Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Determining the X Factor: mistletoe and cancer

February 9, 2010 by stephteresa

According to a recent article by The Ecologist, Mistletoe is widely used and respected throughout Europe as a treatment for cancer.

In the United States, mistletoe, Phoradendron flavescens, is commercially harvested for Christmas decorations under which people can seek a cheeky kiss.  However, Mistletoe is actually the common name for a group of hemi-parasitic plants (which means they get water and mineral nutrients from a host plant) in the order Santalales (flowering plants in tropical and subtropical regions).  As a parasitic plant, it grows on the branches or trunk of a tree and actually sends out roots that penetrate into the tree and take up nutrients.  Apple and Oak are favourites.

Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia (held in honour of the God Saturn) and later with primitive marriage rites. Mistletoe was believed to have the power of bestowing fertility, and the dung from which the mistletoe was thought to arise was also said to have “life-giving” power.

Revered in European folklore and mythology for centuries for it’s protective, peace inducing and aphrodisiac properties, it is now being used for its healing properties in the fight against cancer.   In the 1920’s, Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian philosopher, social thinker, architect and esotericist was busy connecting the dots between the cognitive path of Western philosophy and the inner and spiritual needs of the human being.  Part of this involved the realisation that plants can heal the body with regard for the mind – he was one of the earliest mind-body medicine pioneers of the modern era.  A connection between Mistletoe and cancer was established and the rest is history.

European mistletoe (Viscum album L.) is now among the most prescribed drugs in cancer patients in several European countries including Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  Proponents claim that mistletoe extracts stimulate the immune system, improve survival, enhance quality of life and reduce adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients.

While the plant contains several biologically active substances that could kill cancer cells, fight viruses and tune the immune system, as with other forms of plant and herb medicine, including Aromatherapy, it is not clearly understood how it works.  With any plant, the chemical structure is determined by a combination of many factors including country, soil, climate, altitude, method of cultivation etc, so the same plants from different areas and different crops, for example, would have different chemical structure which would, in turn, influence its healing properties.

We’ve tried to isolate the largest components of essential oils to recreate them in a lab and it simply cannot be done.  Plants contain a life force that create more than the some of their parts and contribute to healing in many different ways.  One theory is that they contribute to healing by sharing their high frequency with us, since disease sets in when our bodies have a frequency of between 59-60 MHz.  Essential oils are said to have a frequency of betweeing 52-320 MHz, with Rosa Damascena being the highest.

In the hands of western medicine we’ll always be missing a vial component: an understanding of the individual.  We have little understanding as to how physical factors like genetics and blood type etc combine with the mental, emotional, spiritual and psychological factors to contribute towards healing.  Until we accept that every individual requires a bespoke treatment, we are far from unlocking the healing formula for any illness.  Even with the understanding that mistletoe contains several biologically active substances that could kill cancer cells, fight viruses and tune the immune system, the formula is still:

Mistletoe + X = freedom from disease

The X factor derives from a unique understanding of the individual.

For now we can continue look to holistic modalities like Aromatherapy for positive mood and health, accepting that when we find the right combination for the person we are treating, it simply works, even though we can’t always explain how.

Source: The Medical News, Medical News Today, Wikipedia, The Ecologist

See also: The Alchemy of Electrical Synergy

Posted in Health | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Setting the stage for quality sleep

February 8, 2010 by stephteresa

Two of America’s leading feminist super-achievers have joined forces to to identify women’s sleep deprivation as “the next feminist issue”.  Arianna Huffington, the powerhouse publisher of The Huffington Post, and Cindi Leive, the equally indomitable publisher of Glamour have cited studies that show women are more sleep deprived than men.  While any mother or woman in a relationship will already know this, it is interesting to note that this is a generally trend with wider societal issues.  According to the research, exhaustion is undermining women’s creativity, judgment, and relationships.  You can find the full article at Times Online.

Whatever the reason behind your lack of sleep, be it motherhood, stress (or other nervous disorders), environmental toxins, headaches or migraines, watching TV before bed or working late, one thing that can really help is to relax for a few mins before you hit the hay.  The more relaxed you are when your head hits the pillow, the better the quality of your sleep will be, no matter how much you get.  Practicing a relaxation technique for 10 mins before bed could also help to alleviate some of the other symptoms you currently experience, if done over the longer term.

Aromatherapy can help to relax and deepen your breathing which in turn prepares your body and mind to rest.  Given that most of our growth and healing takes place while we’re asleep, it’s essential to make sure our sleep is of the highest quality possible.  We’ve put together a list of our favourite essential oils that can help to promote a beautiful nights sleep.

The following don’t just make you sleepy, they lull you into a positive state of mind, calm your body and quiet your thoughts, promote overall balance & harmony and make you feel wonderful (and maybe a little amorous, too!).

Lavender lavandula angustifolia, the Grandmother of essential oils, is calming and balancing.  It helps to create mental-emotional equilibrium, to release pent-up energy, to ease frustration and irritability and, most importantly, create a feeling of calmness and composure.  If you only have one essential oil at home, it’s this one.

Orange citrus sinensis, is great for adults and children alike, is great for promoting relaxation and releasing stress & frustration.  The smell alone bestows joy and positivity upon the most sullen of moods, probably because of its ability to help energy circulate freely around the body.

Sweet Marjoram origanum marjorana is, according to Garbriel Mojay, one of the main essential oils that possess the ability to both strengthen and relax.  It is superb for calming and regulating the heart.  Overall it is sweet, nourishing and balancing in the way that can relieve you from stress, worry and over thinking.  In fact, this oil is perfect for the working girl.

Ylang Ylang cananga odorata has an amazing effect on the heart, both on the organ and as the symbol of the center of our emotions.  When life has launched its full artillery in your direction, this is the oil to calm your palpitations, hypertension and tachycardia (unusually rapid heart beat).  It helps to cool your burning frustration and agitation as well as promote sleep.  Not only this, once your eyes are closed you could easily be transported to a tropical garden, where the fairies sleep (if you believe in them).

Roman Chamomile chamaemeleum nobile, another oil with a diverse range of uses, is a warrior in cases of chronic tension and  insomnia.  Can you resist an oil that helps us to let go of our expectations, accept our limitations and accept support?  We thought not!  Beautiful.

Frankincense boswellia carterii, our favourite for body and soul, promotes tranquility and liberates your spirit.  No small feat, this delicately fragranced yet powerful oil will deliver you from nervous tension and nervous exhaustion.  Great for irritation, restlessness and insomnia.  It will calm and deepen your breathing and enter you into the perfect meditative state, diminishing troublesome mental chatter.

Bergamot citrus bergamia, the sunshine oil, is relaxing and refreshing.  It helps to maintain the free and even flow of energy throughout the body and therefore is fantastic for emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety and, of course, insomnia.

How you use them depends on how much time you have:

30 secs – put 6 drops of any of the oils above, in any combination you like, in an oil burner or diffuser in your bedroom. Focus on deep breathing when your head hits the pillow.

1 min - pre-prepare a blend to massage into your feet before sleep.  3 drops of any of the above oils in 15ml carrier oil (such as apricot oil)

3 mins – place 3 drops of any of the above oils in a bowl of boiling water cover head with a towel and inhale for 3 mins.  Avoid using more than 1 drop of sweet marjoram as it very strong.

10 mins – place 6 drops of any of the above oils, except sweet marjoram, in 1 tbsp apricot oil and place in the bath.  Do not exceed 2 drops for either orange or ylang ylang (can cause irritation)

When traveling -  place 3 drops of any of the oils on a tissue and leave next to your pillow

Enjoy a slow and sensual escape into a dream like state. :)

Source: Aromatherapy for healing the spirit by Gabriel Mojay

Posted in Aromatherapy Recipes, Health, Mind & Emotions | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

A Red Flower by Claude McKay

February 5, 2010 by stephteresa

Your lips are like a southern lily red,
Wet with the soft rain-kisses of the night,
In which the brown bee buries deep its head,
When still the dawn’s a silver sea of light.

Your lips betray the secret of your soul,
The dark delicious essence that is you,
A mystery of life, the flaming goal
I seek through mazy pathways strange and new.

Your lips are the red symbol of a dream,
What visions of warm lilies they impart,
That line the green bank of a fair blue stream,
With butterflies and bees close to each heart!

Brown bees that murmur sounds of music rare,
That softly fall upon the langourous breeze,
Wafting them gently on the quiet air
Among untended avenues of trees.

O were I hovering, a bee, to probe
Deep down within your scented heart, fair flower,
Enfolded by your soft vermilion robe,
Amorous of sweets, for but one perfect hour!

Posted in Poetry | Leave a Comment »

the smell of brownies makes you feel so good!

February 4, 2010 by stephteresa

We’ve been brownie-holics since childhood and have gone through dozen’s of recipes with one standout favourite: Bill Granger’s.  An ozzie chef, he’s a dynamo for simple delicious recipes that ANYONE can cook, whether you’re a chef de partie or a kitchen phobe.  This recipe is from his book Bills Food.

370g (2 1/2 cups) caster (superfine) sugar
80g (2/3 cup) organic cocoa powder (Green & Blacks is the best!)
60g (1/2 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs, beaten
250g (9oz) unsalted butter, melted (we used half this amount)
2 tsp vanilla extract
200g (7oz) organic dark chocolate cut into small, rough chunks (Green & Blacks is our favourite)

Try to source organic ingredients where you can.
Pre-heat oven to 160˚C (315˚F/gas 2-3).  Stir the sugar, cocoa powder, flour and baking powder together in a bowl.  Add the eggs, melted butter and vanilla and mix until combined.  Mix in the chocolate chunks.  Pour into a lined 9 inch (22cm) square tin and bake for 40 to 45 minutes.  You can take it out earlier and place in the fridge for a couple of hours if you want fudgey brownies…which are AMAZING!  But watch them closely if you have a fan assisted oven as they will cook A LOT quicker!

We recommended using organic dark chocolate (our own tweak to this recipe) as Pure cacao (the seed powder) without sugar and other additives has been found to contain high levels of antioxidant polyphenols, oligomeric procynanidins and other flavonoids that help boost the immune system and protect against the “bad” cholesterol and even heart disease.  It’s extremely nutritious due to its high protein, vitamin and mineral content.  The less sugar, the more cacao, the better!

Enjoy them warm with organic vanilla ice cream, feel in love with life and intoxicated with joy! ;)

See also: An Ode to Cacao Absolute

The post is dedicated to my dear friend Benny, who was always a huge fan of these brownies xx

Posted in Perfume, Fragrance & Aroma | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Defining essential oils

February 1, 2010 by stephteresa

In Latin, Paracelsus referred to the oils he distilled from medicinal plants as “quinta essentia”, meaning the quintessence of the plant, which is where the term “essential oil” comes from.  In other words, an oil can be thought of as “essential” in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant.

Essential oils are extremely concentrated, aromatic & evaporate readily.  They are extracted  through distillation and other processes from specific parts of particular species of plants including: flowers, leaves, barks, roots, fruits, seeds, grasses & resins.

There are an estimated half million species of flora in the world with 300 producing an essential oil used in modern aromatherapy.

They come from specific species and plant groups from all over the world, containing various chemical components that give each unique personality, character & power which cannot be reproduced in the lab.  As a result, they have various  & wide ranging (and each oil multiple) medical properties, including their wonderful aromas, which have specific influences on the human body in a way that heals and soothes both body and mind.

Posted in Aromatherapy essential oils | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

How to make your house smell good

January 30, 2010 by stephteresa

Love the beginning paragraphs of Patrick Süskind’s Perfume, especially:

In the period of which we speak, there reigned in the cities a stench barely conceivable to modern men and women.  The streets stank of manure, the courtyards of urine, the stairwells stank of mouldering wood and rat droppings, the kitchens of spoiled cabbage and mutton fat; the unaired parlours stank of stale dust, the bedrooms of greasy sheets, damp featherbeds, and the pungently sweet aroma of chamber pots.  The stench of sulphour rose from the chimneys, the stench of caustic lyes from the tanneries, and from the slaughterhouses came the stench of congealed blood.  People stank of sweat and unwashed clothes; from their mouths came the stench of rotting teeth, from their bellies that of onions, and from their bodies, if they were no longer very young, came the stench of rancid cheese and sour milk and tumorous disease.

An effortlessly experiential description of the pungent odours of the time…and wow! what smells!  Over time we’ve learned to mask those smells with perfumed everything, from car fresheners and powdered carpet cleaners to deodorants and scented pant liners.

It seems we have gone from one extreme to another; from hideous natural odours to harmful and asphyxiating synthetic ones.

Ever walked into the perfume hall of a department store and found yourself gasping for breath?

Ever sprayed a can of air freshener (or deodorant) in a windowless bathroom and begun to gag?

Ever felt that all this natural scent might not be so natural after all?

Along with being harmful – you need online do some research on the ingredients listed on the labels – synthetic fragrances often don’t smell either natural or good, so that’s when you need to get hold of a couple of spray bottles, oil burners, a diffuser and some essential oils to get rid of those nasty whiffs and add a little feel good factor to your home.

For the bathroom

Add 6 drops each of Lime, Lavender and Eucalyptus to a 100ml spray bottle full of water and spritz when needed

Add 5 drops each of Vetiver and Lemon to an oil burner to get rid of very nasty whiffs – burn for 15 mins

For the kitchen (spray, oil burner or diffuser)

After cooking fish, spray Lime and Lavender (same method as above) around the kitchen and surrounding areas

OR add the same oils to an oil burner or diffuser to deodorize the room

Add 6 drops each of Cypress, Lemon and Lavender to 100ml spray bottle full of water, oil burner or diffuser to create a more general air cleanser

For the bedroom (oil burner or diffuser):

Jasmine , Ylang ylang and Sandalwood to get those loving feelings flowing

Clove, Cinnamon and Orange to create a feeling of warmth

Frankincense, Orange and Vetiver to relax, unwind and drift away

For the floor

Add 6 drops each of Pine, Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Thyme to a bucket of water to mop the floors

For the surfaces

Add 15 drops each of Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Lavender to a spray bottle full of water and use to clean all surfaces

For the laundry

Add a few drops of your favourite oils to the rinse cycle of your wash

Add a few drops of Rose, Jasmine or Ylang ylang to the last rinse when hand washing your lingerie

After mopping the floor, people will walk into your house, days after,  saying it smells amazing!  They’ll LOVE your bathroom and you’ll feel amazing in your bedroom.  Experiment with essential oils aromas that you like and look into hyrdrosols (flower waters) which can also be used as air fresheners or linen sprays.

Totally transform the smells of your home and how you feel when you’re in it.

Posted in Aromatherapy Recipes, Perfume, Fragrance & Aroma, ethical aromatherapy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

The Flowers by Robert Louis Stevenson

January 29, 2010 by stephteresa

All the names I know from nurse:
Gardener’s garters, Shepherd’s purse,
Bachelor’s buttons, Lady’s smock,
And the Lady Hollyhock.

Fairy places, fairy things,
Fairy woods where the wild bee wings,
Tiny trees for tiny dames–
These must all be fairy names!

Tiny woods below whose boughs
Shady fairies weave a house;
Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme,
Where the braver fairies climb!

Fair are grown-up people’s trees,
But the fairest woods are these;
Where, if I were not so tall,
I should live for good and all.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Posted in Poetry | Leave a Comment »

Ease your tonsillitis with some strategic aromatherapy

January 19, 2010 by stephteresa

For those of your in the northern hemisphere, it’s the silly season for bacteria and viruses which seem  to thrive on our  weakened immune system and exposure to more bugs than usual.  Persistent sufferers of tonsillitis will be all too familiar with that “barbed wire in your throat feeling when you swallow” and the hopelessness of antibiotics which don’t seem to speed up your recovery.  For the first three days you can feel helpless while all you can do is wait for the  pain to subside, but don’t despair!  you can take the bull by the horns and proactively assist your own recovery!  Aromatherapy can hugely ease your discomfort and lift your mood, the joint result of which will have you smiling and your usual self again as part of a speedier recovery.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Health | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Blooming wonders: smelly Amorphophallus titanum

January 16, 2010 by stephteresa

We mentioned the imminent bloom of the Corpse Flower in Milwaukee Public Museum on the Aromamuse Facebook Page but we love David Attenboroughs The Private Life of Plants BBC TV Series, in which the flowering and pollination of the plant were filmed for the first time.

This clip shows David Attenborough’s visit to Sumatra, where it is native to the equatorial rainforests, to view the rare 3 day boom of the Amorphophallus titanum (from Ancient Greek amorphos, “without form, misshapen” + phallos, “penis”, and titan, “giant”) which occurs only once ever 3 years.  It’s a gargantuan flowering plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence  (cluster of flowers) in the world.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Perfume, Fragrance & Aroma | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

An aromatherapy compress for all your aches and pains

January 15, 2010 by stephteresa

A compress is generally recommended when the affected area or condition is too painful to massage.  It is helpful in reducing swelling & pain, increasing blood flow and circulation and it’s a very easy & practical way of benefitting from the therapeutic effects of essential oils.  It is a valuable way of treating muscular aches and pains, bruises, swelling, headaches, fever, inflammation, menstrual cramps and many kinds of skin conditions such as eczema.

To make a compress, all you needs is a bowl, water, some essential oils and a cloth (flannel or washcloth).

Add the essential oils to the water, mix, place the cloth in the water to soak up some of the water, wring out the cloth and then apply to affected area, covering with some cling film (glad wrap) to seal in the temperature & the oils.

The normal dilution of essential oils in a compress solution would be 4-5 drops in 200ml of water

Continue Reading »

Posted in Health | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment »

Say goodbye to cystitis with some strategic Aromatherapy

January 13, 2010 by stephteresa

Good news for cystitis sufferers – Aromatherapy can ease your symptoms and aid the speed of your recovery.

Those who’ve had cystitis may well have experienced it on a regular basis.  It’s one of those afflictions that some people get all the time and others never get.  That burning pain on urination and that general feeling of malaise can really suck, so being able to do something proactive about your path to wellness that smells amazing and lifts your spirits is a helping hand out of the frustration & agony that accompanies a day or two attached to the loo!

Continue Reading »

Posted in Aromatherapy Recipes, Health | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Know your Eucalyptus: Radiata, Lemon & Blue Gum

January 10, 2010 by stephteresa

Eucalyptus is a general name for up to 750 different species of the genus, of which at least 500 produce essential oils.  There are many sub species and chemotypes.  The main essential oils producing types are Eucalyptus Globulus (Blue gum), Eucalyptus radiata (narrow leaved peppermint gum), Eucalyptus Citriodora (lemon-scented Eucalyptus), Eucalyptus Smithii (Gully gum) and Eucalyptus polybractea (Blue Mallee).

Eucalyptus oils have widespread applications in mouthwashes, inhalers, hygiene and cleansing products (soaps and detergents), room sprays, food flavouring and perfumery.

In aromatherapy they are effectively used for skin care, the respiratory system, the immune system, the nervous system, the urino-genital system and the musculo-skeletal system.

When choosing a “Eucalyptus” you should bare in mind what you’re going to use it for.  We’ve created a little cheat sheet to help you decide which is best for you when choosing from Eucalyptus Globulus (Blue gum), Eucalyptus radiata (narrow leaved peppermint gum) or Eucalyptus Citriodora (lemon-scented Eucalyptus).

Continue Reading »

Posted in Aromatherapy essential oils | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

I wandered lonely as a cloud

January 4, 2010 by stephteresa

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.


~ William Wordsworth, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” 1804

Posted in Aromatherapy in Art & Religion | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

Aromatherapy & the art of being alone

January 2, 2010 by stephteresa

The Long Leg, ca.1930, painted by Edward Hopper (1882-1967) brings the serenity of the ocean to life and speaks of isolation and alone”ness”.  Hopper’s paintings are characterised by melancholy, isolation and loneliness.  The Long Leg depicts a sail boat at Long Point Light in Provincetown, Massachussetts at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon.  Although it depicts a leisure scene, no people are visible on the boat or the shore and this mood of isolation is said to reflect the abstract, impersonal symbol of Modernism.

Painting aside, the idea of being alone and being lonely are often confused with being synonymous with each other.  Being alone can be energising, strengthening & helpful to discover the peace within.  It has become such a rarity to experience the pure treasure of being alone without either the feelings of stress & anxiety that comes with some busy lives or without feeling lonely.  Learning to appreciate your own company might be harder for some people than others, but making friends with yourself and learning not to yearn for or hide behind the company of others is good for you!

Being alone can help to re-orientate you, help you to move forward and come to terms with your feelings or actions.  Being alone is actually only a problem when you feel lonely.  Feeling lonely in a crowd may reflect how you feel about yourself in relation to other people.

Aromatherapy is beneficial for both the positive state of alone”ness” and it’s negative sister, loneliness.

Oils for negative loneliness:

Bergamot, Narcissus, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Benzoin

Oils for positive aloneness:

Orange, Rose Otto, Jasmine, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Rose Maroc, Melissa

Photo taken at the Huntington Gallery, San Marino, California

Source: The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion by Valerie Ann Worwood

Posted in Mind & Emotions | Leave a Comment »

Perfume inspired by nature

December 31, 2009 by stephteresa

Since perfumes are inspired by nature and often contain remnants of it, seems logical to seek out those that smell divine without leaving a synthetic chemical residue on your skin or aromatic “after taste”.  All our favourite fragrances from the department counters or couture boutiques contain notes of barks, flowers, twigs, leaves, resins and leaves, used as top, middle, base notes and fixatives to create well rounded blends often glorious and memorable throughout the decades and sometimes revolting.

Even Tom Ford’s latest perfume, Italian Cypress,  contains bergamot, mandarin, spearmint and galbanum, basil, clove buds, labdanum, cypress, moss ….Jean Paul Gautier’s Classique X is “a sensual interpretation of orange blossom and woody notes”…..both likely lovely fragrances but mixed with synthetic chemical components which renders them less than “healthy” spritzes for your gorgeous skin.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Perfume, Fragrance & Aroma | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Essential Oil Safety Part 3: Toxicity

December 30, 2009 by stephteresa

Although it may seem a little bizarre that essential oils derived from the various parts of plants, trees and flowers can be harmful to us, it’s sooo important to understand which oils should be used with caution.  Chemical compounds found in nature are so powerful that they have actually given rise to our modern pharmacy.  Take aspirin, the active ingredient of which (salicin) comes from the Willow tree.    Morphine is derived from the notorious poppy (and named after Morpheus, the God of Dreams) and quinine, used to treat Malaria since the 17th Century and still the most prolific anti-malarial today, comes from the Cinchona tree, an evergreen native to South America (the natives called in “quina quina” which means “bark of barks”).

Various chemical components contained within our favourite aromatic delights render certain oils toxic if used in high doses or over a prolonged period of time.   We touched on the toxicity of essential oils in Essential Oil Safety Part 1 so here we’ll cover this in more detail.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Safety, Chemistry & Practical | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Thank Hummingbird for Sage

December 29, 2009 by stephteresa

Flapping his wings at 12-90 times per second while practicing the art of levitation more effortlessly than David Copperfield, this little Hummingbird, the smallest of birds, was the star attraction in our photo shoot at Mt Griffith Park, LA.  He was busily feasting on the nectar of some bright red flowers, which got us thinking, which essential oils do we have to thank him for?!

After our post Thank Butterfly for Chamomile, where we captured a Monarch Butterfly feasting on rosemary at the amazing Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, we didn’t expect to be presented with another spontaneous photo shoot so soon, but lo and behold, this fellow has obviously been in LA long enough to have practiced his acting skills.

Hummingbirds are the only birds who are able to fly backwards and can fly as fast as 54 km/hr.  They are extremely fussy about the nectar they eat and reject anything with less than 10% sugar.  They require 2-3 their body weight in food so supplement their nutritional intake with insects and spiders, especially when feeding their young.

Continue Reading »

Posted in ethical aromatherapy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Thank butterfly for Chamomile

December 27, 2009 by stephteresa

All this talk about flowers, oils and hydrosols and yet so little mentioned of the truly awesome creatures that make all this possible.  Yes, the bird, the bees and the butterflies!

Butterflies are less efficient than bees at moving pollen between plants, but are very active during the day and visit a variety of wildflowers.  Highly perched on their long thin legs, they don’t pick up much pollen on their bodies and lack specialized structures for collecting it…but certain plants provide perfect landing platforms to accommodate this apparent shortfall.

Butterflies probe for nectar, their flight fuel, and typically favor the flat, clustered flowers that provide a landing pad and abundant rewards. Butterflies have good vision but a weak sense of smell. Unlike bees, butterflies can see red.  Butterfly-pollinated flowers are brightly coloured (even red) but odorless.

Continue Reading »

Posted in ethical aromatherapy | 3 Comments »

The Aloe Family: Vera and her relatives

December 23, 2009 by stephteresa

Aloe vera var. chinensis

Aloe vera is a member of the Aloaceae family.  With over 450 species of Aloe identified, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  Although there are over two hundred species of Aloe Vera, there are probably only four or five with medicinal properties. Of these, Aloe Barbadensis Miller (also known as Aloe Linne’) is the most potent and it is really the only true aloe.

It has been used for medicinal purposes the centuries, having been mentioned in the bible, in the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus (ca. 1552 BC) and of course well-known to the Greeks.  Dioscorides (41-68 AD) recommended Aloe applied externally for wounds, hemorrhoids, ulcers and hair loss, and internally as a laxative.  Rome, China, India and the West Indies all used it as a wound healer, laxative, and purgative.

When sliced open, the leaves reveal its famous gel.  The properties of this gel have, many times, been scientifically evaluated, and it has been found to contain up to an amazing 70 Essential Ingredients including most vitamins (including B12), minerals, amino acids, enzymes and protein.  The gel, used as a topical treatment for skin irritation, wounds and other skin disorders, creates a protective shield over the skin, which then allows it to heal more quickly and guard against infection.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Health, History & Ancients | Leave a Comment »

Essential oil safety Part 2: The Skin

December 22, 2009 by stephteresa

It’s often assumed that because essential oils (or absolutes, resins, tinctures and floral waters) are derived from botanicals, they are completely safe to use.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  While they are considered safe if the guidelines are followed, it’s good to bear in mind that essential oils used in Aromatherapy are a potent mix of chemicals.  These chemicals , naturally occurring, have a vast range of properties and reactions, and should therefore be handled with caution.  Having introduced the basics of Essential Oil Safety in Part 1, Part 2 focuses on essential oil safety pertaining to the skin.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Safety, Chemistry & Practical | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Older Posts »