Primal Hints | Aromatherapy with Essential Oils

The Birth of Essential Oils at the Bedside–How It All Started In a Large Health Care System-Part One

Cheryl — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:34:39 +0000

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…

Aromatic Alchemy for Forsyth Medical Center

Cheryl — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:33:17 +0000

What is that lovely, relaxing scent at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC, USA? Believe it or not, it is the pioneering nurses in Behavioral Health and Palliative Care and their essential oils! Seven staff members of Palliative Care completed their Essential Oil Competency in May. This means that six nurses and one recreational therapist can safely use pure essential oils with their patients to further reduce anxiety, nausea and pain. *Last year Forsyth Medical Center Behavioral Health nurses completed their Essential Oil Competency. Kudos to Forsyth Medical Center for their determination to embrace and promote the spirit of holistic health for themselves and their patients! They exemplify Florence Nightingale and her famous quote–”The cure is in the caring.” And they do care!

Stay tuned!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Spray Your Way to a Joyous, Clean Day!

Cheryl — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:41:55 +0000

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

Fire at Annie Penn Hospital!

Cheryl — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:27:05 +0000

What is causing all the heat at Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville, NC, USA? It is four nurses who are ‘on fire’ for essential oils for enhanced patient care! These four graduates from Primal Hints School of Aromatherapy have created an Aromatherapy Competency Course and in August, 2011 began teaching nurses aromatherapy in the Moses Cone Health Care System! Their enthusiasm has ignited Annie Penn hospital* with ‘everyone on board’ with the Aromatherapy Education of Cone Health System Nursing Staff.

Pam, Cheryl, Winnie and Margaret Ann have been using essential oils for about four years with an increasing wave of excitement with patients, staff and administration. Part of the beauty of this story is that Annie Penn hospital is named after a woman who cared for sick neighbors and friends to the point of keeping them on her porch to care for them. (This story is told at the class onset.) The incorporation of essential oils into every day practice is a tribute to her and the resurgence of a holistic approach to health care in this lovely little town.

What does this mean for patients? As I have told my students, when caring for patients in hospitals it is not a matter of one or the other– ‘Would you like lavender or morphine’– but offering both to work in synergy in alleviating pain and anxiety as well as promoting relaxation which supports pain reduction. Essential oils are used for anxiety, nausea, pain, and reduction of swollen tissues.

Kudos to these nurses for their dedication, energy and determination as well as to the Director of Nursing, Debbie Green and Annie Penn hospital administration for their foresight, courage and support in implementing holistic health into every day care!

Blessings,

Cheryl

*Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville is one of five hospitals in the Mose Cone Health Care System.

*As of November 28, 2011, Fifty Annie Penn Nurses have completed their Aromatherapy Competency and 24 Nurses in the Greensboro Cone Health system have done the same!

Times–How They Change–What’s New for Primal Hints?

Cheryl — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:46:14 +0000

They say that change is the only certain event in this life and after these past 2 years, I certainly agree. In fact, life in general is changing so rapidly with little remaining the same, including the refills for your electric tooth brush.

Have you tried to buy the same product several months down the road and found it it to be replaced with something ‘new and better’! Yikes!!

Primal Hints has evolved and changed as well with a defined new direction- a focus on education while releasing our retail business. The demand for education is so great that I can hardly keep up! Coupled with that educational demand is the rise in available essential oil products which can be purchased in multiple places.

In light of these events, Primal Hints is closing it’s retail business, including custom blending–October 31, 2011. Clearly, the demand is teaching others ‘how to’ rather than ‘doing for’. It is an excellent change and I look forward to it!

Currently I am attempting to recruit several of my graduates to accept those clients who prefer custom blends and I feel sure that no one will be without an aromatherapist! Meanwhile, I will continue education for professionals and hope to revive classes for those who want to know how to create their own blends.

Please email me with educational requests and I will do my best to provide what you need.

Many thanks to those who have supported my products and continue to support the wide variety of essential oil classes!

Blessings for an Aromatic, Joyous Month!

Cheryl

New Day New Product Source

Cheryl — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:15:23 +0000

My website, created by Dawn McAuley, continues to evolve as I do! The products have been removed, as the current business focus is education. If you want to reorder products, please email me with the exact name of your blend or essential oil product and I will find an excellent aromatherapists to make it for you. That would be of course, one of my excellent program graduates! This may also be a good time to try something new.

My feature blend for the summer was “Heart Chakra”, a divine, uplifting essential oil blend that tugs at your heart strings and pulls them toward heaven where you are renewed and refreshed. It was designed for those who have lost someone or something, including a piece of themselves and yearn to recover the wholeness, holiness, joyousness and delight they once knew.

Loss can strip us of our joy, confidence, enthusiasm, creativity and what I like to refer to as ‘mojo’—the Austin Powers word—for the juice that keeps us vital and truly alive. Heart Chakra blend along with prayer and meditation can assist in the rejuvenation of spirit and thus, life.

Heart Chakra includes rose, spikenard and other healing essential oils for balance, joy, love of self and others and decreases fear and negativity.

Renew, refresh, rejoice!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Where is C-alternatives Aromatherapy?

Cheryl — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:14:58 +0000

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

The Teachers Joy

Cheryl — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:58:58 +0000

One of the greatest joys of a teacher is to behold the time when the student surpasses the teacher in creativity, initiative and abilities. Thus, one of my greatest joys at the Asheville Herb Festival was to watch Tifani and Karin as they bloomed fully in knowledge, ingenuity and enthusiasm! It is true they are very bright, energetic woman but it takes more than that to engage others in your ideas and notions. I also felt as I watched them ‘in action’ that I was the fortunate one to have had them with me for thirteen months and wondered, who really learned the most, me or they? At the risk of having to refund their tuition, I must say I have learned so much from them and the value of team work, idea sharing and collegial support.

Thank you Karin and Tifani, you were a joy and an inspiration to behold!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Heart Attack, Stroke or Too Much of a Good Thing?

Cheryl — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:55:31 +0000

‘I think I may be having a reaction—I am having a hard time breathing–I have been using Lemongrass on my solar plexus—please call me!” When I heard this message it was evening and I called my client immediately only to learn that she was in the emergency room of a local hospital and had been there for the entire day!

“They tested me for everything-heart attack, stroke-I had tests all day and they couldn’t find anything! I think it must have been the essential oil”, she said and indeed it was the essential oil!

She proceeded to tell me while on her way home that she had a pimple on her solar plexus and began treating it three days ago with a drop of undiluted cymbopogon citrates-lemongrass-directly on the pimple three times a day. After applying the undiluted essential oil on the morning of third day she was stricken with breathlessness and overall feelings of severe illness. When I did not return her call that morning, she headed for the emergency room.

When I asked her why she applied the essential oil undiluted, she replied, “I thought you could apply it undiluted or was that lavender? “Lavender” I said “and only in an emergency such as a burn.” Thank goodness she was much better the next day and recovered without any residual symptoms but the incident caused excessive stress on her body, mind and spirit. In addition, she lost time at work and I did have the courage to ask what the Emergency Room charge was!

At this writing she is fine but I remain quite concerned. It seems to me that one of the first concepts I teach is ‘do not apply essential oils undiluted to the skin, except lavender angustifolia and ONLY in an emergency such as a burn or bite’ but worry that I have not made the danger perfectly clear . So let me make it very clear now—DO NOT USE ANY ESSENTIAL OIL UNDILUTED ON YOUR SKIN!

In the past month I spoke with one of my graduates, a nurse who uses lavender angustifolia almost on a daily basis with her patients and has for the past three to four years. She places one drop of undiluted lavender on a cotton ball for diffusion or mixes it in oil for body rubs. She has developed a sensitivity to lavender and I suspect it is because the undiluted oils touch her finger tips daily. ( It is best to wear gloves when working with essential oils and please, dilute all of your essential oils in a carrier and use only diluted oils.) Currently she is mixing lavender with other essential oils which helps with the sensitivity.

Both of these incidents have left me feeling greatly concerned for those who use essential oils and have challenged me to heighten reinforcement of diluting all essential oils before use.

This past weekend I have heard repeatedly of people putting undiluted essential oils on their cats for ticks. Let me say this—DO NOT APPLY ANY ESSENTIAL OILS ON CATS! And DO NOT APPLY UNDILUTED ESSENTIAL OILS ON DOGS. FYI-Cats are not small dogs and cannot be treated as such and dogs and not small humans and need essential oils diluted before application.

Having said that, let me say this—CHILDREN ARE NOT SMALL ADULTS AND REQUIRE DIFFERENT DOSING–You cannot give your child the same dose you give yourself!

Essential oils are incredible healing gifts from our aromatic plants but they are chemicals and cannot be used without directions and caution.

So please, dilute your essential oils and ask questions before you use them if you are unsure. You can call me or email to ask questions, no matter where you’ve purchased your essential oils.

If you have never taken an aromatherapy class, you may want to think about that. Please see class offerings and call me to schedule a time that suits you, your friends or family.

Be safe, be happy, be wise.

Blessings,

Cheryl

Blessing of the Heart

Cheryl — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 19:57:26 +0000

Essential Oils Carry Blessings of Scent

I sat looking out my office window at my little fairy garden in the front yard thinking to myself, when did I lose my joy? What happened to the notion that life is an adventure and even the most difficult task has an air of excitement to it? Good heavens, when did my heart dry out, when did life lose it juice and what do I need to do to get it back?

Of course when we ask a question, answers come and it just so happened I soon found several articles that stimulated creative thinking and love. The first article was written by David Crow, L.Ac- ‘A Poetic Tribute to Some Beloved Aromatic Plants’ in the most recent NAHA Aromatherapy journal. In his articulate and imaginative article, David writes of the beauty and majesty of several herbs and their essential oils such as lavender… “Like serpentine waves of color undulating across the continents, the lilac hues of lavender farms weave together all that is good about us humans.” Oh, so positive, so focused on goodness and beauty—yes, that is what is missing for me—the focus on the ecstasy and the fineness of the earth that is around me daily. The failure to notice the sublime, the lack of creative ideas and speech and the transformation of what is common to that which is godly is what buoys us up to the heavens. I have lost my ability to see the world around me as miraculous and multi-faceted.

David writes further to say “It is easy to get lost in the smell of purples, the sweet aquamarine notes of fruit and flower so distinct yet so indescribable… Do you sense the pungency, the soft sharpness of sunrays, and the fiery acrid heat of Mediterranean summer days?” David’s writing stimulated me to think of and feel the world around me as multi-faceted, complex, sweet and an absolute adventure! (See David’s website www.medicinecrow.com) That’s where the love of life is–enjoying the uniqueness and beauty in everything and everyone.

As if manna set before me, lo and behold the journal contained a second article in answer to my questions—this one written by Allison Stillman, “The Sacred Art of Anointing”. In her article Allison states that anointing, which is thousands of years old, invokes the divine in our hearts. The simple act of anointing your heart with the intention of love and requesting the presence of the divine can bring love and joy to your heart and your life.

I took Allison’s direction and used my rose essential oil blend (rose damascene and rose geranium essential oils in olive oil) to anoint my heart. First, I went to a calm, private space. Secondly, I set the intention to love myself unconditionally without the ‘you should have and if you would haves”, to find joy in everyday living and joy in others.

Having set the intention for love in my heart and spirit, I gently rubbed the area of my heart with my diluted fragrant, intoxicating essential oil blend. This anointing continued each night before I fell to sleep. Now I anoint when I know I need to reinforce the power of love for myself and for others which for the most part continues to be daily!

Part of the healing that is beginning to occur for me as that I less frequently look at each day as a ‘list of things to accomplish’ but thoughtfully decide what needs to be done in what order and complete each item with joy, doing the best I can. Surprisingly, when I move from a place of love and peace, I have more time, I laugh more often and sleep comes so much quicker.

So simple in delivery-so complex in result.

Here is believing that we are love, we just forget sometimes and need to remind ourselves.

Blessings to You and Your Heart,

Cheryl Endlish

Testimonial From Stacey Walters

“You have been such a life savor for us in so many ways! Your accessibility and caring goes beyond what I would expect! I love not just buying something, but the personalized efforts to help us get what we are looking for out of the oils has been ‘essential’ to their success in our family! I hope you know how much I appreciate all that you do! In a medicine/pharmaceutical world, finding someone as educated as you are has been exactly what we needed! Many, many thanks! We look forward to a long relationship with you and our oils!”