Welcome to the art of aromatherapy!

There is much to be explored: essential oils, hydrolats and nut/seed oils. And now c02 extracts! There are various approaches and application methods to explore with each aromatherapy product as well. I will do my best to introduce you to the philosophy I have compiled throughout many years of study, education, and practicing the Art of Medicinal and Holistic Aromatherapy. I hope that this can provide you with some guidelines for getting started with aromatherapy in general. If you need more guidance, I invite you to please reach out and schedule a consultation. Initial 15min. consults are free and offered over the phone or via Zoom. 

As you develop your relationship with oils/plants and your sense of smell, you may notice how oils will smell different from the bottle as opposed to when they are applied to the skin. This is because as soon as the essential oil hits your skin it begins to change in chemistry and respond to your own body oils. For this reason, I often recommend applying essential oils is by holding the bottle away from your skin and allowing the oil to drop through the energetic field onto your skin.  Avoid touching the plastic orifice reducer on your bottles so that you are not contaminating your essential oils with your own body oils. Once you get down to the bottom of your bottle though feel free to pull the plastic orifice reducer off and savor every drop! To conclude on the topic of blending, I like to avoid using “definitives” and recognize many approaches have a context. For more acute conditions, I often recommend layering oils directly (neat) on the skin (sandwiching “hot” oils between “cold” oils) to receive the most out of the medicine, and blending on the body according to what is needed in that moment. Blending or diluting in carrier oils prior to application is best done in small batches and can be necessary in certain circumstances and approaches. As an aromatherapist, I will often craft an aromatic formula that is specific to the individual’s constitution and health concerns in small batches so that the formula is fresh and carries the optimal therapeutic benefits. I often find that the client’s formula will need to change in about two weeks, as the body responds and shifts into a new healing phase, hence the importance of crafting small batches to keep the formula fresh and adapt as needed. The longer the formulated blend sits, the more diluted the medicine becomes, losing its vibration and effectiveness slowly. Please consult with a qualified medicinal aromatherapist for guidance when using essential oils internally. Always do a test patch on yourself on the forearm when using a new essence to observe your own personal response. Anyone can have a reaction to any substance. Reactions to essential oils typically occur quickly and a carrier oil can be applied to dilute and ease the reaction. To be safe, give yourself 24 hours after application to observe your own response. The soles of the feet are typically the safest application area when in doubt. This is useful for allowing the benefits to absorb into the reflexes for the whole body and has an all encompassing therapeutic effect.

Essential oils and the topic of expiration dates is a controversial one. I have discovered that they all have their own optimal timeframe in which they will be therapeutically most potent. However most essential oils can last a very long time (the amount of time would vary greatly depending on the plant species) when stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight and they should never smell “rancid” unless they have been cut with a carrier oil which does have a shelf life. Some aromatherapists believe essential oils actually get better with age, like a fine wine, and are thought to carry the wisdom of the earth from that time period on the planet. This is a matter of perspective and intention for use. Hydrolats and nut/seed oils, however, have a shorter shelf life and I do recommend storing them in the refrigerator. Hydrolats are the byproduct of essential oils and are often referred to as the homeopathic approach to aromatherapy. They are wonderful for the skin and much gentler in nature than essential oils. You might consider looking to hydrolats for use with children, elderly, or immune compromised individuals who would benefit from this gentler approach. Extreme heat or cold can compromise these precious waters or cause the bottles to leak in worst case scenarios, making ground shipping preferrable. Look for batch numbers, distillation dates, and/or expiration dates from trusted companies willing to invest in their own accountability and quality control. This is extremely important when using essential oils for therapeutic purposes. For example, you wouldn’t want to purchase a bottle of Neroli Hydrolat that were going to expire next month if you planned to use it in your medicinal mocktails though out the season! Hydrolats are extremely susceptible to bacterial growth if they are not stored properly.

On a final note, I have found that essential oils work in such a way where they lift the vibration of that individual and begin to make the internal environment inconducive to the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual ailment one is looking to heal. While we might experience an immediate shift in consciousness when breathing in an essential oil, I have observed that the underlying transformation takes place in a more gradual and subtle way. Adding in other modalities can be helpful to the process, such as life coaching, acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, feng shui or whatever resonates most with you. It can take about one month of consistent and intentional use of essential oils for every year the condition has been present so please be patient and honor your own timeline for healing. For more detailed information and for assistance in creating an aromatherapy wellness plan, please contact Rachel directly for a consultation. Consultations are always best in person but can also be done via Zoom if you are a long-distance client. 

Thank you again for your interest and I hope I can be helpful to you along the way.

With Heart,

Rachel

Email: Racheljackson.yoga@gmail.com