Living Well: Enliven your senses with aromatherapy

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

By Teresa Griswold

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Whether taken internally or used fragrantly, spices and herbal fragrances can boost spirits and health during the holidays.

Kathie Chandler, CR, a Jackson-based reflexologist who trained in aromatherapy at Ege University in Izmir, Turkey, regularly uses spice-infused oils for healing. According to Chandler, oils have a powerful energetic frequency, and spices offer a range of health promoting benefits.

Aromatherapy is both a preventive and non-invasive healing treatment that utilizes naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote health of the mind, body and spirit, according to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA).

Basil is one of Chandler’s favorite essences, because it is multi-faceted. It relaxes muscles, fights infections and is a calmative. She recommends brewing up a pot of traditional spaghetti sauce and dousing it with basil, thyme and oregano oils just after cooking to retain the medicinal properties of the spices. It creates a beautifully fragrant meal that is relaxing and healing.

For a stimulant, she recommends uplifting peppermint. Simply inhale the fragrance by putting one drop of peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball. She said it will help keep one awake, think more quickly and stay alert and focused – especially effective this time of year when facing bills and holiday shopping. It is also a flavorful ingredient to use when baking festive cookies.

Cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus and lemon are all helpful remedies for colds and flu, according to the NAHA. Chandler said a formula from Youngliving.com called “Thieves Essential Oil” is the number one blend to support the immune system incorporating these essential ingredients.

Citrus fragrances work wonders as anti-depressants according to Chandler. Lemon, tangerine and orange elevate feelings of joy and happiness. She said it is no coincidence that we often use cloves and oranges as decorations around Christmastime.

Old fashioned, citrus pomanders are a festive way to freshen a room and liven the senses during the holidays. They can be easily made by piercing the peel of a whole orange, lime, lemon or tangerine with a sharp skewer and inserting whole cloves, closely aligned together in decorative patterns. For even more fragrance, shake the pomander in a bag with aromatic spices such as cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger and ground cloves. Use powdered orrisroot or sandalwood oil as a natural preservative. Add a decorative bow, then hang in a doorway, arrange in a bowl, or share as a gift. Once dried, pomanders will last about one year.

Other ways to incorporate aromatic stimulants in your holiday decorating and provide an uplift are to make herbal wreaths with eucalyptus, bay laurel, vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks or licorice root pieces, adding sensory pleasure to a holiday home. Incense too, widely used throughout history in rituals for prayer and ceremony add a sense of reverence to the season. Try frankincense and myrrh.
A good source to purchase high quality, medicinal essential oils is www.youngliving.com, according to Chandler. A sponsor number is required for purchase: use 7797 when prompted. JHW

For an aromatherapy or reflexology appointment with Chandler, call 413-1349.

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Living Well: Enliven your senses with aromatherapy | Planet JH News Article: Living Well

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