Summertime Issues with Essential Oils

Summertime Issues with Essential Oils

by | Aromatics

We have been waiting for summer to arrive, and it seems last week was our first blast of real heat and sunshine on the West Coast. It has been a long time since we’ve experienced this intensity of sunshine, so it seems timely to remind people of the dangers of certain essential oils when exposed to sunlight.

Normally, we have few issues with the aromatherapy blends we apply to our skin, as the sun intensity on the West Coast is generally a mild-moderate rating. Last week’s heat wave was a reminder that we need to check the ingredients in our lotions and creams. There is a very specific sun sensitivity reaction between UV radiation and specific components in essential oils. This reaction occurs when essential oils with lactones, and specifically furocoumarins, are used on the skin.

What, you may ask, are lactones and furocoumarins? These are specific phytochemicals that if applied to the skin, will create a skin sensitization reaction when they are exposed to sunlight. The reaction looks like a rash sunburn combination – and yes it is itchy, burning and painful! Some people have had severe blistering to the point of scarring. This is no picnic!

The essential oils with the highest levels of furocoumarins are those oils expressed from citrus peels. This includes orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit and bergamot, amongst others. There are a few miscellaneous essential oils that can also cause this reaction, but the main culprits are citrus peel essential oils.

Does this mean that we must put away these essential oils until the rainy days return? Not at all! However, we must be careful with how and when we use them. Applying blends with these oils in the evening will be safe. Using them in diffusers or room sprays will be fine, as long as the mist doesn’t touch the skin. If these fruit peel oils are used in bath soaps or shampoos, rinse well before leaving the shower or bath. Some aromatherapists will switch to essential oils from the fruit pulp of these plants instead of their peels. There are virtually no furocoumarins in the pulp, therefore they are safe to use in the sunshine. However, the therapeutic value of these pulp oils is different from their stronger fruit peel cousins. But it is an option during the sunny weather.

One more note: this skin reaction can also occur if citrus peel oils are applied to the skin and the person uses tanning booths. It is the UV component of the light spectrum that creates the reaction.

Be safe – know your products and your essential oils.

Colour Bathing Rituals

Colour Bathing Rituals

by | Energetics

A Colour Bathing Ritual is a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.  Rituals help us do several things:

  • create a sacred space that will assist us in building a basic structure for personal development
  • increase an understanding of the energy flow we experience
  • contribute to our awareness and individual power
  • establish conditions where initiation on an inner level is accepted and experienced and where we can embrace heightened states of awareness
  • gain the confidence necessary to aquire the desired result without the means of ritual.

The use of water for cleansing and purification  goes back thousands of years.  Bathing can be seen as a way of offering a refreshing gift to yourself. When water is combined wih the healing properties of colour, the effect is amplified.  The Colour Energy system of coloured bathing products makes it easy to help restore and balance your body, mind and spirit.

Preparation for a Colour Bathing Ritual includes these suggestions:

  • prepare for the ritual by choosing tools that you want to integrate into the bathing ritual;  this could include use of music, candles, gemstones and/or essential oils in the water;  some people add Sea or Himalayan Salt to the water
  • concentrate on the matter in hand, if you have a specific intent or wish for using in the bath at this time
  • some people spend a few moments in prayer or meditation before beginning the healing bath;  this helps set the intention for the bath
  • set up the room, prepare the bath water and begin your healing colour bath
  • focus on the chakra needing attention

Most people stay in the bath for up to 30 minutes, but do what feels right for you.  Repeating the bath for a few days in a row is often more helpful than just doing it once. But follow your inner guru to know what is best for you.

We have more information at the Centre on how to create a Colour Bathing Ritual that is perfect for you.  Come and see us soon.  

Aroma Genera with Hyacinth

Aroma Genera with Hyacinth

by | Aromatics

AromaGenera uses specific aromatherapy blends to help us access our unconscious and subconscious processes and information. This, in turn, influences and directs our daily activities, thoughts, emotions and drives. Inhaling these aromas with mindful attention creates a bridge between what was, what is and what can be. The treatment system was developed by British aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood; a brief overview of this system can be found in her book, The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion.

As Spring begins awakening its bounty of wonderful plants and flowers, I turned to the book to see what Valerie Ann Worwood had to say about Hyacinth, a flower that is showing up in gardens around town. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) is categorized in AromaGenera as a Floral aroma. Here is an excerpt of what she says.

Character of this Aroma: gentle, trusting, soothing, enlightening

Used to counteract these negative attributes: instability, stress, repression, apathy, lovesickness, dejection, distress, grieving, sorrow, powerlessness, regret, unforgiving, naivete, dependency, apprehension

Used for these positive attributes: calming, forgiving, high self-esteem, perseverance, equilibrium, trust, faith, courage

“The Hyacinth Personality is trusting and forgiving, and this personality’s gentleness and good nature is apparent in everything they touch. They love beauty and beautiful things and can decorate a room exquisitely simply by using their ingenuity, artistry and a few pots of paint, taking immense trouble over every little detail. …

Having an unshakeable belief in people, Hyacinths think that good will always triumph over evil. Needless to say, they are often disappointed. Their faith in the human race is a virtue that is easily taken advantage of, particularly by those with no scruples. … Hyacinth is just the personality to choose the wrong man or woman to be their life partner – one who will strip them of all their emotions and their money! They try to make the best of it because that is how they are.   …

Negative Hyacinths often emphasize their fragile, delicate nature to get sympathy if all else fails, creating the illusion of a tragic personality. They can act out this role to the full, particularly if they find it working to their advantage. However, tension, stress and stress-related disorders are invariably genuine, common to this personality type. …

Hyacinths make good Samaritans – listening to people in trouble and being basically very charitable, would be happy working in any capacity in the charity field. Being very intuitive, and known as “sensitives”, these are nice, gentle, soft people who need space to breathe and be who they are – without any interference.”       (The Fragrant Mind pg.349-351)

Note:

AromaGenera is a tool to help us connect with things that make our life more meaningful. It is helpful when we feel stuck or unsure. The expansiveness possible with AromaGenera may help us see the roadblocks, restrictions and solutions we seek.

Pat is a Registered AromaGenera Therapist who offers this service at the Natural Comfort Wellness Centre in Tsawwassen

 

Flower Psychometry

Flower Psychometry

by | Aromatics, Psycho-Spiritual

Looking around the yard, I realized that our mild winter is causing many plants to awaken from their winter sleep. To see Snowdrops, Crocus, early Daffodils and Winter Heath either coming up or in bloom right now is truly exciting news. It got me wondering what the folklore and “readings” were for these amazing plants, so I turned to Suzy Chiazzari’s book on Flower Readings – her book on the ancient art of flower psychometry. Here is what she has to say.

From the earliest ages, plants have been endowed with meanings and mystic powers until they have become inextricably woven into the folklore of all countries. Flower Psychometry is an ancient art where the practitioner has the knowledge and ability to interpret the messages held in flowers themselves. It takes into account the way in which a flower grows, its shape, colour, where it is found and what is attracted or repelled by it. Different parts of the flower mirror different parts of our being. When you look at a flower from above, the outer circle will correspond to the physical body. The inner circle will correspond to our emotional and mental bodies. The centre or pistil will relate to our inner “core” or soul.

Here are some of the healing descriptions given to many of our winter/spring flowers: ·

  • Snowdrops – symbol of life and hope since they are usually the first flowers to appear after the winter
  • Daffodils – in the Victorian language of flowers, they were believed to be the flower of regard. Their trumpet shape suggests a theme of vocal celebration. It also suggests a time for new ideas and plans
  • Camellia – this flower represents a celebration of your inner beauty
  • Heath and Heathers – are said to be connected to one’s ability for self-reliance and survival
  • Iris – the word is Greek for “the eye of Heaven” which is usually associated with the rainbow. A symbol of purity and majesty; pink is holy love; blue and violet bring creative expression. All irises remind us of communication between heaven and earth
  • Primrose – has to do with lightness and cleansing on all levels

Take a look at your garden and see what your plants are telling you.

Crystal Creations

by | Uncategorized

Several folks have asked about the different crystals we have in our Centre. There are many type of formations being sold; some more familiar than others. Let’s look at the more common formations.

Single Terminated : as the name suggests, this formation has a six-sided “point” at one end; often used in treatments to direct energy and vibration for healing. The colour and type of crystal also contributes to the effects.

Double Terminated : this formation has a six-sided point at both ends. Used as a connecting crystal, that is, to connect two areas or chakras.

Crystal Clusters : has many terminations jutting out in many directions; each termination reflects light and energy back and forth to one another, creating a strong healing and cleansing vibration. Useful to energize or cleanse a room, another crystal or to encourage group work and discussions.

Barnacle Crystal : a larger crystal having a side covered either partially or completely with small crystals, looking like barnacles on a rock. Helpful with family relations or community problems.

Rainbows: most crystals will reflect light when held to the sun, but Rainbow Crystals have special formations that reflect exquisite colourful patterns. Known as Happiness Crystals, meditating with these crystals bring comfort and joy.

Baby Within : looking within a crystal, you see a whole baby crystal in the interior; it can be growing from the sides, off a veil or seemingly suspended in the middle of the larger crystal. Known as a Manifestation Crystal .

So when you come to the Centre, be sure to notice the Crystal Creations for what they are – Mother Nature’s magnificent artwork meant for health, healing and pleasure.