It is that time of year when there is so much to do– yard work, home improvements, all types of athletic activities and a wide variety of social events. Although early in the season, I am already sporting a vast array of insect bites, bruises, cuts and scrapes as well as fussing with those little black ants that amazingly seemed to have multiplied vastly in one of the coldest winters in history! It is the first of June and I am wondering if my mojo is going to make it to October!

Today was just one of those days with its mild sunshine and gentle breeze that begged for a cot on the deck. And so I listened to the wind and set my long list of chores aside, grabbed my sun suit, a jar of geranium shea butter and flopped onto the cot. Of course by the time I had all my amenities together, three of my cats beat me to it, but I did manage to wiggle into a space.

As I lay there watching the sun filter through the leaves of the trees, listening to the birds and feeling the wind caress my skin, I was swept away and was no longer just on my deck. For a moment, I was one with the sun and the universe. For a time, everything was peaceful, lovely and harmonious and I marveled at the beauty of the earth. It occurred to me that somewhere, someone was spending a lot of money to enjoy this same beauty, this same sun. What an epiphany!! It’s the same sun! I can enjoy it any time I allow myself to let go of ‘things’ and take a few minutes to mingle with the energy that is always there. The sun, always there for me—always there for you.

Thought for the Thoughtful

As I was talking to one of my elder clients and we discussed the importance of taking time for joy in our lives she said to me, “My mother once told me, ‘I’ve never seen a U-haul following a hearse.”

]]> http://www.c-alternatives.com/life-events/under-one-sun-2/feed/ 0 http://www.c-alternatives.com/education/aromatherapy-education-heads-or-tails/ http://www.c-alternatives.com/education/aromatherapy-education-heads-or-tails/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:38:31 +0000 Cheryl http://www.c-alternatives.com/?p=569 Aromatherapy Education-Heads or Tails?

Several months ago a client gave me a little poem which I found delightfully amusing as well as true in many ways.

What do you think?

We have two ends

With a common link

With one we sit

With one we think

Success depends on what we use

Heads we win

Tails we lose.

I would qualify that with ‘it depends on why we are sitting and does it involve our head?’

Don’t you think that sitting for a class that expands your knowledge, stimulates your brain, fascinates you, gives you information to save you money and time, and increases your joy is a win/win situation?

So come and sit on your tail and open up your head to the wonder of essential oils!  Primal Hints Aromatherapy has many education classes to choose from with varying topics, costs and flexible scheduling.  Whether you want to study aromatherapy to become a therapist, learn to care for you skin with non toxic products, deepen your spiritual connection, or just do something ‘fun and different’—I guarantee you we have a class for you!

Take your tail and head to www.primalhints.com and win!

Blessings,

Cheryl

February 17, 2010

Grief—The Lonely Walk

This past November I was painfully reminded just how lonely and emotionally numbing grief can be when you lose someone you have loved your entire life. Like any form of depression, words just do not seem to help and the ability to describe the pain is ineffective as well as too labor intensive to attempt.

Unlike some other forms of depression, the grief comes like ocean waves—sometimes gentle and almost sweet and often as huge swells that knock you off your feet.

We vacillate between not sleeping and not being able to wake up.  Sometimes we are ravenous and other times we cannot eat.   It just seems to be all or nothing.

I have found that anything that requires a great deal of creativity and concentration on my part is on the back burner.  Time alone to ponder is required and I am just not interested in the activities I usually love.

In time I know I will return to my usual routine and ‘old self’, but not exactly the same as before, which will be a good thing.  I know that when I hear someone has lost a loved one, I will realize the tremendous pain they may be going through.  I will give them space and time to heal.  I know their energy field, creativity and concentration will be temporarily disrupted but in time they will return and they will heal.  And I will ask their angels to guide them and help them.

 It is true “life will go on, so let’s move on”, yet for a time in throws of grief, we are often unsure of our footing and of the path.

To all of my friends and love ones who have supported me, I am so grateful!

I also wish to thank the earth for it’s healing trees and plants—myrrh, ginger, orange, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, skullcap and passion flower—and  its healing, supportive energy.

Wishing you angels when you need them and sacred gifts from the earth which are always there for you.

Blessings,

Cheryl

Owner, Primal Hints Aromatherapy

The environment in which we live, the place we come home to at the end of our day, is created by anything that reaches our senses. It includes but is not limited to colors, pictures, lighting, furniture, floor coverings, sounds, smells and space itself. These things coupled with our own personal energy and the energy of others who live with us or visit periodically create a place in which we find solace, joy, peace, respite and ultimately healing of our mind, body and spirit.

When you walk through your door, what do you feel in the space around you?

We are in harmony with our ‘home’ when we feel relaxed and comforted in the space.  It is not related to size or even location as we can create a healing environment any where.

Changing our environment to promote relaxation and peace occurs with changing the simplest things and we have much more control than we often realize. An abundance of money and space is not required and even the slightest change can increase contentment.

Here are some suggestions: trade items with friends, check out garage sales, thrift stores and the curbside—some people discard somereally good ‘junk’!

Move your furniture around to facilitate energy flow.

Add some plants (many of which are on sale this time of year) such as spider plants, peace lily and snake root, all of which are low mantainence and all absorb toxic substances from the environment.

Create your own pot pourri from dried garden flowers, herbs, pine cones, pine needles, and any seed pod and gum balls—all free! Add some essential oils to your mix to enhance relaxation, energy movement and air cleansing and place your creation in small containers in strategic locations around your ‘home’.

If you live in a place where you cannot make any changes for the present, think about creating a “Table of Hope”. Fill your table with things you love, things such as pictures, mementos, rocks, and shells, anything that inspires you toward creating your own space when the opportunity arises.

Avoid buying fragrance items (different than essential oils) such as scented candles, store prepared pot pourri, scented plug ins and such.  Also avoid scented detergents, dryer sheets and soaps (unless the label says ‘essential oils, not fragrance oils) as they only aggravate allergies, asthma and hormone imbalances.

Visit your famer’s markets for bees wax candles and scent them yourself with essential oils.

Tips for success in making changes: make a list of what you want to accomplish; change one thing at time; don’t accept a change until you are completely happy with it!

Even though you cannot change every thing, the smallest change can make a big difference as you create a little piece of heaven no matter where you are!

 For class information on creating your own products with essential oils and other tips, please contact Cheryl.

 Blessings,

Cheryl

Would you like to try a little essential  oil of peppermint? I asked to which she said yes. So I placed several drops on a tissue and handed it to her to inhale. By the time I was ready to leave the store, her pain and nausea had decreased significantly and she was smiling and grateful for the oil.

Sometime later when on a snorkeling adventure in Mexico, a member of our group developed extreme motion sickness and was struggling to keep her  lunch.  A member of my family  found the bottle of peppermint in my purse and offered it to her to inhale, which she did.  Within minutes her nausea subsided and the look of anguish receded from her face.  Although she was very grateful for the nausea relief, I cannot say she truly enjoyed the afternoon on the boat!

My grandson Brandon suffered from car sickness when he was younger and peppermint quelled his nausea while traveling which made our trips most pleasant.

Peppermint, Mentha Piperita, which is steam distilled from the plant’s leaves and flowers, is in my opinion, a must have essential oil.  It is rare that I go anywhere without my emergency oils and peppermint is surly one of them!  Peppermint is also excellent as a decongestant and an anti-viral.  Due to its centering yet stimulating qualities, it is an excellent oil to diffuse in cars and research shows it to be effective in decreasing Road Rage.

As wonderful as Mentha Piperita is, there are several precautions to note. First, it is far too strong for children under 6 years of age.  Remember that essential oils should never be applied undiluted to the face but especially with children with special caution in the nose and mouth area.  Strong oils applied under the nose can cause respiratory arrest in children.

In addition, use peppermint with caution (that is in small, highly diluted doses) with those with epilepsy and high blood pressure.  Peppermint should be avoided with those with enzyme deficits which prevent the liver from detoxifying menthol.

So whether you are in a car, boat, plane or on dry land, think of Peppermint, Mentha Piperita, and add it to your list of important essential oils because you never know when the varied uses of peppermint will come in handy!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Think of it this way–you spend $20 on a dinner out and it’s gone. Spend $20 on a class and you may change your outlook and consequently your outcomes. It is yours forever!

Upcoming Classes

Is There Anything We Can Change?!

Now that I think about it, it was those darn fairy tales that my mother used to read to me that ended with ‘and they lived happily ever after’ that really messed with my mind and life perceptions. I realize that for much of my life I have been looking for that “I have made it place” where everything is in order and life goes just as you plan.

That clearly is not going to happen and I am finding that the longer I live, the more complicated and chaotic life becomes! What’s with that? I must confess that this past year ranks up near the top of my ‘All Time Terrible Years’ with regard to life events!

As I was on the verge of throwing one of my best ever pity parties, I was reminded by a dear, sweet woman and friend of the fact that in spite of all that comes and goes in our lives, what we have power over is our attitude.

We may feel powerless over the current economic situation, illnesses and all of the other events and people we love that come and go in our lives. We cannot maintain our grasp on these things or change the flow of life. Like the ocean tide, things come and they go, come and they go-we cannot change the tide and do we really want to?

We can however change our attitude.

My friend also invited me to ‘expect a miracle’ , why not? A miracle is really a shift in perception from fear to love. When we make this shift, that is a miracle!

Lastly she said, “Isn’t life a dance of emotions? Being depressed, fascinated, scared, fine, exhausted, sad, accepting, enraged, grateful and amazed?”

The events of our lives are catalyst to express these emotions of our life’s journey and then to allow us to experience the grace of acceptance, love and knowing that ‘it will all be OK.”

Embrace life and all it’s nuances and you will find, it really will be OK!

Blessings,
Cheryl

According to Marie, “A drop of ginger (and/or peppermint) on a cold cloth applied to the forehead or neck often eases vague complaints of nausea. Essential oils are something I can use immediately and they can help my patient while I call the physician and then wait to receive medication from the pharmacy.”

“Time is such a precious commodity in a nurse’s shift. But it really doesn’t add to my work load to make a quick ‘cotton ball sachet’ for a patient (a drop or two of a specific essential oil on a cotton ball) or place a drop of lavender, for example, on the pillowcase I wrap around a heat pack. Besides, the benefits can be remarkable. The fragrant smell of an essential oil seems to be very soothing, and it actually makes my patients feel as if I have taken more time for them.”

“In fact, I recall a time when the use of lavender saved time: A patient was angry, demanding—and in pain. While making a hot pack for her, I applied a couple of drops of lavender to the pillowcase wrap. Within approximately 15 minutes, as the scent of the lavender from the heat pack surrounded her, she told me she felt herself calm down and ‘let go.’ She was cooperative and grateful the rest of the day.”

Marie continues her observations: “Aromatherapy in the hospital setting seems most effective as a complement– used in combination with a patient’s current treatment plan. Patients have such acute problems, especially with pain and when the medication isn’t completely satisfactory, essential oils can help.”

“A recent experience was very effective for my patient’s pain and satisfying to me as a nurse. A young man had a tremendous amount of pain after surgery which was not relieved by the prescribed medications. In spite of maximum doses, he laid curled up in his bed in acute distress. I gave him medication to help him relax, placed a lavender cotton ball sachet on his chest and began to talk him through a guided imagery exercise. He gradually uncurled his body and began to breathe regularly. Later he said, ‘my pain was an 8 (on a scale of 10), and you took the pain and sent it away somewhere.’ Results aren’t always so dramatic, but it happens quite often, and encourages me to continue with essential oil use.”

“Due to the classes I’ve taken and the reading I’ve done, I am aware of possible drug interactions with the essential oils I use. Recently I chose not to use cinnamon or clove for a patient with sinusitis complaints because it might have interfered with the metabolism of the Tylenol I had just given. I used peppermint essential oil instead which relieved the congestion.”

“I always discuss essential oils with my patients before I use them. Most of the time my patients are receptive, sometimes skeptical—only once has a patient stated she was allergic to an essential oil and that was to lavender! It emphasized for me how important it is to be aware of medical history and to realize that anyone can be allergic to anything.”

Aromatherapy can be a useful nursing intervention and is within the scope of nursing practice when education in the use of essential oils is obtained before hand. Marie states, “When I can’t use essential oils, I feel as if I have one hand tied behind my back.”

Thank you so much Marie for sharing your perspective of the ‘essentials’ which are essential for you as medical/surgical nurse.

Blessings,
Cheryl

Cheryl Endlish RN is owner of Primal Hints and welcomes your comments and questions. Contact Cheryl.

Tips for a Healthier Environment and Saving Money!

Ideas from Friends and other sources:

1. Spray your sheets daily with an Essential Oil Spray to preserve the freshness of your sheets and decrease washing. This helps your budget and the environment. (Essential oils can promote sleep, kill virus, fungus and bacteria and make your room and bed a welcoming retreat at the end of your day.)
2. Keep purses, brief cases, lap tops, cell phones and other items placed directly on floors off of your table and counter tops, beds, sinks, etc. They are loaded with organisms that are collected in the course of our day and unknowing transmitted to areas that are ‘sacred’ to us. Basic rule– floors are ‘dirty’– that is where virus, fungus and bacteria reside especially outside of our living space. Counter and table tops are considered ‘clean’ but only if we adhere to the rule of not placing dirty on the clean. Think about where you place your ‘stuff’ and do you want what in on your ‘stuff’ in your mouth? Regularly clean these items and an essential oil spray at a 5% dilution will keep virus, fungus and bacteria in check. (Cloth bags carry the most organisms and are most difficult to keep clean.)
3. Clean your switch plates, doors and commode handles routinely. Often we may not think about cleaning these fixtures. Think about the items you touch outside of your home, who has touched them and what was on their hands? Essential Oil Sprays can kill the organisms and make your home or office smell wonderful as well.

No Over the Counter (OTC) Cold and Cough Drugs for Children 2-5 Years of Age
This is not new information but just a reminder that physicians believe OTC drugs may do more harm than good for your precious little one. Information found on (MedScape and released by MD Health.) Remember, there are essential oil options.

What’s New?
De-stressing the Distressed CD-Cheryl’s first CD that includes stress reduction strategies, review of 6 essential oils, a breathing exercise and Frequently Asked Questions. Based on past lectures, this is soothing, relevant information to hear while you drive, while you are ‘on-hold’ or when you need reminded just how important you really are. $15

Blessings,
Cheryl