variety in their lip products.  Well I have been experimenting.  

The Pearled Peach is the natural color of the lip balm plus mica.

The deep red one uses Alkanet root infused in the jojoba for 4 to 6 weeks.

The shimmery red is also alkanet infused jojoba in my base recipe plus a tiny dab of the Pearled Peach.  

My basic formula for lip balm is pretty simple:

• 1 part bee's wax

• 1 part cocoa butter

• 2 parts liquid oil of your choice (I choose jojoba most often for its stability.)

With lip products, it is important to adjust to your climate.  You may need more or less liquid oil depending on the temperature.  You can adapt any to your climate by adding more or less oil.  Living in the desert this past summer, I needed STIFF lip gloss.  Feel free to experiment!  

A Working Man

Simple, efficient and beautiful.

A Working Man...Rocky Berry

And More....

Several months ago, in a stash shot thread, Renee Tomky posted a picture of her new sample storage tray made by her son Rocky Berry. Much to her surprise people wanted them.

The Aromatherapy community is small.  Over time we get to know each other.  Rocky is often mentioned in Real Aromatherapy Reviews and More . Recently there was a thread about ideas for inhalers that led to Renee sewing someone's inhaler pocket idea onto Rocky's shirt. Rocky also is often featured enjoying the soap named after him from Honeyberry Naturals. Rocky is a special needs foster kid, learning to use a drill press as part of his homeschooling. That is where the trays come in.

The original perfume vial tray.

I contacted Renee about ordering. Rocky has been developing his skills and has 4 trays, one for perfume vials, one for drams and one for roller bottles and one that has all three sizes.

The perfume vials can come in different sizes but all of my samples, from several companies, fit. Rocky will make them to order if you need a different size.  

I did some experimenting when I received them as I believe these would make great display trays for craft fairs or farmers markets.

Lip balms and drams.

I decant my oils often to preserve them so I have many dram bottles.  Being able to organize and find what I need easily is a huge help!  The dram tray also fits perfectly my lip balm tubes, my homeopathics and my perfume spray bottles. 

Of all the items I have the most trouble with the continuously toppling roller bottles.  I just could not get into the idea of an acrylic lipstick holder (it is SO not me!)  When I talked to Renee this was the one Rocky had yet to make.  He made it when I ordered and it is perfect.  

Continuing the experimenting, the roller bottle tray holds standard plastic inhalers loosely.  They are not snug enough for transporting.  For keeping them neat and visible, it works well enough for me.  

Roller bottles (with inhalers).

April is Autism Awareness Month. So on a personal note, When Rocky started selling a few of these, he proudly told his mom "I am a WORKING man now." I am happy to support a guy who has brought us so much joy through his pictures and stories in RAR.

They are currently only available via Personal Message through Renee Tomky. The single sized trays that I received are $15 and the tray with multiple sizes is $25. My package was perfectly packed, arrived quickly and I had a very nice note from Renee and Rocky.

If you need a specific size, all you need to do is let them know so they can make the right size holes for your bottles.

Some of my links are affiliate links, if you choose to use them.  I am not funded by any of the companies I endorse. 

Destination Oils

Trying a new
 Company!

It is so difficult to give a new company a chance these days.  So many companies have had problems here and there.  As a community we have been lied to over and over about quality and purity.  

It is so tempting to stay with the tried and true companies we already know and love.  Yet, I did it anyway.  I went and tried a company I knew little about.  

I have a good reason!  One of my criteria in choosing a company is the ethics and conduct of its owners and representatives.  For six months, the owner of Destination Oils patiently posted sales that no one tried.  Kindly answered questions without ever indicated she sold the same thing and most importantly (to me anyway) never tried to solicit a review.  

In Real Aromatherapy Reviews and More (1.0 and 2.0) we have had owners try to basically buy reviews with free products, adding friends to review or otherwise manipulate the "honest, consumer driven" aspect of the set up. Those owners have all been banned from the group.  

So watching a quiet dedicated owner bide her time until some one, anyone gave her a chance was refreshing to say the least.  So I took the plunge.  For the sake of rewarding those that show that money is not the most important thing and I am glad I did.  

Destination Oils offers free shipping in the US and $10 flat rate shipping to Canada.  If you are afraid to try a new company, watch the owner or their representative.  You might find someone you can trust.  

I tried common oils.  Oils that I could easily compare and contrast with others I had on hand.  All the oils are what I would expect.  The tangerine was exceptional.  You can read the comparisons here.  I did not evaluate them in any way other than scent.  

Code for companies; DO = Destination Oils, tP = the Perfumery, AC = Aura Cacia, NYR = Neal Yard Remedies, PT = Plant Therapy, NOW, NG = Nature's Gift.

Tangerine

DO  Bright, round, powerful. 1 Hr:  Mouthwatering, fresh peeled fruit.  Vibrant, rich, bright.  3 Hr:  Faint, still distinctly tangerine.

tP  Faint, flat (very thin, watery, almost no color.)  1 Hr:  Almost no scent, faint hint of tanginess, hard to say tangerine a much as just “citrusy.”  3 Hr: just a hint of scent.

Sweet Orange

DO  Sweet, bright, strong enough that smelling it allows me to taste it very strongly.  1 Hr: Smooth, sweet, tart, balanced.  3 Hr:  Faint, sweet

AC  Very much just like the peel, tart, sweet and strong.  1 Hr: Light, tart and sweet.  3 Hr: no scent left. 

NYR  Sweet, tart, bright, round, strong enough that smelling it allows me to taste it very strongly. 1 Hr: Smooth, bright, round fresh.  Balanced.   3 Hr: Light, sweet. 

At 1 Hr, it is impossible to tell the difference between NYR and DO for me. 

Peppermint

DO  Herbal, menthol, hint of sweet, balanced.  1 Hr: Very minty, strong, Fresh.  More menthol than herbal.  Almost no sweetness.  3 Hr:  Menthol, slightly sweet.  Fairly strong.

PT  Herb, very menthol, strong enough that smelling it allows me to taste it.  1 Hr:  Very minty, strong, Fresh.  More menthol than herbal.  Almost no sweetness.  3Hr: Menthol, slightly sweet.  Fairly strong.

NOW Herbal, sweetish, balanced.  1 Hr: Milder, Sweet and herbal.  Balanced.  3 Hr:  Herbal, lightly sweet.  Medium menthol. 

At 1 Hr and 3 Hr, it is hard to tell the difference between DO and PT (Supreme). 

Lavender

DO Floral, slight herbal undertone.  Strong enough that smelling it allows me to taste it very strongly. 1 HR:  Herbal and floral.  Nicely balanced.  3 Hr: Herbal and floral, light camphor developing. 

PT Strong herbal, floral undertone, strong enough that smelling it allows me to taste it.  1 Hr: More herbal than floral.  Hint of camphor undertone.  3 Hr: Lighter, floral with an herbal undertone.

tP Herbal, camphor undertone.  1 Hr:  Camphor, floral and slightly sweet finish.  Fairly week.  3 Hr: Faint.  Almost no floral tone.  Strongly herbal. 

Frankincense (steam distilled carterii)

DO Anise, pine, very little sweet, more pungent.  Strong enough that smelling it allows me to taste it.  1 HR: Predominant cedar shaving with a licorice top note.  Very nice.  3 Hr:  Light, Cedar chips and lemon. 

NG Sweet, strong cedar (the actual wood, not the EO) note, smooth.  Mellow, round, smooth.  1 Hr: Sweet, fennel and pine (the actual wood, not the EO), with a lemonish top note.  Mellow and smooth.  3 Hr:  Medium strength, Mellow, smooth, woody. 

NYR Light sweet, pine, cedar, hint of licorice, round and smooth, hint of citrus.  Strong enough that smelling it allows me to taste it.  Complex.  Hard to pick out all the aspects.  1 Hr: Balanced, smooth, round and complex.  3 Hr:  Light, cedar and citrus.  

Sources: 

 Destination Oils

 Plant Therapy

 Nature's Gift

 NOW and Aura Cacia I get through Pure Formulas

 The Perfumery is wholesale only.  

 Neal Yard Remedies is Direct sales in the US.  I am not signed up as a Rep but I  do know some that I  ordered through.  

Some of my links are affiliate links, if you choose to use them.  I am not funded by any of the companies I endorse.  

Scent Testing, Now you try it!

Blue Tansy test strips

Scent Testing: The results are in!

A few months ago Real Aromatherapy Reviews and More was invaded by another of those sales people that does not believe the rules apply to them.  Sigh.

Of course, he was removed.  The PMs continued.  I agreed to evaluate samples for this new company, Joya Essentials.  I requested lemon, peppermint, Frankincense and Blue Tansy.  

In the meantime, I moved.  So it took me a bit to get it done.  My husband was my helper and my control to eliminate bias.  He randomly numbered the strips (I use watercolor paper or you can buy scent strips.)  

I will supply links to the brands at the end.  First I wanted to explain that scent changes and develops over time.  In order to remove as much Bias as I could, my notes were removed between rounds.  How long the test went depended more on the essential oil, lemon dissipates faster than frank for instance.  

Now anyone can do this.  Doing it blind (not knowing the brand) removes your perceptions based on brand.  I tried to use multiple oils for comparison instead of just my favorite oil.  I also learned that for this year, I have a new favorite peppermint.  

Te most difficult part of this process is to find the words to describe what you smell.  If you want to expand your vocabulary I highly recommend this exercise.  I promise it will frustrate you as well!  

So here are the results!  I sent a copy to the owner of Joya Essentials for to do with as he pleased.  Now you get a chance to see them too!  

This will be a very long post!

Lemon

Aura Cacia

Lemony, sweetish,

1 hr

Strong.  Tart. I can taste lemon when I smell it.

3 hr almost undetectable

Plant Therapy

Not sweet, zest like, tart

1 hr

Very faint.  Almost undetectable.  Hint of lemon

3 hr no scent

Joya Essentials

CANDY, very sweet, smells like lemonheads candy, “unnatural”, very strong

1 hr

Faint, Sweet, very little lemon scent

3 hr No scent

Nature's Gift Lemon Rind

Light, balanced between sweet and tart, fresh, mellow.

1 hr

Similar to initial, balanced.

3 hr

Very, very light, faint hint of lemon

Personal Preference:  I definitely preferred the Nature's Gift.  My second choice would be Aura Cacia.

Peppermint

NOW

Fresh, minty, mildly sweet, mildly herby.  Balanced.

1 hr

Sweeter, scent stronger than initial

3 hr  No scent.

Plant Therapy

very strong, very herby, still noticeable menthol smell

1 hr

Herby, sweeter than initial, balanced.

3 hr

Scent still fairly strong, minty, herbal, lightly sweet.  Very balanced.

Joya Essentials

Strongly herbal, almost dirty, chemically, unnatural, almost no perceptible mint scent (menthol).

Hubby: “Laboratory, Man-made” Yuck  (He actually did this with me but his descriptions are I like it or I do not.  This is his best description.  Baby steps.)

1 hr

Almost undetectable.

3 hr  No scent.

Personal preference:  This batch of Plant Therapy’s was exactly what I prefer scent wise in peppermint.  I am normally a NOW girl for peppermint as I count on a consistent scent from them.  I think you can guess my impression of Joya’s.

At the city park!

Blue Tansy 

Now, before you read this there are two important things to know.  I do not like the scent of Blue Tansy and you may keep that in mind.  Also, I live on an island filled with wetlands, marshes and swamps.  You will understand why that is important in a minute.  

Joya Essentials

Mild initial scent.  Fishy, herbal

1 hr

Light scent.  Mildly fishy.  Slightly sweet.  Mild herbal tone. 

2 hr

Light scent.  Primarily herbal, slight fishy tone.  (Think brackish swamp.) There is a hint of mint or menthol?

3 hr

Light scent.  Slightly harsh tone of decaying vegetation.

4 hr

Light scent still.  Swamp water, decaying vegetation and fish.

12 hr

No scent

Organic Infusions

Mild scent.  Strongly herbal with a fishy tone.

1 hr

Mild to light scent.  Very earthy and vegetation scent, slight fishy tone.

2 hr

Light scent.  Fish scent predominant, herbal tone underneath.

3 hr

Scent detectable but too faint to describe.

4 hr

No scent left.

Plant Therapy

Bold, strong scent.  Slightly bitter, strongly herbal, mildly fishy scent.

1 hr

Moderate scent.  Slightly sweet tone seems to be developing.  Strongly herbal and vegetative. 

2 hr

Medium scent strength.  Sweetish and very herbal.  Almost like composting grass clippings?

3 hr

Scent still quite strong.  Sweetish, herbal, finally moving toward pleasant.

4 hr

Still a strong scent.  Slightly sweet, predominantly herbal scent. 

5 hr

Light scent.  Slightly sweet, slightly herbal.  Nice balanced scent.

12 hr

Light scent.  Herbal, smooth, pleasant.

Personal Preferences:  Plant Therapy would be my first choice on Blue Tansy.  The bitter initial tone goes away fast, leaving an earthy, herbal scent.  Organic infusions was more pleasant than Joya to start, but faded too quickly.  Joya was quite harsh scent wise but lasted well.  2nd would likely end up being Joya.

Frankincense  

Joya Essentials; carterii, steam distilled

Light, very mild, slight licorice and turpentine, mildly of cedar shavings.

1 hr

Licorice scent, sweet, smooth

2 hr

very light scent, slightly of pine and cedar chips

3 hr

Super light, pine tone, slight cedar scent

4 hr

Barely perceptible, cedar shavings scent

5 hr

No scent

Neal Yard Remedies; carterii, steam distilled

Smooth, fairly strong scent.  No licorice smell (noted because often it is there.)  Sweet, round, light tree and citrus.

1 hr

Herbal, earthy with a noticeable pine note, light citrus tone.

3 hr

Medium scent strength, the strongest of them at 3 hrs.  Smooth, balanced between earthy, lemonish and pine.

4 hr

Still a strong scent.  Sweetish with a pine undertone.  Citrus top note.

5 hr

Surprisingly strong scent, just starting to fade.  Sweet, smooth, light licorice note.  Predominantly a pine scent.  Almost no citrus left.

12 hrs

Light scent remains. Woody, a blend of pine and cedar scents.

Nature’s Gift, carterii, steam distilled

Soft scent.  Very mildly of licorice.  Nice citrus note.  No initial pine scent (noted as it is frequently present.) Still woody yet not distinctly pine.

1 hr

Light citrus.  Pine tone developing but mild.

2 hr

Light scent.  Smooth, balanced between citrus and pine and earthy.

3 hr

Very light scent.  Pleasant, smooth, no detectable separate notes.  Mildly earthy or herbal.

4 hr

Super light scent.  Very balanced, no distinct tone predominant.

5 hr

Super light scent.  Sweet tone.

12 hr

No scent.

Without a doubt, the NYR is my hands down favorite.  NG is a pretty close second.

Overall impression:  Based on scent alone, which is not the most reliable method, I think JOYA ESSENTIALS are pure EOs.  The sourcing for some of them is unusual.  The peppermint is from India for instance and I have no other Indian peppermint.  The swamp and fishy scent is present in other Blue Tansy just not nearly as pronounced.  I was sent Certificate of Analysis for the oils but only looked at them after evaluating them based on scent.  (We all know the CoA can be copied from other sources or not match the batch we have so I did not rely on it with a new company.  I need to develop some trust first.)  With Blue Tansy getting even more scarce this year, this is not the worst specimen I have seen.

Not part of the Joya evaluation.  Fun nonetheless.  I had other frankincense that I threw in just to test myself a bit!

Nature’s Gift, carterri CO2

Smooth, light citrus note, woody, slight medicinal scent. 

1 hr

Strong scent.  Pine, herbal and damp earth?  (sorry, finding the right word is difficult.)  Mostly an herbal, green, fresh plant scent.

2 hr

Strong scent.  Pine, herbal and damp earth?  Mostly an herbal, green, fresh plant scent. (yes I really wrote the same thing twice.  My notes were removed between each round but I described it the same twice anyway.)

3 hr

Still very strong, although fading slightly.  Sweet tone developing.  Light pine scent.  Noticeable citrus tones. 

4 hr

Still quite strong.  Predominantly a pine and cedar scent with hints of herb and citrus.  This is a very unique scent.

12 hours

Faint scent.  Sweetish with a pine note and a damp earth tone.

Nature’s Gift, seratta, CO2

Strong, almost harsh.  Very medicinal, with a pine note.

1 hr

Very strong.  Turpentine, medicinal scent is increasing.  Possibly camphorous?

2 hr

Strong.  Very medicinal. Strong turpentine scent.  Harsh. Quite unpleasant to me.

3 hr

Still very strong.  Harsh, camphorous, medicinal, with a turpentine and cedar tone.

4 hr

Very strong.  Medicinal.  Unpleseant, harsh and very difficult for me to try to detect different notes.  Overpowering.

12 hr

Light but remarkably strong considering the time lapse.  Finally sweetening, still medicinal, camphor, turpentine scent.   (Not one to wear as perfume!)  I love frank, but this is total Yuck to me.  

Plant Therapy, serrata, steam distilled.

Medium strength.  Bold.  Predominantly a turpentine scent.  Hint of citrus.

1 hr

Super light.  Distinct citrus top note with a pine undertone.

2 hr

Very light scent remaining.  Slight pine and lemon with the beginning of a cedar chip tone.

3 hr

Very, very faint.  Hint of cedar and pine.

4 hr

Detectable scent but too faint to describe.

5 hr.

Detectable scent but too faint to describe.

12 hr.

Detectable scent but too faint to describe.  (This was a surprise to me; it pretty much remained at this very low scent for 8 hours.  I expected no scent on follow up.)

Overall impression of my franks, carterii always wins.  The steam distilled and the CO2 are both wonderful.  Scent wise serrata is second fiddle but it is highly effective and I use a great deal of it.  If I could only have one, it would be the steam distilled carterii.

Links to the various companies I used for scent evaluation:

Plant Therapy (also available through Amazon and Jet.)

Nature's Gift

Neal Yard Remedies (I know several good reps if you want set up with a sample.)

Organic Infusions (recently failed third party testing for vetiver, order with caution.)

Joya Essentials

Aura Cacia and NOW I have been finding the best prices for at Pure Formulas.  They are also generally available at most health food store and on Amazon.

Lymph Stimulating Blend

My most used blend

My most used blend!

I was talking with a friend this morning and realized there is a tool for getting better when you get the crud that few know about.  

Simple and effective, a lymph stimulating blend can aid your body in fighting both virus and bacteria.  It is very simple with common oils.  I always have it on hand!  

Understanding the immune system is a serious endeavor.  We could talk about it for years!  Supporting our body's immune response does not require us to understand the whole system.  Whew!  Our lymph nodes and lymph fluid are constantly at work transporting chemical signals about invaders: pollen, mold, viruses and bacteria.  

When our bodies are under attack, we can give the lymph system a boost by applying oils to areas of high concentration of lymph nodes.  I almost always use the jawline or arm pits.  There is a heavy concentration of lymph nodes in the groin area too but I need to get undressed to use those!

Simple recipe!

I use it often and have found it helpful in aiding my body with the overactive immune response of allergies as well as boosting my immune response for viral and bacterial infections.  

I cannot take full credit for this blend.  It was created in discussion with Andrea Butje from the Aromahead Institute.  

I generally get these oils from Plant Therapy but there are many other excellent retailers as well.

Some of my links are affiliate links, if you choose to use them.  I am not funded by any of the companies I endorse.  

The Aromatherapy Community

My vision of the Aromatherapy Community

The Community; How I view this complex and political field.

It has always been a shock to me that a lovely and healing art and science has turned so political and divisive.  So let's talk about it!

First, I want to say this is my opinion, based on observations over time.  Second, not all of this opinion has been formed in isolation.  I have discussed this with many others and they have all contributed to the development of my opinion.  That is the very root of how this community works.

Aromatherapy has largely been a field developed by sharing experiences.  Who you learn from will be your starting point on a multi-colored, interwoven web of learning lines.  Each book you read, blog post you read and company you explore will lead you to a new intersection in your learning.  If you take webinars or classes, you will go in other new and exciting directions.  The one thing to consider, you have to work hard to stay where you are.

It does not matter where you start your journey.  You may start in a group that says "you can use oils everyday, 100 times a day, in every way you can imagine."  I call this The Always group.  You could also start your journey in the "you should never use oils for...."  These I call the Never group.  They see Aromatherapy as black and white, when in reality it is various shades of gray.

There are exceptions for all guidelines regarding oils!  Never and Always rarely have a place in Aromatherapy unless it is accompanied by the word TRY.  I try to always buy on sale.  I try to never buy without doing my research.  

There are very few hard and fast rules in Aromatherapy.  Instead it is a field of balance, weighing the risks against the rewards for each individual, each oil and each application method will give you the best results.  In order to do that, you need to study!  Not just can it help with X condition but also can it be contraindicated for the person's medications, medical conditions, age or general health.  

Self-care through alternative and natural medicines does not negate risks.  We need to use common sense.  We need to balance the pros and the cons.  Most importantly, we need to work together.  This means, to me at least, that the put downs, judgments and assumptions do not have a place in this field.  

Support through our journey, online or in person is vital to traveling along the the ever changing pathways and detours to our new horizons.  You are here now.  Where will you be tomorrow?

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