Feb8
Did you know you could create your own meditation anytime with any item or idea? Grab something you love, then use all of your senses to imagine. Yes, that was the correct ending to that sentence: use all of your senses to imagine. It’s easier than you might think.
I meditated with cloves today. What do you think about what I saw? This is just an example of the kind of mental break with insight that meditation gifts to you when you do it. This is how my meditation went:
I’ve got an open container of cloves in front of me. The scent is perceptible, yet not over-powering. The cloves are dark brown and look like little nails.
I’m thinking that I’ve nailed something shut. Now, I’ve got to go open it again. I don’t know what’s in this wooden crate (who knew I had a wooden crate?!), but I’m going to find out. The clove scent is carrying me through a darkened tunnel…there’s a light at the other side…bluish. The smell is comforting, relaxing, and filling…nothing to fear here, take another step…I’m in the bright blue light. Read the rest of this entry →
Jan30
Certain scents immediately transport me to a time in the past.
My grandfather wore white work shirts every day to build houses. When I spent the night at Nana and Papaw’s house, I had the privilege of wearing his big t-shirts as pajamas! Their soft, warm smell made me feel so safe and snug.
Imagine my surprise the day I opened my husband’s drawer of work shirts and the scent placed my Papaw back by my side! Now, I wear my husband’s t-shirts to bed, and feel like the princess Papaw told me I am.
Aromas work magic on us, in part because they skip over the verbal side of our brain and head straight for the heart. A scent can cause tears before you even have the words to describe why you’re crying; a scent can cause giggles before you guess why you’re laughing. Scents elicit images and feelings, calling almost forgotten scenes into the present moment. Aromas awaken imagination.
Instead of picking up another impulse buy the next time you are shopping, plan to buy a special item that replicates your happy scent. You deserve to live, love, remember and imagine freely too!
What scents transport you to happy memories?
Jan23
Imagine yourself sitting on a stone bench, the sun warming your skin, and surrounded by gardens of flowers. Tulips, daffodils, wild flowers and lavender. You feel a slight breeze blow through your hair and on your face. You can smell all the aromas around you, and a happiness glows white from your heart.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose, and then slowly release your breath. What did you just smell?
If the aroma you smelled was NOT a pleasant one, then it is time to do something about it. You spend way too much time at your computer to smell nothing (or worse)!
Quick – go and grab one of the pretty scented candles you’ve saved for something special. Light it at your desk, and start creating a beautiful environment for yourself.
If you don’t have a candle, I’m sure that there is at least one “smell good” product in your home. Dig out your incense, potpourri, scented oils – whatever you have. Place them near your work area and begin enjoying time spent at your computer!
Jan23
P&S Journal: Spring 1995, Vol.15, No.2
Research & Reports
Whether a scent emanates from a floral bouquet, the beach, or fresh-ground coffee, its essence envelops us. Odors penetrate consciousness almost against reason. Smell by its nature is primal. Our nose, a direct conduit from the environment to our brain, communicates the pleasurable and offensive sensations of smells that conjure up emotions, thought, and memories.
What structure has the brain evolved to distinguish between the smell of a rose and the smell of cologne? Why do humans as a species distinguish 10,000 or so aromas? How does what happens in the sensory olfactory neurons deep in the nose get read by the higher cortex to evoke images and feelings?
Read the rest of this entry →
Jan23
We know more about the intricacies of Earth’s environment than we know about the internal environment of our brain. We’re getting closer to understanding how the brain transmits thought and sensory impulses as energy, but we’re only beginning to explore how the brain’s biology affects the mind.
Aromatherapy offers you the chance to use your sense of smell to create a state of wellness. Aromatherapy isn’t for everyone, but there is a good bit of new evidence showing that, like it or not, what you smell affects your state of mind.
The Science of Smell
Smell is determined by complex communications between the nose and the brain. Odorants bind to sensory cells in the nose, and those impulses are sent on to the olfactory bulb. From this point, “…in a way still unknown, higher parts of the brain, or the cortex, read the spatial map…” to invoke memories, thoughts, emotions, and very possibly the ability of the mind to heal the body.
Fact is, whereas there is a lot modern science has proven about our sense of smell and the workings of the brain, modern science has yet to prove that aromas, or odorants, have no effect on the healing abilities of the mind and body. This is in part an unfair statement. Read the rest of this entry →
Jan23
Use the power of your mind and spirit as you explore aromatherapy. Start with the information and literature provided by others, and then expand on it or change it as your beliefs develop.
For example, Bluelady believes that jasmine oil rejuvenates your spirit by acknowledging your inner beauty, and that it activates your ability to accept spirit’s messages. However, if you had a bad experience near a flowering jasmine bush, then the scent of jasmine’s essential oil will elicit that bad memory instead of the positive effect Bluelady expects!
1. Trust Your Self
The beliefs and memories you hold in your own mind will overcome the ” established ” uses of any aromatherapy oil every time. Trust yourself, and don’t try to force yourself to heal with a scent that causes you mental or emotional distress. Until you separate the aroma from the distressing memory, its aroma will not benefit you.
If you find that a certain scent causes you discomfort, it is a good idea to find out why. You may already know why. If so, using that scent to recreate the situation with the purpose of healing is a great idea – if you’re ready to heal it. Listen to your spirit. When the time is right to heal, you will know. Read the rest of this entry →
Jan22
Spruce needles (picea mariana) aromatherapy oil helps you draw out and release hidden spiritual and mental problems. This oil’s scent also eases communication with small children who often cannot find the words to tell you what is bothering them. (Make sure children only smell the oil – not taste it!)
The airy, fresh scent of spruce needle promotes inner calm, providing an environment conducive to healing. Sniff spruce needle oil routinely throughout the day, or open the bottle during meditation or conversation to naturally clear and heal mental, spiritual and physical ailments.
Spruce needle oil is used as a homeopathic treatment for stress, colds/flu, and acne to name a few. If hiccups plague your little one, pass spruce needle oil under his nose for relief.
Spiritually, spruce needle aromatherapy oil is known for its ability to revitalize circulation in both the body and spirit.
Spruce needle aromatherapy oil corresponds with the virtues of Balance, Health, and Peacefulness.
Jul10
Patchouli oil has a rich, earthy, and exotic scent which enhances your sensual perception. Sounds are richer, colors are more vibrant…. Your senses come alive and your mind attunes itself to the vibration of living.
Patchouli oil enables you to embody the sensual love of being human so your passion spills out into your actions (or onto your canvas).
Patchouli oil corresponds with the virtues of:
Jul10
Examining tradition is a valid way to learn how an herb will work for you. Scientific proof may be lacking, but the human experience is a truthful representation of things science may not yet show. If you believe an herb or oil or any other natural substance will help you overcome difficulties or enhance your strengths, then it will.
Aromatherapy Oils
Aromatherapy oils are for external use only. Do not taste or use aromatherapy oils for cooking.
Aromatherapy oils are complementary to medical care, not replacements for it. As always, use your own best judgment when evaluating claims from any source.
Herbs & Tea
Not every herb is “safe” and some can cause death either alone or in conjunction with other herbs or pharmaceutical medications.
If your personal physician is not knowledgeable about herbal medicine but you wish to try it for yourself, consult with a licensed herbologist or consult a different medical doctor for advice.
As always, use your own judgment when evaluating herbal claims in advertisements, on the web and everywhere else herbal claims are made.
From Wikipedia’s entry about “Herbalism”:
“A common misconception about herbalism and the use of “natural” products in general, is that “natural” equals safe. However many plants have chemical defense mechanisms against predators that can have adverse or lethal effects on humans. Examples are poison hemlock and nightshade, which can be deadly.
“Herbs can also have undesirable side-effects just as pharmaceutical products can. These problems are exacerbated by lack of control over dosage and purity. Furthermore, if given in conjunction with drugs, there is danger of summation, where the herb and the drug have similar actions and add together to make an overdose. In animals, there are other dangers.”
Jul10
Bluelady recommends jasmine (jasminum sambac) aromatherapy oil as a complementary treatment for Depression and to enhance your sex drive. The scent of rich, intoxicating jasmine lifts your spirits, perks up a faltering libido and gives a general sense of well-being.
Jasmine enhances your ability to enjoy life by empowering your senses to tune into your beauty, acceptance, empowerment, and forgiveness virtues.
Transport your Self to places of divine spiritual beauty with this exquisitely sensual, sweet, intoxicating scent!
Jasmine corresponds with the virtues of:
