QUESTION: One year ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Sometimes it hits hard when you least expect it. I have been in situations where I was doing repair work (which is my living) on the floor and the pain would hit so hard I couldn’t stand up. I know other people with this condition, who […]
depression
Top Ten Things to Know About Aromatherapy
1) Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and their hydrosols for health and well-being. 2) Essential oils are used in inhalations and skin applications. 3) Essential oils effect the physical body and the mind. 4) Essential oils must be diluted before applying to the skin and are not generally recommended for internal use. (These […]
Essential Oil Safety Information
**If you're looking for a certain herb or oil, use the find function of your browser by pressing ctrl+ f on windows, or command+f on mac** We do not recommend the internal use of any Essential Oils or Absolutes. Never use essential oils as a substitute for necessary medical care. Always consult a qualified […]
Essential Oil Profile: Litsea Cubeba
by Marie Temmen Common Name: May Chang Latin Binomial: Litsea cubeba Family: Lauraceae Other Common Names: Exotic verbena, tropical verbena (not related to lemon verbena). Part Used: Litsea cubeba is obtained from the small pepper shaped fruits which resemble peppers. Production Method: Oil is obtained by steam distillation. Countries of Origin: China is […]
Essential Oil Profile: Helichrysum
by Marie Temmen Common Name:Everlasting Latin Binomial:Helichrysum italicum, Helichrysum angustifolium Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Other Common Names: Immortelle, St. John’s herb Part Used: Flowering tops Production Method:steam distillation (an absolute may be produced by solvent extraction.) Countries of Origin: Helichrysum is native to the Mediterranean. It is […]
Essential Oil Profile: Clary Sage
by Marie Temmen Common name: Clary Sage Latin binomial: Salvia sclarea Plant family: Labiatae History/folklore: Clary sage has an interesting history that reveals itself in the names which were applied to this plant. Medieval authors called the herb “clear eye” and considered it beneficial in healing visual problems. The name “clary” is derived from […]
Essential Oil Profile: Aniseed
by Jeffrey S. Hoard Common Name: Anise, Anise Seed, Aniseed Latin Binomial: Pimpinella anisum Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Other Common Names: Anisum officinalis, Anisum vulgare Part Used: Seeds, dried and crushed. Production Method: Steam distillation. Countries of Origin: Native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. Poland and Russia are among the largest producers of Aniseed oil from locally […]
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Aromatherapy
by Laurel Redmon Aromatherapy is one of the most exciting and burgeoning modes of herbalism today. It strikes me as a truly global discipline, different parts of the world contributing varied uses and methods of application for essential oils. Arriving at the study of aromatherapy by way of herbalism, I have […]
Jeff’s thoughts on ginseng…
Years ago when I lived in Wisconsin, I frequented a well-known Madison co-op which was conveniently located on my walk home each day. It was a throwback, hippie sort of place complete with dusty old wood floors, a store cat and a collection of questionable vegetables, which were supposed to be organic and somehow better […]
Strategies for Supporting the Immune System
by Ingrid Petres We encounter harmful germs and bacteria on a daily basis. It’s important, as the cold and flu season is upon us, to understand how we can boost our immune systems in order to prevent becoming sick. General lifestyle changes to help maintain a healthy immune system: Wash your hands frequently Buy a […]