Aromatherapy Consultations and Education
Many essential oils have similar actions on the mind-body and share several chemical components. I believe it is important to not only understand chemistry, therapeutic actions and affinities essential oils may have, but to also understand the “personality” of a plant, its growing preferences and what the actual plant looks like.
Each article explores a plant’s growing preferences, history, overall aromatic profile and personality of its essential oil, core affinities and therapeutic actions of its essential oil and presents several blending ideas and usage suggestions.
Linking the Sacred & Profane Have you ever been enthralled by a pine tree? Pine tree, you say? Yes. Those evergreen beings who embody the sacred states of immortality, grace and fortitude. Yet they also give so much of the tangibly profane: wood, resin, essential oil and more. This article (and soon to be associated … Continue reading Plant Talk: Scots Pine
The Mystery of Myrrh Myrrh resin; the pieces are also known as "tears." Of all of the well-known resinous bearing plants in the world Myrrh may be the one known to penetrate mental, physical and emotional cracks. Myrrh and its sought after oleo-gum-resin (aka: gum-resin or resin) bears the signature of oldness, inner wisdom and … Continue reading Plant Talk: Myrrh
Rosemary has been recognized as a powerfully cleansing and regenerative herb for centuries. But Rosemary goes deeper than that by stirring the heart's soul and more. Spend a few minutes getting to know Rosemary the plant and the essential oil including recipes and an episode of "Plant Talk" where I'm distilling rosemary leaves!
Yarrow, the plant of "thousands of leaves" may bring an element of healing and protection to your life. This post includes an aromatherapy blend for a mood mist.
German chamomile essential oil is distilled from the flowers of Matricaria recutita and often grown and distilled for its essential oil in Hungary as well as other parts of Eastern Europe, North America and Australia. Native to temperate parts of Eurasia, M. recutita best expresses itself when grown in this type of terroir. As many … Continue reading Plant Talk: German Chamomile
Lavandula stoechas is classified in the mint (Lamiaceae) family and native to the Mediterranean basin. It is a compact perennial shrub with linear gray-green leaves. Its characteristically dark purple flowers, topped by purple bracts, are on dense, oblong spikes reaching to 1.25” long. Unlike its relatives, it prefers the coastal (low altitude) arid climates of … Continue reading Plant Talk: Spanish Lavender
Yarrow, an herb in the Asteraceae family, has been used for wound healing/vulnerary purposes since ancient times. According to folklore, Achilles (the Grecian battle hero), carried the herb while on battle campaigns to treat battle wounds. This tough (it's so tough that it grows in the incredibly damp, clay soil of my gardens!) herb can be found throughout the temperate climates of the … Continue reading Getting to Know: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Here is a picture of the beautiful Angelica archangelica (commonly known as garden angelica) that was growing in my garden this summer. I saved the seeds from the umbels and plan on distilling them in a few weeks to keep the water (hydrosol) created from the distillation process. Both the root and the seed are used from this … Continue reading Getting to Know: Angelica archangelica