In the realm of holistic health and wellness, the teachings of Traditional Chinese medicineTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use various psychological and/or physical approaches (such as acupuncture and tai chi) as well as herbal products to address health problems. (TCM) offer profound insights into understanding our bodies, minds, and spirits. At the heart of TCM lies the Five Element Theory, a concept that elucidates the interconnectedness of all aspects of existence through the elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
As individuals, we each possess a predominant element type, shaping our physiological tendencies, emotional inclinations, and even our personalities. For those of us seeking to age well, this wisdom becomes particularly poignant as we navigate the complexities of life’s journey with a deeper appreciation for self-awareness and inner balance.
Among the five elements, Fire holds special significance. It embodies the peak of yang energy and the vibrancy of summer. Fire energy is synonymous with expansion, engagement, and the warmth of heartfelt expression. Yet, like a flame that flickers in the wind, our Fire energy can become imbalanced, leading to manifestations of stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil.
For those who resonate with the Fire element, characterized by qualities of enthusiasm, optimism, and a zest for life, understanding and embracing their elemental nature becomes paramount. The Fire archetype encompasses the Lover and the Protector of the Heart, reflecting the profound capacity for love, intimacy, and emotional connection.
However, in the pursuit of love and joy, Fire types may encounter challenges such as emotional vulnerability, fear of intimacy, and a tendency towards over-excitement or burnout. It is within these complexities that the wisdom of TCM offers guidance, inviting individuals to cultivate virtues such as surrender, open-heartedness, and self-love.
Through the lens of TCM, restoring balance to the Fire element involves a multifaceted approach encompassing skincare, self-care rituals, and inner cultivation. Our Fire line of skincare products, enriched with natural essential oils, serves as a conduit for restoring harmony to both the skin and the soul.
Furthermore, embracing practices such as laughter, simplicity, and physical fitness becomes essential for nurturing the Fire within. By honoring the wisdom of shen, or spiritual consciousness, Fire types can find solace in moments of stillness, resilience in the face of chaos, and empowerment in their ability to lead with grace and authenticity.
In essence, the journey towards Fire balance is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-awareness. As we embrace the nuances of our elemental nature, we unlock the potential for profound healing, joy, and inner harmony.
Sanctuary for Rejuvenation, Restoration, and Renewal
At our spa and wellness center, we invite you to embark on this journey of self-discovery and holistic transformation. Through our Fire Seasonal Face and Body Treatments, infused with ancient wisdom and modern expertise, we offer a sanctuary for rejuvenation, restoration, and renewal.
Join us as we honor the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine and embrace the radiant warmth of the Fire element. Together, let us ignite the flames of joy, love, and vitality within, illuminating the path toward a life of balance, beauty, and bliss.
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Introduction: At the moment of our birth, the cosmic and telluric energies intertwine to shape our unique personality. Beyond genetics and upbringing, these energies provide individual rhythms that transcend the physical realm. Traditional Chinese medicine, rooted in the Five Element or Five Phase Theory, sheds light on these rhythms. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of the Water element, exploring both its balanced and maladapted personalities.
The Mystery of Water: Water, the unseen force within us, serves as the foundation of vitality. Represented by the color black, it holds the key to life’s evolutionary memory, powering the body’s healing and regenerative processes. From our initiation in the womb’s amniotic fluid, where darkness mirrors the element’s color, Water emerges as the most yin of the five elements.
The Primary Archetype: In balance, the Water personality embodies the wise one or philosopher archetype. This individual seeks meaning, embracing life’s mysteries and paradoxes. Like a sage, they balance activity with retreat, sharing insights to help others lead fulfilled lives. Grounded in wisdom, the Water personality navigates the ebb and flow of life with equilibrium.
Characteristics of Water in Balance:
- Philosophical and profound
- Patient and calm, devoid of haste
- People-oriented and supportive
- Artistic and creative
- Intrigued by rituals, symbols, and traditions
- Lives by core values and beliefs
- Prefers predictability and dislikes confrontation
Two Types of Water: The Water personality presents itself in two archetypes – the wise philosopher and the playful child. The philosopher is introspective, reading, writing, and studying alone, delving into history to understand the present. On the other hand, the playful child is bubbly, curious, and spontaneous, though challenged by a lack of follow-through.
Challenges of Maladapted Water: Out-of-balance Water may experience inhibitions, low self-esteem, overcautiousness, and false bravado. Feeling overwhelmed and isolated, the maladapted Water finds solace in regaining balance through inner calm and wisdom, managing life’s crises confidently.
Embracing the Water Archetypes: Whether in balance or out-of-balance, embracing the wondrous archetypes of the wise one, philosopher, and playful child is key. Standing in the essence of life, Water personalities find strength in their unique qualities, supported by the universe.
Conclusion: Understanding the intricacies of the Water element in Traditional Chinese Medicine provides profound insights into our personalities. Embracing the dual archetypes and navigating the balance between wisdom and playfulness allows individuals to stand confidently in their essence as Water – a force that flows, adapts, and sustains life.
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]]>Starting a 21-Day Meditation Practice
Starting any new habit can be challenging when you don’t know how to begin or if a guided meditation keeps you on track. This special summer meditation session — the first one we’ve ever done during the summer months — can make it manageable and achievable.
- Establish consistency. Meditating for 21 days straight can help you establish a consistent habit.
- See progress. Over 21 days, you’ll likely start to notice changes in your mood, stress levels, and overall well-being.
- Build momentum. Once you’ve completed your 21-day meditation challenge, you’ll have built the momentum needed to continue the practice long-term.
The key to a successful meditation practice is consistency. It’s better to meditate for a short time every day than for a long time once a week.
More Daylight Hours
Summer days are longer — great advantage when it comes to establishing a new meditation practice.
- More daylight means more energy. With the sun rising earlier and setting later, you’re likely to feel more energetic and motivated.
- Flexibility in scheduling. The extended daylight hours offer more flexibility in choosing your meditation time. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you can find a time that suits you without having to meditate in darkness.
Bring your Meditation Outside
If you have a peaceful location outdoors, and the weather cooperates, take advantage of the fresh air and solitude. Meditating outside offers:
- Increased awareness. Meditating outside can help you cultivate a greater awareness of your surroundings, making your practice more enriching.
- Boosted mood. Research shows that spending time in nature can boost your mood and reduce stress.
Not only does summer provide warmer weather and increased daylight hours, but the connection with nature and the momentum built through a 21-day meditation practice makes it an ideal time to begin meditating. If you’ve been waiting to start your meditation practice and summer allows you more flexibility, take advantage of the summer season.
Why Meditate?
Meditation is one of the best tools we have to counter the brain’s negativity bias, release accumulated stress, foster positive experiences and intentions, and enjoy the peace of present-moment awareness.
Meditation helps to:
- Decrease blood pressure and hypertension
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Reduce stress hormones
- Increase snit-aging hormones
- Improve immune function
- Decrease anxiety, depression, and insomnia
Who Can Meditate?
Just about anyone can practice meditation. But not everyone knows how to meditate effectively.
If you desire to reduce anxiety and improve your coping skills and health, a daily meditation practice can help.
Proven Meditation Benefits
Research has established that a regular meditation practice produces numerous physical and mental health benefits.
What’s more, it’s simple, and it doesn’t require a lot of time or special equipment. All you need is the guidance and knowledge to achieve life-changing results.
Join us as we celebrate the summer solstice and discover how to use meditation to nourish your entire being—body, mind, and spirit.
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]]>Be aware when things are out of balance. –Tao Te Ching
Let us delve deeper into the understanding of vital energy. This topic will focus on the role of emotions that can so deeply affect our state of well-being, the quality of our relationships and enhance our understanding of who we are and also of how we function.
Many of our clients have been exposed to a fair amount of information regarding the concept of vital energy common to all energy medicine but particularly common to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Unique to TCM is the 5-Element Theory that explains the five aspects or phases of the invisible energy patterns that affect all of us and our entire environment.
The 5-element model provides a logical and systematic way to classify and analyze just about everything about and around us–from the macrocosm to the microcosm. It is also a way to understand who we are and provides a way to understand ourselves in order to achieve a degree of mastery or control over what affects us positively or not, internally and externally, all with the goal of maintaining some balance. This model assists us to diagnose the reasons for any imbalance so that we may uncover a remedy for the imbalance.
In our approach, we have talked about vital energy simply as “chi” with the understanding that chi needs to flow in order to avoid imbalance or blockages. In fact, there are still more subtle differences that we must consider.
We have often used two of our favorite quotes:
- The physical body is actually a complex network of interwoven energy fields. Richard Gerber, M.D. in his book, Vibrational Medicine.
- Your body is a field of energy, information, and intelligence capable of perpetual healing, renewal, and transformation. Deepak Chopra, M.D. in his book, Grow Younger, Live Longer: 10 Steps to Reverse Aging.
The energy fields these two authors refer to are both internal and external to our physical body. We use the general term “aura” for the external fields, and the vital energy that protects the aura is called Wei Chi. Its specific function is to guard and protect the aura, our external energy field.
The seminal Chinese text, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic, gives the following information about the sources of Wei Chi power and its attackers.
Sources of Wei Chi power:
- Ancestral energy (from the mother)
- What we eat and drink
- The air we breathe
- The relationships we have with friends and family
While we have no control over the first source, we have degrees of controls over the second and third sources. This depends, of course, on our awareness and willingness to practice some discipline to maintain a nourishing and balanced way of life.
The fourth source may be surprising. It means that we are fed by the emotional qualities of our relationships and by the emotions we derive from them.
Wei Chi is under attack from two different fronts:
- The 5 devils
- The 5 emotions
The 5 devils are the “cosmic” energies that translate in:
- Wind during the Wood/Spring season
- Heat during the Fire/Summer season
- Dampness during the inter-season of Earth
- Dryness during the Metal/Fall season
- Cold during the Water/Winter season
We can escape from these climatic conditions when they get extreme by moving someplace else, but that is not often possible. Therefore, by and large, we have little to no control over their aggressive effects.
In our next blog post, we’ll explore the five emotions and how deeply they affect all aspects of our lives including the physical. Stay tuned.
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We are inspired by many authors when writing on the vital energy subject but, in particular, by:
- Haas, Elson M. Staying Healthy with the Seasons. Celestial Arts, 2003. Print.
- Beinfield, Harriet, and Efrem Korngold. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York: Ballantine, 1992. Print.
- Elias, Jason, and Katherine Ketcham. The Five Elements of Self-healing: Using Chinese Medicine for Maximum Immunity, Wellness, and Health. New York: Harmony, 1998. Print.
- Gerber, Richard. Vibrational Medicine: New Choices for Healing Ourselves. Santa Fe, NM: Bear, 1996. Print.
- The abundant writings of Deepak Chopra, M.D. including Chopra, Deepak, and David Simon. Grow Younger, Live Longer: Ten Steps to Reverse Aging. New York: Three Rivers, 2003. Print.
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]]>In TCM, the element represented by Spring is Wood. To live in balance with the 5-Element Theory of TCM and indeed, to live in balance with nature of which we are an inherent part, we’ll want to embrace the following attributes, characteristics and specific organ activity for the Wood element and Spring season.
☘The color for the Wood element is green. Bring green into your life in all sorts of ways–in your diet and even in your home decor.
☘Liver and gall bladder are the organs associated with the Wood element. If you have liver or gall bladder issues and/or you have a Wood element imbalance, incorporate more of what is outlined in this post and in the post to follow into your daily life.
Indications of too much Wood chi, a Wood imbalance, include stiff muscles and joints, liver troubles, sallow or yellowish skin, panic attacks, hysteria, neck pain, and stroke. Emotion-oriented displays of Wood imbalance include anger, resentment, bitterness, lack of compassion, erratic behavior, low self-esteem, shouting, complaining, arguing, violence, abuse, incessant arguing. These indicate strong Wood imbalance.
☘In addition to food, Wood element fragrances like lavender, orange, citrus, grapefruit, and chamomile can be used and enjoyed to uplift and strengthen Wood chi and help create more balance in Wood.
☘The green gemstones of green jade, emerald, and green opal may assist the flow of Wood chi.
☘TCM-advised sound and breathing exercises for each element also help to bring imbalance to balance.
For Wood, the healing sound is easy. It’s a long “Shhhh” – as in telling someone to be quiet. On the exhale of a deep breath, this sound will help to release anger and frustration. It can help to soften the person suffering with anger and at the same time assist to quell ailments in the liver and gall bladder.
The five element healing sounds are actually breathing exercises that are best done every day at least five times a week, taking at least six deep breaths, the deeper the better. It is most beneficial to do the exercises outdoors where chi is fresh, preferably in the morning, with the sun shining on you from the East but they can most definitely be done indoors too.
You will want to inhale through your nose until your abdomen is full of fresh air and then exhale out through the mouth making the soft healing sound Shhhh. On the inhale, imagine positive chi entering your body and cleansing the negative chi and ailments in your body. On the exhale, imagine pushing out the negative chi and ailments.
☘It is important to practice mindfulness and meditation at this time of year to bring clarity of vision, because the liver governs the health of the eyes and the clarity received applies both literally and figuratively.
☘The time is energetic Spring! Rise early with the sun and take brisk walks. Live in harmony with Spring!
Sources:
Nguyen, Phil N. Feng Shui for the Curious and Serious. New Jersey: Xlibris Corporation, 2008. Print.
Thunderhawk, Denise, L. Ac. The 5-Element Guide to Healing with Whole Foods. N.p.: Lulu, 2016. Print.
In Holistic Lifestyle Tips, Health and Healing, Conscious Lifestyle Tips Tags Spring Season, Matter and Energy
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Lymphatic Stimulation (see image tp the left) is a highly specific form of massage (technique), which uses light, rhythmical, very precise movements, pressures and sequences and requires the therapist to develop a great degree of skill, having an intimate knowledge of the workings of the anatomy of the lymphatic system. This technique works at a skin level to influence the direction and speed of lymphatic flow.
The lymphatic system is a complex one which integrates with other bodily systems, for example, the circulatory system and the urinary system. As well as playing a major part in immunity, it facilitates waste removal at cellular level and assists with bringing nutrients and oxygen to cells. Interstitial fluid, the fluid that bathes all cells, contains a rich soup of proteins, plasma, long chain fatty molecules, cell waste and debris and any molecules which are too big to pass into the venous system – these enter the lymphatic system and become ‘lymph’.
We have three times more lymphatic than we do blood, and our lymphatic system does not have a pump, like our heart, which conducts our circulatory system. That means we need to rely on other ways to move the lymphatic fluid through our body to keep us healthy. These are the three ways we naturally move lymphatic fluid.
- Laughter, we stimulate our diaphragm with every motion of our belly moving in and out as we laugh.
- Walking, Jumping, exercise
- Massage, intentional light rhythmical movements applied to the skin in a certain sequence
Estheticians have been using lymph drainage massage for years to enhance the quality of the skin, especially on the face. When the lymph is flowing, the cells are being bathed in fresh fluid, causing the skin to look fresh and alive. We have all experienced having minor edema in our faces- that puffy feeling and baggy eyes when we first wake in the morning after a long night. Usually after a few minutes of being vertical the lymph system starts to drain the face. Redness, sensitive skin or reactive skin all benefit form lymphatic drainage as the skin color, texture and elasticity improve with the treatment.
These are health benefits of the lymph massage:
- Cellulite. Cellulite appears when the fat deposits in our hips and thighs become filled with interstitial debris from an ineffective lymph flow. When our body is not working efficiently, the tissue fills with liquids and toxins and the fat deposits tend to produce the “orange peel skin”.
Utilizing lymphatic stimulation along with proper products and methods, it is easy to activate the flow of the accumulated wastes and improve the elasticity and appearance of the skin. Normally, just three months are enough to see satisfactory results.
- Swollen, heavy and legs and feet. Lymph flows from the periphery of the limbs to their center. When this path is interrupted, the lymph falls back due to the action of the gravity and causing swelling. The lymph drainage helps to retrain the lymphatic system of the path.
- Pregnancy and PMS syndrome. The drainage is very effective in both cases, but as a preventive method. The hormonal changes during pregnancy determine liquid retention and a decrease in the tonus of the vein and lymph vessels. The drainage can be started beginning with the third pregnancy month and made till the delivery. It is also effective against the swelling experienced by many women a few days before the menstruation. In this case, the massage is made immediately after the end of the cycle for a week.
- Scars. If during the scarring process of a wound interstitial liquid accumulates forming an edema, a hypertrophic (cheloid, swollen) scar forms. The lymph draining has a “planning” effect on the scar, even in older ones, because it activates the lymphocytes, involved in reconstructing the tissue.
- Acne and couperose. In acne, the skin is inflamed, accompanied generally by liquid retained amongst the skin cells. The draining effect of this technique, gradually decreases the inflammation and the edemas, and delivers a soothing result.
Couperose is due to inflammation of the capillaries on the face, especially on cheeks, nose, and chin. In time, the reddening may turn permanent. If the condition is addressed during the initial phase, lymphatic drainage can fix it, but if it’s on an advanced stage, lymhatic stimulation can diminish the appearance.
- Surgery. Lymph drainage is effective for getting rid of edemas and hematomas and boosting tissue regeneration following a surgery. But it is good not only after the operation; if made a month before the operation, it favors the elimination of the liquids and toxins from the body, stimulating cells’ ability to regenerate and repair tissues. Having treatments post-surgery will speed up recovery time, spawn healing, and enhance the results from the surgical procedure.
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]]>These minerals act as catalysts to all of our fine nutritional supplements.
BodiScience Weellness Center & Spa offers a full line of natural dietary supplements to balance and nourish the body and reveal your natural beauty from within. BodiScience has taken skin care to a new dimension, sharing that nutritional supplements are not just an accessory…it’s a step into the future generation of total skin care. BodiScience believes that the actual appearance of the skin is improved through balanced nutritional health; hence our motto, Beauty is Health made Visible”
The goal of skin care is to promote healthy, beautiful skin and ultimately, delay the effects of aging. Many topical products work very well, but the best skin care system is one that will not only complement topical skin care products and treatments, but one that works from the inside out as well. This is the reason why we have shared with our clients the importance of supplements to support our skincare regimens.
Outwardly visible, the skin is a mirror of our health. Like other organs in our body, the skin requires certain nutrients for its growth and integrity and needs to be nutritionally fed. Because of this, how we nourish ourselves on the inside greatly influences how we look on the outside. A proper nutritional balance promoting optimal health is essential for beautiful skin.
Our Essential Trace Minerals contains over 70 minerals and trace elements in a highly assimilable ionic form to promote health and longevity.
Minerals are naturally occurring elements found on earth. We need minerals in order to live and carry out normal body processes, but minerals are not part of our biological make-up. We must get our mineral supply from the food we eat.
Finding mineral sources to meet the body’s needs can be difficult since many of today’s foods are highly processed, extracting important minerals and replacing them with artificial preservatives. Therefore, it is important to obtain additional mineral support in a proper balance. The minerals in Concentrated Essential Trace Minerals are in an ionic form, which means that these ionic minerals are ready to be used and assimilated by the body.
Minerals: A few of the minerals and trace minerals contained in our Essential Trace Minerals:
Magnesium: Helps in the metabolism and absorption of other minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus; helps to utilize vitamin C, vitamin E and the B vitamins in the body.
Chloride: Essential mineral occurring in the body; helps to regulate the acid and alkalinity balance in your blood; aids in the digestion of protein and fibrous foods; functions as a filter for waste and helps to clean toxic waste out of the system.
Our energetic skincare contains minerals for this very purpose. Here is an example of just one of our products:
Manganese that is added in The 5 Secrets Serum is an antioxidant that stimulates the anti-free-radical defenses and slows down aging due to environmental aggressions (UV, smoke, pollution…). Ask us about The 5 Secret Serum!
It is also involved in the synthesis of vitamin B1 (thiamin), to revitalize the skin and to help cells absorb oxygen. It regenerates fillagrin that consolidates the protective mantel of the epidermis.
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]]>One day when I first opened the doors of BodiScience, I had the honor of meeting a lovely lady named Margie. Margie was a woman who was before her time when it came to understanding the dynamic value of self-care, the principles of respecting yourself and teaching others how to respect you. She was the leader of a community of women that would one day have an enormous impact on my business.
Margie would come in for her treatments, and when some of those treatments were in an open area, we would “get to talking”. She would not hesitate to jump into another’s conversation and actually, I would welcome it, as often she would say what I have said for years, but without holding back and being brutally honest, and kissed with kindness!
A part of Margie’s way of stepping through life as a strong woman was to guide other woman to be strong along with her. Margie would observe that many woman had a hard time with receiving a compliment. Many of us have heard these responses, and maybe out of our own mouths. “Oh I have had this for years” or “This is old thing”, “oh this?” you get the idea – Margie would say “Just say THANK YOU! Say thank you and be done, no explanation, no side story, no sad story and certainly no putting yourself down. Just say Thank You.” She would say, “Learn how to receive a compliment will ya?”
I mention this story because it is important. It has great relevance when it comes to the word RECEIVING. As women, we may not think about receiving because we are so busy giving. I have seen moments where woman are giving to others that do not want what they are giving, because they are not taking care of themselves first. We can draw an analogy with nutrition and how we absorb our nutrients. We cannot force feed ourselves, we need to have a unique balance of essential elements present in order for our body to receive the nutrients.
Think of ourselves as a vessel, a pitcher or a bucket. As we step through life it is our job to fill that vessel, no one else’s, “us”. When we do not take care of ourselves the vessel starts to get holes. So as we step through life all the good that others try to fil us up with, goes right through us, anything goes through us – even a compliment.
There is an “art” to receiving in Ayurveda. It is an intricate dance of giving and receiving.
An extreme example of the consequences of not receiving a gift is described in the Puranas, the sacred mythology texts of India. Durvasa, a particularly irascible sage, finds a garland that he recognizes as the material embodiment of auspiciousness itself. But when he offers it to Indra, the king of the gods, Indra takes the garland carelessly and flings it over the head of his elephant. Durvasa is so insulted by Indra’s inability to receive the offering that he declares that henceforth, good fortune will depart from Indra’s worlds. And, voilá, Indra’s worlds turn dim and gray. Things come out all right in the end, of course, but not without some superhuman effort on the part of gods and titans.
Durvasa isn’t just being touchy: His reaction points to a truth about the way the cosmos works. When we aren’t able to receive a genuine and heartfelt gift, we subtly upset the balance of the cosmos. One of the core Vedic understandings is that life is based on exchange, the dynamic interaction of giving and receiving. In the Bhagavad Gita (a classic yogic text), the interdependence between human beings, the natural world, and the invisible world of spirit is captured in the image of the cosmic sacrifice. In the sacrifice, the earth receives the gift of rain, and crops begin to grow. Moisture evaporates from the earth and is received by the atmosphere. Similarly, as humans, we receive gifts of food, shelter,
knowledge, and all sorts of other forms of support from the earth, from our parents and ancestors, from the accumulated wisdom and technology of our culture, and from our fellow humans. We carry these gifts in our genes, and they themselves carry unspoken obligations—most often through all the ways we “pay it forward,” helping others materially or energetically by sharing our own gifts, skills, and support.
When we enter into BodiScience, there are sacred gift we are able to share. Allowing your body to rest and receive is the greatest gift we can allow ourselves to receive. Many times we are too tense, filled with angst, having a sense of guilt being here, not feeling worthy of receiving or not ready for someone to touch us. The art of receiving is an intimate moment of trust. We teach our team that many souls walk through our doors and each one has a different capability of allowing themselves to receive. It is a beautiful dance of give and take and some may take away enormous value of the gift and others are not in that place to invite or allow it to happen.
Just for today, take a moment to invite and allow yourself to receive the gift around you. It is often a magical surprise it we let it be.
Wishing you a magical day!
Dawn
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Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash
Essential oil is a natural volatile material typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic fragrance, flavor and/or action of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.
Essential oils are found in various plant parts: leaves, stems, flower buds, open flowers, peels, barks, fruits, roots, needles, twigs, and resins.
When we utilize an essential oil for our well-being and vitality, we are actually being bombarded by a wide array of chemicals, because chemically, essential oil is a complex mixture of 30 to 100 or more compounds.
There are three primary ways to derive the benefits of essential oil:
- through topical application
- by inhalation, and
- by ingestion.
TOPICAL APPLICATION: Essential oils’ benefits can be enjoyed by topical application directly on the skin. Diffusing essential oils in bathwater is another way to apply the oils topically.
To increase absorption effectiveness, gently massage the area first to improve circulation in that area. Applying a drop of essential oil (not already blended into skincare products) on warmed skin will also enhance circulation which in turn enhances absorption.
Taking advantage of proven and appropriate proportions and blends of essential oils in a reputable skincare product such as those manufactured by PHYTO5 ensure the wisest use of enormously potent essential oils. This protection comes from the fact that European made products such as those formulated by PHYTO5 must comply with the new and strict European regulations limiting the type and concentration of natural essential oils in skincare products, as opposed to products containing essential oils made in other countries such as the U.S.
INHALATION: Inhaling essential oils is another way to realize their healing benefits. Inhalation can affect the body through several systems and pathways. It can occur:
- by breathing the fragrance of the oil through the nose or mouth, and
- aromatherapeutically via diffuser or in a bath.
These two actions activate their energetic properties:
- warming the oils slightly, and
- tapping the bottle first two or three times.
The olfactory system is comprised of all the physical organs or cells which relate to the sense of smell. When we inhale the fragrance of an essential oil, airborne molecules interact with our olfactory organs and reach the brain almost immediately through a variety of receptor sites.
One of these receptor sites is the limbic system,*–what some refer to as the “emotional brain” or the “smell brain.”
The limbic system is a group of deep brain structures that are involved in the sense of smell and the experience of emotions… The limbic system works in coordination with the pituitary gland** and the hypothalamus*** area of the brain to regulate the hormonal activities of the endocrine system… [it] also influences immunity. Through their action on the limbic system, essential oils can have a positive impact on all of these functions by bringing balance to the body. – Roberta Wilson, Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty
In addition to being transported to the brain, the inhaled essential oil molecules are also transported to the lungs to interact with the respiratory system.
INGESTION: Essential oils can also be internally ingested though EXTREME CAUTION is advised because of their potency.
One or a few tiny drops of essential oil does not look like very much, but if they are premium grade, they are so powerful that to ingest more could actually be detrimental.
If you desire to ingest essential oils, consult an expert in essential oils for your safety. In France, for example, essential oils are actually prescribed and dispensed by trained physicians and pharmacists.
The reasons for such caution concerning ingestion are to be taken seriously:
- Some essential oils can be toxic to the liver or kidneys when ingested.
- A chemical breakdown of essential oils during digestion can so alter the effects you may not achieve the results desired.
It is important to be aware that just because you may find essential oils in your local department or even grocery store, it does not necessarily follow that the quality is high. In some cases, they might even be synthetic perfume that smell great but have no wellness benefits whatsoever.
You are very wise to incorporate the use of essential oils into your holistic lifestyle. At the same time, we urge you to do your due diligence to learn about every aspect of essential oils to become a very well informed consumer and actually get what is your intention to pay for.
When it comes to essential oils in skincare (which is a profoundly therapeutic way to introduce essential oils into your system), it is wise to rely on the vast knowledge and experience of chemists who are well trained in the appropriate dosages, blends and use of the oils such as you will find abounding in PHYTO5 Skincare.
##FOOTNOTES##
*a complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct and mood. It controls the basic emotions (fear, pleasure, anger) and drives (hunger, sex, dominance, care of offspring). –The New Oxford American Dictionary
**A pea-sized body attached to the base of the brain, the pituitary is important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands. It is the major endocrine gland. –The New Oxford American Dictionary
***a region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity. –The New Oxford American Dictionary
##SOURCES##
The New Oxford American Dictionary
Wilson, Roberta. Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty. New York: Avery, 2002. Print.
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