Tag Archives: creativity

Essential Oils and Crystals for the Throat Chakra

The throat chakra is the centre of your self-expression, your thoughts, the words you speak and write, your body language, your emotions and your creativity. You honour your truth and what you stand for. You ask for what you want and feel heard as you listen to what others have to say with an open heart.

When out of balance you may find it difficult to express your emotions or talk about them. You may have difficulty expressing your opinion or speaking your truth. You may be scared to express yourself because you grew up in a family or are in a situation where there is possible physical abuse for speaking out. You may fear expressing your true self because you fear being judged, that your words are harmful or may harm someone else.

Some questions to consider and perhaps journal about
Do you feel you have a right to express yourself truthfully?
Do you feel you can express yourself openly and honestly?
Do you feel safe standing up for what you believe in?
Do you feel you have to hide the real you from certain people in your life?
Do you feel you have nothing worth saying?
What do you do to express yourself creatively?
Do your actions match your words?
How do you and your body feel when you are not speaking your truth?

10 essential oils that can help with throat chakra issues
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is useful where there are issues with control and can help you express yourself through creativity.

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) helps overcome the fear of claiming your personal power and awakens your desire to create allowing imaginative ideas and intuition to flourish.

Black spruce (Picea mariana) clears energetic blockages and renews your sense of purpose, motivation and inspiration. She encourages forgiveness, self-acceptance and setting healthy boundaries.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) gives you the strength and courage to express your truth.

Fragonia (Agonis fragrans) releases hurts and emotional entanglements stemming from unresolved family issues helping to promote inner harmony.

Juniper berry (Juniperus communis) is useful if you are feeling unsupported and misunderstood by others and withdraw and/or lose your social confidence. She also helps break up blockages and consolidate your willpower.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis) helps ease the frustration and self-consciousness that inhibits self-expression allowing you to fulfil your creative potential.

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) helps you to embrace change and move on. Can help if you have a tendency to be clinging, possessive or jealous and find it hard to let go of loved ones.

Rose (Rosa damascena) restores a sense of security and well-being especially if you have suffered rejection, loss or abuse. She helps you to forgive others as well as yourself and experience more honest and meaningful relationships.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) helps in overcoming feelings of victimization and hopelessness by developing patience and appreciating other points of view without feeling threatened.

Make your own throat chakra anointing blend
Choose 1-3 essential oils for a total of 3 drops and add to 10 mls of cold pressed vegetable oil.
Anoint the throat area with a few drops of the blend. Use your intention to open, balance, heal and then close the chakra.

8 blue crystals that may be used to balance the throat chakra.
Aquamarine helps you communicate your feelings and emotions with ease.

Blue aragonite helps you think and speak compassionately and heal from verbal abuse. It also helps you speak and share your ideas with others when you are feeling fear.

Blue chalcedony helps you stop and think about the impact of your words on others before you speak.

Blue fluorite helps you clearly communicate your ideas.

Blue tourmaline (Indicolite) helps you to find the words to express your deep feelings and thoughts.

Lapis lazuli helps to release deep stress and repressed anger bringing inner peace and the expression of your true self without compromise.

Shattuckite is a stone of truth helping you to see where your thoughts, words, deeds and judgement have caused discord rather than blaming others for the problems in your life.

Sodalite enhances self-esteem, self-trust and self-acceptance so that you can speak your truth and stand up for your beliefs.

Aromatic Affirmation: I Speak My Truth

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum/sambac)

Jasmine

“Like the waters of a sweet river, Jasmine penetrates the deepest layers of our soul, opening the doors to our emotions” Susanne Fischer Rizzi

Jasmine has a heady perfume loved by many especially the perfumers of France. She also has a long history of use in India.

Family: Oleaceae

Synonyms: Jasminum officinale, Catalonian jasmine, Spanish jasmine, White jasmine

Aroma: Intensely floral warm sweet and rich with a tea like undertone

Colour: Dark orange but becomes a more reddish brown due to age and oxidization.

Plant: Jasminum grandiflorum is a semi evergreen deciduous vine with masses of fragrant single white flowers that bloom from spring to autumn.

Jasminum sambac is an evergreen shrub that can reach up to 5 feet in height in a pot but when grown in shade is more like a vine.

Main Growing Areas: Jasminum grandiflorum is native to Iran, Kashmir and Afghanistan but is also grown commercially in France, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, Japan and Turkey. Jasminum sambac is native to Southern India

Major Constituents: Benzyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, linalool (higher in j.sambac), benzyl alcohol, cis-jasmone, indole, eugenol, alpha-farnesene (higher in j.sambac) and methyl jasmonate. Unfortunately due to its high cost jasmine is often adulterated with benzyl acetate and benzyl benzoate.

Note: Pure jasmine essential oil is expensive but it is possible to buy her diluted 3 or 5% in jojoba or other carrier oils. I prefer her in jojoba as jojoba being a wax and not an oil does not go rancid over time. This allows you to experience the properties of jasmine without the expense.

Interesting snippets:
It takes 8 million blossoms to produce one kilo of absolute with an experienced picker able to pick between 10,000 and 15,000 blossoms a night.

In India Jasmine is called “queen of the night” or “moonshine in the garden.”

Joy-perfume In India, Jasmine is mixed with sandalwood oil creating an attar of jasmine.

The perfume Joy by Jean Patou has pure jasmine among its ingredients.

Part of Plant used /Extraction: Flower. In the past jasmine essential oil was obtained through enfleurage. Today most jasmine absolute is obtained in a process whereby solvents such as hexane, pentane, petroleum and ether are used to remove the volatile and non-volatile substances from the flowers before being heated to boil off the solvents producing the concrete. Next the concrete is slowly warmed with alcohol to melting point allowing the essential oil, waxes and fixed oils to dissolve in the alcohol which is than cooled, filtered and distilled to remove all the traces of the alcohol resulting in what is called the absolute.

To give the highest yield the process must begin as soon as possible after picking. 1000 kg of jasmine blossoms will produce between 2.6 and 2.8 kg of concrete which will then yield between 1.5 and 1.7 kg of absolute.

Therapeutic actions: Said to help relieve pain and strengthen contractions during the early stages of labour as well as assisting the expulsion of the placenta after delivery. Helpful in relieving the spasms and cramps in painful and delayed periods. Insomnia

Emotional and Spiritual: Mental fatigue, anxiety, restlessness

Valerie Ann Worwood writes that it has been said that jasmine has the ability to call the angelic realms close, and to be able to transmit our soul’s joy and love to the universe, if the intent and purpose is carried from a clear and pure heart.

Susanne Fischer Rizzi writes that jasmine penetrates and diminishes fear, not only lightening your mood but it brings euphoria to darkness. It helps to recapture self-confidence and defeat pessimism.

Robbi Zeck advises that when you are faced with seemingly unresolvable emotional challenges and feeling fearful, that Jasmine will dissolve those fears and build trust. She writes to sit with your fears and concerns, taking breath after breath and wait in the stillness for an answer. Prayer and deep faith will open you to trusting yourself, blessing the present and expecting the best.

Gabriel Mojay writes that whenever fear and vulnerability, or anxiety and depression, cut us from our ability to share physical pleasure and affection, jasmine oil can support, reassure and delight.

Aromatherapy Insight Card:

Jasmine Courtesy of J.Jefferies & K.Osborn

LIVING IN THE NOW WITH PASSION
Stop living in the past and enjoy what life is giving you now. Stay present and regain your raw passion for everything in life. Stop worrying what happened yesterday or what is coming tomorrow, simply be and really enjoy what life is about. Release feelings of depression, fear and vulnerability and move to that place where you trust and feel supported. Live and Do what you really want to do.

Fragrant Change Healing Card: I have a passion for life and living
Contemplations for the Soul:

Jasmine Sambac

Are you feeling stressed, angry, depressed or just plain exhausted mentally and physically?
Are you living your life according to the values of others and wondering who you really are?
Do you lack confidence in your ability to create and bring joy to yourself and others?
It’s time to live, love, create and laugh again on your own terms.
Nurture your passions and yourself.
Reawaken those feelings that have long been forgotten or repressed.
Begin to create the life you want.
Find those who will support you in your creative endeavours and feel the passion and excitement racing through you again.

Safety: Non-irritating, non-sensitizing

Sources: Atterby D, Jasmine Essential Oil Profile. Aromatherapy Today, Vol. 50 (2011)
Bowles E.J, The A-Z of Essential Oils. New Burlington Books (2003)
Fischer-Rizzi S, Complete Aromatherapy Handbook. Essential Oils for Radiant Health Sterling Publishing Company (1990)
Hodges C. Contemplations for the Soul (2016)
Hodges C, Fragrant Change Healing Cards (2015)
Jefferies J, Jasmine Essential Oil Profile. Aromatherapy Today, Vol. 33 (2005)
Jefferies J, Osborn. K, Aromatherapy Insight Cards. Living Energy, Aust. (2nd Ed. 2005)
Mojay G, Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Hodder and Stoughton (1996)
Sydney Essential Oil Company, Harvest: Jasmine Absolute Premium. Oily Winter Edition (2011)
Worwood V.A, The Fragrant Heavens. Doubleday Publishing UK (1999)
Zeck R, The Blossoming Heart. Aroma Tours (2004)

Rosemary And Creativity

rosemary and creativity header

“But unless we are creators we are not fully alive. What do I mean by creators? Not only artists, whose acts of creation are the obvious ones of working with paint of clay or words. Creativity is a way of living life, no matter our vocation or how we earn our living.”
Madeleine L’Engle

Each essential oil has its own energetic signature. Rosemary is for both remembrance and creativity. The above quote by Madeleine L’Engle illustrates the creativity aspect of rosemary.

We are all born creative although some people think only of artists, writers, singers, sculptors and film makers as creative but everyone is creative. Each and every moment you are creating your life and you show your creativity in a multitude of ways. The meals you prepare, the way you raise your children, the career you have and the energy you put into it, the clothes you wear, the furniture you choose for your house or apartment, the garden you plant and the way you communicate with others.

Some people think or say they are not creative but they show their creativity in many other ways in addition to the above. It may be in the way you blend your oils, arrange flowers, soothe an angry person or help someone see the way to heal themselves. People may comment on your creativity or ability in a certain area but you may not see it because it seems so natural to you.

The other aspect of rosemary is remembering not only those who have died or otherwise left you, events from the past or facts but also your true self which may have gotten lost in your day to day living.

Rosemary can help you remember your creativity, who you really are and your purpose. So I would like to add to Madeline’s quote “Rosemary helps us to remember who we truly are and reminds us that creativity is a way of living life, no matter our vocation or how we earn our living.”

You can use rosemary in a diffuser, an inhaler or as part of a massage or anointing blend.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love remember.
And there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.
William Shakespeare

Family: Lamiaceae

Synonyms: R. coronarium

Aroma: Penetrating, refreshing, herbaceous.

Colour: Clear to pale yellow.

Plant: An evergreen shrub that grows up to 2 metres high with silvery grey needle shaped leaves and pale blue flowers. As the plant ages the leaves lose part of their oil and the plant becomes progressively odourless.

Main Growing Areas: Tunisia, Spain, Morocco, France.

Major Constituents: There are 3 chemotypes, 1,8 cineole, camphor and verbenone. The amount of each constituent varies with the chemotype but all include 1.8 cineole, alpha-pinene, camphor, alpha-pinene, borneol, borynl acetate.

Interesting snippets: Rosemary essential oil was first distilled in the 13th century.
The Ancient Egyptians used Rosemary as a ritual incense in the tombs of the Pharaohs to assist them to recall their former life.

The Greeks and Romans regarded Rosemary as sacred, a symbol of remembrance, loyalty, and scholarly learning. Throughout the ages, Rosemary garlands and headdresses were worn at all important occasions as a symbol of trust.

The herb was used in former times to delay the putrefaction in uncooked meat.

The French used it as a disinfectant in hospital wards during epidemics.

Part of Plant used / Extraction: Leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation. A complete distillation takes around one and a half hours.

Therapeutic actions: Colds and flu, catarrh, sinusitis, muscular aches and pains, arthritis, rheumatism.

Emotional and Spiritual: Clears and refreshes a tired mind and improves concentration. Helps clear mental confusion in the elderly. Can renew enthusiasm and improve self-confidence.

Robbi Zeck writes that when familiar patterns, conditions, habits and beliefs keep resurfacing and manifesting in your life, rosemary moves you onward freeing you from restriction, sluggishness and mental fatigue.

Gabriel Mojay writes that as a Herb of Remembrance, it helps us not only to recall loved ones, but to remember our own true path.

Aromatherapy Insight Card:
CREATIVITY
Rosemary gladdens the spirit, invoking confidence to command creative energy into action. Believe in yourself, you can manifest anything if you believe in it. Explore your creative side and free yourself from life’s restrictions. Rosemary allows you to explore outside your everyday world. Find your own personal expression of creativity and paint your life the colours that you want.

Courtesy of J. Jefferies & K. Osborn.

Fragrant Change Healing Card: I am a creative person who finds creative solutions to my problems

Contemplations for the Soul:

Have you forgotten your creativity or even that you are a creative being?
Are you feeling mentally fatigued and apathetic?
Have you forgotten who you truly are and what you can accomplish?
Have you forgotten your path and purpose in life?
We think of rosemary for remembrance but she is also a creative force.
Stop today and think of all the ways you are creative in your life.
People may comment on your creativity in a certain area but you may not see it because it seems so natural to you.
Slow down and remember the creative person you are and acknowledge your worth.

Safety: Non-irritating, non-sensitising, non-toxic

Sources: Battaglia S, The Complete Guide To Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion, Australia (1995)
Bowles E.J, The A to Z of Essential Oils. New Burlington Books (2003)
Hodges C, Contemplations for the Soul (2016)
Hodges C, Fragrant Change Healing Cards (2015)
Jefferies J, Osborn K, Aromatherapy Insight Cards. Living Energy, Aust. (2nd Ed. 2005)
Kerr J, Rosemary Essential Oil Profile. Aromatherapy Today, Vol.24 (2002)
Mojay G, Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Hodder and Stoughton (1996)
Zeck R, The Blossoming Heart. Aroma Tours (2004)

Not Just A Pretty Smell - Explore new Ways of Using Essential Oils