| A fantastic and mysterious relationship is | | | | states.Further, the medicinal properties of essential |
| continuously unfolding between plants and their | | | | oils, through their ability to support physiological |
| surroundings. These organic green machines are | | | | healing, can also be of great benefit to the heart |
| ceaselessly performing a glorious alchemy with | | | | and mind. A Korean study on the effect of |
| water, soil, air and sunlight. The nearly infinite | | | | aromatherapy on pain in patients with arthritis |
| possible combinations of plant genetics and | | | | found that receiving massage with lavender, |
| environmental conditions on the face of the earth | | | | marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint |
| have allowed for an almost immeasurable | | | | oils significantly decreased both the pain AND |
| diversity of alchemal floral expression, resulting in | | | | mental depression levels.Following are some oils |
| a vast array of natural botanical materials. These | | | | that have a reputation for up-lifting Shen, |
| range from simple staple foodstuffs to gourmet | | | | enhancing prana, nourishing ojas, and brightening |
| fruits and vegetables, from rich exotic spices to | | | | tejas - combinations that may have marked |
| effective medicinal herbs, and from enchanting | | | | effects on symptoms of depression. These oils |
| natural perfumes to complex therapeutic essential | | | | can be used alone or in combination in a nebulizing |
| oils. Mankind is reaching ever further into the | | | | diffuser (producing a fine mist of oils for |
| jungles and rainforests, knowing that nature is the | | | | inhalation), or in aromatherapy massage, thereby |
| true master of creation in these fields.The line | | | | inhaled and absorbed through the skin |
| between food-plants and medicinal herbs is a | | | | concurrently.Bergamot (pressed from the peels of |
| fuzzy one. Science regularly reports newfound | | | | bitter oranges) has a strong reputation for its |
| medicinal effects in plants once taken for granted; | | | | ability to gently uplift. In terms of Chinese |
| many fruits once thought quite plain contain some | | | | medicine, this is a direct result of its smoothing |
| of the world's most potent anti-cancer agents. | | | | the flow of Liver-Qi ('Chi' or Life Force), the liver |
| The same goes for teas - green tea is one of | | | | being thought of as the seat of the eternal soul. |
| the most potent anti-oxidants known - and spices | | | | Bergamot combines the ability to both relax the |
| - cinnamon may prevent the onset of debilitating | | | | nerves and refresh the Spirit; it is suitable for |
| diabetes - and this list continues to grow. This | | | | many types of depressive states.Neroli (from the |
| same lack of distinction exists between natural | | | | flower of bitter oranges), like Bergamot, regulates |
| fragrances and therapeutic essential oils. The oil of | | | | the Qi - and like Jasmine flower oil, comforts the |
| a rose, laden with Citronellol, does triple duty as a | | | | mind and heart. Neroli is called for at a core level, |
| perfume, an effective agent against the herpes | | | | for the type of depression that comes from |
| simplex virus, and an uplifting aromatic that can | | | | nervous and emotional exhaustion. Neroli uplifts |
| help one open emotionally after a traumatizing | | | | the mind and Spirit with its potential to nourish and |
| experience.The use of so-called 'alternative' | | | | unify. Neroli assists in retrieving and releasing |
| therapies is on the rise; more individuals are | | | | repressed emotions, with potential to nourish and |
| turning to the wisdom of nature for assistance | | | | unify a fragmented psyche. Neroli is specifically |
| for all types of ailments, both physical and | | | | indicated for individuals who, in order to escape |
| psychological. Interestingly, the source of most ills, | | | | from emotional pain and suffering, cut themselves |
| from a naturopathic point of view, is being | | | | off from their feelings and senses.The |
| out-of-balance with nature. Eating unnatural things, | | | | Chamomiles (German and Roman) are wonderful |
| following unnatural cycles,and living in unnatural | | | | oils to use when the depression manifests in a |
| environments. Lack of balance with the earth, | | | | moody, irritable, dissatisfied outward expression |
| from which we are made and upon which we live, | | | | associated with stagnant Liver-Qi. These flower |
| leads to 'dis-ease' in our bodies and minds. As | | | | oils are earthy, rich, and grounding with subtle |
| plants have created their wondrous botanical | | | | uplifting qualities.When depression is of a Fire |
| materials in a process guided by the rhythms of | | | | (overly aggressive) nature, it often involves an |
| the heavens and earth, we may look to 'plant | | | | imbalance of joy and love - the root emotions of |
| wisdom' to lead our way back into balance.A | | | | the heart and mind. Joy is an extension of Shen's |
| depressed emotional state is a common reasons | | | | (spiritual essence's) innate sense of harmony and |
| for using complementary and alternative therapies | | | | perfection, an experience of emotional and spiritual |
| today. A wide range of psychological, physical, and | | | | well-being. The depression that afflicts the heart |
| energetic issues can lead to feelings of depression | | | | and Shen involves a loss of one's natural sense of |
| and a pervasive outlook of negativity. Moreover, | | | | joy. There is often an accompanied lack of |
| once in a state of depression, patterns can arise | | | | enthusiasm and interest as well as an inability to |
| that make relief all the more difficult to find. The | | | | become inspired. Rose otto - steam distilled rose |
| use of essential oils for uplifting the psyche and | | | | essential oil - or Rose Absolute may have a |
| spirit is becoming more widespread because of | | | | profound effect on this state. Rose is thought the |
| the oils' broad and dramatic effects. While the oils | | | | premier heart opening aromatic, bringing joy, |
| themselves may not directly affect the underlying | | | | uplifting and restoring balance.What follows are a |
| cause of depression, they may help individuals | | | | few recipes for uplifting and releasing depressed |
| break free from depressive cycles - they may | | | | emotional states - use your intuition to find the |
| provide the impetus to 'get off the couch', so to | | | | right one. Often, the single essential oil or blend |
| speak, and begin creating long lasting change. | | | | you find most attractive will be the one that |
| Many natural healers believe depression to be a | | | | serves you best. Experiment, explore, and have |
| result of, like many other ills, of being out of | | | | fun with these fantastic gifts of nature. These |
| balance; being unable to 'synch up' with the natural | | | | blends may be used in a diffuser or candle lamp, |
| state of harmony that permeates the universe. | | | | unless where a carrier oil is indicated - blends with |
| For relieving this is-harmony, aromatherapy can | | | | carriers are intended specifically for aromatherapy |
| be a very powerful means to infuse one's body | | | | massage (self-massage is very effective, as well |
| and mind with the most concentrated, sublime | | | | as a simple massage from a friend or loved |
| botanicals nature has to offer.In humans, the | | | | one).For releasing and opening the heart: 1 part |
| olfactory (sense of smell) region is an area of | | | | Rose 3 parts Sandalwood 1 part Sweet Orange |
| about 2 and a half square centimeters, and is | | | | or Bergamot 3 parts Jasmine 1 part Ylang Ylang 1 |
| located in each of the two nasal cavities between | | | | part SandalwoodBrightening, refreshing and |
| and below the eyes. Containing approximately | | | | uplifting: 3 parts Bergamot 1 part Ylang Ylang 1 |
| fifty million primary sensory receptor cells, this | | | | part Grapefruit 2 parts Bergamot 2 parts Clary |
| region is highly intricate, being 10,000 times more | | | | Sage 1 part Frankincense 3 parts Bergamot or |
| perceptive than the sense of taste. When | | | | Sweet Orange 2 parts Clary Sage 2 parts |
| compared to sight, we find that olfaction is more | | | | Frankincense 1 part Lemon 1 part either Jasmine |
| complex - it is able to distinguish a nearly infinite | | | | or NeroliNourishing: 1 part (Roman) Chamomile 1 |
| number of element compounds at very low | | | | part Vanilla 10 parts Carrier oil of choiceFloral and |
| concentrations. In order to perceive the visible | | | | earthy (uplifting and softening to Spirit): 1 part |
| spectrum, humans use only three types of | | | | Neroli 1 part Vanilla 1 part Orange 1 part |
| photoreceptors; in contrast, the sense of smell | | | | Sandalwood 1 part Chamomile 1 part Bergamot 1 |
| relies on several hundred distinct classes of | | | | part HelichrysumSingle oils can also be used, and |
| receptors.Modern research has shown natural | | | | should be investigated so one can learn the |
| plant oils stimulate multiple regions in the brain, | | | | different energies of each plant. For depression |
| including those controlling endocrine, immune, and | | | | associated with negativity: Bergamot, Chamomile, |
| limbic (emotional center) functions. Essential oils | | | | Helichrysum, Neroli, or Sweet Orange. For a |
| have a direct and profound effect on the deepest | | | | profound lack of joy, try Rose, Jasmine, Patchouli, |
| levels of the body, emotions, and psyche. | | | | or Ylang Ylang. For overthinking and worry, try |
| Through inhalation, essential oils have a strong and | | | | Frankincense, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh or Vetiver. |
| immediate influence. Passing through the capillary | | | | For pessimism, regret and remorse, try Clary |
| beds of the sinuses and activating the olfactory | | | | Sage, Cypress, Hyssop, or Pine needle. For doubt |
| nerves, volatile plant oils enter the brain, producing | | | | of one's capacity to cope with overwhelming |
| direct and powerful systemic effects - the most | | | | situations, try Juniper Berry.For cases of |
| immediate being on the emotions. Our emotions | | | | moderate to severe depression, professional help |
| and our sense of smell have very strong ties - | | | | should always be sought. It is important to |
| perhaps more than with any other of the other | | | | consider if you one requires professional help if |
| four senses.In both Naturopathy and Ayurvedic | | | | the depression is overwhelming - while |
| Medicine (The Science of Life), essential oils are | | | | aromatherapy can provide support in a significant |
| considered to enhance the flow of prana | | | | number of situations, it may not be for everyone. |
| (essential life force), enhance and nourish ojas | | | | Essential oils can safely be used in conjunction |
| (sustaining energy and immunological essence), and | | | | with other treatments - consult your care giver |
| brighten tejas (clarity and mental luminosity). In | | | | to ensure there are no conflicts if medications |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine, essential oils in general | | | | have been prescribed.Misty is a degreed |
| are medicines for the Shen, the spiritual essence | | | | naturopath, iridologist and herbologist practicing in |
| that resides in the heart and guides and governs | | | | Boulder, Colorado. She uses pure essential oils and |
| consciousness. Used consciously, essential oils | | | | essential oil blends with her clients and friends for |
| powerfully enhance positive mental and emotional | | | | their uplifting qualities. |