A week in the life of an ACHS Aromatherapy Instructor

"A week in the life of an ACHS Aromatherapy Instructor"
We have had quite the week here. We had a fun camping trip over the 4th of July holiday weekend, however, within the first five minutes of our arrival at the campsite, Hazel (my 5-year old) managed to fall off a rock and cut her face pretty badly. Fortunately I had my Aromatherapy first aid kit handy, and with regular applications of tea tree oil and my infused calendula oil, her cut is healing quite nicely. And amazingly, even with three days of camping and playing in the dirt, it didn't become infected. The rest of our camping trip was fun and relaxing.
Unfortunately once we got home, in the midst of doing all the camping laundry, our washer died (and it's a Maytag!), and that night, Matt (my 7-year old) was up all night with the stomach flu. I mixed two of the strongest antivirals I know: clove and cinnamon essential oils, and put them in the diffuser. It smelled like Christmas in July here, but thankfully, no one else got sick. Since bad things are supposed to come in 3's, I assumed we were "home free" for a while. Lesson learned: Never assume!
Yesterday we had the invasion of the bees: a swarm of bees moved into our garage, for the second time in a month! By swarm I mean thousands; the first time the exterminator took away a hive with over a pound of honey (two days work for bees), and charged us $400.00. Yesterday they showed up again; in the morning I saw a couple of bees in the front yard and I didn't think too much about it, but two hours later our front yard and inside the garage were covered with a black cloud of bees. So I sent the kids to a friend's house and called the exterminator again. He showed up in his bee keeper/hazmat suit and took care of them in about half an hour (this time for free - thank goodness!). So, of course, what I wanted to know was "why me?". The bee guy said that it's because we've been leaving the garage door open (the kids are around for the summer and they leave it open so they can get their bikes, scooters, etc.) and the bees come in through the open door. But as to what is drawing them in the first place -- he hands me a box with my 5 pound block of bees wax that I use for making creams and lotions! I keep my supplies in a cabinet in the garage, and the bees smelled the bees wax and thought this was a great place to build a hive! Who knew?! Another lesson learned: Don't keep your bees wax where bees have access to it. Sheesh!
Then, Geoff, my oldest, who is in Jr. Lifeguard training, forgot to apply sunscreen yesterday and came home with a terrible sunburn. We've been applying my mixture of jojoba oil, aloe gel, and lavender essential oil, and this morning it looked great!
Thankfully, the Maytag repairman arrived today to fix the washer. Then we discovered that with everything else that was going on, I had forgotten to remove the load of laundry that I was doing on Tuesday when the washer broke. It is amazing how fast a load of wet laundry can grow mold in 90 degree weather. It is even more amazing how quickly tea tree essential oil can kill that mold!
How do people survive without essential oils?
I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend:) What else could happen, right?!"
Deborah Halvorson, BA, Cert Aroma, RA
deborahhalvorson@achs.edu

Study Abroad Travel Education Greece

Study Abroad Summer Session Greece
Nineteen students graduated from the ACHS study abroad 2006 Summer School. President Dorene Petersen, Master Distiller Robert Seidel, ACHS Registrar Heather Baley and a group of adventurous and dedicated ACHS students shared a wonderful, ten-day, aromatic educational experience on the Greek island of Syros. Classes and workshops included learning how to wildcraft aromatics for tinctures, infused oils and essential oil manufacture and complementary integrative medicine modalities such as iris analysis, reflexology and flower essence preparation. Set against a backdrop of clear azure blue waters with the fragrance of helichrysum and thyme in the air, classes and workshop were held at Villa Abela just 10 minutes by bus to the main town of Ermoupoli. Meals were based on the Mediterranean diet and students kept a wellness journal. Thymus capitatus, Salvia triloba, Rosmarinus officinalis and Perlargonium graveolens were harvested and distilled using a traditional steam still supplied by the Essential Oil Company. The 2007 study abroad ACHS Greece Summer School is limited to 20 students. If you would like more information contact ACHS Admissions.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Spring

Spring time is almost upon us and a wonderful herb to grow in the garden is Basil (Ocimum sanctum) or otherwise called ‘Tulsi’ in Ayurvedic medicine. Tulsi appears in Hindi religious text and many stories are written about this wonderful plant. The name 'tulsi' connotes "the incomparable one" and is sacred to Vishnu and Krishna and is perhaps the most sacred plant in India. The quality of Holy Basil is said to be ‘sattvic’ or purity and opens the heart and mind, bestowing the energy of love and devotion. It is said to also strengthen faith, compassion and clarity as well as, giving protection of the divine by clearing the aura and strengthening the immune system. Besides being grown for medicinal purposes, it is kept in the house for it’s purifying influence where it absorbs positive ions, energizes negative ions and liberates ozone from the sun’s rays. It is usually found in a Hindu household and has a special place either in the courtyard or a
special place like an altar where Deities are worshipped. In the Christian tradition it is said to have grown around the place of the crucifixion and it also appears in Shiite
writings. There are other recognized types of Holy Basil and these are: Ocimum canum (Ram Tulsi or Kali Tulsi), Ocimum basilicum or bobai Tulsi, Ocimum kilmand, O. scharicum or camphor Tulsi, etc. The medicinal effect of all these varieties is very similar, if not the same. The energetic of Holy Basil is spicy and warm, making it an effective diaphoretic and febrifuge to help alleviate fevers, colds, sinus congestion, flus and most lung ailments. The particular meridians it targets are the
respiratory system, particularly the lungs and also stomach and digestive system, making it a powerful carminative and helps to alleviate stomach cramps, vomiting, indigestion,
intestinal catarrh, constipation, enteritis, whoophing cough, headaches and menstrual pains. Holy Basil removes excess Kapha from the lungs and nasal passages, which increases Prana – the intake of air and also clears the mind and memory by removing Vata from the colon and improving absorption. Other
therapeutic actions of Holy basil are nervine, antispasmodic, antibacterial and antiseptic.
It is also used for arthritis and rheumatic ailments.The aerial portions of Holy Basil are used but the seeds and whole plant is useful as well. The leaves contain a bright yellow volatile oil, which is useful against insects and bacteria. A variety of active constituents have been isolated from the leaves. The principal constituents of this oil are eugenol methyl ether, estragol with linalon and carvacrol, as well as ursolic acid, apigenin and luteolin. The oil is reported to possess anti-bacterial properties and acts as an insecticide. Ayurveda recognizes Tulsi as having several medicinal
properties have been attributed to this plant. Recent pharmacological studies have established the anabolic, hypoglycemic, smooth muscle relaxant, cardiac depressant, antifertility, adaptogenic and immunomodulator properties of this plant.
Holy Basil is used internally and can be taken as a beverage for promoting clarity of mind. For fungal infections on the skin, the fresh leaf juice is used externally. It can be used as a decoction, powder, tincture, extract and medicated ghee. Additionally, it can be cooked in food and sprinkled over a springtime salad fresh from the garden.

Aromatherapy Education

Australasian College of Health Sciences
A perfect way to approach to a spring cleanse is by adding a little aromatherapy to your regimen. Aromatherapy is a subtle yet powerful adjunct to any healing modality. According to Ayurveda, aromatherapy uses fragrances to promote the healing process, includes essential oils, flower essences and incense. It is effective for psychological (emotional) and psychic (spiritual) disorders. It also aids in meditation, disease prevention, health maintenance, longevity and rejuvenation. It is said to helps cleanse the chakras and channels. Traditionally,
aromatherapy is an important therapy in Ayurveda and is
mainly used for treating the mind. Recent research conducted in Europe and Soviet Union reveals that effects of odors on the psyche may be more important than scientists have suspected. Aromatic oils are usually applied externally unless diluted properly. Essentials oils can be placed on special areas on the skin, like between the eyebrows (crown chakra), the temples for headaches, root of the nose for sinus conditions or on the wrists, behind the ears and neck where they can be
easily smelled.

A great and pleasant way to approach a detoxification for spring using aromatherapy is by taking an aroma bath or soak. This can be done with either relaxing or stimulating essential oils and the effects of this type of therapy can be felt almost immediately. A combination of two natural factors is
responsible for the enhanced effect. First, the already high rate of penetration of an essential oil is further increased by the elevated temperatures of the bath water and by their hydrophobic nature. Although there are many different kinds of essential oils, there are primarily three different types: Flower aromas, spicy and pungent aromas and fruity sweet and sour fragrances. Their energetics are much like herbs in terms of heating, cooling or neutral. Flower fragrances like rose,
jasmine or gardenia are usually sweet or bitter in taste and cooling in energy. They calm the nervous system by decreasing irritability and anger. Spicy oils like clove, cinnamon or ginger are pungent in taste and heating in energy. Their action is more
stimulating and circulating and tends to clear the head. Fruit
fragrances like bergamot, lemon or grapefruit are neutral to cooling in energy and can uplift, relax or stimulate.
For a detoxifying effect, chamomile oil has been shown
neutralize the effect of toxins produced by bacteria. Both staphylococci and streptococci toxins are sensitive to chamomile oil in very small doses. Lavender and chamomile are a great combination for relaxation. Throw in some rose petals and relax to your heart’s content. For something a little more stimulating and refreshing, try rosemary and peppermint together in a morning bath, which will give you an invigorating effect throughout the day. A good method to add to this lovely ritual and to eliminate toxicity is by dry skin brushing before the actual bath. This procedure will remove the layers of dead cells, stimulate the pores, tone muscles, redistribute fatty deposits, break up cellulite and stimulate circulation. Be sure your brush is made of natural bristles. Adding Epsom salt in your bath helps to draw out impurities and relax the muscles.

During this spring season, try setting aside special times
during the week to pamper and detoxify you mind, body and spirit by adapting an aroma bath into you daily regimen.
You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it can
make in your life. A great method and recipe is using
2-3 cups of Epsom salt per full bath. Add the essential
oils to the Epsom salt beforehand and mix well
using 3-4 drops of each oil, no more than
15 drops. Add directly into the water and
swirl the mixture around.