When I was  hired as a Nursing Director  in a large, southern health care system I was delighted when I met many health care professionals who advocated for complementary therapies within our system.  I was equally delighted when I was included in the membership on the Complementary  Task Force to exam and promote holistic concepts.   Soon however I realized we were going nowhere with anything–we just talked!  Eventually the group was dissolved with a relayed statement  from “‘The Top Gun’ who supposedly  said,  “There is no room for complementary therapies  in this health care system” and that was that.  The Complementary Task force was toast.

Several years later I left the director position and returned to education where I felt I could possibly implement   concepts such as imagery and progression relaxation into some of my classes. One afternoon while searching for course material in the library, my life was changed forever when I found an article written by Jane Buckle ( Holistic Nurse and Aromatherapist) and published in the Holistic Journal of Nursing. In her article Jane explained how lavender essential oil worked quite similarly to Ativan, the popular  (and addicting ) anti-anxiety drug that we used copious amounts of.  I could not believe what I was reading–was this really true!!  I was so moved by her article that on that same day I applied for membership in the Holistic Nursing Association.

And that was the beginning of the beginning.

As the heavens would have it, my “boss”, also a RN, supported me in my journey for Certification as a Holistic Nurse and an Aromatherapist.  As if that was not enough good fortune, when I realized it was time to leave the Health Care System and start my own business she was quite supportive.  However, she wanted me to teach aromatherapy to nurses in the  health system.

I agreed–how could I not when she had supported me one hundred percent?  My condition was that I needed a year to practice and put a course together.

True to both our promises, I came back in a year with my essential oils and  my introductory class.   I was not paid in wages, but I was given the space and the  nurses!   Before I taught my first class  I looked at her and said, “Is this approved?” She looked at me steadily and said evenly, ” just teach”.  And oh, I did!!

To be Continued…

Spray Your Way to a Joyous Day!

As we move into fall/winter we face an increase in our exposure to organisms and increase in mood fluctuations.  Both of these increases can be related to decreased fresh air and sunshine exposure.  In the past  week I have had three women ask me about room sprays so suspecting that is a needed topic, here we go.

I find room sprays to be the most effective way to eliminate odors, organisms and  insects; improve a listless or depressed mood; and fragrance your home. Each of my bathrooms has an essential oil ‘home made’ spray on the back of the commode.  My sheets are sprayed daily before the bed is made so that I am greeted with a sweet, aromatic beckoning to my bed at night.  I walk though my home in the morning spraying  stuffed furniture,  fire wood, bathroom towels and throw rugs. It takes just a few minutes and it makes me feel lighter, as well as opens my sinuses and clears my head.

Making a room spray is one of the easiest essential oil products to make–see my recipe below.

Making Your Own Room Spray for Adults

1.Use a glass amber bottle-4oz or 8 oz-with a spray top.

2. Place one teaspoon of everclear or witchazel per 4 oz into your bottle.

3.  Add your essential oil blend– 10 drops per ounce of liquid. So, in a  4 oz bottle you would have 4o drops of essential oil blend.

4.  Fill your bottle to the neck with distilled water.

5. Screw on the sprayer.

6. Turn gently in your hands to emulsify the essential oils and do this each time prior to spraying.

That is all their is to it!

Remember to write down what you have placed in the bottle and label it.  Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Oil Tips

Disinfecting  Essential Oils

Peppermint, Spearmint, Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Clove, All Citrus oils, Eucalyptus

Oils for Relaxation

Lavender, Geranium, Bergamot, Patchouli, Lemongrass.

Oils for Stimulation

Rosemary, Peppermint, Grapefruit, Clove, Cinnamon.

Oils for Mood Elevation

All Citrus essential oils, Lavender, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Spearmint, Rosemary.

Precautions: Keep out of reach of children, do not use on children or animals, do not add more oils than indicated.

Want to know more?  Take a 90 minute Introduction to Aromatherapy Course. And guess who happens to have one of those?

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Cheryl

What happened to C-alternatives Aromatherapy? This has been  a frequent question from clients these past  months and especially at the Asheville Festival and I must admit, it took me by surprise! Some of my clients and customers found me by chance and others I fear are still looking! The name of my company was expanded several years ago and the logo revised.   Of course, it is all the more confusing since my last name changed as well around the same time.

Just a reminder that C-alternatives Aromatherapy LLC and Primal Hints Aromatherapy are one in the same!   The current name of the company is C-alternatives Aromatherapy LLC dba Primal Hints.  The dba stands for ‘doing business as’. In addition, Cheryl Endlish was once Cheryl Laudenbacher and although I hesitate to say I am still the same person (truly, I am not) I am the person who was once called Cheryl Laudenbacher  now with my maiden name of Endlish!  I am still located in ‘the same place’ in Greensboro, NC.

So, hopefully you are reassured that I am not an imposter although not the same, I would like to think improved!!

If still confused, remember you can call  me anything you like, but as they say in my family, please don’t call me late for dinner!

Blessings,

Cheryl Ann Endlish (Once Upon a Time Cheryl Ann Laudenbacher)

C-alternatives Aromatherapy LLC dba Primal Hints