The area of Aromatherapy is concerned with the (human) inhalation and bodily application of essential oils. The tools of aromatherapy are essential oils and hydrosols, which are hopefully used to achieve the potential goals of good physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and balance. Essential oils are obtained by a process called distillation, whereby selected […]
healing
Turmeric: A superior herb hiding beneath media hype
by Laurel Redmon, M.S., L.Ac. Dipl. C.H. Turmeric rhizome, Curcuma longa, or jiang huang has been enjoying the limelight in recent months. It was the herb-du-jour, in the wake of the Vioxx scandal, along with a bit of research funding and an urban myth that Indian women never contract breast cancer. Media scrutiny […]
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 […]
Strategies for Respiratory Health During Cold and Flu Season
by Laurel Redmon, M.S., L.Ac. Dipl. Ac.,C.H Flu shots may afford many a sense of security this time of year. Those with a mind toward holistic and preventive health, however, can easily see that many more genuine and effective measures can be taken to protect ourselves, families and loved ones. Frankly, herbal remedies […]
Soothing Stress with Aromatherapy
by Cheryl Hoard On this subject I feel compelled to speak from my own perspective. My husband is teasing me at this moment, suggesting I write an article about the stress of writing an article about stress. At times in my life I have taken on quite a lot of responsibilities resulting in huge […]
Plants of the Bible
Plants of biblical times continue to hold great popular interest. Scholars do not always agree upon which plants actually grew in biblical lands. Botany of the bible becomes more difficult to study when so many translations have been made throughout history. What is certain though is the enthusiastic interest we have in learning more about […]
Natural Remedies for Moderate Depression
by Cheryl Hoard From a holistic point of view, many herbal remedies could be used for depression because the physical body, psychological state and spirit are all connected to produce the whole person and all of those parts have also created the disease. Every case of depression is very unique and the successful treatment […]
Natural Approach to Addiction Recovery
By Cheryl Hoard There are so many things to which we can become addicted. As is often the case with a natural approach, the same herbs and essential oils can be helpful for the various difficult moments associated with recovery from all kinds of addictions. Addictions to cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, unhealthy […]
Natural Alternatives for Allergy Sufferers
by Cheryl Hoard There are a lot of us allergy sufferers out there! An estimated 30 million in this country deal with hay fever. Another 12 million experience allergies to food, drugs and bee stings. Other conditions like asthma and eczema are sometimes linked to allergies. We tend to blame dust, mold, pollen and […]
Is your Essential Oil Natural, Standardized or Synthetic?
by Cheryl Hoard Essential oils are the fragrant soul of a plant. They are the characteristic scent or odor of a plant. Many chemical constituents make up this volatile oil. Peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita), for example is made up of menthol, menthyl acetate, menthone, cineole, pulegone, limonene, phellandrene, pinene, beta-bisabolene […]