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The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy Journal
In this Issue:
A Year with Morphology: Flowers
Herbal First Aid for Summer Time
Helichrysum Essential Oil
What’s in a (Product) Name?
The Cure is in the Garden
Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing
and Much More!
Aromatherapy E-Journal
Summer 2014.2
Table of Contents
Aromatherapy Journal
A Quarterly Publication of NAHA
Summer 2014.2 AJ554
The National Association for Holistic
Aromatherapy, Inc. (NAHA)
A non-profit educational organization
Boulder, CO 80309
Adminstrative Offices:
PO BOX 27871
Raleigh, NC 27611-7871
Office Phone: (919) 894-0298
Fax: (919) 894-0271
Email: Info@NAHA.org
Website: www.NAHA.org
Chief Editor:
Haly JensenHof
Co-Editors: Sharon Falsetto &
Kelly Holland Azzaro
Editors Note......................................................................... 3
Beyond Aromatics Conference NEWS!............................. 5
Beauty and Self Care
Flower Morphology.................................................................8
by Katie Vie
Student Article
Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing....................................12
by April Kurtyka
Materia Medica
Helichrysum italicum.............................................................20
by Jade Shutes
Holistic Nutrition
The Cure is in the Garden....................................................25
by Maria Tabone
Cover Art:
NAHA Image Database
Business and Legislation
What’s in a (Product) Name?................................................34
by Marie Gale
Article Submissions
Please send article
proposals to: Haly JensenHof
<yourhealthscents@gmail.com>
Roots of Herbalism
Herbal First Aid for Summertime...........................................37
by Juliet Blankespoor
Advertising
For advertising information please
email: info@NAHA.org
NAHA Community
Interview with Aromatherapists.............................................56
by Sharon Falsetto
The opinions expressed by the authors
are their own and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the editor or of
NAHA. NAHA and the editors do not
accept responsiblity for the use or
misuse of essential oils mentioned in
these articles. The Aromatherapy Journal
reserves the right to accept or reject any
advertisement or article submitted and
does not necessarily endorse products
advertised in this journal.
© Copyright 2014 NAHA
All Rights Reserved by NAHA.
Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission is
prohibited.
Feature Articles
Surgery Recovery with Essential Oils...................................29
by Haly JensenHof
The Aroma of Choice: Health Freedom and Aromatherapy..45
by Dorene Petersen
Aromatic Botanical Blends for Natural Hygiene....................49
by Kelly Holland Azzaro
NAHA Market Place ............................................................59
NAHA Directors ..................................................................63
3
Aromatherapy Journal Summer 2014.2
Editor’s Note
Summer
Summer has finally arrived! There was a time in late April
when I was overheard saying we were in the grips of, “Neverending winter.” I don’t say that now. The sun is shining
hotly, the skies are a clear deep blue, the mosquitoes are
buzzing, and the breeze is warm. Yep, it’s summer.
Summer is a busy time of year for most people. Summer
is often the time to travel; work outdoors in gardens and on
lawns; make home improvements; host patio parties; and
bask in the sunshine. However, all of these activities expose people to various hazards. Traveling
during the summer months puts us in situations where we can become hot and overheated, but Kelly
Holland-Azzaro has provided a wonderful recipe for a Cooling Body Mist Spray in her article, Aromatic
Blends for Natural Hygiene. Working and playing outdoors exposes us to biting insects, sunburn, and
poisonous plants. Juliet Blankespoor tells us how to use herbs to help ease the discomfort of insect
bites, sunburn, and poison ivy in her article, Herbal First Aid for Summer Time. And, as you admire
your flower garden, think of the wonders of flower morphology and sex, as Katie Vie discusses in the
second installment of her series on plant morphology.
This issue of The Aromatherapy Journal has an added feature: Student Article. April Kurtyka, who
recently completed her aromatherapy program, wrote a beautiful article entitled, Aromatherapy for
Chakra Balancing. It is exciting to have students of aromatherapy submit articles. I want to encourage
more students to submit articles for publication. It is my hope that we can publish one student submitted
article in each issue of The Aromatherapy Journal. If you, or a student you know, want to submit an
article for future issues of The Aromatherapy Journal I encourage you to read the Writer’s Guidelines
found on NAHA’s website at: http://www.naha.org/get-involved/write-for-naha/
Sharon Falsetto gives us a sneak-peek at two of the presenters for the World of Aromatherapy VII
Conference in her Interview with an Aromatherapist article. I think you will enjoy reading about Cynthia
Brownley and Joy Musacchio of Stillpoint Aromatics.
The pages of this issue are full of articles with wonderful recipes and information. I hope you will be
able to carve out some time to sip a cold glass of lemonade and leisurely read through each article.
Stay safe and be cool!
Aromatic Blessings,
- Haly JensenHof, MA, RA
4
The World of Aromatherapy VII
Beyond Aromatics -
Exploring Holistic Approaches to Self-Care
and Professional Practice
September 12 - 14, 2014
Bastyr University, Seattle, WA
REGISTER TODAY!
www.nahaconference.com
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
www.naha.org
email: info@naha.org
5
Our Gratitude to
Beyond Aromatics Conference Sponsors
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Bronze Leaf Sponsors
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7
Beauty and Self care
Flower Morphology: Using
Plant-Based Origins to Inspire
Aromatic Blending
by Katie Vie
Katie Vie shares her passion for designing and creating
aromatic products based upon the Morphology Blending
Technique.
“Let’s talk about sex, baby!” ~ Salt-n-Peppa
it is fertile, available, and desirable, its sex organs
oozing with nectar.”1
In the spring edition of the NAHA Journal, I
introduced the theme of morphology: an approach
to blending based upon the part of a plant from
which the aromatic substance is extracted, and the
meaning prescribed to that plant part. I discussed
seeds, specifically. I hope that you all were inspired
throughout the spring to incorporate seed-based
aromatics into your aromatherapy preparations.
When a plant flowers it is an indication of general
health and favorable conditions. It is an invitation
to pollinators; a declaration of sexual activity. I think
it must just feel good to flower. The plants know
they are healthy and looking good. Some plants will
flower in the dark of the night, attracting nocturnal
pollinators like moths. Others emit an odor of rotten
meat, since flies are their main pollinator. There
are plants that sport flowers for months on end,
and then, some, like the night-blooming cereus,
that bloom for only a few hours. Plants evolved to
have scented flowers long before colorful ones. As
aromatherapists, we are interested in the flowers
that emit scent.
For the summer issue, I’m going to talk about
flowers. And sex.
Summer is a time of intensity. I live in the American
south where summer heat is relentless; the nights
are humid and steamy, and most of us run around
half naked until the heat breaks, sometime in
October. Vines laden with flowers and fruit climb
up every branch, fence post, and veranda. Forests
are lush and carpeted in undergrowth. Road sides
are brilliant with flowers, and farm stands are
filled with the season’s bounty. There is an air of
fertility, attraction, and production. Plants seem to
be showing off by strutting their stuff. They revel
in this weather, taking advantage of these perfect
conditions to proliferate, and hell, celebrate. Diane
Ackerman explains in A Natural History of the
Senses, “As to why floral smells should excite us,
well, flowers have a robust and energetic sex life.
A flower’s fragrance declares to all the world that
Let’s look at some aromatics that are flower based,
meaning that the essential oil is found exclusively
within the flower of the plant. This list is limited to
essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy.
There are many more flowers used in botanical
perfumery.
•Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
•Chamomile, German (Matricaria chamomilla)
•Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
•Jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum)
•Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
8
- Flower Morphology continued name and a girl’s name, they have their birth team
plastered on their vision boards, the grandmothers
are knitting booties and the wife’s girlfriends are
Googling baby shower ideas. But no baby. Now,
aside from the myriad of fertility issues that I will
not pretend to understand, let’s just address some
basic, obvious things. While all of this preparation
is certainly useful, is it sexy? Let’s ask the obvious
questions; “Is this couple attracted to one another?”
“Are they having good sex?”
If a plant was in the perfect soil, with the perfect
weather, during the exact time of year that it’s
supposed to reproduce, it can’t, and it won’t
reproduce, without a flower. There would be no
indication that the plant was ready or interested,
despite the perfect conditions. In this case, let’s
say all systems seem to say go; the man’s sperm
count is fine and the woman has her ovulation dates
charted and posted on the fridge, but there is no
pregnancy. What would an aromatherapy program
look like for them?
Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)
•Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara)
•Rose (Rosa damascena or Rosa centifolia)
•Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
When you are blending with morphology, remember
that you’re looking for ways to weave aromatics into
your aromatherapy blends based on the plant part
alone. These are some indicators for using flowers:
Can aromatherapy, and specifically aromatics
derived from flowers, offer support for a healthy
sex life? Yes! “Scent inspires imagination and frees
the spirit. In poetry, flowers are often used directly
as a symbol for the soul, as their fragrance has an
intangible quality which reaches out to our most
intimate depths.”3
• Lack of vitality.
• Feeling unattractive.
• Feeling unnoticed.
• A desire to “blossom.”
• A need of an aphrodisiac.
• Desire to be fertile, to reproduce.
• Self love, self nourishment.
Here is a list of factors I would consider with any
couple who wants to improve their sex life:
1. Which aromatics, including flowers, do they
find sexy and attractive? Everyone is different, so
it’s important to sit with this couple and have them
smell a lot of the flower essential oils and absolutes
you have. You want to make sure that they both like
these scents.
To quote Valerie Ann Worwood in Scents &
Scentuality “...clearly flowers are “smart.” Smart
people too, have for millennia been using essential
oils for the purpose of attraction and propagation—
in other words, for making love.”2
2. Which aromatherapy preparations will
compliment their life style and the ways they
enjoy intimacy? Ask them questions like: “Do you
like a scented room?” “Is taking a bath together
relaxing and sexy for you?” “Do you like giving each
other a massage?” If they don’t enjoy giving each
Let’s look at a case study. A man and a woman
who have been together for quite some time have
decided that they’d like to have a baby. After a year
of trying they are unable to conceive. They have
money in the bank, the nursery has been painted
the perfect shade, they have chosen both a boy’s
9
- Flower Morphology continued other massages, don’t make them a massage oil!
And I wouldn’t hesitate to ask things like: “Do you
both like a quickie, or do you like to spend a while?”
Why go through all the trouble of making a fabulous
boudoir scent if these two like to do it on the fly?
They don’t need a lesson on how to do it, they just
need to like the way they already do it even better.
Don’t add to their stress levels by “teaching” them
how to get it on.
1 drop Rose Otto (Rosa damascena)
1 to 3 drops Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
1 to 3 drops Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Boudoir Scent: A room that smells different
from the rest of your house helps too, “leave your
troubles behind.” And, if you use this scent every
time you, “wanna get it on,” there’s that lovely lockand-key response that gets you both in the mood all
the faster.
3. Get a basic understanding about any outside
issues that could be contributing to the problem.
For example: job stress, low self esteem, boredom,
allergies, injuries, etc. Weave these indications into
your program.
I would then take a look at all of the information I’ve
compiled and decide which core issues are affecting
this couple’s sex life. I would design the synergies to
include flowers, for the morphology based reasons
we’ve listed, and other aromatics for balance.
Some options for aromatic preparations would
include:
Perfume: Dabbing on a scent that your lover
specifically likes is incredibly sexy. You are honoring
your lover, and that is always a turn-on. An attractive
perfume is often all you need to entice your, well,
pollinator.
For example:
To one dram of organic Jojoba (Simmondsia
chinensis) add the following essential oils:
For example:
To the bowl of a diffuser add:
Distilled water to fill the basin and the following
essential oils:
4 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
1 drop Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
2 drops Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
Massage Oil: A well crafted massage oil can
encourage couples to begin touching, well before
it’s “business time.” Massage helps relieve stress
and tension, invite mindfulness around the body,
and ease shyness or discomfort. Blend plenty of
this oil so you’re always ready.
For example:
To a 4 oz. glass bottle add:
2 oz. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil
1 oz. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
1 oz. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) oil
4 drops Jasmine absolute (Jasminum sambac)
4 drops Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil
10
- Flower Morphology continued References
1. Ackerman, Diane; A Natural History of the Senses;
Vintage Books; New York; 1990.
2. Worwood, Valerie Ann; Scents & Scentuality; New
World Library; Novito, California; 1999.
3. Lawless, Julia; Aromatherapy and the Mind; Harper
Collins; London; 1994.
About Katie Vie
Bathing Salts: Soaking in a tub of scented water
Katie Vie has been immersed in the fragrant
world of aromatherapy nearly half of her life.
She lives in the mountains of Western North
Carolina with her dog and a Pirate. Currently
Katie designs and blends a product line called
River Island Apothecary. From her studio she
also maintains a small practice and teaches.
Katie’s work is a marriage of therapy and
beauty; a delight for the senses. Please visit
her website to learn more: www.katievie.com
with floating petals is super sexy, not to mention,
salts are excellent neurotransmitters for relaxation.
Mellowing out together in a bath is wonderful, plus
you’re getting all cleaned up! You’ll want to blend
plenty of these salts so it’s on hand, too.
To a quart glass jar add:
12 oz. Sea Salt
12 oz. Epsom Salt
½ cup organic rose petals (Rosa damascena or R.
centifolia) or lavender buds (Lavandula angustifolia)
Essential Oils:
25 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
20 drops Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
10 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
10 drops Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
Beautiful Cocktail: Whether it’s in a relaxing
bath, or in the heat of the moment, this is the perfect
sip! To a carafe of water add one teaspoon of rose
hydrosol (Rosa damascena, or R. centifolia) or to
a glass of chilled Vino Verde add a splash of rose
hydrosol (Rosa damascena, or R. centifolia).
I hope these ideas get your wheels turning, or petals
unfurling! It’s a lovely thing to weave flower based
aromatics into your aromatherapy preparations.
While many flower essential oils and absolutes
are pricier than, say, citrus oils, it is well worth the
investment. If you are building your apothecary,
treat yourself to a few flower based aromatics. You’ll
be glad you did! Happy summer ya’ll! See you this
autumn when I discuss the wood oils.
11
Student Article
Aromatherapy for Chakra
Balancing
by April Kurtyka, IAC
In this article you will learn how to use essential oils to
balance the Chakras.
In the wake of rapid advancements in western
medicine more and more people are looking toward
complementary and alternative medicines to treat
both their physical and mental illnesses. This article
will discuss the use of aromatherapy to balance the
energy centers in the body in order to create a state
of wellness.
In the 21st century we have made tremendous
advancements in western medicine at a pace
that is faster than we ever thought possible. With
stem cell research, targeted cancer therapies
and surgeries being performed with the help of
robotics, the possibilities of what we are capable of
seem limitless. While these advances in life saving
technology are exciting, there is a definite indication
that people are looking for alternatives in their
health care. According to a nationwide government
survey 36 percent of United States adults aged 18
years and over use some form of complementary
and alternative medicine, or CAM.1 Complementary
and alternative medicine is defined as a group of
diverse medical and health care systems, practices,
and products that are not presently considered
to be part of conventional medicine. Perhaps the
coldness of technology makes the human touch,
a characteristic of alternative medicine, look even
more enticing for those seeking treatment. In this
article I will be focusing on two very popular CAM
modalities: energy (or chakra) balancing and
aromatherapy.
means wheel; chakras are thought to be wheellike energy centers spinning in a circular motion.2
Chakras are considered to be transfer points
for our thoughts and feelings and the physical
functioning of specific glands. While the thought of
chakras may sound a bit “out there,” scientists can
actually measure bio-electromagnetic force fields
being generated by the body. Organs differ in the
strength of their energy field, with the heart being
the strongest. These energy fields can be measured
up to fifteen feet away.3
There are seven main chakras that will be discussed.
The chakras are located in a vertical line starting at
the base of the spine and ending at the crown of the
head. It is important to have a clear understanding
Chakras are energy centers which are associated
with a major nerve plexus and a minor endocrine
gland. The word chakra is a Sanskrit word which
12
- Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing continued of each chakra and its purpose before one can learn
how to heal these energy centers with aromatherapy.
The first chakra is known as the root, base or
muladhara chakra. Its location is in between the
genitals and anus, also known as the perineum, and
it is associated with the color red. When balanced,
this chakra is grounding and stabilizing. Its focus is
basic physical survival and sexuality, which makes
sense since it is associated with the gonads.3 If
your root chakra is unbalanced or malfunctioning,
your thoughts and actions may revolve primarily
around material possessions and security, as well
as an over indulgence in sensual pleasures such
as: foods, alcohol, sex, etc. In the extreme, if you
are challenged by people or situations, you become
easily irritated, upset, or aggressive. If your root
chakra is blocked or closed, you will lack physical
and emotional stamina, and will be prone to worry.
green, and less commonly, it can be associated
with pink, red or white as well. When in balance this
chakra is concerned with forgiveness, compassion,
love, and self-acceptance.2 When the heart chakra
is unbalanced one could experience: jealousy,
envy, inflated self-importance, feeling restricted or
trapped, possessiveness, selfishness, infections,
high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, lung
disease, or autoimmune disorders.6
The fifth chakra is known as the throat or vishudda
chakra. It is located at the throat area, and it is
associated with the color blue. This chakra is known
for self-expression, communication, confidence and
courage. When out of balance you may experience
difficulty communicating and expressing yourself.
Physically you may experience sore throats,
laryngitis, bronchitis, colds and flu.7
The second chakra is known as the sacral or
svadisthana chakra. It is located in the upper part of
the sacrum, just below the navel, and it is associated
with the color orange.3 It’s name, svadhisthana,
means sweetness, and it is indeed associated with
all of those things which make life sweet: pleasure,
sexuality, nurturing, movement, and change. When
this chakra is balanced you feel in touch with your
feelings and emotions. When out of balance, people
tend to exhibit a fear of pleasure, being out of touch
with one’s feelings, resistant to change, overly
emotional behavior, sexual addiction and poor
boundaries.4
The sixth chakra is known as the brow, ajna, or the
third eye chakra. It is located in the center of the brow,
and it is associated with the color indigo. The sixth
chakra represents our paranormal, extrasensory, or
supersensible capacity (or our “sixth sense”). It is
believed that when the third eye is well developed,
one can have clairvoyant abilities.8 If the sixth
chakra is dysfunctional or out of balance one may
experience blindness, headaches, earaches,
nightmares, sleep issues, manic depression,
anxiety, schizophrenia, and paranoia.2
The third chakra is known as the solar plexus or
manipura chakra. It is located between the navel
and the bottom of the sternum, and it is associated
with the color yellow.3 This chakra is associated
with power, self-esteem, vitality, and is considered
to be the seat of intellect. Some signs of imbalance
are fear of pleasure, being out of touch with your
feelings, being resistant to change, overly emotional
behavior, sexual addiction and poor boundaries.5
The seventh chakra is known as the crown or
sahasrara chakra. It is located at the top of the head,
and it is associated with the color violet. This chakra
is connected with knowingness, wisdom, inspiration,
charisma, awareness, higher self, meditation, and
visionary characteristics. When dysfunctional or
out of balance one could experience depression,
alienation, mental illness, neuralgia, confusion and
senility.2
The fourth chakra is known as the heart or anahata
chakra. It is located at the center of the chest (on
the sternum), and is associated with the color
Once you have a basic understanding of what
each chakra can look like, both balanced and
dysfunctional, I believe it’s easy to see why one
would want to make an effort to keep their chakras
balanced. There are many methods to go about this
including: aromatherapy, Reiki, meditation, healthy
13
- Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing continued living, singing bowls and other sound therapies.
The reason I have decided to focus on aromatherapy
to balance the chakras is that you can use
aromatherapy with any of the above mentioned
modalities, and you can use aromatherapy wherever
you are with ease. It doesn’t have to be a quiet place
and it doesn’t take much time. You could be at work
and decide to apply the oils topically or use a nasal
inhaler to balance your chakra centers.
Complimentary methods for balancing the chakra:
Suggestions regarding clothing, stones, and music
will be listed here.
THE SEVEN CHAKRAS
Aromatherapy Guidelines:
To make this easy to understand and apply, I will be
presenting the aromatherapy for each chakra in the
following manner:
Chakra name: The common name(s) given to each
chakra.
Color associated with chakra: This is important
to know when working with essential oils because
often times, the essential oil color and chakra color
correspond with each other.
Chakra name: 1st, root, base or muladhara
chakra.
Color associated with chakra: Red
Oils associated with chakra: It’s thought that oils
derived from trees are beneficial for this chakra
since they have roots that go deep into the Earth,
and are therefore grounding. First chakra oils
include sandalwood (Santalum spicatum), cypress
(Cupressus sempervirens), elemi (Canarium
luzonicum), myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), patchouli
(Pogostemon cablin), Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus
atlantica), vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), and
frankincense (Boswellia sacra).9
Essential oils associated with chakra: Here I will
provide a list of the essential oils that are best suited
for balancing the chakra.
Suggested application method and location:
Interestingly, where we put the essential oil or blend
often matches the chakra location.
Blend: I will suggest at least one blend for each
chakra. However, it is best to personally create
a blend that is right for you, or ask a skilled
Aromatherapist to help you formulate a blend. You
will find some scents are naturally appealing to you,
while others you might find down right offensive;
this is why there isn’t just one blend that is the right
match for everybody. Also, your chakra may request
more attention on dampening the fire/anger rather
than focusing on fear. It is equally as important to
know how to blend essential oils for energy use.
Typically when using subtle aromatherapy we use a
dilution of 1% or less. Subtle aromatherapy makes
use of the essential oils to affect the subtle body, the
psyche and, the soul.9
Inhalation, application to pulse points, and the soles
of the feet.
14
Blend using essential oils of:
3 drops vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)
2 drops frankincense (Boswellia sacra)
2 drops patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
3 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
2 drops ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)
- Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing continued Put these essential oils into a 2oz amber bottle and fill
the remainder of the bottle with jojoba (Simmondsia
chinensis) or sweet almond (Prunus dulcis) oil.10
2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
Complimentary methods for balancing the
chakra:
1 drop ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)
2 drops cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
1 drop patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Put these essential oils into a 2oz amber bottle and
fill the remainder of the bottle with sweet almond
(Prunus dulcis) oil.
~ Stimulating music with deep beats, such as the
drums.
~ Wear or carry red stones such as garnets,
carnelian, red jasper, and ruby.
~ Yoga poses such as virabhadrasana 1 (warrior),
trikonasana (triangle), and garudasana (eagle).3
chakra:
~ Listen to music that flows.
~ Wear or carry orange stones such as fire opal,
yellow topaz, and carnelian.
~ Be creative! Dance, sing, do yoga, paint, or
draw.
Chakra name: 2nd, sacral or swadhisthana
chakra.
Color associated with chakra: Orange
Chakra name: 3rd, solar plexus or manipura
chakra.
Essential oils associated with chakra: For the
2nd chakra you want to use essential oils that are
considered sensual and warming in nature. This
would include essential oils such as sandalwood
(Santalum spicatum), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis),
cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), ylang ylang
(Cananga odorata), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin),
jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), and
rose absolute (Rosa damascena).2
Color associated with chakra: Yellow
Application to pulse points, sacrum, and the lower
abdomen.
3 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
3 drops jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Essential oils associated with chakra: For the
3rd chakra you are looking for essential oils that
help build confidence and protect against negative
influences. This includes aniseed (Pimpinella
anisum), Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica),
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile),
frankincense (Boswellia sacra), ginger (Zingiber
officinale), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), juniper
berry (Juniperus communis), lemon (Citrus limon),
rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), peppermint
(Mentha x piperita), pine (Pinus sylvestris), and
vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides). Many of these
essential oils can also help treat digestive issues,
which are found in an unbalanced 3rd chakra.2
15
- Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing continued Suggested application method and location:
Application to pulse points and solar plexus area
(just above navel and below breasts), inhalation.
Essential oils associated with chakra: For this
chakra you want to use essential oils that help open
the heart chakra and help love and energy to radiate
out. These include: rose (Rosa damascena), melissa
(Melissa officinalis), neroli (Citrus aurantium var.
amara), frankincense (Boswellia sacra), bergamot
(Citrus bergamia), carrot (Daucus carota), lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia), oregano (Origanum
vulgare), sweet marjoram (Origanum marjorana),
sage (Salvia officinalis), and sandalwood (Santalum
spicatum).2
3 drops lemon (Citrus limon)
2 drops juniper berry (Juniperus communis)
2 drops rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
2 drops peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
2 drops Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum
Application to pulse points, heart area and inhalation.
nobile)
1 drop frankincense (Boswellia sacra)
Combine essential oils in a 2oz glass amber spray
bottle with distilled water. Shake before using. Spray
around you and inhale, or spray directly on the body.
2 drops jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)
1 drop rose (Rosa damascena)
1 drop lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
chakra:
~ Reduce stress (meditation, massage, or breathing
techniques).
~ Yoga poses such as gomukasana (cow pose),
ardha matsyendrasana 1 (sitting spinal twist), and
ustrasana (camel pose).3
~ Affirmations: I accept and value myself exactly as
I am. My personal power is becoming stronger each
day. I am my own person. I choose how to think and
behave.2
Combine the essential oils and drop onto the wick of
a nasal inhaler. Carry with you and inhale as needed
(at least once in morning and once in evening).
Complimentary methods for balancing the chakra:
~ Wear or carry a green stone such as green
aventurine, emerald, jade and moldavite.
~ Be in nature (hikes, mediation on beach, etc).
~ Be patient with yourself and others.
Chakra name: 5th chakra, throat or vishudda
chakra.
Chakra name: 4th, heart or anahata chakra.
Color associated with chakra: Green
Most commonly it is associated with the color green;
however, it can be associated with red, pink, and
white.
Color associated with chakra: Blue
16
- Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing continued Essential oils associated with chakra: German
chamomile (Matricaria recutita), cypress (Cupressus
sempervirens), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens),
and peppermint (Mentha x piperita).
Application to pulse points, throat, neck and
inhalation.
2 drops peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
1 drop cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Add essential oils to 5ml of fractionated coconut
(Cocos nucifera) oil. Inhale from bottle, put in palms
of hands, cover nose and inhale, or diffuse. You can
also use sparingly directly on throat area.
italicum), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris),
and basil (Ocimum basilicum).2
Inhalation, application to pulse points, and sparingly
between the eyes on forehead.
Since meditation is encouraged to develop and
balance this chakra I suggest diffusing frankincense
(Boswellia sacra), while meditating. Frankincense
promotes a feeling of relaxation and deepens
awareness of the breath, taking you into dream
states where past memories may be more easily
accessed.3
chakra:
~ Speak truthfully.
~ Participate in meaningful conversations.
~ Listen to repetitive music, like ocean waves.
chakra:
~ Allow yourself to daydream.
~ Meditate to develop your intuition.
~ Wear or carry an indigo stone such as amethyst
or silver jewelry.
Chakra name: 7th, crown, or sahasrara
Chakra name: 6th, brow, the third eye, or chakra.
ajna chakra.
Color associated with chakra: Violet
Color associated with chakra: Indigo
Oils associated with chakra: For the crown
chakra you want to use essential oils that give
you the ability to connect with the divine, both
inside and out. Examples of these essential oils
are: angelica root (Angelica archangelica), Atlas
cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), lavender (Lavandula
angustifolia), sandalwood (Santalum spicatum),
spikenard (Nardostachus jatamansi), frankincense
Essential oils associated with chakra: For your
6th eye chakra you want to use essential oils that
help you to connect with the higher levels of the
mind, such as juniper berry (Juniperus communis),
frankincense (Boswellia sacra), rose (Rosa
damascena), jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum),
clary sage (Salvia sclarea), everlasting (Helichrysum
17
- Aromatherapy for Chakra Balancing continued work/healing touch) didn’t come to the United States
until the early 1900’s; this could be why we tend to
think of it as being something that is new. The use
of aromatics has a very long and rich history as well;
used in Ayurvedic medicine as far back as 3000
BC, used by Egyptian pharaohs for bathing and
perfumery in 1500 BC and even mentioned several
times in the Bible. The fact that aromatherapy is
powerful is nothing new; however for many people
it was traded in for pharmaceuticals and technology.
(Boswellia sacra), and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha).
Application to pulse points, behind the ears, at the
base of the skull, and inhalation
2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
1 drop frankincense (Boswellia sacra)
1 drop sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
Combine essential oils in a 10ml roller bottle. Fill the
remainder of the bottle with extra virgin olive (Olea
europaea) oil.
When we are working on healing our energy
centers, it is my opinion that conventional medicine
will not provide the results we are looking for. Yes,
conventional medicine can often treat the symptoms
of the physical and mental issues we suffer from;
however, it is my opinion they aren’t really working
on the root of the problem. The root of many physical
and emotional issues are found in the chakras, or
energy centers of the body, and essential oils can
beautifully reach these areas and help balance
them. The fact that aromatherapy can work on both
physical and psychological ailments (through subtle
aromatherapy) makes it far superior to western
medicine in many ways. We need to look deeper
into our past and use these sacred energetic oils to
heal ourselves, just like those that came long before
us.
chakra:
~ Look for the divine in everything, everywhere, and
everyone.
~ Enjoy silence.
~ Wear violet clothing or carry an amethyst with you.
When beginning energy work, it is suggested to
start healing from the bottom chakra and work
up the body. All of the chakras are completely
intertwined and actually depend on the one below
it to be balanced before it can balance itself. You
must start with your foundation, which is your base
chakra, before you can begin to heal what is built
upon it. Once you have worked on each of the seven
chakras, in order, you can experience profound
balance and health that cannot be felt if you were
to try to fix just one and leave all of the others in a
dysfunctional state.
References:
1 Barnes P., Powell-Griner E., McFann K., Nahin R. ;Complementary
and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults; United States; 2002.
2 Battaglia, Salvatore; Practical Guide to Chakras and Aromatherapy;
Perfect Potion; 2009.
3 Mercier, Patricia; The Chakra Bible; Godsfield Press; 2007.
4 Shepper, Donna; Aromatherapy and Yoga: Essential Oils for
the Second Chakra; http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/
aromatherapy-and-yoga-essential-oils-for-the-second-chakra/;
February 17, 2011.
Once you are experienced with balancing your
chakras, you can work on just one that seems out
of balance. You do not have to go through the entire
process, unless of course you prefer to do that and
you have more time.
5 Shepper, Donna; Aromatherapy and Yoga: Essential Oils for the Third
Chakra,
http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/aromatherapyand-yoga-essential-oils-for-the-third-chakra/; February 25, 2011.
6 Stiles, KG; Chakra Balancing with Aromatherapy, Self-Published,
2011.
Our chakras are a critical part of our wellness. One
can argue that all physical and emotional illness is
due to chakra imbalance. And this is not some newage rambling, energy work has been around for
centuries, but the practice of Reiki (a form of energy
7 Shepper, Donna; Aromatherapy and Yoga: Essential Oils for the Fifth
Chakra,
http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/aromatherapyand-yoga-essential-oils-for-the-fifth-chakra/; March 11, 2011.
8 Shepper, Donna; Aromatherapy and Yoga: Essential Oils for the Sixth
18
Chakra,
http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/aromatherapyand-yoga-essential-oils-for-the-sixth-chakra/.; March 18, 2011.
9 Davis, Patricia; Subtle Aromatherapy; C.W. Daniel Company Limited;
1991.
10 Shepper, Donna ; Aromatherapy and Yoga: Essential Oils for the First
Chakra,
http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/aromatherapyand-yoga-essential-oils-for-the-first-chakra/; February 10, 2011.
About April Kurtyka
April is a recent graduate of the Institute of
Integrative Aromatherapy and a Reiki Practitioner.
She can be reached at aprilkurtyka@gmail.com or
www.ConfidentBeginnings.com
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19
Essential Oil Profile
Helichrysum italicum by Jade Shutes, Dipl. AT, Cert. Herbalist
In this article you will learn about the incredible benefits
and application of Helichrysum.
Latin Name: Helichrysum italicum syn. H. angustifolium subsp. italicum
Other Botanical Synonyms: Gnaphalium angustifolium, Gnaphalium italicum, Hellichrysum
angustifolium, Helichrysum serotinum, Helichrysum italicum subsp. Serotinum
Common Names: Immortelle, Everlasting, Helichrysum
Botanical Family: Asteraceae syn. Compositae
Country of Origin (Essential Oil): France, Italy, Corsica, Bosnia
Plant Native to: South Africa, Northern Africa (Algeria, Morocco), Asia-temperate, Western Asia
(Cyprus), Southeastern Europe (Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia), and Southwestern Europe (France, Portugal,
and Spain)1
Method of Extraction: Steam distillation of the fresh flowering tops
Botanical Information: There are over 600
species in the Helichrysum genus occurring in
temperate regions throughout the world. The genus
includes annuals, herbaceous perennials and
shrubs. Helichrysum species thrive in sunshine,
and enjoy growing in arid, sandy, stony areas and
along mountainsides. Over 250 different species
of helichrysum reside in South Africa. The name
Helichrysum is derived from the Greek “helios”
meaning sun and “chrysos” meaning gold, referring
to the color of many of the flowers of species in this
genus.
Helichrysum italicum is a small perennial shrublike herb with narrow, silver-hairy leaves and small,
yellow, dry (straw-like) flowers. The flowers are a
cluster of golden yellow ball shaped blossoms.
The leaves are delicate and oblong, which, when
crushed, release a distinct aroma. It is a wonderful
20
plant to grow in the garden, for both its curry aroma
and simple beauty. The aroma of the essential oil
has been exquisitely described by Holmes, as being,
“a deeply-saturated sweet, green floral scent.”2 The
name Immortelle or Everlasting comes about for this
plant as it retains its yellow color, even when dried.
- Helichrysum italicum continued NOTE: Although there are a number of subspecies
of Helichrysum italicum, some suppliers and many
research papers do not specify the subspecies of
Helichrysum italicum. It would be wise to verify with
your supplier the exact species (and subspecies) they
offer, as well as to request a Gas Chromatography/
Mass Spectrometry specification sheet in order
to clarify key chemical constituents found in the
particular essential oil you are purchasing. See
chemical profile below for additional information.
a few individuals acting decisively can make a
difference in the world. Essential oil catalogs prior
to the early 1980’s do not list Helichrysum italicum.
Today helichrysum essential oil is included in virtually
every ambitious aromatherapy list.6 It could be said
that Kurt Schnaubelt popularized Helichrysum
italicum through the aromatherapy courses at the
Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy as well as through
his earlier books: Advanced Aromatherapy and
Medical Aromatherapy.
The subspecies include:
Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum
Helichrysum italicum ssp. microphyllum
Helichrysum italicum ssp. serotinum
“Its effects are so convincing that it has never met
with any kind of criticism despite the absence of data
on its effectiveness. Helichrysum oil demonstrates
that anecdotal evidence can create a reality
without the help of industrially sponsored science.
Helichrysum is more predictable in its action than
almost any other oil and is produced and sold by
small enterprises that understand the needs of the
aromatherapy market.”6
Historical Information: Historical uses and
writings on helichrysum are scant, although it does
appear to enjoy a history of traditional medicinal and
culinary use in several cultures. Holmes comments
that, “the plant has been used in herbal medicine
since ancient Greece.”2 A couple of articles have
recently been published on the use of helichrysum
in Italy to flavor sauces with a curry-like quality
in various food dishes. The flavor is said to be
reminiscent of a more delicate rosemary.3,4
Helichrysum is well known and it is very popular
as a traditional medicine in South Africa. Elsa
Pooley mentions in the field guide to the Flora of
the Drakensberg and Lesotho, that Helichrysum
splendidum has been used to treat rheumatism, and
that it is a good fuel plant in the mountains. It is also
used in potpourri and lasts well in a vase as a cut
flower.5
Yield: The essential oil yield for helichrysum is
quite low at approximately: 0.2 to 0.3%. This is a
contributing factor to its cost. The average price, at
the time of writing, for five milliliters of helichrysum
essential oil is $54 to $65 US.
Chemical Profile: Many factors influence the
The Afrikaans common name, sewejaartjie is given
to most of the helichrysum species with papery,
everlasting flowers; this name is derived from the
belief that the flower heads last for seven (sewe)
years (jaar) when kept in the house. The prefix geel
means yellow. Geelsewejaartjie.
Modern Popularity: Helichrysum is a relative
newcomer to the practice and industry of
aromatherapy. The story of the essential oil of
Helichrysum italicum is a perfect example of how
21
chemical composition of helichrysum, including
environmental conditions (light, soil, temperature,
moisture, climatic influence, and altitude) as well
as country of origin/geographic area. The specific
subspecies harvested and distilled will also exhibit
chemical variations.
A general profile would include:
• Monoterpenes: a-pinene , b-pinene, d-limonene,
g-curcumene
• Sesquiterpene: b-caryophyllene
• Alcohols: linalol, geraniol, nerol, furfurol
• Esters: neryl acetate, geranyl acetate
• Aldehydes: isovaleric
• Ketones: diones, italidone, other b-diketones
• Phenol: eugenol
Chemical features to look for:
Diketone Content: italidione
- Helichrysum italicum continued -
Ester Content: specifically neryl acetate
Sesquiterpenes Content: b-caryophyllene
γ-curcumene
and
Safety Information: None known.
Therapeutic Actions:
• Anti-inflammatory7
• Vulnerary
• Cell (and tissue) regenerative8,9
• Analgesic9
• Anti-haematomal properties10
Applications:
• First aid remedy for injuries, strains, sprains, tissue
trauma (apply undiluted).
• Bruises, swellings, cuts, open wounds.
• Wound healing.
• Joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis.9
• Old or new scars resulting from surgery or injury,
inflamed tissues, hematoma, allergic skin reactions,
hemorrhoids, keloid scar tissue (to prevent or
improve appearance), stretch marks, tendinitis,
wounds and cuts.6
• Apply immediately, undiluted, after an injury; it
prevents swelling and bruising.9
• Acute emotions (including acute anxiety, fear,
anger, sorrow).2
• Mental/spiritual/emotional trauma.
• Acne, chronic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis,
scar tissue, burns, dermal inflammation, cuts and
wounds, bruises, radiation burns.
• Childhood dermatitis.11
• Chronic asthma, viscous sputum in bronchitis,
chronic cough.2
• Pain relief (due to anti-inflammatory action).12
• Anal/rectal fissures.13
• Helichrysum italicum has anti-inflammatory,
antiviral and anti-allergic activity and has been used
to treat chronic chest ailments.14
• Dry, itchy skin with existing scratches and dermal
irritation.15
• Nurturing, calming, harmonizing and grounding.
Helichchrysum reduces apprehension, irritability
and mental unrest. It helps to untangle emotional
knots and resolve past emotional trauma.2
22
- Helichrysum italicum continued Helichrysum Hydrosol
Carrot seed (Daucus carota) 10 drops
• Slow to heal wounds associated with significant
tissue trauma.16
• Same attributes as the essential oil: antiinflammatory, anti-haematomal, cell regenerative,
compress for scar tissue, wound healing, sports rub
for physical aches and pains.17
Rosemary ct. verbenone (Rosmarinus officinalis)
10 drops
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) 7 drops
Sage (Salvia officinalis) 6 drops
Recipes
Bruise Gel
Using Aloe Vera Gelly (Lily of the Desert): this is a
thicker aloe vera gel.
Post-surgical Healing Salve (after stitches
have been removed)
Makes: 2 ounces
Place two ounces of the gelly in a glass bowl. Add
1 tbsp. lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) hydrosol
and 1 tbsp. helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
hydrosol and 1 tbsp. arnica (Arnica montana) herbal
oil.
Salve Base:
1/8 cup jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
1/8 cup calendula herbal oil (Calendula officinalis)
1 ounce beeswax
Essential Oils:
10 drops German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
14 drops Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Add Essential Oils:
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) 7 drops
23
- Helichrysum italicum continued -
About Jade Shutes
Jade holds a Diploma in Holistic Aromatherapy,
Holistic Massage, Anatomy and Physiology,
and Reflexology from the Raworth College of
Natural Medicine in Dorking, UK, and a Diploma
in Aromatherapy from the International Therapist
Examining board (ITEC). She has studied with Jan
Kusmirek of Fragrant Studies and has completed
Part One of the Purdue University Advanced
Studies of Essential Oils. She has also completed
a certificate program for Herbal Medicine with
Herbalist, Erin Groh and a certificate program for
Spa Bodywork with Anne Williams.
Essential Oils. San Rafael, CA: Linda Scent and Image books.
10. Bensouilah and Buck (2006), p.24.
11. Buck, P. (2005). The aromatherapeutic management
of childhood dermatitis. International Journal of Clinical
Aromatherapy, 2/2, p.5-13.
12. Harris, B. & Harris, R. (2002). Aromatherapy for Pain Relief.
Retrieved on October 28, 2007 from: http://www.positivehealth.
com/article-view.php?articleid=76
13. Christina, E. (2005). Anal fissure following childbirth: a case
study. International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy, 2/1, p.4041.
14. Van Wyk, B., and Wink, M. (2004). Medicinal Plants of the
World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
15. Horrigan, C. (2004). The benefits and possibilities for the
use of aromatherapy in palliative care. International Journal of
Clinical Aromatherapy, 1/2, p.23-27.
16. Catty, S. (2001). Hydrosols-Therapeutic action in
Aromatherapy. New Frontiers in Australian Aromatherapy
conference notes. Aromatherapy conference and Trade Show.
May 2001.
Jade has been practicing and studying forms of
natural healing for nearly two decades, and was
one of the vanguard of professionals who helped
introduce aromatherapy to the US. She has been an
aromatherapy educator for over 24 years and is the
creator and Director of Education for the East-West
School for Herbal and Aromatic Studies. She is the
current president of NAHA.
To learn more about her school, please visit:
www.theida.com
REFERENCES
1. USDA GRIN, n/d. (United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area Germplasm
Resources Information Network). Helichrysum italicum.
Retrieved on November 11, 2007 from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/
cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?316298
2. Holmes, P. (n/d). Clinical Aromatherapy: Using Essential Oils
for Healing Body and Soul. Self-published
3. Ghirardini, M., Carli, M. del Vecchio, N., Rovati A., et al.
(2007). The importance of a taste. A comparative study on
wild food plant consumption in twenty-one local communities
in Italy. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2007,
3:22doi:10.1186/1746-4269-3-22
4. Guarrera, P.M., Salerno, G., and Caneva, G. (2006). Food,
flavouring and feed plant traditions in the Tyrrhenian sector of
Basilicata, Italy. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
2006, 2:37doi:10.1186/1746-4269-2-37
.5http://www.plantzafrica.com/planthij/helichrysumsplend.htm
6. Schnaubelt, K. (1999). Medical Aromatherapy. Berkely, CA:
Frog, Ltd.
7. Racine, P. (2003). Inhibition of 5-Lipoxygenaxe by essential
oils and other natural fragrant extracts. International Journal of
Aromatherapy, 13.2/3, p. 138-142.
8. Schnaubelt, K. (1995). Advanced Aromatherapy. Rochester,
VT: Healing Arts Press.
9. Haas, M. (2004). Quick Reference Guide for 114 Important
24
Holistic Nutrition
T
he Cure is in the Garden!
by Maria Tabone
Expand your knowledge of aromatic herbs that you can
grow in your garden with certified plant-based nutrition
expert Maria Tabone.
Many parts of the United States have experienced
a winter that was filled with colder than usual
temperatures and record breaking snowfall. It felt
like summer would never arrive. When I received
an email in late winter from the company I order
my seeds from saying it was time to get my garden
ready, all I could do was smile with gratitude. For
me, planting my herbs and vegetables in spring is
a labor of love. They not only provide nourishment
but I use them as medicine during the summer, and
freeze them for the winter months ahead. Studies
continually prove the incredible healing benefits
of plants as medicine. Whether you have a cold,
bug bites, fatigue, anxiety or a stomach ache, the
medicine cabinet is right in your garden.
The vegetables and herbs you grow in the summer
are lighter in nature than what you eat in the winter
– and this is the way it should be. Since summer is a
hot season it is important to stay hydrated and cool
during those months. Anger, hot foods and lack of
cooling liquids will throw your body out of balance
in the summer. The heat causes you to sweat more
so it’s a good idea to eat cooling foods such as
cucumbers (Cucumis sativus), summer squash,
melons and sweet fruit. Bitter foods also tend to be
cooling, such as dandelions (Taraxacum officinale)
and kale (Brassica oleracea). I am using the term
“cool” rather than “cold” because foods that are too
cold can interfere with digestion.
Getting your vitamins through food is the way to
create and maintain good health. The summer
allows you the added benefit of being able to get
outside and plant herbs and vegetables. I always
recommend adding herbs to all your meals. They
are easy to grow and have powerful health benefits.
Make sure when you are buying seeds or plants
that they are non Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMO).
Here is my list of favorite herbs to grow that will
keep you healthy all summer long.
BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is probably one of the most used herbs from
the garden. It is easy to grow, even from seed
and it stays hardy all summer long. Basil is an
antioxidant and antispasmodic. Chinese medicine
uses it to soothe irritated bladder and kidneys as
well as for digestive and circulatory problems.
Basil can help relieve headaches and migraines
by increasing blood flow. Basil also helps to calm
nervous tension.1 I love to just tear up the fresh
leaves and add to green salads. You can also add
basil to olive oil (Olea europaea) with some garlic
(Allium sativum) and lemon (Citrus limon) juice for a
nice dressing over salad. There are many different
varieties of basil to experiment with such as Thai,
lemon, cinnamon and purple basil.
CILANTRO (Coriandrum sativum)
This is such a wonderful herb and has become
one of my favorites. Cilantro is rich in vitamin C.
It improves digestion by relieving bloating, cramps
and flatulence. Cilantro can also stimulate appetite
and combat bad breath. In addition, it is used as
a heavy metal detoxifier.2, 3 Mostly known for giving
salsa its delicious unique flavor, cilantro can be used
to enhance so many dishes. It is great made into
chutney, which is a staple in many Indian dishes. It
is also a great herb in a stir fry with vegetables.
25
- The Cure is in the Garden continued -
DILL (Anethum graveolens)
Dill became a staple in my herb kitchen after I
mistakenly bought it for my crab cakes, thinking it
was parsley. I was having guests and didn’t have
time to go back to the store so I used it. What a find!
It added a taste that took the crab cakes up a few
notches! Since it has been used to ease bloating,
it pairs well with cabbage (Brassica oleracea). It
also adds great flavor to steamed vegetables. Dill
has been used as a cure for hiccups, insomnia, and
even flatulence. Some consider dill a great booster
of the immune system and a natural antibiotic.4 You
can even chew on dill seeds between meals as a
breath freshener.
throw it in at the end. To retain all the nutrients chop
the garlic (Allium sativum) and let it sit for about ten
minutes before cooking. Make sure you buy a firm
bulb and make sure the skin is unbroken. Store it
at room temperature. It will last up to two months.
Once you break off a clove, it will only last about
two days.
LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis)
GARLIC (Allium sativum)
I love lemon balm! It is a low maintenance herb
that you can easily grow in your yard, but beware,
it spreads and becomes plentiful! The calming
properties and effects on the nervous system make
it a great choice for iced tea. It aids in digestion
and helps to relieve intestinal cramps. The anti-viral,
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it
great for viruses as well as for healing wounds and
cuts.8 You can also soak the leaves in olive oil (Olea
europaea) and garlic (Allium sativum) and pour it
over artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus)
for a nice summer appetizer.
Garlic has become the king of all herbs. It is beneficial
for heart disease, in that it can lower cholesterol
and blood pressure. It is antibacterial and antiviral,
good for colds, flu and stomach viruses. It protects
from some cancers and has been known to stop the
growth of cancer cells once they develop. It also is
good for asthma and respiratory tract infections. 5, 6, 7
PEPPERMINT (Mentha x piperita)
Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata)
and water mint (Mentha aquatica). Peppermint
essential oil is revered for helping with indigestion,
menstrual cramps and nausea. You can take it as a
tea, tincture or syrup. A nice cup of peppermint tea
is great after a big meal, or just when your stomach
is feeling queasy. A general rule is to use about one
A way to get the most benefit from garlic is to eat it
raw. However, I know that this can be hard for some
people so, as an alternative, you can chop it up with
some herbs and put it in olive oil to use as a salad
dressing. You can also mix it in with vegetables,
soups or pastas after you have cooked them…just
26
- The Cure is in the Garden continued to two teaspoons of peppermint leaves (depending
on how strong you like your tea) for a cup of water.
Never boil tea leaves, just pour boiling water over
the leaves and let them steep for about five to ten
minutes, again depending on how strong or weak
you like it. Peppermint is also an anti-inflammatory
aid and an excellent source of vitamin A and
magnesium.
and spices; Natural News;
http://www.naturalnews.com/038688_respiratory_tract_infections_spices.html;
2014.
[7] Weil, A., Dr.; Garlic; http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00364; 2014.
[9] Complete Guide to Natural Healing; Herbs & Spices; International Masters
Publishing.
[10] Benson, Jonathan; How to treat respiratory tract infections with everyday
foods and spices;
http://www.naturalnews.com/038688_respiratory_tract_infections_spices.html;
2013.
Publishing.
OREGANO (Origanum vulgare)
Oregano is antimicrobial, which means that it is an
agent that destroys microorganisms that might carry
disease. Congestion, due to coughs, bronchitis and
asthma can be greatly helped with oregano. It also
promotes menstruation, stimulates the appetite and
aids in digestion.9,10 It is great when making salad
dressing and pairs nicely as a marinade with lemon
(Citrus limon) or lime (Citrus aurantifolia). Tomato
sauce and pizza would not be complete without a
healthy dose of oregano!
PARSLEY (Petroselinum hortense)
Parsley is a good source of vitamin C, folic acid,
magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc and iron. It
is also a good source of fiber. It is a great diuretic
and helps those with kidney and bladder problems.
Parsley purifies the blood and helps excrete toxins.
It strengthens the digestive system and helps
the stomach and liver. It also helps women with
irregular menstrual cycles.11 Chewing on a few
parsley leaves after dinner can alleviate bad breath.
The best way to use it is to chop it up and put it
into food dishes after the food is prepared as heat
destroys its vitamins and minerals. Parsley is also a
flavorful addition to potatoes, eggs, fish, pasta, and
vegetables.
However you spend the summer, eating whole,
natural food, and getting some sunshine while
growing your food, will keep you healthy all summer
long!
References:
[1] Gladstar, R; Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide;
Storey Publisher; 2012.
Publishing
[3] Group, Edward, Dr.; Global Healing Center; December 3, 2012; http://www.
globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-cilantro/.
Publishing.
[5] Fuhrman, J., Dr.; Onions and Garlic are Anti-cancer Foods; http://www.
drfuhrman.com/library/anti-cancer-foodsonions-garlic.aspx
[6] Benson, Jonathan; How to treat respiratory tract infections with everyday foods
27
About Maria Tabone
Maria Tabone is a Holistic Health Educator,
Ayurveda Nutritionist, Registered Yoga Teacher
and Author. She has spent over 20 years
studying alternative medicine and the mind/body/
spirit connection. She has a Master’s Degree in
Integrative Health and Healing, a certification in
Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University, and
has certifications in various healing practices such
as Clinical Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Herbalism,
Reflexology, Reiki and Chakra Balancing. She
is also a Healing Foods chef, who has studied at
the Institute of Culinary Education and the Natural
Gourmet Institute. Maria is currently working on
her PhD in Nutrition. Maria’s first book entitled,
“The Holistic Root to Managing Anxiety,” is for sale
on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. She is
currently working on her second book.
Maria is a member of The American Association of
Drugless Practitioners, The American Herbalists
Guild, The National Association for Holistic
Aromatherapy and The Health & Wellness
Professionals Network.
You can contact Maria at:
maria@theholisticroot.com or visit her website at:
www.theholisticroot.com/
28
Feature Article
Surgery Recovery with
Essential Oils by Haly JensenHof
Haly JensenHof shares her journey through brain surgery
and aromatic remedies that helped her to heal.
One year ago I was in the active recovery stage
from a craniotomy (brain surgery). I underwent
a procedure known as a micro-vascular
decompression of the trigeminal nerve. I suffered
from Trigeminal Neuralgia2 (TN2), which is a very
painful condition of the facial nerves. TN2 is a result
of the main artery that feeds the face rubbing on
the trigeminal nerve where it leaves the brain stem,
and denuding the nerve of the myelin sheath. TN2
causes extreme pain in and around the ear, upper
and lower jaw, near the temple, down the neck, and
above the eyebrow. Simple things like eating, cool
temperatures, slight breezes, brushing my teeth,
washing my face, and touching my face resulted in
extreme stabbing pain, electrical shock-like pain,
and the feeling an ice-pick had been rammed into
my ear. I also experienced a constant ache on the
left side of my face, neck and scalp.
The surgical procedure used to alleviate TN2 is
best described as follows: “The surgery involves
opening the back of the skull behind the ear, and
gently retracting the cerebellum (back of the brain)
to expose the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve)
as it leaves the brainstem. Surgery involves moving
the artery off of the nerve, and placing a small ivalon
sponge or a piece of teflon felt between the artery
and the nerve. The surgeon will close the dura,
and may or may not elect to place a covering over
the skull. Possible options for skull replacement
are the patient’s own bone, surgical cement,
methylmethacrylate (a type of hardened plastic),
or titanium mesh. Next the scalp will be closed in
layers.”1 My skull was covered with a mixture of
bone powder and surgical cement, contrary to my
husband’s insistence that I had a steel plate put
in and will never be able to pass through airport
security.
Craniotomy and brain surgery sound so scary, but
I had chosen to refer to it as, “minor brain surgery.”
I think that was my attempt at keeping calm and
not fully acknowledging the seriousness of the
situation. In fact, I had it all planned out as follows:
I would have the surgery on Tuesday morning;
stay overnight in the hospital; get discharged on
Wednesday afternoon; get home Wednesday night;
lie around the house for two to three days; resume
life as it was before TN2 and “minor brain surgery.”
This faulty, yet humorous, line of thinking was also
an attempt to avoid the reality of brain surgery.
What really happened was this: I had surgery on
Tuesday morning; spent three days and nights in
the Intensive Care Unit (ICU); was stepped down
to a regular care unit on day four; discharged
on Saturday morning; arrived home Saturday
afternoon; remained flat on my back for five days;
resumed life as it was before TN2 and “minor brain
surgery” six months later. I no longer have the pain
of TN2, it was gone immediately following surgery;
however, I do have some residual effects from the
surgery. When I am very tired my lower face feels
numb, and when the wind blows at gale force, which
it does quite frequently in Wyoming, I experience a
dull ache along my cheek bone and at the site of the
incision. But, all in all, I am so happy to now be free
of that pain!
I was very fortunate to find a neurosurgeon, who
is a pioneer in surgical methods for treating/
alleviating trigeminal neuralgia, and who started
his own hospital here in Wyoming. Additionally,
Dr. Kopitnik is an advocate for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine (CAM), especially
aromatherapy. Prior to surgery Dr. Kopitnik and I
29
- Surgery Recovery with Essential Oils continued Use: Inhale once in each nostril; hold inhalation for
a count of three; slowly exhale through mouth. Use
as needed.
had several discussions regarding aromatherapy
and how I wanted to use essential oils during my
recovery. These discussions were important for
three reasons: it was a time for both of us to provide
an exchange of information and education on true
aromatherapy and the surgery; rapport and trust
was developed; and a collaborative team approach
was established. As a mental health professional I
know these factors contribute to favorable surgery
outcome and improved recovery rate; but, it was
heartening to know the neurosurgeon had a positive
understanding for my use of aromatherapy and
respect of me as a Registered Aromatherapist.
During the week leading up to surgery I
formulated, blended, created and produced several
aromatherapy products I knew I would benefit from.
Items I formulated included a personal inhaler,
a lotion, a salve, two serums, and a balm. If you
would like to try any or all six of these blends, please
make certain you have checked the ingredients
against any known allergies, sensitivities, or preexisting medical conditions where the use of some
ingredients may be contra-indicated.
Keeping the surgical incision clean was aided by a
product provided by the hospital.2 The hospital uses
a product that contains several essential oils, and
they kindly gave me a spray bottle of it to use at
home. I was very impressed with the progressive
thinking of Dr. Kopitnik and his hospital. I loved the
idea that the cleanser contained essential oils, aloe
vera (Aloe barbadensis) leaf and Olivamine®3, all
ingredients that are more natural than the typical
harsh, synthetic cleansers used in most hospitals.
I also loved the ease of using this antibacterial
cleanser in a spray bottle. It was easy to apply and
did not require rinsing, which was a bonus since I
was not allowed to get the incision area wet for ten
days.
Many people can undergo anesthesia without
difficulties. I, on the other hand, react to anesthesia
with nausea and vomiting. I knew I would need
an anti-nausea inhaler to get me through until the
anesthesia had left my body. Following surgery I
used a personal inhaler, and I was able to greatly
limit the amount, and severity, of the nausea I
experienced. I used the anti-nausea inhaler during
the drive home as well: the effects of surgery, postoperative pain, medications, and general weakness
lead to car-sickness, and the inhaler was very handy
at relieving it. Once I returned home the anti-nausea
inhaler was also useful in combating nausea due to
pain medications. In short, it was a God-send!
I knew the incision in my head would be large, and
I tend to keloid. A keloid scar tends to be raised,
discolored, and larger than the initial wound. Every
cut or incision I have ever received has developed
into a keloid scar, so I wanted to help the healing
process by using a salve that could help keep
infection away and minimize ugly scarring.
Healing Salve
1 ½ Tablespoons Beeswax
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)
1 ½ Tablespoons Shea Butter (Butyrospermum
parkii)
2 Tablespoons Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) oil
Essential oils of:
5 drops CO2 distilled Calendula (Calendula
officinalis)
Anti-nausea Inhaler
4 drops Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
6 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
4 drops Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
2 ounce jar.
Add the following essential oils to the cotton wick of
a personal inhaler:
5 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
3 drops Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
In a double-boiler, over low heat, melt the beeswax,
cocoa butter, shea butter, and safflower oil together
until clear and smooth. Remove the mixture from
2 drops Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
30
- Surgery Recovery with Essential Oils continued to scorch or boil.
In a glass bowl combine the following liquid
ingredients:
¼ cup Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) hydrosol
¼ cup Distilled water
2 teaspoons Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) gel
1 teaspoon Citric acid
Stir this mixture until the citric acid has completely
dissolved.
the heat. While the mixture is still in liquid form add
the essential oils and stir. Pour the mixture into the
jar and allow to it cool. Keep in a cool place, out of
the sun and heat.
I used this salve daily and the incision healed quite
well. The big unsightly scar did keloid but it was
minimized to a point I am pleased with. Occasionally,
even a year later, a small bone splinter begins to
fester as it works its way to the surface. Once I
recognize a bone splinter is emerging I start using
this salve on the “hot spot.” I have noted there is
little pain or swelling, the splinter seems to come out
quickly, and the hot spot heals rapidly.
After the mixture of carrier oils, butters and waxes
has completely melted slowly blend it into the liquid
mixture using an electric hand or stick mixer. The
mixture will begin to emulsify and become white
and fluffy, once it has reached this state mix in the
following essential oils:
20 drops Amyris (Amyris balsamifera)
15 drops Ho wood (Cinnamomum camphora)
10 drops Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodora)
Surgery of any kind results in dryness. Our skin
becomes dehydrated, as do all other parts of our
bodies; this is a side-effect of anesthesia. The skin
on my legs tends to become dry without the added
factor of anesthesia, and this dry skin can look
like, “leg dandruff!” In preparation I made a thick,
creamy, moisturizing lotion.
This recipe yields approximately eight ounces of
lotion, which I put into an eight ounce, dark glass,
pump bottle. I slathered this lotion on several times
a day, and in a few days my body no longer had
dandruff!
My face became so dry I looked and felt reptilian,
like a lizard. I literally had large flakes or scales
of skin peeling off of my face. It was horrible, and
honestly I was not very good about pampering my
face during the first week. Once I felt more human
I began to use my facial serum at least twice daily.
This serum saved my face!
Moisturizing Lotion
In a double-boiler, over low heat, melt the following
ingredients:
¼ cup Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) oil
¼ cup Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil
3 teaspoons Vegetable Emulsifying wax
2 teaspoons Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)
1 teaspoon Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)
1 teaspoon Beeswax
Facial Serum
Add the following essential oils to a 30 ml. dark
glass bottle:
Stir the mixture as it melts. Do not allow this mixture
31
10 drops Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini)
8 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
10 drops Carrot seed (Daucus carota)
6 drops rose (Rosa damascena)
- Surgery Recovery with Essential Oils continued inflammation of the vulva and vagina, which causes
itching around the outside of the vagina. Vaginitis
and vaginal dryness causes extreme discomfort,
itching, and can lead to infection. Many women
entering menopause suffer from vaginal dryness
and/or vaginitis, but there are other causes for
vaginitis. Non-infectious vaginitis can result from
changes in laundry detergent, body soap, feminine
hygiene products, clothing, and other chemicals4,
like those used in surgery! Before the discomfort of
vaginitis drives you to insanity try this simple, but
very effective blend.
Mix in the following carrier oils:
28.5 ml. Olive squalene (Olea europaea) oil
1.5 ml. Borage (Borago officinalis) oil
Dry chapped lips are never fun. I don’t have dry or
chapped lips, ever; however, following surgery my
lips were so dry they cracked and bled! Just as my
face was flaky, so were my lips. I needed a lip balm
containing essential oils specific to dry lips, and the
lip balm I prepared can be used at any time.
Lip Balm
2 Tablespoons Coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil
1 ½ Tablespoons Shea butter (Butyrospermum
parkii)
1 ½ Tablespoons Beeswax
1 Tablespoon Cocoa butter (Theobroma cacao)
½ teaspoon Vitamin E
Vaginal Dryness Serum
In a 15 ml. dark glass bottle add the following
essential oils:
4 drops German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
3 drops Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
Combine with 15 ml. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
Essential oils of:
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Use: Apply a few drops of this blend to affected area
as needed.
In a double-boiler, over low heat, melt the bees-wax,
cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil together
until clear and smooth. Remove the mixture from
the heat. While the mixture is still in liquid form add
the essential oils and stir. Pour the mixture into lip
balm tubes or small half ounce jars and allow it to
cool. This recipe yields approximately six lip balm
tubes.
I was not aware that many pharmaceuticals used
during surgery are used to prevent bleeding, edema,
and inflammation. One such medication used during
my surgery, and for at least 24 hours following,
was Lasix (Furosemide). Lasix is a diuretic, and I
was told it was administered to prevent my brain
from retaining fluid and swelling. Well, it worked!
Lasix helped my entire body become dehydrated.
Alleviating a dry mouth was easy by drinking a
lot of water, all day, every day. Cherry Popsicles
also helped! However, Lasix also caused vaginal
dryness and vaginitis. Alleviating genital dryness
and vaginitis can become imperative! Vaginitis is
Preparing all of these salves and lotions may seem
like a lot of work, especially when I could have
purchased products at the drugstore that would
address each issue; however, I wanted my healing
products to be 100% natural, include therapeutic
properties, and smell nice too. I know I was much
happier with the healing products I prepared than I
would have been if I had used synthetic products.
There was also a psychological factor at work as
well; I did something to take charge of my recovery
and steer it in a direction I was most comfortable
with. Having made the effort to prepare what I knew
I would need allowed me to have at hand those
things physicians and nurses don’t think of, such
as anti-nausea inhalers, vaginal irritation serum,
healing salve and dry skin remedies.
Hopefully you will never have to undergo a surgery or
be hospitalized for any length of time, but if you do, I
encourage you to contact a Certified Aromatherapist
who can help your recovery progress in a more
natural and fragrant manner. Here is to your good
health and as always, Fragrant Blessings!
32
- Surgery Recovery with Essential Oils continued References:
1.http://www.neurosurgerypa.com/procedures/Micro_Decomp_Trigeminal.html
2.http://www.medline.com/product/Remedy-Olivamine-Antimicrobial-Cleanser/
Cleansers/Z05-PF06430
3.http://www.mccordresearch.com/olivamine
4.http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/sexual-health-vaginal-infections?
About Haly JensenHof
Haly is a Registered Aromatherapist, who also holds a
Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. After
a 20 year career as a mental health therapist, she
found her true passion and calling in aromatherapy.
Haly is the owner of Your Health Scents, a
small practice that specializes in individualized
therapeutic blending to assist clients of all ages
with physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
In conjunction with her skills as an aromatherapist
she uses her skills as a mental health therapist in
assisting each client to gain a healthy balance, and
regulate and maintain overall health. Currently, Haly
is the Wyoming Regional Director for the National
33
Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), as
well as the Chief Editor of the NAHA Aromatherapy
Journal. She is also a member of the Wyoming
Holistic Health Association. Monday Musings is
a blog posting Haly writes every Monday morning
that includes information on true aromatherapy,
provides aromatherapy recipes, gives tips on
using the weeds and plants in your garden for your
benefit, and random thoughts about nature. Haly
lives in the beautiful State of Wyoming with her very
supportive husband and three rambunctious terriers.
To learn more about Haly and her practice, or to follow
Monday Musings, you can find her on her website:
http://yourhealthscents.com/. or you can follow
her on Facebook facebook.com/yourhealthscents
Email: yourhealthscents@gmail.com
Business and Legislation
What’s in a (Product)
Name?
by Marie Gale
The Business and Legislation column is designed to keep
you informed and up-to-date on Good Manufacturing
Practices and other potentially pending legislation. If you
are making bath and body care products, this column is
a must read!
One would think that naming a product would be
purely a matter of marketing and of figuring out the
best possible name that would sell the product. It
turns out there are some regulations you need to
consider when developing the perfect name for your
product.
This article will discuss two of the potential pitfalls in
naming an aromatherapy product. In this article we
assume the product is being marketed to consumers
as a cosmetic in the opinion of the Federal Drug
Administration (FDA), meaning that it is intended
to be applied to the human body for cleansing,
beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering
the appearance, and is not intended to be ingested
(a food or dietary supplement) or to treat, cure,
mitigate or prevent a disease or alter the function or
structure of the body (a drug).1
Including an Ingredient in the Name
Where a cosmetic product contains two or more
ingredients, giving the product a name that includes
or suggests the name of one or more, but not all,
ingredients causes the product to be misbranded2
(meaning, in this case, that the labeling is false or
misleading).3 This is true even if the full ingredient
list is stated elsewhere on the package.
It may seem like including the name of the primary
ingredient in the name of the product would be a
good way to highlight the primary ingredient for
which you want the product to be recognized.
However, this can give the consumer the false, or
misleading, idea that the product contains only that
one ingredient.
34
Consider a product named, “My Brand Patchouli
Oil.” If it contains ONLY patchouli (Pogostemon
cablin) essential oil, then the product would be
acceptably named, and the consumer would be
correctly informed. However, if it is, in fact, a blend
of two or more essential oils and/or carrier oils, the
product would be misbranded (false or misleading)
in that the consumer could easily think he or she is
getting pure patchouli essential oil – when this is not
the case.
If you have a product that has two or more
ingredients, and you want to bring attention to the
fact that a particular ingredient is included, you
can still do so on the label. Just ensure that the
statement is placed apart from the actual name of
the product in such a way that the consumer would
not consider it to be part of the product name.
For example, if you have a cream that contains
Arnica (Arnica montana) extract, you might want
to include the phrase, “with Arnica extract,” on the
front panel. If, by the placement, color and font of
the wording, the consumer reads it as additional
marketing material, separate from the product name,
it would not cause the product to be misbranded.
However, if the placement causes the consumer to
assume that the actual product name is, “My Brand
Lotion with Arnica Extract,” then the product would
be misbranded.
- What’s in a (Product) Name? continued Conveying Unapproved Intended Use
It is the product’s intended use that the FDA considers
in determining if the product is a cosmetic, drug or
food (and therefore which regulations apply). The
FDA determines the intended use of the product
by looking at the packaging, the accompanying
materials (including written documents and website
content), and the name of the product.
“Sore Muscle Rub,” “Stuffy Nose Be Gone” and
“Anti-Bacterial Spray” (and many others) all tend
to tell the consumer that the intended use of the
product is as a drug. At the end of the day, it’s what
the consumer thinks you are saying your product
will do that determines the intended use.
In Summary
Choosing a good product name is a key factor for
marketing; the better and more memorable a name
the more marketing mileage (and sales) it is likely
to bring you. Just keep in mind when choosing the
name for your product that the name:
In choosing the name for the product, one could
unintentionally render the product an unapproved
drug. This is especially true in the aromatherapy
field where many of the traditional, anecdotal or
even proven qualities of essential oils often fall
under the class of drug claims.
The FDA defines a drug as:
“Articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure,
mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease” and
“Articles (other than food) intended to affect the
structure or any function of the body of man or other
animals.”4
a) Does not contain the name of one ingredient when
there are two or more ingredients in the product.
b) Is not worded in a way that conveys that the intent
of the product is to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent a
disease, or to alter the function or structure of the
body.
References:
Consider
lavender
(Lavandula
angustifolia)
essential oil diluted in almond (Prunus dulcis) oil.
By adopting different names for the product one can
change the consumer’s perception of the intended
use. If the blend is called “My Brand Room Scent,”
and is to be used in a diffuser for its pleasant
fragrance, it would be a household product; but if it
is called, “My Brand Sleep Ease,” implying a claim
of treating insomnia, it could be considered a drug. If
it is called, “My Brand Massage Oil,” or maybe, “My
Brand Relaxing Massage Oil,” and is intended to be
applied to the skin through massage, because the
fragrance is nice or relaxing, it would be a cosmetic.
But if it is called, “Essential Oil Anti-Bacterial Rub,”
and applied to the skin as an anti-bacterial, it would
likely be a considered drug. If it is called, “Flavored
Salad Oil,” and is intended to be added to salad
dressing and consumed (unlikely, but possible), it
would be a food.
1. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?
h t t p : / / w w w. f d a . g o v / C o s m e t i c s / G u i d a n c e R e g u l a t i o n /
LawsRegulations/ucm074201.htm
2. 21 CFR 701.1(b)
3. Sec. 602, Food Drug & Cosmetic Act
4. Sec. 201(g)(1), Food Drug & Cosmetic Act
About Marie Gale
Marie Gale is the author of Soap and Cosmetic
Labeling: How to Follow the Rules and Regs
Explained in Plain English and Good Manufacturing
Practices for Soap and Cosmetic Handcrafters.
She recently established MyGMPRecords (www.
mygmprecords.com), a site which allows
subscribers to keep their GMP records securely
online. Marie currently resides on her family’s
ranch in southwest Oregon.
In order to keep your aromatherapy product from
being considered a drug, based on the name of
the product, ensure that the product name you pick
does not convey to the consumer that the product
will treat, cure, mitigate or prevent a disease, or
that it will alter the function or structure of the body.
Product names like, “Eczema Soap,” “Acne Lotion,”
35
Write for NAHA’s Aromatherapy Journal
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
NAHA’s Aromatherapy E-Journal is an
educational publication devoted to further
the knowledge, practice, and application
of not only aromatherapy and essential
oils but also herbs, flower essences,
nutrition and other aspects on holistic
health and healing. NAHA is seeking case
studies, student papers, business tips and
ideas, and much more!
Learn more here!
36
Roots of Herbalism
Herbal First Aid for
Summer Time
by Juliet Blankespoor
Herbalist Juliet Blankespoor shares herbal first aid
ideas for the summer months.
When I was a kid I noticed there was a direct
correlation between how much fun I was having and
the array of minor scrapes, bruising and itchy bug
bites I accumulated. After days of swimming at the
lake, punctuated by berry picking and roller-skating
excursions, topped off with evening firefly capturing,
I would inevitably bear some sort of visible price—
minor sunburn, poison ivy or skinned knees. These
are the badges of an active life. But learning how to
ease these discomforts with herbs can add fun to
any playtime adventure.
large areas of exposed skin at mid-day is one of
the best preventative measures. Despite our best
efforts minor sunburns often occur, and luckily there
are a number of herbal remedies that offer effective
relief. Mild sunburns are treated similarly as other
first-degree burns. The affected area should be
initially bathed in cool or tepid water to reduce heat
and swelling.
Sunburn and Minor Burns
There are many common sense approaches to
avoiding sunburn, which are especially important
for children as their skin is more sensitive and
tender. Repeated sunburn in childhood is linked
with an increased risk of developing skin cancer
in adulthood. Avoiding long hours in the sun with
After the initial cooling bath, fresh aloe vera (Aloe
barbadensis, Xanthorrhoeaceae) gel, directly
scraped from the inside of the succulent leaf, is
my treatment of choice. Every home should have
an aloe vera plant for such occasions, especially
considering how easy it is to grow. If you don’t have a
plant at home, large aloe leaves are often sold in the
37
- Herbal First Aid for Summer Time continued produce department of the health food store. If fresh
aloe is unavailable, the bottled gel is a serviceable
second choice. The gel is cooling, soothing, and
promotes repair of healthy tissue. Additionally, aloe
is hydroscopic, helping to hold moisture in damaged
skin. A few drops of lavender essential oil (Lavandula
officinalis, Lamiaceae) can be mixed with the gel for
additional anti-inflammatory action.
Other soothing measures include repeated
applications of cool water to the affected area
with washcloths, along with imbibing cooling and
moistening food and drinks. Iced mint (Mentha
spp., Lamiaceae) and lemon balm (Melissa
officinalis, Lamiaceae) tea with fresh lemon
(Citrus limon, Rutaceae) juice are both cooling
and refreshing, and alleviate the dehydration that
often accompanies burns. Cucumbers (Cucumis
sativus, Cucurbitaceae), watermelons (Citrullus
lanatus, Cucurbitaceae), melons (Cucumis melo,
Cucurbitaceae), citrus fruits (Citrus spp., Rutaceae),
and lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Asteraceae) are some
cooling and hydrating foods. Homemade popsicles
made from hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa, Malvaceae)
tea, sweetened with a touch of honey, are a helpful
healing distraction from the pain of sunburn. In
general, these foods and drinks are beneficial
for alleviating the symptoms of dehydration and
overheating, as well as associated conditions like
prickly heat rash.
into her hands for her to chew up and place on
her stings, which numbered over a dozen. (This
on-the-fly poultice has an elegant name—the “spit
poultice.”) As she was tending to her wounds a
wizened mountain man approached with a bag
of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum, Solanaceae). My
student decided to treat the rest of the afflicted
areas with moistened tobacco, effectively creating
an impromptu trial of tobacco versus plantain for
hornet stings. Once she calmed down a bit I offered
her some herbal anti-inflammatories from my first
aid kit and we settled in to tally the results. It was a
clear winner: tobacco in the lead! The arm covered
in brown fuzzy tobacco leaves was markedly less
swollen and painful than the arm covered with fresh
plantain leaves. And that, my friends, is the dramatic
tale of my conversion to tobacco as the premier
remedy for bee, wasp and hornet stings.
Once the skin has cooled I begin to apply herbal
infused oils to prevent peeling and promote tissue
repair. Calendula (Calendula officinalis, Asteraceae)
and Saint John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum and
H. punctatum, Hypericaceae) are both classic
burn remedies, which have been used safely for
countless generations. Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera,
Arecaceae) and shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa,
Sapotaceae) are soothing oils in their own right; they
can also serve as the base for an herbal-infused oil.
If the skin is still hot to the touch, you’ll want to wait
to apply oils or salves, as they will hold in heat.
I purchase all natural organic rolling tobacco every
few years and portion out a small handful in a Ziploc
bag, which goes in my first aid kit in the backpack that
is carried on all outdoor excursions. After checking
for any lodged stingers, simply take a pinch full of
tobacco; moisten it with a little water, and place it
on the afflicted area. Apply a band-aid to hold it in
place. As an outdoor educator of large groups I have
had many occasions over the years to see tobacco
work its magic, with amazing results. If you don’t
have any tobacco on-hand, try using mashed up
and moistened plantain leaves or chickweed leaves
(Stellaria media, Caryophyllaceae).
Wasp, Hornet and Bee Stings
During a field trip one of my students accidentally
disturbed a hornet nest—the angry insects swarmed
and stung her repeatedly as she made her escape.
After she was a safe distance from the nest I thrust
plantain (Plantago spp., Plantaginaceae) leaves
To help lessen the swelling and pain I recommend
two droppers of turmeric (Curcuma longa,
Zingiberaceae) tincture along with two droppers of
osha tincture (Ligusticum porteri, Apiaceae), to take
internally for an adult dosage. Adjust the dosages for
children with reference to the guidelines at the end
of this article. If the person is panicked, or in a lot of
pain, add two droppers of passionflower (Passiflora
incarnata, Passifloraceae) tincture. Always be on
the look-out for anaphylactic reaction to stings,
which can be life threatening. Symptoms vary, but
can include: shortness of breath, swollen face and/
or throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing and rapid
heart rate —seek medical attention immediately.
38
- Herbal First Aid for Summer Time continued of bacteria that causes Lyme disease. These ticks
are the size of a poppy seed to a sesame seed,
depending on their maturity. Other species of ticks
have not been shown to transmit B. burgdorferi;
however, the bacterium has been isolated from
other ticks. It is beyond the scope of this article to
talk about herbal treatment for Lyme disease.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Insect Bites
Tick, mosquito, sand flea, ant and chigger bites
are simply part of the outdoors for most of us.
Unfortunately some of these insects can carry
microscopic pathogens and pose a serious health
risk. If you are bitten by a tick, inspect the site to
see if the tick’s head remains, and then disinfect the
site. After disinfecting, I apply undiluted lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia, Lamiaceae) essential oil
to help lessen the swelling and add an extra antimicrobial element.
Mosquito bites can be treated with simple herbal
home remedies, like chickweed, calendula and
yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Asteraceae) to help
lessen the swelling and itching. These herbs can
be applied as a poultice, wash or salve. Some
people, especially children, mount a pronounced
histamine reaction to mosquito bites and react with
extra swelling and itchiness. Turmeric and osha
tincture can help as anti-inflammatories (follow the
dosages as outlined for wasp stings). Chiggers
are larval mites that feed off animal skin cells,
causing red bumps the size of a dime to quarter.
The itchy bumps are found in areas of tight clothing,
such as the waistline, ankles, and armpits. There
is controversy over the suitability of humans as a
food source for these annoying larvae, but they can
cause some serious discomfort, which typically lasts
from four days to two weeks. Chiggers hang out in
low vegetation and on the ground, and are most
commonly acquired during late spring and summer.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
If you live, or travel, in an area with Lyme disease,
watch out for the following symptoms, which may
manifest three to thirty days after a tick bite: muscle
aches, fatigue, headache, chills, and fever. At the
site of the tick bite there can be a red round rash,
which is not painful or itchy. However, many people
with Lyme disease never experience this telltale
sign, so evidence of the rash may not be necessary
for a diagnosis. Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis and
I. pacificus) are considered the primary vector for
the spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi), which is a type
39
- Herbal First Aid for Summer Time continued They are more prevalent in the southeast and
Midwestern United States. I treat the bites similarly
to poison ivy (see the following section), which
mildly alleviates some of the swelling and itchiness,
but does not completely eradicate the discomfort.
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and poison
oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) are native plants
in the Cashew family (Anacardiaceae), known for
causing painful and itchy blistering rashes. Both
plants have alternate compound leaves, with three
toothed or lobed leaflets: hence the adage—“leaves
of three, let it be.” Poison sumac (Toxicodendron
vernix) is related and also causes a similar rash;
it is a small shrub with white berries that grows
in swamps throughout eastern North America.
These plants produce an oily substance, urushiol,
throughout their tissues, which is released upon
bruising, or volatized through burning, but is still
present even when the plants tissues are intact.
Urushiol elicits an allergic reaction in sensitive
individuals, who respond with itching, swelling
and blisters of varying size, ranging from a few
millimeters to as large as a quarter. The rash is
termed urushiol-induced contact dermatitis and, for
some people, it can be quite debilitating. Up to 30 %
of the population is not sensitive to this ubiquitous
irritant when moderately exposed. However, most
“non-allergic” people will react if they come into
contact with enough of the irritant, which is why
it is prudent to avoid these plants, even if you
aren’t allergic. As with most allergies, the reaction
can worsen or ameliorate over time, seemingly
without rhyme or reason. Urushiol can be present
and bioactive on clothing, blankets, and camping
and garden equipment for years; surfaces must
be washed to be free of the oil. Some people also
come into contact with the oily allergen from the fur
of pets.
Bathing with cool water and soap within ten minutes
of exposure is effective at removing the urushiol in
most cases. After this time the oil begins to absorb
into the skin, and washing is helpful but doesn’t
always prevent a reaction. Bathing with hot water
after initial contact is not recommended because it
has the potential to spread the urushiol oil, and also
40
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
opens the pores, allowing for deeper penetration of
the irritating oil. After the initial bathing, the person
is not considered “contagious” and the exudate
from the blisters is not generally a vector of the
allergen. However, itching can obviously worsen
the dermatitis, spreading the rash in sensitive
individuals. Depending on the severity of the reaction
widespread edema can occur and in severe cases
anaphylaxis is possible.
Topical treatment consists of drying the afflicted area
and applying anti-inflammatory herbs, such as witch
hazel (Hamamelis virginiana, Hamamelidaceae)
bark and twigs, and yarrow (Achillea millefolium,
Asteraceae) flowers and leaves, as well as calendula
(Calendula officinalis, Asteraceae) flowers. Make
a strong tea from these herbs and apply with a
washcloth or as a soak, depending on the affected
area. If weepy blisters are still present, add the tea
to dried clay to form a thick paste. For every four
ounces of clay/herbal paste, add four drops each
of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil,
tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil and
peppermint (Mentha x piperita) essential oil. Apply
the paste and cover it with a clean cloth or bandage
to prevent the paste from drying too quickly. The
- Herbal First Aid for Summer Time continued -
Boo-Boos – Minor Cuts, Scrapes and
Bruises
longer the paste is able to remain moist on the skin,
the longer it’s drying and pulling qualities will last.
After washing and disinfecting cuts, bruises and
abrasions, I apply a number of herbs as a wash,
poultice or salve, depending upon the affected
area and season. During the growing season,
when fresh plantain and yarrow are available, I will
make a poultice from the bruised green leaves,
attaching it with a bandage or extra large band-aid.
I find that poultices and washes are more effective
than salve, but obviously less convenient. Children
love learning about these simple medicinal herbs,
and it is empowering for them to harvest their own
remedies and learn how to apply them. This also
provides a welcome distraction from the pain and
trauma, which is medicine in itself. Sometimes
gathering a plantain leaf and applying it to a scrape
is all that is needed to energetically wipe away the
tears.
Another remedy I have seen to be especially helpful
is grindelia, or rosinweed flowers, (Grindelia spp.,
Asteraceae). The fresh flower tincture is resinous
and can be applied directly with a dropper. Slowly
apply the sticky liquid over the affected area of skin,
creating a resinous bandage of sorts. Because this
is an alcohol preparation it can sting, especially if
there are areas where blisters have recently opened.
Dilute the tincture before applying if necessary, and
repeat three to five times a day. Grindelia is drying
and anti-inflammatory; it is many people’s favorite
remedy for reducing the severity and duration of an
outbreak.
Internally, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra or G. uralensis,
Fabaceae) and nettle (Urtica dioica, Urticaceae),
ingested as a tea or tincture, are effective antiinflammatory remedies. But it’s good to remember
that licorice tea is contra-indicated in hypertension,
heart disease and edema.
41
Determining Dosage in Children by Weight
To determine the child’s dosage by weight, assume
that the adult dosage is for a 150-pound adult.
Divide the child’s weight by 150. Take that number
and multiply it by the recommended adult dosage.
For example, if your child weighs 50 pounds she
- Herbal First Aid for Summer Time continued -
About Juliet Blankespoor
will need one third of the recommended dose for a
150-pound adult (50/150 = .33). If the adult dosage
is three droppers full of a tincture she will need one
third of that dose, which is one dropper full (1/3 of
3 droppers full). A 25-pound child would need one
sixth of the adult dose, so she would receive one
half of a dropper full (1/6 of 3 droppers full).
Juliet Blankespoor is the director and primary
instructor at the Chestnut School of Herbal
Medicine, which she founded in 2007. She has been
sharing her passion for plants through teaching
herbal medicine and botany for over twenty years.
She also teaches human anatomy and physiology,
plant propagation, wild foods, tree identification,
and bioregional roots herbalism. Juliet shares her
plant obsession through her herbal articles and
botanical photography in her Blog Castanea. She
lives with her family outside of Asheville, NC, where
they nurture a diverse medicinal garden. Juliet also
maintains a varied herbal apothecary, primarily from
homegrown and wild crafted herbs. She believes
that growing and gathering food and medicine is
empowering, revolutionary, and highly entertaining.
Juliet is currently developing and writing a distancelearning herbal program, which will be available in
late 2014.
Juliet will be presenting at NAHA’s Beyond Aromatics
Conference.
The Chestnut School
of Herbal Medicine
Roots of Herbalism
100 hours April to October. One
weekend a month. Foundational
herbal course. Near Asheville, NC
Coming in Fall 2014...
Distance Learning Course
828.683.5233
www.chestnutherbs.com
A diversity of online modules with
innovative video, full color photography,
herbal recipes & raucous humor
Primary instructor: Juliet Blankespoor
42
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44
Feature Article
The Aroma of Choice: Health
Freedom and Aromatherapy
by Dorene Petersen, Dip. NT, Dip. Acu,
RH (AHG)
Dorene Petersen shares insights into Health Freedom and its
impact on aromatherapy practitioners.
Some of my favorite summertime activities in the
United States are gathering with friends and family
for picnics and parties on the patio, at the park, or on
the beach—especially on the Fourth of July. Even
though I’m originally from New Zealand, there’s
something about this celebration of freedom that fills
me with hope and excitement for all the possibilities
and opportunities that lie ahead.
We’ve worked hard to build a society for ourselves
where we are not discriminated against; where
we can speak and write freely; and when we
feel things need to change, we have the right to
petition our law-makers. Yet, change is a process
that takes time, particularly in the holistic health
industry. Citizens seeking more natural approaches
to healthcare have long had restricted access to
services from natural medicine practitioners, such
as Registered Aromatherapists (RA) and/or Certified
Aromatherapists.
exam ensuring RAs have demonstrated a core body
of knowledge and commitment to safety standards
and ethics; the ARC makes it clear that, legally, “it
is important to realize that the ARC Aromatherapy
Registration Exam and the ARC Certificate in no
way constitutes a license to practice medicine,
diagnose, or treat patients.”3 This holds true for
those who are professional members of NAHA (the
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy) and/
or AIA (Alliance of International Aromatherapists).
Aromatherapy and the Law
In many states, a practitioner can be criminally
charged with practicing medicine without a license
for offering alternative therapies, such as herbal
medicine, homeopathy1, and aromatherapy. This
is also the root issue that spawned the “Health
Freedom” movement, which supports patients’
rights to access alternative treatments and health
practitioners of their choosing.
So what does this mean for aromatherapists?
While the Aromatherapy Registration Council
(ARC)2 offers registration through an extensive
45
California law provides a useful example of this type
of restriction. “The unlawful practice of medicine is
defined as: ‘Any person who practices or attempts
to practice, or who advertises or holds him or herself
out as practicing, any system or mode of treating
the sick or afflicted in this state, or who diagnoses,
treats, operates for, or prescribes for any ailment,
blemish, deformity, disease, disfigurement, disorder,
injury, or other physical or mental condition of any
person...’ CA Stat. Sec. 2052.”4 Considering the
many uses and therapeutic service benefits of
essential oils, the wording above makes providing a
therapeutic aromatherapy consultancy fraught with
pitfalls in the state of California, even as a Registered
Aromatherapist through the ARC or other Certified
Aromatherapists.
However, positive change is on the horizon. The
National Health Freedom Coalition (NHFC) is an
organization formed with the purpose of promoting
and advocating for Health Freedom laws across
the United States. As of 2013, there are nine states
that have Health Freedom laws, including Arizona,
- The Aroma of Choice: Health Freedom and Aromatherapy continued Minnesota, California, Colorado, Rhode Island,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Idaho, and New Mexico.
Because legislation varies from state to state, RAs
and other Certified Aromatherapists should be
vigilantly aware of, and compliant with, relevant
legislation and reform within the state where they
practice. The NHFC maintains a listing of the state
advocacy groups which can be accessed through
their website.5
Safe Harbor and Health Freedom Laws: How
Do They Affect Aromatherapists?
Health Freedom and safe harbor laws mean
greater opportunity for Certified Aromatherapists
or Registered Aromatherapists to practice ethically
without fear of violating the rigid and over-arching
definitions of “practicing medicine without a license.”
The legal structure of a safe harbor bill or law can
allow non-licensed practitioners to legally operate,
as long as they comply with the provisions stated
within the safe harbor law.
For example, in 2009 New Mexico passed the
safe harbor law, “Unlicensed Health Care Practice
Act,” which specifically places aromatherapy under
the definition of “‘complementary and alternative
health care service’ [defined as] the broad domain
of complementary and alternative healing methods
and treatments.”6
This means that an aromatherapist is protected from
being in violation of New Mexico medical licensing
laws as long as (s)he complies with the provisions
listed within the act. Section 3 states:
“A complementary and alternative health care
practitioner who is not licensed, certified or registered
in New Mexico as a health care practitioner shall not
be in violation of any licensing law relating to health
care services pursuant to Chapter 61 NMSA 1978
unless that individual: A. engages in any activity
prohibited in Section 4 of the Unlicensed Health
Care Practice Act; or B. fails to fulfill the duties set
forth in Section 5 of the Unlicensed Health Care
Practice Act.”7
One important provision to note in Section 5 of the
New Mexico “Unlicensed Health Care Practice Act”
is the requirement for the aromatherapist to supply
an “informational document” to the patient or client.
This is more commonly known as an “informed
consent” document. This is a common provision
within many safe harbor bills in the United States,
including Louisiana8, Minnesota9 (which also
specifically refers to aromatherapy), Rhode Island10,
and California11. This document can be labeled
differently in different states—you may see it called
something like a “client bill of rights” or “disclosure.”
Under New Mexico law, the informational document
notifies the patient or client:
• of the nature and expected results of the
aromatherapy services to be provided.
• that the aromatherapist is not a healthcare
practitioner licensed by the state of New Mexico.
• of the aromatherapist’s degrees, education,
training, experience, or other qualifications regarding
aromatherapy.
• of many other details surrounding the
aromatherapist’s background as well as the patient’s
rights to honesty and privacy12
Some of these states require this “bill of rights” to be
visibly posted within the aromatherapist’s office as
well as an individual hard copy document.
While this type of requirement varies state to state,
many Certified Aromatherapists and/or Registered
Aromatherapists find it useful to provide an informed
consent document regardless of the law. The New
Mexico Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
Project LLC (NMCAAMP) has a useful checklist for
creating this informational document for New Mexico
practitioners, and can be found on their website.13
While a great number of states are still without Health
Freedom laws, many holistic health advocates are
campaigning for safe harbor bills. For example,
a safe harbor bill is currently being advocated in
Missouri by Melissa Toye.14
46
- The Aroma of Choice: Health Freedom and Aromatherapy continued States Without Health Freedom Laws
a licensed chiropractor or massage therapist, the
modalities can be used in tandem with one another
if it is within the scope of practice of the profession.
There are still many ways an aromatherapist can
be a helpful and useful holistic health practitioner
without resorting to the “don’ts” listed above.
It’s extremely encouraging to see our industry
progressing. However, even though our society and
the allopathic medical community are becoming
more comfortable with the idea of alternative
modalities like aromatherapy, there are still many
states without Health Freedom laws.
An aromatherapist does:
• Understand good health and recognizes that it
requires a holistic approach, including fresh water,
physical activity, fresh air and sun, plenty of rest,
and a focus on proper nutrition.
As with any healthcare practice, it’s essential that
a Certified Aromatherapist and/or Registered
Aromatherapist be highly informed about the
laws of his or her state in order to legally practice
aromatherapy in a state without a safe harbor law.
Legislation varies from state to state, and I would
highly encourage all aromatherapists to visit their
state’s legislative website and review the laws
relating to healthcare and practicing medicine. But
I would also like to offer a few basic guidelines and
key functions—the do’s and don’ts—of a Certified
Aromatherapist and/or Registered Aromatherapist.
Let’s start by discussing
aromatherapist does not do:
what
• Share knowledge about achieving and maintaining
health and wellness with essential oils, homeopathic
formulations, herbs, and other natural modalities.
an
• Evaluate each client with a holistic approach,
recognizing that daily nutrition, the environment,
and lifestyle choices have a large impact on health
and wellness.
• Diagnose disease: An aromatherapist is free to
evaluate a client and determine possible causes of
imbalance, but he or she cannot diagnose disease,
and should always refer clients back to their primary
care physician for a diagnosis when necessary.
• Empower their client to achieve improved health
by addressing any imbalances caused by poor
sleep quality, imbalanced nutrition, and any other
negative lifestyle habits.
• Treat disease: As with diagnostics, the
aromatherapist does not focus on disease, but
rather shares helpful information with clients,
empowering them to take control of their own health
and wellness.
• Recognize when allopathic healthcare is needed,
and is always prepared to refer a client to their primary
care physician for diagnosis and/or treatment.
Ambassadors for Aromatherapy and Natural
Medicine
• Prescribe drugs or pharmaceuticals: An
aromatherapist offers education surrounding
essential oils, herbs, natural remedies, and holistic
nutrition.
While the Health Freedom movement is growing
and legislation is changing, aromatherapists have
an obligation to uphold the highest standards and
ethics to maintain integrity within our industry.
• Perform invasive procedures or touch
therapies without licensing: Registration through
ARC or Professional membership with NAHA does
not license an aromatherapist to perform touch
therapies such as reflexology, chiropractics, or
massage. However, if an aromatherapist is also
This requires vigilance when working with essential
oils for clinical use. It’s important, for example,
that an essential oil is not labeled to imply that
it’s intended for use in the diagnosis, mitigation,
treatment, or prevention of disease, and intended
to affect the structure or any function of the body.
This type of claim categorizes the oil as a drug, and
all “new drugs” require approval from the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). So, for example, as an
47
- The Aroma of Choice: Health Freedom and Aromatherapy continued aromatherapist you cannot say, “This oil is supportive
for cholesterol.” Though the statement does not
include the word “treat,” it implies cholesterol is high.
Certified Aromatherapists as well as Registered
Aromatherapists should always choose the highest
quality of pure, unadulterated essential oils.
This requires a thorough knowledge of sourcing,
production, distillation, and labeling. There are
many unregulated and misleading terms when it
comes to essential oils such as: “spray free,” “all
natural,” “therapeutic grade,” and “CPTG Certified
Pure Therapeutic Grade®.” These are unregulated
marketing terms, and in no way mean the oils are
truly pure, organic, or unadulterated, and often lead
consumers to falsely believe that they are superior
to Certified Organic essential oils.
We are ambassadors for the practice of
aromatherapy. With all of these exciting changes it’s
ever more important to maintain the upmost integrity
when practicing aromatherapy. I often find it helpful
and inspiring to re-read the National Association for
Holistic Aromatherapy’s Code of Ethics, found on
their website, NAHA.org.15
Freedom Laws Passed: http://www.nationalhealthfreedom.org/
documents/NewMexicoHB0664_2009.pdf.
7.Ibid.
8. 2005 Louisiana Revised Statutes 20-37 VI-B. Retrieved from
Louisiana State Legislature: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.
aspx?d=321645.
9. Chapter 146A. Complementary and Alternative Health Care
Practices. Retrieved from 2013 Minnesota Statues: https://
www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=146A.
10. Relating to Health and Safety – Unlicensed Health Care
Practices. Retrieved from State of Rhode Island General
Assembly: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText02/
HouseText02/H6719a.pdf.
11. 2001 California SB577 - California Complementary and
Alternative Health Care Practitioners. Retrieved from legalinfo.
ca.gov: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/sen/sb_05510600/sb_577_bill_20020923_chaptered.html.
12. Unlicensed Health Care PracticeAct HHGAC/HB 664 Retrieved
from The National Health Freedom Coalition (NHFC), Health
Freedom Laws Passed: http://www.nationalhealthfreedom.org/
documents/NewMexicoHB0664_2009.pdf.
13. New Mexico Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
Project LLC (NMCAAMP) Check list for creating the ‘Patient
Information Document’ Retrieved from http://www.nmcaamp.
org/downloads/6_PatientInfoChecklist20090619a.pdf.
14. Oberholtz, C. & Rittman, E. (2014, February 20). KCTV5.
Missouri woman seeks bill to support alternative medicine.
Retrieved from http://www.kctv5.com/story/24767135/missouriwoman-seeks-bill-to-support-alternative-medicine.
15. National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA).
(2014). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.naha.org/
membership/code-of-ethics/
I am encouraged by the progress we have made in
our efforts to make aromatherapy and other natural
modalities more readily available and accepted.
The road to Health Freedom is long, but I couldn’t
be more excited to be part of such a courageous
and inspiring community of healthcare practitioners.
About Dorene Petersen
Dorene Petersen is President and Founder of the
American College of Healthcare Sciences. She
holds a BA degree in Archeology and Anthropology
from Otago University, New Zealand, is a NZ trained
Naturopath and ran a busy clinic in NZ specializing
in aromatherapy and herbal medicine. She is also
a certified acupuncturist with specialized training in
Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion. Dorene
serves as Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration
Council and is a member of the Research and
Educational Standards Subcommittee of the
Distance Education Training Council. In addition to
her work as President of the College, Dorene also
teaches courses for ACHS and leads the annual
ACHS study-abroad program to Indonesia and other
locations, which explores holistic health, traditional
herbal healing, aromatherapy, and essential oil
distillation and production, among other topics.
References
1. National Health Freedom Coalition (NHFC). (2012).
Mission and Case Statement. Retrieved from http://www.
nationalhealthfreedom.org/aboutNHFC/mission_statement.
html.
2. You can learn more about this organization on their website
at http://aromatherapycouncil.org/.
3. Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC). (2011). Frequently
Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://aromatherapycouncil.
org/?page_id=75.
4. National Health Freedom Coalition. (2012). Mission and Case
Statement. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhealthfreedom.
org/aboutNHFC/mission_statement.html.
5. You can learn more about the National Health Freedom
Coalition at: http://www.nationalhealthfreedom.org.
6. Unlicensed Health Care PracticeAct HHGAC/HB 664 Retrieved
from The National Health Freedom Coalition (NHFC), Health
48
Aromatic Botanical Blends for
Natural Hygiene
by Kelly Holland Azzaro, RA, CCAP, CBFP, LMT
In this article we will explore aromatic recipes for natural
hygiene.
Below, I share ten basic aromatherapy botanical
blends to make your own products for natural
hygiene and self care. Enjoy!
Gentle Facial Cleanser (4 ounce pump/spray
top bottle)
2 ounces Olive oil (Olea europaea)
1 ounce Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
1 ounce Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) hydrosol
Essential oils:
4 to 6 drops Distilled Lemon (Citrus limonum)
6 to 8 drops Niaouli MQV (Melaleuca quinquenervia
syn. M. viridiflora)
Essential oils:
8 to10 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
4 to 6 drops Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
Blend the ingredients together in a jar/bottle. Shake
well before use.
Blend the ingredients together in a glass bottle with
a pump or spray top. Shake well before each use.
Application: Apply the gel topically to pimples as
needed. If irritation occurs discontinue use.
Application: Apply a dime to quarter size amount
of the blend to the face and neck area. Massage
lightly. Remove with a warm, wet cotton facial cloth
and pat skin dry.
Added Benefit: Add one teaspoon of powered
facial/body clay (green-drawing/drying, whitecalming, or pink-cooling) to one teaspoon of the Zit
Gel to make a topical facial/body mask.
This blend is useful for all skin types and helps to
remove dirt, oil and makeup. Use caution around
the eye area. If irritation occurs discontinue use.
Application: Allow mask to air dry, then rinse off
with warm water, and pat dry.
Lip Exfoliate (1 ounce jar)
Spot Gel (2 ounce jar or pump top bottle)
½ ounce Turbinado Sugar
½ ounce Organic Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera)
1 ounce Aloe Vera gel (Aloe barbadensis)
½ ounce Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) hydrosol
½ ounce
virginiana)
Distilled
Witch
Hazel
(Hamamelis
Essential oils: 6 to 8 drops total
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) or Tangerine (Citrus
reticulata blanco)
49
- Aromatic Botanical Blends for Natural Hygiene continued Mix the ingredients together in a jar.
will soften to body temperature for easy application.
Keep away from heat sources and out of direct
sunlight. When traveling, store the cream in a plastic
zip-lock bag to avoid spillage if the cream melts due
to hot temperatures.
Application: Apply a finger-size amount of scrub
to lips, gently massage, and then rinse with warm
water. If irritation occurs discontinue use.
Avoid use on overly chapped or cracked lips, cold
sores or open wounds.
Added Benefit: Try this same recipe for an all
over body scrub and include different essential oils
based on scent preference and aromatic properties.
Dull tired skin responds well to the use of daily dry
skin brushing technique, followed by a once-aweek application of a rejuvenating sugar scrub with
essential oils of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
or palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii).
Tooth & Mouth Cleanser
Organic Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera).
approximately a dime size per application.
I love the natural scent of coconut and choose not
to add essential oils to this recipe. If you want to
add an essential oil for a more aromatic scent, and
for deodorizing properties, try one of the following:
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), geranium
(Pelargonium graveolens) or patchouli (Pogostemon
cablin). Add six to eight drops of the essential oils
total to the cream mixture.
Use
Scalp and Hair Rejuvenation Oil (8 ounce
bottle with pump or mist spray top)
5 ounces Olive oil (Olea europaea)
1 ounce Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
1 ounce Sesame oil (Sesamum indicum)
1 ounce Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) hydrosol
Application: Apply pure organic coconut oil to your
toothbrush and gently massage over the teeth, gums
and tongue. The oil will melt with body temperature
when applied. Spit out any remaining oil then rinse
mouth with room temperature water.
Essential oils:
6 to 8 drops Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
10 to 12 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct.
verbenone)
12 to 16 drops Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)
Deodorant Cream (2 ounce jar)
Blend the above ingredients in the bottle. Shake
well before each use.
1 ounce Organic Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera)
½ ounce Baking Soda Powder
½ ounce Cornstarch Powder
Combine the above ingredients in a stainless
steel bowl and mix with a metal spoon to create a
consistency of a soft type paste (not too oily or too
powdery). Add more coconut oil if the mixture is too
dry or powdery, and if too oily, add a bit more of the
two powders.
Application: Apply a small dime size amount of
cream to underarm areas as needed. Avoid use on
newly shaven areas. If irritation occurs discontinue
use.
Application: Apply one to two pumps/sprays of the
blend to the scalp and hair. Gently massage into the
scalp and leave on for an overnight rejuvenation
treatment, or apply a small amount to frizzy dry
hair for a smooth, soft look all day long. If irritation
occurs discontinue use.
Option: Omit the basil and rosemary essential
oils if there is a hypersensitivity to stimulating oils/
scents; alternatively, try a total of six to eight drops
of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) or sweet
marjoram (Origanum marjorana) essential oils.
The cream will harden in cooler/cold temperatures,
but with application to the underarm area the cream
50
- Aromatic Botanical Blends for Natural Hygiene continued -
Cooling Body Mist Spray (8 ounce bottle with Foot and Body Powder (8 ounce shaker jar)
spray top)
Hydrosols: 3 ounces each for a total of 6 ounces of
lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and peppermint
(Mentha x piperita)
2 ounces Distilled Witch Hazel (Hamamelis
virginiana)
Essential oil: 12 to 15 drops Clary sage (Salvia
sclarea)
Blend the above ingredients together in a bottle.
Keep the bottle stored in the refrigerator. Shake well
before use. If irritation occurs discontinue use.
Application: Mist spray onto your neck and body
to help cool off from summer heat, sunburn and for
relief from hot flashes. Avoid use with babies and
small children.
Options: If hydrosols are not readily available,
use four ounces of distilled witch hazel combined
with four ounces of distilled water blended with
eight to ten drops each of clary sage, lavender
and peppermint essential oils. Omit the use of
peppermint essential oil if there is hypersensitivity
to menthol-based products.
7 ounces Arrowroot Powder
1 ounce Cornstarch Powder
Essential oils:
8 to 10 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
8 to10 drops Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Mix the ingredients together and transfer them to a
jar with a shaker type top, or place the powder into a
jar and use a cotton round to apply topically.
Options: Try different essential oils to create
unique foot and body powders based on scent
preference and aromatic properties. For example,
foot fungus issues will also benefit from the use of
eight to ten drops each of niaouli MQV (Melaleuca
quinquenervia syn. M. viridiflora) and patchouli
(Pogostemon cablin) essential oils.
Hand Sanitizer Gel (4 ounce bottle with pump)
3 ounces Aloe Vera gel (Aloe barbadensis)
1 ounce Distilled Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Essential oils:
6 to 8 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
51
- Aromatic Botanical Blends for Natural Hygiene continued -
About Kelly Holland Azzaro
8 to10 drops Niaouli MQV (Melaleuca quinquenervia
syn. M. viridiflora)
Blend the ingredients together and pour into a bottle
with pump applicator. Shake vigorously.
Kelly Holland Azzaro is a Registered Aromatherapist,
Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner,
Certified Bach Flower Practitioner, Licensed
Massage Therapist, Reiki Practitioner, Past Vice
President and current Past President of National
Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA). Kelly
has over 20 years professional experience in holistic
aromatherapy, massage and energy therapies for
both people and their pets. She offers NCBTMB CEU
Approved classes and offers certification courses
in Animal Aromatherapy and Flower Essences.
Kelly is the Founder and Director of The Holistic
Animal Association Network-‘Supporting the Holistic
Healing Arts for People and Their Animal Friends.’
Her articles have been published in Massage
Magazine, Holistic Dog Magazine, Dogs Naturally
Magazine, Vita Danzare Journal and NAHA’s
Aromatherapy Journal and numerous blogs.
Option: For travel, divide the recipe after blended
into four one ounce size squeeze-top bottles.
Application: Apply a dime size amount to hands as
needed. If irritation occurs discontinue use.
Personal-Use Pads (8 ounce jar)
4 to 6 ounces Distilled Witch Hazel (Hamamelis
virginiana)
1 to 2 ounces Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
hydrosol or cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
hydrosol, or use a combination of the two hydrosols.
30+ Cotton Rounds, (enough to fill the jar).*
Kelly, and her husband, Marco, who is a Licensed
Acupuncturist and Qigong Practitioner have a
Holistic Healing Center in the Blue Ridge Mountains
of North Carolina. To learn more please visit our
websites at: www.ashitherapy.com and
www.holisticanimalassociation.com
Stack the cotton rounds on top of each other to fill
the aroma-safe jar. Pour enough of the liquid mixture
of witch hazel and hydrosol/s over the cotton rounds
so that the mixture is absorbed into the rounds. Add
enough liquid for each cotton pad to be saturated
without being too wet. Allow for a bit of extra liquid to
remain in the jar to help avoid pads from becoming
dried out. Shake well before each use.
Application: Apply an individual cotton round to the
area as needed for personal care cleansing and for
calming hemorrhoids. If irritation occurs discontinue
use.
Added benefit: Use the same liquid blend to make
a sitz bath.
*Organic Cotton Rounds can be purchased from
beauty supply stores, drug stores and online.
52
53
Explore Aromatherapy Booklet
Fresh off the press, NAHA’s Explore Aromatherapy booklet is a valuable resource for
information on Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, Chemistry, Base Oils, Hydrosols, and
Safety. This beautiful and informative booklet will be available to all members and will
be included in membership packets as you renew. You may also order booklets and place your label of contact information on the back
cover. It will be an invaluable tool to continue educating the public and your clients/
customers on the benefits of aromatherapy. Order Packets:
10 booklets $ 10.00
25 booklets
$ 24.25
50 booklets
$ 48.50
100 booklets $ 95.00
Plus shipping and handling.
Shipping will be charged at cost for all international orders.
To order, please click here
or email: info@naha.org
54
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who are trained to the highest level of professional practice.
Maintains a register of professional aromatherapy
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Maintains a register of accredited and
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Committed to the regulation of the profession and to
working with all organisations that share its vision
New members receive a 15% discount voucher to
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If you would like to become an IFPA member, are seeking
details of registered practitioners or want to access IFPA accredited training establishments in your area, please contact: The
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The World of Aromatherapy VII
Beyond Aromatics: Exploring Holistic Approaches to
Self-Care and Professional Practice
Beyond Aromatics Conference
and Wellness Exhibit
September 12-14, 2014
at Bastyr University
Bothell, Washington
Register Today at: www.nahaconference.com
55
NAHA Community
Interview with
Aromatherapists:
Joy Musacchio and
Cynthia Brownley
by Sharon Falsetto
Interview with an Aromatherapist is a feature of the
NAHA Journal. In each issue, Sharon will introduce
you to a different aromatherapist, herbalist or
professional in the field in order to give you an insight
into the working lives of others in the field of holistic
health.
In this issue, I introduce you to both Cynthia
Brownley and Joy Musacchio of Stillpoint Aromatics,
based in Sedona, Arizona. Both Cynthia and Joy will
be speakers at the NAHA World of Aromatherapy
VII Conference at Bastyr University, Seattle, WA
September 12 – 14, 2014. I would personally like to
thank Cynthia and Joy for taking the time to answer
the questions put to them in this interview and I
hope you, the reader, can draw both knowledge and
inspiration from their answers!
1. What inspired you to start your journey into
aromatherapy and essential oils?
We were both raised in healing environments.
Cynthia’s grandfather was a chiropractic physician
at a time when chiropractic medicine was not
viewed as an acceptable healing modality like it is
today. Joy’s father was a cardiologist and internal
physician, way ahead of his time. Because of these
childhood experiences we both turned to many
different alternative modalities throughout our lives.
We really began using essential oils on a regular
basis when we were teaching elementary school in
order to help keep us healthy and ward off many of
the germs and viruses to which we were exposed to
the children in our classrooms. These experiences
motivated us to become clinical aromatherapists
and to found Stillpoint Aromatics, where we import
56
and sell the purest essential oils for others to use on
their own healing journey.
2. Who have been the most influential people in
your life with regard to this journey?
We have studied with many wonderful teachers
over the years, and taken fantastic aromatherapy
workshops and certification programs. We have
learned and shared much with colleagues such
as Jade Shutes, Andrea Butje, Annie Harman and
Gabriel Mojay, among many others. However, we
must say that the most influential teachers for us
have been the plants and trees themselves. The
science, energetics, and the alchemy that we
experience when working with, and teaching about,
the oils has been an education like no other. We
believe when you are called on this path everything
begins to unfold… one just has to listen and pay
attention.
- Interview with Aromatherapists: Cynthia Brownley and Joy Musacchio continued 3. Which aspect of your career do you enjoy the
most? Do you have a particular area of interest
in aromatherapy that you are most passionate
about and are an advocate for?
We both have always felt drawn to help others.
As children we both knew that we wanted to be
of service. Teaching is a great love and passion
for us, as is the magic of the plants and the trees.
Educating others in our school, Stillpoint Studies…
School of Essential Oils and Energetics, on the
safe, balanced, and proper usage of essential oils
is one of the main focuses in our lives; along with
importing pure, authentic, and high vibrational oils
offered at an ethical and fair price. We really are
advocates for empowering others on their journey
in aromatherapy and with essential oils.
4. As teachers of aromatherapy what do you
think are important qualities aromatherapists
should possess?
We feel that one of the most important qualities a
professional aromatherapist must possess is the
ability to confidently address each client’s needs and
concerns. Having the ability to listen, to be flexible,
and to be empathetic are absolutely necessary. It is
also important to remember that the consultation is
not just about the aromatherapist and what she/he
knows, but about the client. Having a well-rounded
background also helps so you don’t just view things
through one lens. Finally, it is also important to
create a safe, sacred space for the client to be able
to completely trust you, knowing that they are in the
hands of a competently trained aromatherapist.
5. Do you have a favorite essential oil or plant,
and if so why? What are your recommended
uses for this essential oil or plant?
This is a hard question as we love so many essential
oils and plants! One essential oil that we have a
particular affinity for is inula (Inula graveolens).
We source inula essential oil from our distiller in
Corsica. It is one of the premier essential oils we
choose when dealing with any serious respiratory
illness. It is reputed to have bronchospasmolytic
and mucolytic activity. Inula essential oil is known as
one of the most effective essential oils for loosening
mucous and deep congestion. It is also useful for
acute and chronic respiratory conditions such as
coughs, colds, sinusitis, laryngitis, and bronchitis.
It is fantastic to use it in an inhaler, via a steam
57
inhalation, in a diffuser, and topically in a cream or
chest salve.
6. Do you use any local plants for their essential
oils either personally or in a professional
context?
Yes, we most certainly do! It is our belief that
there is a great deal of natural wisdom inherent in
regional ethnobotany. We currently carry twentyfour essential oils that are native to the Southwest at
Stillpoint Aromatics – including single essential oils
and quite a few co-distillations. Working with these
essential oils reminds us what it might have been
like as pioneer to the area, because there is not
much information about these unique essential oils.
We begin by studying how the plants were
used traditionally and then look at the chemical
components of the plants from Gas chromatography/
Mass spectrometry (GC/MS) data in order to assess
how to safely and effectively use these new essential
oils. Many new essential oils are emerging from the
amazing pharmacopeia of the American Southwest
including pinion pine (Pinus edulis), Utah juniper
(Juniperus osteosperma), and sagebrush (Artemisia
tridentata). In fact, we just purchased a copper still
so we can distill our own local essential oils and
hydrosols!
7. Do you integrate the practice of aromatherapy
with any other therapy? If so, which therapies?
And how do you use aromatherapy in these
therapies?
Yes, we absolutely do! We have always used
essential oils in our massage practice. We offer
many sessions that integrate essential oils into
various “aromassages,” and also in energetic
sessions. Essential oils are extremely effective
in assisting our clients on all levels; physically,
emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. We are known
to say, “There is an essential oil for everything.” And
there really is!
8. Why is it important for people to know and
understand the source of their essential oils?
How do you ensure the quality of the essential
oils you sell?
We believe that the purity and quality of essential
oils are of paramount importance. Aromatherapy is
not just about a pretty smell. Most people are drawn
- Interview with Aromatherapists: Cynthia Brownley and Joy Musacchio continued -
About Cynthia Brownley
and Joy Musacchio
to using essential oils as a tool for well-being to help
themselves and their families. For this reason,
purity and quality in essential oils are absolutely
necessary.
There are many things that we do at Stillpoint
Aromatics to ensure the quality of our essential oils.
We source only organic, wild harvested or unsprayed
essential oils from small farmers worldwide. We
have a special process that we follow after receiving
the essential oils from our distillers. We decant them
into amber glass bottles in a ceremonious way,
they are then stored in cold refrigeration storage
in optimum condition, and each bottle is nitrogencapped to reduce the possibility of oxidation. Lastly,
none of our essential oils are pre-poured. We
personally hand pour each bottle upon receiving an
order. Every single bottle of essential oil is poured
with conscious intention for each person.
Cynthia Brownley, MS, and Joy Musacchio, MA,
are both certified clinical aromatherapists. They
are the founders of Stillpoint Aromatics, importing
over 220 organic and wild harvested essential oils
and hydrosols from distillers worldwide. Stillpoint
Aromatic’s essential oils are batch specific GC/MS.
When an order is received, Cynthia and Joy hand
pour each essential oil with conscious intention for
the individual.
9. Do you have any advice for those considering
a career in aromatherapy?
Get good training! Learn from as many teachers
as you can and make sure that you acquire an
aromatherapy certification of at least 200 hours.
Get lots of “hands-on” experience. Aromatherapy
is a wonderful career and can help so many people.
It is so diverse. The best advice we can give is to
find your passionate place within the field and “go
for it!” Never stop learning and seeking knowledge,
and always listen to the plants and trees.
In 2010, Cynthia and Joy founded Stillpoint Studies…
School of Essential Oils and Energetics. Stillpoint
Studies is an accredited education provider for both
the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy
(NAHA) and the Alliance of International
Aromatherapists (AIA). The school offers both a
250 hour aromatherapy certification program, and
a 180 hour advanced Aroma Mastery Program, in
addition to various weekend workshops. For further
information: www.stillpointaromatics.com or
www.stillpointstudies.com
About Sharon Falsetto
Sharon Falsetto is a UK certified clinical
aromatherapist who trained with Penny Price
Aromatherapy. She moved to the United States
in 2006 and successfully founded an online
aromatherapy business, Sedona Aromatherapie.
Sharon personally creates custom blends (both
wholesale and retail) for individual requests,
therapists, spas, and weddings.
She also personally writes, and tutors, professional
home study aromatherapy and product making
courses for the beginner – including a full
aromatherapy certification program in professional
aromatherapy to be available by Fall/Winter 2014.
In addition, Sharon offers professional writing
and editing services for aromatherapy related
businesses. Sharon’s first book on aromatherapy,
Authentic Aromatherapy, was published by
Skyhorse Publishing on January 2, 2014. You can
visit Sharon’s website at:
www.sedonaaromatherapie.com or contact her
via email at: sharon@sedonaaromatherapie.com
58
NAHA Marketplace
AROMATHERAPY
COMPANIES
Aromatics International
100% Pure Essential Oils &
Aromatherapy Online
Offering over 50 aroma-therapeutic essential oils
including popular oils like Lavender, Peppermint
and Tea tree to the exotic Neroli, Jasmine and
True Melissa. Our prices are among the lowest
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expectations. They are first distilled & pesticide
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yours. Full line of spa diffusers, accessories and
blends. Use coupon code: NAHA5 and save an
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www.100PureEssentialOils.com
Amrita Aromatherapy Inc
Amrita is the only certified-organic aromatherapy
company in the U.S. Amrita is run by therapists for
therapists. NEW certified-organic oils: Himalayan
Cedar, Lemongrass, Citronella, East Indian
Sandalwood, Vetiver and much more. Certifiedorganic perfumes. All oils GC verified. Can supply
any oil in a certified-organic version upon request.
Now in its 23rd year, Amrita was founded by master
aromatherapist Dr. Christoph Streicher. Full line of
nebulizing diffusers. 100% natural, chemical-free
skin care.
Visit www.AromaticsInternational.com to find
essential oils and a wide variety of hydrosols that
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We are a small company dedicated to the
plants that create the essential oils; and to the
people who grow, harvest and distill them. We
work with many small growers and cooperative
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quantities to preserve freshness. Every batch of
oil is tested with GC/MS analysis.
www.AromaticsInternational.com
AromaWeb
AromaWeb provides over 450 pages of essential
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directories
of
aromatherapy
retailers,
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million page views annually. AromaWeb can
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Reach thousands of consumers, aromatherapy
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Email for details.
www.aromaweb.com
Ashi Aromatics Inc.
Over 100 Holistically formulated aromtherapy
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anointments and animal aromatherapy-All
Natural Products for People and Their Animals
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http://amrita.net/
Arlys Naturals
ARLYS specializes in 100% pure essential oils,
absolutes, synergies, hydrosols, carrier oils
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professional grade natural skin and body care
products, diffusers, herbal teas, books, soaps,
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and well-being. Sign up for our free online monthly
newsletter. Online Catalog Only. Retail/Wholesale
www.ashitherapy.com
www.ArlysNaturals.com
59
NAHA Marketplace
New Directions Aromatics
Birch Hill Happenings Aromatherapy,
LLC We have 100% Pure Essential oils for
Certified organic processor offering pure essential
oils for therapeutic use. Discover hard to find oils
and natural products including wild crafted and
conventional types. You will be amazed at our
extensive line of carrier oils, extracts, absolutes,
ayurvedics, cosmetic and soap bases, specialty
packaging and much more. Purchasing directly from
distilleries and producers worldwide enables us to
offer premium quality products at wholesale pricing.
ISO certified with a knowledgeable and friendly
customer service and a 100% customer satisfaction
guarantee.
use in Therapeutic Aromatherapy. Also a large
selection of aromatherapy supplies including
carrier oils and unscented personal care base
products, many styles of diffusers, charts and
decoders, bottles and more. Your One Stop
Aromatherapy shop! Questions answered and
Consultations by e-mail. Easy ordering and
shipping. Fast friendly service. Sign up to get
our monthly newsletter and tips.
www.birchhillhappenings.com
www.newdirectionsaromatics.com
JennScents Aromatherapy
Provides 100% pure, therapeutic products (premade and custom blends), 100% pure essential
oils, carriers and aromatherapy accessories
at wholesale and retail. Offers Aromatherapy
Certification Courses live and via DVD, Massage
Therapy CEU, Aromatherapy Support Material
such as Aromatherapy Business Guide and
JennScents Recipe Guides for humans and
pets.
Sedona Aromatherapie
Sedona Aromatherapie creates custom aromatherapy blends and skincare products for weddings,
spas, therapists or the individual, in addition to offering beginner aromatherapy courses in skincare and
product making through online and distance learning aromatherapy courses (NAHA approved). English certified clinical aromatherapist Sharon Falsetto
also offers professional services for copy and web
content writing, ghost writing and blogging, course
writing and newsletters, designed to meet the needs
of your aromatherapy business! E-mail me for a
custom quote on any service/product!
www.jennscents.com
Morning Mysts Botanicals
Morning Myst Botanics: DIRECT FROM THE
DISTILLER. We offer Artisan Crafted, Certified
Organic Hydrosols and Essential Oils. We
personally distill over 30 varieties of hydrosols
in small batches on our beautiful copper alembic
stills. Our Hydrosols are incredibly fresh and
aromatically vibrant. Wholesale quantities only,
with a gallon minimum order and discounts on
quantities of 5 gallons or more. We have samples
of our quality hydrosols available upon request.
www.sedonaaromatherapie.com
Time Laboratories
Since 1972, Time Laboratories has been a leading
manufacturer of aromatherapy products, nutritional
supplements, and specially formulated herbal
compounds. Windrose Aromatics, our authentic
aromatherapy line, offers a wide selection of Pure
and Genuine GC/MS analyzed Essential Oils,
expertly blended pure Essential Oil Combinations,
and patented Ultra Jet System Diffusers. Buy direct
from the manufacturer and save (retail/wholesale/
health professional discounts available). Private
label and custom product development services
available.
www.morningmystbotanics.com
www.timelabs.com
60
NAHA Marketplace
East-West School for Herbal &
Aromatic Studies
AROMATHERAPY SCHOOLS &
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Aromahead Institute School of Essential
Oil Studies
Instructor: Andrea Butje. Learn online or in person.
200 hour NAHA approved Certification Program
(level 1 and 2 covered in a single course). Improve
your skills and advance the Aromatherapy
Profession by completing Aromahead’s Scholar’s
Program, a 400 hour certification consisting of
advanced aromatherapy chemistry, therapeutic
blending, business skills, teacher training. and
incorporating a wider range of essential oils.
Classes approved for Massage Therapy CEU’s in
Florida, New York and by the National Certification
Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
(NCBTMB).
www.aromahead.com
Instructor: Jade Shutes
The EWSHAS is a WA state approved
post-secondary educational facility offering
Foundations, Advanced Graduate certificate
programs in Holistic and Clinical Aromatherapy.
Classes are offered throughout the United
States, including Seattle, WA, New York,
NY, St. Louis, MO and Chapel Hill, NC. The
school features a NEW Online Organic Body
Care Products Certification program and a
comprehensive Online program on the Aromatic
Chemistry: By and For the Aromatherapist.
Other specialized certification programs include:
Aromatic Applications for the Skin and the
Dynamics of Blending. Jade also offers a range
of Reference manuals. Approved for Massage
Therapy CE hours in Florida and Nationally
through NCBTMB.
www.theida.com
Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy
Boulder, CO
The Integrative Aromatherapy® Certificate
Program, established in 1998, provides a
nationally recognized professional and clinical
distance learning program that includes
one- to-one mentoring with the expert nurse
aromatherapist, Laraine Kyle Pounds, RN,
BSN, MSN, CMT. This extensive program
includes the basics as well as specialized
essential oil applications for holistic and
integrative healthcare. This program has been
nationally endorsed by NAHA for Levels I and II,
and approved for educational contact hours for
nurses and massage therapists through AHNA
and NCBTMB.
www.aroma-rn.com/
61
AROMATHERAPY PUBLICATIONS
NAHA Aromatherapy Journal www.naha.org
Aromatherapy Thymes
www.aromatherapythymes.com
Aromatherapy Today Journal
www.aromatherapytoday.com
International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy
www.ijca.net
International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy
www.ijpha.com
International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
www.ifparoma.org
Disclaimer:
NAHA and the NAHA Editorial Board cannot accept responsibility or
liability for the information contained in the NAHA Aromatherapy Journal/E-Booklets or on
the NAHA Website. The information is shared for educational purposes only and is not
intended to diagnose or take the place of professional healthcare. The opinions expressed
by the authors in this journal or NAHA’s e-booklets do not necessarily reflect the opinions
of NAHA.
Please consult your health care practitioner if you are pregnant or have been diagnosed
with any serious healthcare problems before using essential oils. Keep all aromatherapy
products out of reach of children and pets. Before using essential oils and aromatherapy
products please consult with a professional aromatherapist.
NAHA asks that all authors and contributors include information on safe use of essential
oils and clearly define each essential oil’s common name and Latin binomial(s).
NAHA has the right to accept or reject any articles, advertisements or content submitted.
NAHA website is a resource-full area for information on Aromatherapy Safety, Applications
and Uses.
www.naha.org
62
NAHA Regional Directors and Representatives
Arizona:
Sharon Falsetto, CA, BA (Hons)
California:
Deborah Halvorson, RA
Colorado:
Shanti Dechen, CCAP, LMT
(928) 239-4785
sharon@sedonaaromatherapie.com
www.sedonaaromatherapie.com
(714) 955-9264
deborah@commonscentshealth.com
Connecticut:
Belinda Davis Murano, BS,
CHHC
Florida (South):
Susan Stype
Florida (Central):
Jennifer Hochell Pressimone
Maine:
Diane Braybrook, MA
Maryland:
Rose Chard, LMT
(860) 304-1645
itsyourthyme@yahoo.com
www.itsyourthyme.com
Idaho:
Annette Davis, CN
(877) 470-8400
davis@eimcenter.com
www.timelabs.com
(954) 523-9513
susan@arlysnaturals.com
www.arlysnaturals.com
(207) 930-5979
diane@essentialsforyou.com
www.essentialsforyou.com
63
info@learnaroma.com
www.learnaroma.com
(352) 243-9627
jh@jennscents.com
www.jennscents.com
(443) 292-4396
rose@yourbodyneeds.com
www.yourbodyneeds.com
Michigan:
Lissa Hilton, RA
(616) 928-4900
silvercreekaromatherapy@gmail.com
www.silvercreekaromatherapy.com
Minnesota:
Karen Norland
(218) 280-1822
ksnorland@yahoo.com
New Jersey:
Cherisse Gigli, RN, BSN, RA,
CCAP
New Mexico:
Connie Henry, PhD, ND, CPH,
RN, CADS
North Carolina:
Kelly Holland Azzaro, RA,
CCAP, LMBT
Ohio:
George Cox
(973) 790-1364
healingmoon@msn.com
(828) 898-5555
ashitherapy@skybest.com
www.ashitherapy.com
(505) 343-0552
naturecare@swcp.com
www.bodymindspiritplace.com
Belleville (419) 886-3736
Cleveland (216) 577-2720
NatOptAroma@aol.com
www.naturaloptions.us
64
Nevada:
Lisa Browder, ICA, CR
(702) 425-0780
lmbquest@aol.com
www.scentsibility.net
New York:
Katherine Graf
(845) 651-1225
aromastudio@yahoo.com
www.aromastudio.com
Oregon:
Angela Sidlo
(503) 338-9921
aromatherapy_works@yahoo.com
www.reflexology-works.com
Pennsylvania:
Liz Fulcher, RA, CMT
thefragrantmuse@gmail.com
www.aromaticwisdominstitute.com
Tennessee:
Jessie Hawkins
(615)-807-0882
Jessie@VintageRemedies.com
www.JessieHawkins.com
Oklahoma
N.Kay Owens
contact@lachemie.com
Rhode Island:
Lesley A Wooler, RA
(401) 295-1140
theherbwyfe.com
www.herbwyfe.com
Texas:
Valerie Cooksley, RN, OCN,
FAAIM, CERT
(218) 516-2561
valerie@floramedica.com
www.floramedica.com
Washington:
Ann Harman
(509) 722-3150
ann@botannicals.com
www.botannicals.com
65
South Carolina:
Susan Cannon, RA, RYT
(864)-292-9691
touchtheeartharomatics@gmail.com
www.touchtheeartharomatics.com/
Virginia:
Keren Dolan, BA
(703) 468-1241
kdolan@mwtherapeutics.com Wyoming:
Haly JensenHof, MA, RA
(307) 532-6145
yourhealthscents@gmail.com
www.yourhealthscents.com
Canada:
Wendy Johnson, IIA
(808) 828-6290
demamiel@mac.com
Canada:
Dr. Vivian Lunny, MD, RA,
MDMA, FIFA
(604) 868-4855
doctorvivian@realessences.com
www.realessencesoflife.com
Taiwan:
Henry Chang
henrytwaa@gmail.com
www.aromaharvest.com.tw/
Seoul, Korea:
Yongmoo Shin
yongmoo.shin@gmail.com
+82 10 5566 8181 (cell phone)
www.hasap.kr
Volunteer to become an active
member of the aromatherapy
community.
Learn how, write to us at:
info@naha.org
66
Join the National Association for
Holistic Aromatherapy
Building Strength through Community and Education
Benefits of Membership:
a Certificate of Membership*
a Subscription to NAHA’s Aromatherapy E-Journal
a Monthly E-Newsletters, Updates, and Blog postings
a Membership Discount Program
a Membership Directory*
a Monthly Teleseminars
a Special Topic E-booklets
a Aromatherapy Books Special Offers
a NAHA Logo Use*
a Discount Advertising Opportunities
a Networking Opportunities
a Professional Liability Insurance Options*
a Free Calendar of Events Postings*
a Access to Members Only area of website*
a NEW! Access to Research Database of Articles*
a NEW! Explore Aromatherapy Booklet
*Business/Professional/Donor members only
To join NAHA, visit: www.naha.org
Email: info@naha.org or Call: 919.894.0298
67

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