~ Lavender ‘N Chocolate ~

A gentle and tender touch is essential in passing along our feelings of love to those who are dear to us. Adults are fond of massage, so you may be certain that babies respond with pleasure to the soothing touch through gentle massage. This will help create a foundation which is secure, loving and giving as well. Let us consider the tremendous value and everlasting benefits in caring for our babies in this way. I have always loved touching and kissing my babies, and they have never gone without feeling my love and care.

Baby massage - helps circulation and enhances body function, however the most important factor is providing you and your baby with very enjoyable moments and memories. It is natural for a mother to give a massage and natural for a baby to receive it. The most suitable oils for babies are Lavender and Roman chamomile. Both oils will help with most aspects of your baby’s problems. Massage may help calm an over-active child and can help promote healthy sleep, ease stomach problems, prevent diaper rash, and soften skin. Use 2 to 3 drops of essential oils in a small cup of warm mixing oil.

Studies are showing that massaged babies are more alert, sleep better, gain weight faster, and look happier. Use this knowledge to spend more memorable and quality time with your precious one.

Hmmm… have you ever considered what makes oranges so special besides their vitamin C content, and delightfully delicious taste? We always have a fairly large supply of fresh oranges on hand in our house, being a favourite. I have always known these luscious, lovely little fruits bring more to us humble beings than meets the eye. What I didn’t know, was what a treasure we have in such a simple fruit. Now I have a bit of history, traditions, and scientific studies to back up my inner sense of this jewel of a fruit. Let’s explore the lovely scents and taste of the orange.

Nature’s Jewel

Orange (Citrus sinensis) - Orange is a small tree with shiny oval leaves, fragrant white flowers, and sweet, very nutritious fruits. It yields orange essential oil from its fruit, neroli oil (one of the main constituents of Eau-de-Cologne) from its flower, and petitgrain oil from its leaves. The orange is native to China and India, however it is cultivated today in many warm climates in the USA, Europe, Mexico, or Brazil.

The orange’s main chemical components are 90% Limonene, while the remaining 10% is made up of odorous constituents such as citral, citronellal, auraptenol and acids. The essential oil is located within the small sacks in the outer part of the skin. If you pinch the skin close to the candle flame, the released oil will burn producing tiny stars. The flash point for orange essential oil is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23C).

Oranges symbolize innocence and fertility. In Chinese medicine, it was used to help with colds, coughs, and appetite problems. Traditionally it has been used as a tonic and as a support for the digestion system. It may influence one’s mood, create positive and happy feelings, and awaken activity. Orange oil will help you brighten gloomy feelings, dark thoughts and stressful situations. The oil is very beneficial and soothing for dry, irritated, and non-cystic acne prone skin. It has great regenerating properties and is valuable for mature skin. It may stimulate the lymphatic fluid, and it is a very good choice in massage procedure for helping swollen tissue.

Orange oil is a good source of vitamin C. It’s a good idea to add essential oil into a diffuser at times of flu or colds. It may help relieve tiredness, promote energy, and support the immune system.

Orange was also traditionally used to help the digestion system, alleviate occasional bloating or pressure, and prevent nausea associated with motion.

Use essential oil in combination with your daily skin care products and as an essential part of inhalation to help regulate your psyche and mood. If you use it as a necessary part of your massage procedure, you can aid digestion and help the muscular systems.

Lavender is a versatile and much underused herb for cooking. In today’s up market restaurants and bistros, fresh edible flowers are making a comeback as enhancements to both the flavour and appearance of food.

Try adding a few to your Herbes de Provence mixture - you’ll be amazed at the subtle yet extraordinary difference Lavender will make.

As a member of the same family as many of our most popular herbs, it is not surprising that lavender is edible and that its use in food preparation is also returning. Flowers and leaves can be used fresh or dried, and both buds and stems can be used dried. Lavender is a member of the mint family and is close to rosemary, sage, and thyme. It is best used with fennel, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and savory.

English Lavender (L. angustifolia in general and Munstead/Hidcote varieties, in particular when freshly picked) have the sweetest fragrance of all the lavenders and is the one most commonly used in cooking. The uses of lavender are limited only by your imagination. Lavender has a sweet, floral flavor, with lemon and citrus notes. The potency of the lavender flowers increases with drying. In cooking, use 1/3 the quantity of dried flowers to fresh. The key to cooking with lavender is to experiment; start out with a small amount of flowers, and add more as you go.

NOTE: Adding too much lavender to your recipe can be like eating perfume and will make your dish bitter. Because of the strong flavour of lavender, the secret is that a little goes a long way.

The lavender flowers add a beautiful colour to salads. Lavender can also be substituted for rosemary in many bread recipes. The flowers can be put in sugar and sealed tightly for a couple of weeks then the sugar can be substituted for ordinary sugar for a cake, buns or custards. Grind the lavender in a herb or coffee grinder or mash it with mortar and pestle.

The spikes and leaves of lavender can be used in most dishes in place of rosemary in most recipes. Use the spikes or stems for making fruit or shrimp kebabs.

Flowers look beautiful and taste good too in a glass of champagne, with chocolate cake, or as a garnish for sorbets or ice creams. Lavender lends itself to savoury dishes also, from hearty stews to wine-reduced sauces. Diminutive blooms add a mysterious scent to custards, flans or sorbets.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ: Do NOT eat flowers from florists, nurseries or garden centers or do so at your own risk. In many cases these flowers have been treated with pesticides, not labeled for food crops. Edible Lavender has been tested for microbial activity and is almost always greyish blue, not the bright blue of the dried Lavender bunches you see in florists which have usually had their colour augmented (dyed in other words) Such dyed Lavender is not suitable for ingestion.

One historic piece of wisdom proclaims, “Food nourishes the body, however flowers heal the soul”. In many ways, these two needs are inseparable. You have to feed your body to stay physically healthy and you have to feed your psyche to stay emotionally healthy. Essential oils play an important role in affecting mood, emotions, or memory. We already know about the connection between an olfactory cell and limbic brain system. Inhalation is a method by which essential oils quickly enter the body and take effect - to help the body heal itself. Essential oils may influence the human psyche by interacting with the nervous system, environment, and one’s personal will. Essential oils can control psychological changes in the human body through direct interaction with body systems, or they may produce learned psychological response. Learned responses may be different in each person or culture.

There are two different theories about how essential oils affect human psyche

Reflective theory assumes that essential oils influence the olfactory system and the sense of smell. The olfactory nerves have receptor sites that are stimulated by specific chemical components in particular essential oils. The stimulated receptors send signals to the brain, especially to the part of brain (amygdala and hippocampus) where the regulation of emotion, memory, sleep circle, or sexuality are affected.

While the Reflective Theory only requires interaction with olfactory epithelum, the Systemic theory assumes that essential oils interact directly with the brain and other systems of the body. People can also have learned psychological responses to essential oils by relating them with specific pleasant or unpleasant experiences. Memories can create or evoke change in the brain and psyche. For example, pine needle oil may bring back pleasant memories of Christmas, and these enjoyable memories can influence happy emotions.

Thus, the right essential oil may help with human emotions - happiness, anger, fear, sadness. Essential oils may influence the Autonomic Nervous System, which is part of the Peripheral Nervous System, and controls the involuntary functions of organs such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs, bladder, glands and gastrointestinal tract etc. There are three main divisions of the autonomic nervous system: the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic, Systems which provide a dual mechanism for controlling internal organs, and the Enteric System that regulates the activity of the gut.

The Sympathetic Nervous System can be described as a “fight or flight response.” Stimulation of this part can cause the hands to sweat, the heart rate to increase, or the blood pressure to rise. The Parasympathetic System is often described as a “rest and digest” movement. It may help digestion and relaxation, while decreasing the blood pressure.

Today, human beings are challenged by a stressful lifestyle that leads to tension and stress. Some essential oils may act on the Parasympathetic Nervous System to help the body relax and calm down. Some essential oils may invigorate the body or senses. Examples of stimulating essential oils are jasmine, basil, clove, geranium, lemongrass, and peppermint. Examples of sedative essential oils are lavender, chamomile, marjoram, and sandalwood. We might say that pleasant odors help ease feelings of tension, fear or confusion.

Mood can affect our memory, cognition and behavior. When you are in a good mood, you are more optimistic. You can learn faster and pay more attention to one’s studies. Why not use essential oils to help enhance your behavior, memory or learning process?

Aromas are able to evoke vivid memories of the past. The odors around us can bring about memory retrieval. With the help of essential oils, we may influence the memories of our past. Essential oils can support your children’s study progress and aid in memory functions. The door is open…

**Stay tuned for part two… coming soon!

About one month ago I posted about the wonderful healing art of Qigong. I had been practicing for about 1 month at the time of that post, and now have been consistantly practicing for over 2 months. I thought this would be a good time to give a progress report.

Practice

First of all, I will mention that I practice for half an hour each day, and some days I practice twice in one day. If I am totally rushed for time I at least give 15 minutes to energizing my body. This has only occured at most 3-4 times in the past month. I am working up to giving 45-60 minutes per session, with a second session before bed of about 15 minutes. It is recommended to do these movements outdoors if possible, to gain the most benefit of energy gathered from the natural world. In China you will find people outdoors, at different times throughout the day, practicing these movements as a matter of their daily course. It is this gentle and active movement which keeps us strong, healthy and full of vitality.

Energy

I am personally experiencing a significant increase in energy, even on days when I am extremely active or busy. Although I have always been in really good shape, in recent times I began to fall ill quite often. That is not the case this year. Autumn is usually the beginning of flu and cold season, and not a single bug has touched me. My daughter and I walk 5-6 miles at least twice per week, when the weather permits, and I recall having sore feet when we returned home, and feeling a bit run down. That has not been occuring in the past couple of weeks, and I am still full of energy towards the end of the day, even after a long walk. This is very exciting for me, as I was very energetic and active when I was younger, and I am not ready to slow down yet!

Physical Appearance

Another significant change is in my physical appearance. When I was younger I never had to worry about my weight. Yet in recent years I began to plump up a bit. This was quite discouraging, and very frustrating not to be able to fit into my favourite clothes. I was quite bummed, and even though I worked out, I was left exhausted and still couldn’t seem to drop the weight. Actively practicing Qigong is supposed to put our bodies back into balance, and help clear the energy channels inside us, so the energy can flow properly through our organs and througout our bodies. When these channels are blocked, it can create lots of havoc on our bodies, including weight gain, leaving our bodies vulnerable to dis-ease and illness.

Well, I am very happy to report that I am definately losing weight. I do not own a scale; never needed one. But I am noticing that my clothes fit me, and I look really good. Qigong is beneficial in that if practiced consistantly, we will regain our normal size, that which we are meant to be. I am not a big person, and it feels good to be finding my way back to the size I was created to be.

All in all, I am quite happy with my progress in practicing this gentle, yet powerful art of Qigong. I will be happy to share this, my own personal journey as it unfolds, and will soon post a current picture to show how healthy I am becoming after 46 years on this beautiful planet.

**Note - To follow from the beginning of this wonderful adventure, please visit The Healing Arts of Qigong. Also, I wish to give credit to the Teacher I am following in this beautiful art… Michael Tse.

It is said that placing lavender under ones pillow brings about restful sleep, and sweet Dreams. This can be especially soothing if one is prone to get headaches, as I am. I am lucky in that I have a good supply of lavender flowers to place in sachets under my pillow, as well as in my drawers to draw the wonderful fresh scent into my clothing. I also like to burn the flowers to cleanse my home, disrupting the negative energy, and replacing it with the positive feminine energy in which lavender brings.

Although I have a good supply of lavender through friends and such, I would like to try growing it on my own this spring. I truly believe this will have a significant meaning in bringing about healing, in that it will mean that much more having grown it on my own. I love to grow things, and our home is full of green plants. Growing plants also manifests good energy in our homes, and this can feel quite rewarding and is beneficial to our wellbeing.

I also like to carry a sachet of lavender in my purse or pocket, so that if I feel stressed or tense I can just pull it out and inhale the wonderful healing scent. During times of grief this can be especially beneficial, as it brings about a sense of peace, and seems to have a sweet calming effect.

So, whether you are awake or asleep, I truly believe the healing properties of lavender will bring you good feelings, restful sleep, and Sweet Dreams. And the greatest thing is that lavender is a great scent for both men and women, so the men on the planet needn’t be shy about utilizing this amazing herb.

We all agree that pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life. It is also a time when a woman pays special attention to her body. Aromatherapy has specific applications that can enrich your experience while bringing a new life into the world. Here are a few simple methods that may be helpful.

Morning Sickness -

Morning sickness is often the first sign of pregnancy. It can range from a mild annoyance to one of the most unpleasant experiences of pregnancy. Try putting 1-2 drops of peppermint oil on a tissue and inhale periodically.

Stretch Marks -

Stretch marks may be alleviated with a gentle massage using essential oils. Massage helps to increase elasticity and preserve the skin’s normal texture.

4 drops lavender
4 drops roman chamomile
4 drops of Tangerine
1 oz of Mixing oil

Use the above mixture in a gentle massage twice a day.

Foot bath -

Make a simple foot bath to relieve pain and help with swollen legs.

10 drops of lavender
5 drops of cypress
Bowl of warm water

Disperse oils in water, put your feet in and relax for 10-15 min.

Every moment in life is so very precious, so be sure to take the time to care for and pamper yourself. Enjoy!

**Note - As always, use good judgement and know your allergies! If you think you may have an allergic reaction to any herbs or oils mentioned, be sure to check with your naturapathic or health care provider before applying anything new.

I have to admit to having one little, tiny vanity… my hair. I just love my hair! The creator was quite generous in creating genes in which our hair can be quite beautiful, sensual and oh so shiny! Even though I claim 46 years on this Earth, I have very few silvers (which will be quite stunning some day, I must admit), and is quite long, healthy and very beautiful. I am really careful to care for it properly and give it the nutrients it deserves, and by only applying that which enhances natural health and beauty, I am able to ensure lasting beauty.

The best thing you can do for your hair is to treat it right; use natural products and choose hair care products with a pH level between 4.5 and 7. Your hair has a normal pH around 5, so the closer your hair care products come to this, the better the result.

You can create your own favourite hair products using essential oils. Essential oils will pamper and strengthen your hair, give it a nice shine, and increase the circulation in the scalp. Here are just a few tips to maintaining strength, health and beauty…

Conditioner for Split Ends

10 drops Rosewood
15 drops Sandalwood
2 oz Mixing oil
~ Work the mixture into hair ends, leave on for 20 minutes, then wash hair.

Hair Strengthening Shampoo

4 drops Cedarwood
6 drops Rosewood
4 drops Ylang Ylang
Your favourite Natural Shampoo
~ Add essential oils into your usual amount of shampoo and wash your hair with the mixture.

A few drops of Lemongrass and Wild Rosemary added to shampoo is an excellent balancing and conditioning hair treatment.

5 drops of Lemon in a cup of warm water is an effective rinse for oily hair.

5 drops of Wild Rosemary in a cup of warm water is wonderful for dry hair.

Another great tip is the use of Olive Oil once or twice a month to give your hair a great natural treatment. Add 1-3 tablespoons of olive oil, depending on length of hair, to a small saucepan. Heat until quite warm, but not too hot. Apply to freshly shampooed hair which has been towel dried. Massage scalp gently with your fingers, and comb the Olive Oil thoroughly through to the tips of your hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic bag, and allow to penetrate for an hour or so. I like to leave it on overnight, but it is up to you, depending upon your preferences. Wash your hair as usual… you may need to wash it twice if you do not like an oily sheen. Olive Oil is loaded full of nutrients, and your hair will absolutely love it!

**Note - As always, use good judgement and know your allergies! If you think you may have an allergic reaction to any herbs or oils mentioned, be sure to check with your naturapathic or health care provider before applying anything new.

Enhancing our well being with aromatherapy, and finding the highest quality of essential oils to maintain physical, emotional, and spiritual balance is essential. Those who know me can attest to my love of the scent, and many beneficial uses of my favourite herb, lavender.

Lavender Highland is an evergreen, woody shrub that grows about 3 feet high. It has pale green narrow leaves, and beautiful violet-blue flowers. The entire plant is highly aromatic. Lavendula Vera is also known as Lavendula Officinalis, and Lavendula Angustifolia. All these names indicate a true lavender. The essential oil from a true lavender is prized for its ester content. Esters provide a relaxing quality with a sweet aroma.

The best Lavender in the world, with the highest ester content, comes from the high-mountain region of Provence, France. This is Oshadhi’s Highland Lavender. No other Lavender compares to its exquisite aroma and unsurpassed therapeutic qualites for skin care, first aid, and stress.

Until recently, I thought I had discovered the finest arts in maintaining good health and fitness for my body, as well as my mind and spirit. I have studied the self-defense arts, as well as a bit of Tai Chi, and Yoga. I have always been healthy, and did not realize that perhaps a very important piece of the puzzle to staying youthful and dis-ease free, may still be missing.

Well then, my daughter knows how I love discovering new/old arts that are proven to bring about health and healing. She was concerned with how much trouble I was having sleeping at night, and how ill I had been off and on in recent years. So a few weeks ago she found a great book at the Library called ‘Qigong for Healing and Relaxation’ written by Michael Tse.

I was pretty phyched and excited once I began to read about this amazing healing art. The chinese people have been practicing these arts for many thousands of years, and I have experienced this wisdom many times throughout my life. So I decided to study Michael’s work and practice these movements. I am thoroughly amazed!! Not only am I sleeping better at night, yet I have a lot more energy to accomplish my daily tasks; I even have plenty of energy left over to have fun!

Qigong is pronounced “chee-gong”, and Qi means vital energy; Gong means work. So Qigong is an exercise that works on our vital energy, which is our life force. We cannot survive without our life force. With Qigong, we may play an important part in our own healing and in bringing our bodies back into harmony with nature.

I would strongly recommend this gentle and beautiful art to anyone, no matter your state of health. If nothing else, you will be pleasantly suprised at how graceful and balanced you will feel by taking a few moments of your day to spend gathering vital Qi and nourishing your body from the inside out.

I will soon be writing an update on my results, as I am still in the beginning stages of discovering the limitless value of this lovely art.