Hydrosols and Aromatic Waters

Hydrosols and Aromatic Waters

by | Aromatics

There are two main waters collected from distillation of aromatic plant materials. Hydrosols are the waters created during steam distillation for essential oil production;  they could be seen as a “by-product” of essential oil production. On the other hand,   Aromatic Waters  are created from water distillation of aromatic plant materials specifically for the water-soluble components found in the plant material. Both hydrosols and aromatic waters have a place in our aromatherapy tool kit.

Hydrosols are important for skin care as they contain restorative plant acids and other wonderful antioxidant substances . As they have no petrochemicals or alcohol as a base or preservative, they are a lovely, natural alternative to  commercial skin toners which can have a drying/damaging effect.  Hydrosols can be used to calm down inflammation from burns or rashes .  Some women have reported that certain cold hydrosols, when sprayed on their face/neck and arms at the onset of a hot flash, help stop their hormonal hot flashes immediately.  Some people find drinking hydrosol is helpful for a variety of health issues. Be warned:  the product must be of the highest quality for this use, as hydrosols are prone to bacterial and fungal contamination.  This would not be healthy for your body!

Aromatic Waters are collected over a longer period of time and contain trace amounts of essential oil within. This acts as a natural preservative for these waters.  It is also why many people choose to use Aromatic Waters instead of hydrosols for internal use.  Aromatic Waters can be blended for all types of digestive issues, as many of them help calm bowel spasm and neutralize harmful bacteria in the gut. People with GERD have reported that they have fewer incidents and are able to eat a more varied diet without a problem if they use Aromatic Waters regularly. These waters can be used as a mouth wash to help keep bacteria and other organisms at bay.  This is very important to those undergoing chemotherapy as mouth ulcers and thrush infections are common problems associated with the treatment.  These mouth problems are  painful and often prevent the person from eating and drinking enough.  Aromatic Waters can also be used on the skin, just like hydrosols. And because of the traces of essential oils, they are important for infectious problems.

We are pleased to carry both Hydrosols and Aromatic Waters for your health and healing.  Come and try them out – you’ll be pleased with the results.

Article written by Pat Antoniak Registered Nurse – Registered Aromatherapist
and owner of the Natural Comfort Wellness Centre in Tsawwassen, BC.

  Did you know ……

  • Thyme essential oil has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties, but dilute it before using because it can burn your skin!
  • Sage or Rosemary  tea can be added to final rinse water to make dark hair shiny.
  • In sacred geometry , the “blank slate” symbolizes infinite potentiality.

 

Happiness and Health

Happiness and Health

by | Life Reflections

Those in the counseling professions will often say that there are more incidents of depression/suicide during and following the Holiday Season that at any other time of the year. Some of the reasons include the re-emergence of dysfunctional relationship issues which clash with the high hopes and expectations for a “perfect” family gathering. This clash of fantasy VS reality can make it very difficult for people to enjoy themselves, their families and their lives.  For some, the depression has been in hiding but when it bumps up against the expectations, pressures and disappointments life dishes out at holiday time, it seems to magnify the true underlying feelings. These days, the abuse of alcohol and drugs (prescription and recreational) can depress the nervous system to the point of feeling depressed.  Since the Holidays are a time of parties and celebrating, there is no shortage of substances to abuse!

So I was very pleased to see in our local Province paper, a short article by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen – the You Docs – entitled, The Pursuit of Happiness Will Lead You To Better Health .  Most people know these fellows from Oprah Winfrey’s show, as she consulted them on many subjects.  I wish to share some of their thoughts.

“… You deserve true happiness and much of your emotional and physical health depends on it.  Positive emotions cancel out stress-related risks such as heart disease and cancer,  and make you younger.  So how do you get happy?  Follow these seven steps:

1.Talk nicely to yourself –  trade put-downs for encouraging words

  1. Connect – really talk with people you care about; get physical, too; hugs stimulate oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone”, spreading a feel-good boost
  2. Keep a daily gratitude journal – writing down what you are thankful for makes you healthier and more optimistic
  3. Don’t sit around – being active at least 30 minutes a day boosts happiness – and makes your body’s Real Age seven or more years younger
  4. 5.Meditate – it eases stress, strengthens immunity, ups happiness – big time!
  5. Understand unhappiness –  when it happens, learn from it; it’s a chance to make positive change
  6. Go for gentle and generous –  The real secret to being happy may be in realizing that true peace is about slowing down enough to recognize the gifts you have – gifts you can be passing along to others.

The payoff?  Huge!  You’ll be better able to cope with stress or pain and to fight off colds, flu, heart disease, even cancer.  And a big plus:  You’ll be happier!”     (The Province,  January 2012)

While the suggestions are great for helping people stay positive and happy although they may have sadness,  there are some types of depression that require more help than what is suggested above.  If you or someone you know has tried to manage depression but it hasn’t improved, you may need to seek professional help.  Research shows that individual and group counseling,  cognitive-behavioural therapy,  nutritional and exercise protocols and/or medications can all play a part in recovering from clnical depression. But the first step must come from the person affected.  Or a concerned family member or friend.

We have free information at the Centre on community supports and crisis services to help people with various emotional, psychological or substance abuse issues.  We will have this information posted on our website shortly.  No one needs to feel alone or powerless on their journey to regaining Happiness and Health.

Article written by Pat Antoniak  Registered Nurse – Registered Aromatherapist
and owner of the Natural Comfort Wellness Centre in Tsawwassen, BC.

Did you know …

  • February’s magical flower is the Primrose
  • The Chinese categorize Luck in three ways: heavenly luck, human luck and earthly luck; each contributes to your overall success in life
  • Heavenly Luck lets you change your destiny through prayers and meditation
  • Human Luck is about self-improvement and living compassionately
  • Earth Luck is the easiest to shift using Feng Shui, as it aligns your inner and outer worlds
What is Healing Music

What is Healing Music

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

There is mounting evidence that music can improve health and healing.   Those of you who have visited the Centre know, we play a variety of musical CDs in the Reception Area as well as each treatment room.  The selections are varied, but most people say that the music is calming and/or uplifting. I have wondered if any musically-inclined people have had opinions on what constitutes “healing music”.  Then, I came across a book entitled,  “The Healing Touch of Music:  An Exploration” ,  by Alana Woods.  In one section, she lists the views from four healing music composers as to what, in their views, comprises “healing music”.  This is what she discovered.

Dr. Steven Halpern :  his major aim is to produce music that is therapeutic and to do so all semblance of a regular beat is removed in his compositions.   He says this leaves spaces between the musical phrases and allows the meditative mood to develop, thereby increasing the theta brain wave pattern (deep relaxation) in the listener.

Don Campbell:  says it takes from five to seven minutes to begin to feel the space of music.   This “space” in the musical design is important.  He feels the musical environment where healing occurs is created due to the texture and patterning of the music, the time of day one listens, the attitude and the environment.  One tone prolonged in the lower ranges is important for healing music, a repeated motif, and not too much repetition so it does not becomes boring.  All these qualities make up the power of music to soothe or stir up.

Kay Gardner :  says there are basically nine elements in composing healing music.  They are:

  • Intent – the most important.  The composer must have the intention to create healing music;  immerse himself/herself in pure, loving, thought and open to the Divine
  • Drone – long, uninterrupted sounds (eg. East Indian ragas) which set up a sympathetic vibration
  • Repetition – to establish a tone of comfort and familiarity
  • Harmonics – overtones, the spiritual content in music
  • Harmony – simple, the emotional content
  • Melody – gives direction, takes you somewhere and transcends pain
  • Form – gives direction
  • Instrumental colour – pertains to different instruments that affect different parts of the body
  • Rhythm – deep, healthy pulse must be achieved

Tom Kenyon – uses the latest multi-track technology to create healing music that utilizes a combination of sixty beats per minute, rhythm, rocking motions, F-major chord called the “perfect harmonic fifth” as used in Greek Mystery schools, subliminals using NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), Ericksonian hypnotherapy metaphors, psychoacoustic frequencies that balance the brain waves, bells, keyboard vocals, and whale and dolphin sounds.  These recordings, when scientifically tested on spectrum analysis machines show a very high frequency.  They give full body information for the listener, with the intent to feed and nourish the endocrine and nervous systems of the body, heal memories and stimulate profound states of relaxation and awareness.

Woods goes on to say that our listening capacity is conditioned .  We hear culturally, genetically and according to what is in the individual memory.  We listen, then link the pieces we know with given emotional, mental or even unconscious associations.  Nevertheless, there is a spiritual power to be felt in great works of music. It may well lead the listener into a new world of experience.  A reminder, momentarily, of the larger picture in life, of restoration and harmony.

Next time you listen to a great piece of music, allow yourself to be totally immersed in its healing sounds.  Songs in the Key of Life (thanks Stevie!).

Guidance from Above

Guidance from Above

by | Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

Sometimes I’m asked about the concept of Ascended Masters. The idea can be confusing and a bit frightening if one doesn’t have proper information. Some people have thought that these Masters were being glorified as one would do so for God or the Divine Universal Energy (or insert the word that works for you), and therefore worried that this constituted a blasphemous act. The Masters are not God nor are they from any one religious background. They are spiritual beings working at sharing their knowledge and skills to help us be closer to God and to become better people.

According to Doreen Virtue Ph.D, Ascended Masters are great spiritual teachers and healers. Most of them lived as humans on Earth at some time, so they have a particular leaning towards helping humans learn to live life to the fullest and in service to God/Universal Energy/your word for it. These Masters or Guides come from every religion and culture, making them nondenominational. Everyone can access them for guidance – you don’t need special training. All that is needed is a willingness to become a better person to yourself and others.

Looking through Doreen Virtue’s Ascended Masters Guidebook, I thought I’d share some of the descriptions she has for a few of these Masters/Guides:

Oshun – an African goddess of rivers and waters. She helps women appreciate and enjoy their feminine beauty and sensuality. Both men and women can call upon Oshun to help with their romantic life, increased attractiveness and self-esteem.

St. Francis of Assisi – he was born to a wealthy Italian cloth merchant but later renounced his inheritance to follow an ascetic, spiritual path. As he volunteered in hospitals and ministered to the sick, he gained followers who eventually became the Franciscans. He can be called upon to help in situations where your family or friends don’t understand your choices or spiritual path.

Quan Yin – the Buddhist goddess of compassion whose name means, “ she who hears all prayers.” At her mortal death, Quan Yin was eligible for Buddhahood, yet she decided to stay close to Earth and help all humans until everyone became enlightened. Call upon her to help with issues of forgiveness and compassion. She is also a protectress of women and children and helps awaken musical interests and abilities.

White Buffalo Calf Woman – a prophetess who appeared to the Lakota Native Americans. She presented the Lakota with a special pipe to amplify the power of their prayers and to bridge the connection between Earth and Heaven. Call upon her to instill peace and harmony in your relationships and for world peace.

Merlin – no one knows for certain whether Merlin actually lived as a mortal man or not. What is agreed upon is that he is the quintessential magician and sage-wizard archetype. He is associated with King Arthur’s Camelot, Avalon and Glastonbury. He’s also considered to be an aspect of Hermes Trismegistus, the teacher of esoteric wisdom. He helps spiritual teachers and healers focus their energies in beneficial ways.

And the list goes on. Perhaps now it is clearer that the Ascended Masters are not to be feared, but rather enlisted for their help in attaining our goals and becoming closer to God/Divine Universal Energy/ your word for it. They can be called upon to be your spiritual consultants as you walk your path on Earth. And they are on call every minute of the day!

Gone to the Birds

Gone to the Birds

by | Psycho-Spiritual

Here on the West Coast, we are blessed with such a variety of flying, feathered friends. It’s hard not to notice the many birds coming out of hiding, so to speak, in response to the warm spring weather we’ve been experiencing lately. With the awe and amazement generated by their presence and actions,  I turned to Ted Andrews for some information and explanations.  Here are a few ideas from his book, Animal-Speak:  The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small .

“Birds are the primary symbols for the Initiation of Air.  This initiation reflects a period in which you begin to open to higher knowledge and wisdom, with an increased ability and opportunity to use it to raise yourself up.  The Initiation of Air is the learning to open more fully to Divine ideas,  ideas that link normal consciousness to the universal.  It speaks of opportunity to develop and manifest the highest forms of intuition.  If left undeveloped, it will manifest in lower forms of psychism.  The Initiation to Air is the opening to realms beyond physical time and space.

Through this Initiation you learn to understand and control the workings of the mind.  This understanding does not come through a mere collection of knowledge.  It is understanding based on higher wisdom and sensitivity, found in transmuting psychic perceptions into spiritual intuition.

Air is what separates Heaven and Earth.  It is the realm of birds, who move easily between both.  Air and birds are thus a link between your own spirituality and your physical consciousness.

Air in motion is a force.  It is the wind.   This wind and the ability to fly and soar upon it resides within the mind.  Birds reflect the archetypal energies most actively playing upon the mind, while also reminding you to learn to ride those winds.  They remind you that you can fly if you learn to use your own wings, your inspiration, creativity and your intuition.”

Further in his book, he lists some of the symbolic qualities of birds. Here are a few of his birds as examples to consider:

Canary – Healing power of sound, heightened sensitivity
Chickadee – Sacred number is 7,  seeker of truth & knowledge
Crow – Intelligence, watchfulness, magical, past-life connections
Duck – Maternal, graceful and comforting, protective
Hawks – Primal life force, fulfillment, spring and fall equinoxes
Owl – Silent wisdom, nocturnal vision, healing powers, the mystery of magic
Swan – Sensitive, emotional, dreamer and mystic, longevity

Here is hoping that you find the time to enjoy moments with our feathered friends.
They are truly a connection to the Heavens.

Did you know ...

  • The Sacral Chakra is associated with the colour Orange, the musical note D and the qualities of creativity, sexuality, enthusiasm, pure joy
  • The Heart Chakra is associated with the colours Green and Pink, the musical note F and the qualities of unconditional love, forgiveness, transformation and healing
  • Air Element is associated with crystals such as fluorite, labradorite, lapis lazuli and celestite