This is a common question. It seems that some are saying that if you can drink  an oil that this is a sign of purity. Then there are others that say that you cannot ingest oils at all. Where does Gritman stand on this issue.? We can support both sides. For us at Gritman, we see ingestion and purity as two different issues.

Whether you can ingest an oil or not has nothing to do with purity. The confusion comes from believing that you only want to ingest pure or the best food. We whole heartedly believe this, but this belief has nothing to do with ingesting oils. Combining the idea that you want to eat pure food and then relating that to essential oils is a marketing tool. If you agree with eating pure food then it is logical to think that you can eat or swallow pure oils. The problem is that oils are not food. They can be found in food and are usually described as flavorings. The amount found in these processed foods is very, very small. Here at Gritman we also teach classes in cooking with essential oils but as a replacement for herbs and spices. The amount used is only a drop or maybe two.

Can you take oils internally? Why would you be taking them internally? It would usually be for a medical or physical issue that you are having. Only a doctor can prescribe the internal use of medical products. That is why you will see most essential oils are sold with a disclaimer not to take internally. As well as some oils can smell very sweet and some children will drink them. This has led to the death of children. Again most essential oil companies would want to err on the side of safety and instruct you not to take them internally. The ingestion issue has nothing to do with purity. Drinking a bottle of PURE wintergreen can kill a child.

Having said this, I will tell you that I ingest oils all the time. At the first sign of a soar throat, I will take tea tree. It works like magic. So you can ingest essential oils. Yes, you can. Can you ingest all essential oils? No, you cannot. Then which oils can you ingest? It has to do with the chemistry of the oil.

Essential Oil Chemistry is all about the very smallest molecules found in organic chemistry.  This chemistry works with various chemical molecules. They are called terpenes, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, and oxides. Oils high in terpenes, alcohols and esters seem fairly safe to ingest. Tea Tree is high in terpenes and alcohols.

The most difficult chemical constituent to ingest is phenols. Tylenol is a phenol and it is linked to liver damage in those that take it. Essential oils high in phenols will also cause liver damage. These are oils like basil, oregano, dill, thyme, cinnamon or oils that are very pungent and spicy. The reason phenols are such a problem in that the molecule forms a ring that is very difficult to break down. The liver’s job is to break down the essential oil that is fat soluble so that it becomes water soluble. This can weaken or deplete the liver especially if it has to do this daily.

Ketones and oxides can also put stress on the liver as the ketones are broken down to become water soluble. Pennyroyal should never be ingested because of its high percentage of ketones and there is almost always liver damage if this oil is ingested. Eucalyptus which is an oxide is to be avoided as it can react with prescribed medications and make them useless. Both pennyroyal and eucalyptus can be used topically with the right precautions.

If you are wanting to take an oil internally, please research or ask a certified aromatherapist if this is in your best interest. It is always wise to err on safety and not to ingest oils until you are sure.

Erma’s Nutrition Center

We have been in relationship with Erma’s since the 90’s. The current owner, Ellen, has been wonderful referring any essential oil customers our way. We want to thank them and want to return the favor. Please support a local nutrition center, if you are in the Clear Lake area. There website is http://www.ermasnutritioncenter.com.

The Becoming

Meg does this seminar about every four years. This work changed her life. It is a process model that basically describes how the world works with you in it. It is like having desert after a satisfying dinner. Make that a dinner Amy made. Her cooking continues to bring raves from those who attend. She cooked for the Becoming and we had a Spirit Sweat that Saturday evening. If you interested in attending a Spirit Sweat, contact us. The Becoming book is available for those that were not able to attend the class. Call or purchase it online.

Who’s Here at Gritman

Judy Harper works with us on Monday. Judy’s son is having open heart surgery as we write this. Our prayers go to her, her son, and their family. Lauren Kinsey is here on Tuesday and Wednesday. James is still interning on Thursday. We also had Christina Loos here in January for her high school internship. We feel so blessed to have these people in our lives. It makes working here at Gritman so much easier and more fun. I love those conversations that happen around the bottling table. Gail O’Brien will be team teaching with Meg in February. The class is Healing Chakras with Minerals and Essential Oils. http://www.gritman.com/essential-oil-classes/d-healing-chakras-minerals-and-essential-oils-6-massage-ceus.htm. Gail will be including instruction on working with sound healing as well.   Lauren is available for massages at Relaxation Retreat, http://www.relaxationretreat.com/ or she can come to your home, (281) 536-9991. She also can do Spiritual Aromatherapy readings on the phone or in person.

Spiritual Aromatherapy Certification

Level One Spiritual Aromatherapy Certification is now in March. Level Two will be in June. The new Level 3 will be in August. We hope to continue this calendar for the next few years so that you can plan your calendars accordingly. Miracles continue to happen in these classes. The minerals that are now becoming a permanent part of what we do are included in these classes. We are finding that minerals are very important to us right now and when you use them with the oils there is a special magic that happens.  In December, we will offer another special class. The idea for this class tends to come from you. If there is a special class that you would like us to do, we would be happy to present it. Last year it was about making Elixirs and Gail O’Brien with Meg put this class together. I still remember that meditation that Gail did. She is helping us understand how the Rays work within this body of knowledge. Rhonda Porter, a fabulous massage therapist and energy worker, initially asked for this class. Please let us know what you would like to do.   Gail O’Brien is a wonderful massage therapist and is studying spiritual aromatherapy with us. To contact Gail you can e-mail her at mail4gail2@aol.com.   Rhonda Porter has been a long time friend and supporter of Gritman. She has many wonderful specialties and her website is http://apeacewithinwellness.com/.

New Products

• Black Pine: http://www.gritman.com/pine-black.html
• Dormant Virus Spray or Dropper: http://www.gritman.com/dormant-virus-blend.html
• Douglas Fir: http://www.gritman.com/douglas-fir.html
• Electric Diffuser: http://www.gritman.com/spa-vapor-electric-diffuser.html
• Macerations -Camilla: http://www.gritman.com/camellia-maceration.html, Privet: http://www.gritman.com/privet-maceration.html

FeverFew, Holy Basil, and Juniper Macerations will have on the website soon.

Oils on Hold

• Lavender, Tasmanian
• Rose Otto
• Wormwood, Sweet Annie (It’s growing in the garden so maybe we can get a maceration.)

Discontinuing Products

• Eucalyptus Unrectified, (Have a little left) substitute Eucalyptus Gully Gum
• White Pine
• Lip Balms (still have some Vanilla)
• Liquid Soap
• Wild Chamomile

Gritman Quarterly 20% off Sales

• Spring Sale- March 20^th-30^th
• Summer Sale- June 21^st-29^th
• Fall Sale-September 22^nd-30^th
• Cyber Monday Sale-November 29^th-December 3rd

When I was in graduate school I wanted to do a paper on depression. I could not do it because I could not find research that supported the same depression definition. I realized that depression means many different things to different people. True Depression is a pathology suffered by a small part of our population and for these people it is very debilitating. For most of us we have sadness, melancholy, grief, and feelings as if the color was turned off the TV and our world had just gone gray. If you have debilitating depression essential oils may help but one must be under the care and supervision of a doctor. For the rest of us, essential oils can offer assistance.

Since we are all different we will find that certain essential oils affect us more than others. Grapefruit seems to put a smile on people’s face. For many when they smell it, they cannot help but smile. Citrus oils especially lemon oil can perk you up. Orange oil is soothing while making you feel better. Lime allows you to calm and center taking the edge off of anxiety which is an emotion often underneath depression. Diffusing these oils into the space or creating a mister and spraying the space will help.

To make a mister add a little ethanol alcohol to a glass spray bottle.

Add the oils chosen from above. Do not use more than 10% essential oil.

Shake. Add Water. Shake and spray. Spray into the space as you need it.

Spicy, pungent oils will stimulate the nervous system. Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Oregano will improve a flat affect. Combine these with orange oil and you can create a very uplifting, pleasurable experience. Use this blend as a perfume or have it close to smell when depressive emotions want to take over. Use spice in your cooking. The preparation of the food will help you as you take in the pungent aromas. You can use essential oils in cooking if you do not have the spices. The general rule is one drop of essential oil to one tablespoon of dried herb or spice, but this can vary. Look at what Amy wrote about cooking with essential oils.

Often we can get depressed if we are dealing with pain. If the body has significant enduring pain, then pain relief becomes depression relieving. It is difficult to smile when you feel bad. Peppermint, Wintergreen, Basil, Sweet Birch, Frankincense, and Helichrysum are good analgesics or anti-inflammatories and will relieve pain. Adding some of these oils to a warm bath is a good idea. Also getting a good massage is helpful especially if you add the essential oils to the massage oil. You will leave feeling better and more able to smile. Once home from the massage, take a warm bath with Epsom salts as it adds magnesium and improves the body’s ability to detox. Hydrating with drinking water can help you relieve pain and remove toxins from your system.

Seasonal depression happens during the winter months. Usually with this kind of depression melatonin and a light box are very helpful. Flower oils like rose, neroli, and jasmine can really put one into the mood of Spring or  a better place. The flowers are associated with warmer weather and pleasant happy times. Most of all these oils remind us of the sun which is so needed at this time. Of course you can visit sunnier climates like Florida.

Transitional experiences such as death of loved ones. job changes, moves, and health concerns can trigger depression. A natural mourning for the way things use to be is normal. These feelings can linger if the transition is not going well. Not feeling normal can cause definite feelings of sadness for what was. Oils that help transitional depression are Angelica Root, Amyris, Siberian Fir Needle, Black Pine, and Valerian. Wearing these oils like perfume or bathing in them regularly will help you make the transition easier.

Feeling down is a normal part of life. Things change, we have pain, and the sun does not come out as much as we need. Life will continue to throw us curves but with our essential oils we can transition through these changes more easily and with less depression.

The media is telling you that you need to get the flu shot. They are running out of it. What if you are not able to get the shot and concerned about contracting the flu? The first thing they will tell you is wash your hands with every contact that you make. Be careful of door knobs and other surfaces not just hand contact.

Washing hands needs to be done with hot water and soap for at least two minutes. You can decrease the time if you add essential oils to your liquid hand soap. Tea Tree is probably the most commonly used oil for this. If you are caught out without a way to wash your hands, you can use tea tree all by itself and rub into hands or area you suspect is exposed. Tea Tree is safe to apply to the skin without carrier.

With washing your hands so much, you probably will want to use a hand creme. Gritman sales a lovely creme called Self-Heal which is good for chapped and damaged skin. The Calendula Creme is an all purpose creme and works with all types of skin issues. You can add other essential oils to this creme such as

Tea Tree – general all purpose anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial while gentle and safe to use

Sweet Basil –  stronger anti-septic than tea tree and a good immune booster

Bay – stronger anti-septic and stronger immune booster.

Use these oils as you feel you need them. They are great in a bath or massage to improve immunity.

You need to be aware that there are two forms of the virus. One is dormant and the other is active. If someone has just coughed on you, this is active virus. If someone who is infected touched the door knob several hours ago this is dormant virus. Viruses can stay dormant for two days and still infect you.

You still want to go to the gym because you know that mild exercise is good for the adrenals and the immune system. But what about all that human contact? Before you leave for the gym, prepare a cotton cloth or paper towel with Dormant Virus Blend. You can place it in a baggy to protect your purse. Before using any exercise equipment rub down the machine at its contact points especially where the hands go. Use the same cloth to wipe down door knobs or contact points within the dressing room and the restrooms. The people that come after you will love you for doing this. One application like this will last for more than an hour.

Within your home or where there are infected people with the active virus, diffuse into the space oils high in ketones such as:

Rosemary –  use during the day as it works to protect you against active virus. Diffusion or use like a perfume. Best not to use close to bed time, as it is a mental stimulant.

Sage is famous for clearing negative energy and purging old emotional debris as well as protecting against active virus. Diffuse into home space but while out use like a perfume – behind the ears and on the wrist. When someone coughs on you, put your wrist to your nose to protect yourself.

Camphor is almost all ketone and one of the most effective oils to use against active virus. Diffuse into the space and use as a perfume.

Oils that are strong in ketones work to defend you against active viruses in the air and on your body. Oils that are strong in phenols help to boost your immune system and work to defend against dormant viruses. Phenol rich oils must not be taken internally as they can damage the liver. They are also hot and cannot be applied to the skin without carriers. Oils that are strong in terpenes tend to protect against viruses but are milder and safer in action like tea tree and most of the tree oils. Oxides like the Eucalyptuses also defend against viruses and very helpful within a room where people are infected and caretakers want protection. Eucalyptuses will help clear the lungs of the infected individual and defend against infection.

If you do not know the chemical class of an essential oil, refer to the essential oil on the Gritman website. Each oil is given a chemical classification. If you have the Gritman Guide of Essential Oils, you can use that as well to discover the chemical class of an oil.

If you cannot diffuse then spray. Do not include any alcohol in this spray. Use water only and 20% essential oils to deal with active viruses.  Shake before using. If you cannot diffuse or spray, wear as a perfume or under your nose. If applying to the nose, you must rub  a fatty oil like fractionated coconut oil to protect yourself.

The flu has become epidemic. We now hear from the media that the flu virus can become dormant for up to eight hours and still infect you. Touching door knobs or surfaces that have come into contact with flu viruses hours after exposure can still pose a threat. What to do? The media suggests that you wash your hands frequently. This means that you scrub your hands with hot water for two minutes. Most of us do not do this. If you add tea tree and exotic basil to your liquid soap dispensers this will help dramatically. Only a few drops is needed.

Isn’t there something else we can do to help protect against getting the flu? Of course there is. Viruses can lay dormant by wrapping themselves in a cocoon of protein and fat. Dormant or cocooned viruses respond better to alcohol and phenol rich essential oils. Oils high in alcohols tend to be safe and can be applied to the skin without carriers. These oils are best used with the elderly and young children.

Alcohol rich oils:

Geranium – gives support to the adrenals and lymphatic system which strengthen the immune system.

Lavender – this oil will also help you relax as stress undermines the immune system.

Lemon Petitgrain – this oil will also help you to sleep which is a major tool for supporting the immune system.

Phenol rich oils:

Cinnamon Leaf - This oil can also be helpful in preventing lung infection which often accompanies the flu.

Oregano – This oil is also a powerful anti-fungal and also good at clearing lung infections that are fungal in nature. If someone has a lung infection and is not responding to antibiotics, try oregano as the infection could be fungal.

Winter Savory – This oil is a powerful immune stimulant. It is very hot so carriers must be used if applying to the body.

A word of caution when using phenol rich oils. They should not be ingested. Phenols are very hard on the liver and can cause liver distress especially if someone is on medications that weaken the liver like Tylenol. Phenols in the bath can be used in small doses and good as inhalation and massage oils.

Creating a spray with these oils and spraying onto surfaces that could be exposed to virus will help to eliminate dormant viruses and will help keep those in your environment safe and healthy. Using alcohol as the base of your spray will increase its ability to eliminate dormant viruses. It will not help with active viruses that might be in the air. This is when you use a spray that is water based. Water misters or diffusers can be very helpful in eliminating active viruses. Make sure that any surfaces you mist will not be damaged. Spraying directly on furniture that has a plastic coating will destroy the plastic coating.

Remember when treating viruses, alcohol helps defend against dormant viruses but not against active viruses. For complete protection you must protect against both active and dormant viruses. We will blog next on working with active viruses.

Gritman has created a dormant virus blend and a dormant virus spray for your convenience.  Do not spray into faces or the eyes. If this occurs, immediately us a fatty oil like olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, cream, or whole milk and apply to face or eyes. Blot with a cloth. Stinging will stop immediately as the oil absorbs the essential oils and is blotted away.

I was not able to put this blend together until 12-12-12 had occurred. It came together quickly on the 13th. Elixirs had to be made and it is now ready. Gritman is so pleased to present this Winter Solstice blend for freedom, 12-12-21 and beyond.

The oils in this blend:

Rosemary Camphor – This oil reminds you that you are on a divine mission. It is time to believe and have faith that you will be led.  You are loved and you do have purpose and meaning.

Rosemary Verbenone – Old memories and feeling are stuck in your field. You have long ago released them within your daily life yet they remain within your field. Time to release and move into the new.

Ginger – This oil clears anger held in the heart. We often think that if we are angry enough at those that hurt us that this anger will hurt them back. This is not true and all the anger does is block you from the love that you want. Time to release especially “I’ll get you” energy.

Ylang Ylang – Love is within reach. All you need to understand is that you deserve the kind of love that you want. Reach out and hold on.

Cinnamon Leaf – This oil helps release karmic anger and explains why you have not received the love that you wanted, as anger blocks love.

Cardamon Seed — This is an oil of vulnerability. When in transition one can become vulnerable to others especially if they are negative and critical. Visualize a protective shield around you. Know that you are in a period of intense change. Reserve your energy for the work going on within.

Clove Bud – This oil gives you a positive attitude about yourself and life as it allows you to release the old emotions and trauma.

Cabreuva – This oil clears critical thinking and allows you to accept yourself now without judgment. Focus on what you want. Speak your dreams to others and give thanks for what you have right now. Know what a terrific person you are.

There is one Maceration

Helichrysum Maceration – This oil allows you to let go of emotions especially of a negative type that hold you back. Once you let go, the way is open to you. You are now free to move into right course and action leading to mastery.

Four stone elixirs

Copper – Channels and grounds higher vibrations leading to balance. It will also lead to opening consciousness. Manifesting higher ideals and principles becomes easier.

Lepidolite – Robert Simmons says that this is a stone of spiritual purification clearing blockages in the chakras and meridian system. He says that it also removes negative emotional and mental attachments leading to freedom of thought and feelings. It is time to allow our minds and emotions to soar into the higher realms.

Pink calcite transparent – This elixir helps to facilitate states of nonjudgment and acceptance leading to deep compassion and unconditional love.

Stone from Jerusalem – The stone looks ordinary but how fitting to be included as nothing is ordinary unless we judge it so. Jerusalem, the gathering point of so many faiths and so much conflict, appears for us to let go of our judgments and become free of the past – free of the oil hatreds, judgments, and conflicts.  We can do it!

The word freedom came up over and over as I was putting this blend together. I truly believe that we have come to a point where we can release and begin anew. It it time to dream dreams. How do you see yourself and your world in the years to come? Draw pictures, tell others, sing songs, write poems of your dreams and longings. The feeling I have is that we are loved more than we can realize and must rely on our inner hearts to guide the way. Do not let old hurts and feelings get in your way of creating your future. You are FREE to be whatever you want.

As we enter this time of thanks giving, I am evaluating how I do this. Is saying thanks to your family enough? Who am I in this ever changing universe? I look to my Native American friends and they seem to continually thank their world and nature for all that they have. They do not wait for one day. It is a natural part of them to give thanks. They even honor the directions. I have often been in ceremonies where the directions were honored. I was respectful but the ceremony had little meaning for me. Until Dancing Feather, a medicine woman from Canada, gave us a visit. I was so moved by her experience and ceremony that I wanted to create ceremony that was revelant to me. I am not Native American, but I can come to the world in a sacred way.

I looked into the directions and found that they were part of the World Tree not the Tree of Life. There is a huge difference between these two terms. The World Tree honors the cardinal directions of East, West, North and South plus a cosmic direction, earth direction, and self direction. It was important to use Native teachings as a guide but I needed to create my own ceremony.

First there is a clearing. Natives do this with smoke and herbs. I do this with a spray bottle and essential oils. To make a spray for clearing negative energy or getting ready for sacred ceremony, use Sage, Frankincense, Wild Lanyana, Oregano, Cedarwoods, Clove, Fennel, Lavender, and/or Tagetes. Choose one or two of these oils and add to a one oz spray bottle . Drop 20 drops of each oil into the bottle, add alcohol, cap, shake, uncap, and add water. Shake and spray. Any combination of the above oils will work. Sage and Frankincense are probably the most popular oils for clearing negative energy.

Once you have cleared the space and cleared your own energy field of negativity, it is time to honor the directions. Find the part of your world where the sun rises – the East. It is important in this moment that you personalize this experience. The East to me is a time of new beginnings. I also think of it as the emergence of my I Am that is part of the sacred I Am That I AM. The ego has gotten a bad rap the last hundred years. Personally I see the ego or I Am expression as the sacred working through me and expressing itself. As I honor myself I think of completing the statement I am …. and honoring that part of myself.

Now I turn to the South where the sun travels to reach it furthest point in the sky which is noon. I think about the business of the day and all that I do at work. I see The Father as presenting this direction as the traditional force that goes out into the world or goes to work. Here it is important to honor my father. It makes no difference in this moment if I have a good, bad, or no relationship with him. I honor the blood line that he carries and that he gave to me. The DNA codes that come from him and all those that came before him. I honor my father’s ancestors and realize that through me their life has meaning. Through all their struggles and difficulties they got the codes through and now I carry them. I honor my Father’s Line.

Now I turn to the West or the place in the sky where the sun sets. The day is ending and it is time to reflect. I reflect on all that I have accomplished and all that I have been. I realize that parts of me exist because my I am makes way for the I am not. I have made choices in my life. I have decided not to walk down certain paths or develop certain gifts. I have realized that I am not all things and some things just do not work within me. I honor these parts of myself as being important in making me who I am. There may be events or experiences that I need to let go and allow myself to say farewell.

Now I turn to the North. This is the place where the sun does not cross. It represents the night or the dark times. I think of the dark womb from where I came and honor my mother. It matters not if I have a good, bad, or no relationship with her. I honor the blood line that she carries and that she gave to me. The DNA codes that come from her and all those that came before her. I honor my mother’s ancestors and realize that through me their life has meaning. Through all their struggles and difficulties they got the codes through and now I carry them. I honor my Mother’s Line.

Now it is time to honor the sky above. I recognize that I am part of the universe. That certain star nations or star dust is a part of me. I may not be aware of who or what this is, but I can honor the fact that I am more than I know. That I am part of a greater than. I honor the Cosmos of which I am a part.

I turn my head to the ground and realize that I am part of the Earth. The earth is a living presence. My body is made of her. The Earth is my greater mother. I am loved by her and I love her back. I honor my Earth Mother.

Now it is time to honor Me. The person who gives this prayer of thanksgiving. I give myself a hug and honor myself for surviving and continuing to carry the codes. I honor all that I am and love myself for all that I am not. I am whole, able, and complete this day. I give Thanks.

Thank you Gritman.

Cultures all over the world use sweating as a way to stay healthy and fit. Here at Gritman we have built a bamboo frame on the ground with a hole in the middle. We put blankets over the frame and add hot rocks to the hole and pour essential oil water over the rocks. Steam fills the structure. We breathe in the oils and the hot steam heats our bodies promoting sweat. Toxins are released because sweat is primarily water, salts, and waste materials.

There are other ways to promote a healthy sweat. Saunas can also add essential oil to the water that they use to produce steam.  Make sure that you hydrate to replace the water that the body is loosing.  Exercising of course produces sweat. Did you know that sweating alone burns 300 calories an hour? Sweating is a form of weight control. That’s a new insight for me.

Hot essential oil baths promote sweating especially if you wrap up in towels after the bath and allow your body to sweat freely. Adding epsom salts helps to flush toxins as well as apple cider vinegar to the bath water. Bathe for 20 minutes in the hot water, as hot as you can stand, and then move to a quiet room where you can lie, wrapped in towels, for about 1 hour. Have water or fruit juice to sip as you relax and allow your body to release that which it does not want or need.

At the first signs of not feeling well, sweat. If you use essential oils, you will increase the benefit. What essential oils are best with sweating? If you are not feeling well then you need to focus on immune boosting oils. Gritman has the blend, Immune Boost, and there are single oils that are beneficial like eucalyptus, tea tree, and ginger. Ginger essential oil can be irritating to the skin so it needs to be used sparingly to prevent skin reactions.

For cellulite get in a hot bath with sweet basil, atlas cedarwood, and grapefruit. In fact all of the citrus oils help eliminate toxins.  Once out of the bath wrap the area of concern in towels and allow it to sweat. Of course you can wrap the entire body for better results.

Hot detoxifying baths may induce a feeling of dizziness, headaches or even nausea. This is a sign that you are detoxing. Be careful getting out of the bath. Do not remain in the bath if you begin to feel unwell.  Some oils especially the spicy ones can irritate the skin if too much is used. Stop your bath if any skin irritation begins or apply a fatty oil like coconut oil to the skin, but be careful getting out of the tub as it can be slippery. Bathing with essential oils in a plastic coated tub will destroy the finish of the tub. Cast iron, marble, ceramic tubs are fine.

To maintain health, a general sweat is a great idea. Use any citrus oils, tree oils, or spicy oils like oregano, thyme, allspice, bay, or nutmeg. How many drops do I add to a tub of water? The aromatherapy answer is usually between 5-12 drops. Personally I use a lot more, but you need to find what works for you. Don’t be afraid to use more than ten drops especially if you are feeling bad.

We also like to select oils intuitively and use the Gritman Guide to tell us what the oils mean. This promotes having a mystical or spiritual experience. I love nothing more than asking the oils for help on working through a problem or help  find answers to questions on why and how the world works. I use the same procedure listed above. The difference is only that the oils are intuited. If you want to know more about intuiting essential oils, check out our Spiritual Aromatherapy Classes.

Lemon Verbena‘s ancient history goes as far back as Druids in religious ceremonies. It was considered the “Herb of Grace.” The name is  derived from ancient Celtic word “fer” meaning to drive away and “faen” for stone, the ability to expel kidney stones. Maximilian of Mexico renamed it Yerba. It is very common for Lemon Verbena to be adulterated with a cheaper lemon oils like Lemon Thyme or Litsea Cubeba. It has a nice lemon floral scent. I needs to be highly diluted if using it in a non-cooking or baking method. Even in baking or cooking one drop will usually do it.

This recipe I used for a light breakfast bread/cake for one of our classes. I used only 1/2 cup of sugar since I did not want it to be overly sweet. If you are using this for a dessert, you can increase the sugar to 1 cup.  The original recipe was created by Carolyn Weil.

For cake:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour

1 tsp. of baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, soften

1/2 cup of sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup of buttermilk

1 drop of Lemon Verbena Essential Oil

For Syrup:

Juice of 1 lemon

3 to 4 Tbs. of confectioner’ sugar

Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray loaf pan (8x5x3″) with non stick coating.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended. With an electric mixer or paddle attachment with a standing mix, beat the butter until it’s very pale and little tails have formed. Sprinkle sugar over the butter and beat until slightly fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl well. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until blended before adding the next one.

With the mixer on low, add 1/3 of the flour, mixing until almost combined; then add half the butter milk until just combined. Repeat ending with the flour. Just before all the flour is incorporated, switch to a stiff rubber spatula. Add one drop of Lemon Verbena and complete the mixing of the flour into the batter.

Scrape the batter into into the prepared pan and bake until cake is golden brown and a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs when inserted in the center, 45-50 minutes. Let the cake cool on a baking rack for about 10 minutes. As it cools, stir together the lemon juice and confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl. Carefully invert the loaf pan, tap to release the cake.  Brush the syrup on the cake while it’s still warm. Cool completely on the rack before serving.

Happy Baking!

Next week I will feature a Lemon Goat Cheese Frittata with Thyme.

Fall Equinox Blend

Soon the Fall Equinox of the year will be here. We have journeyed together to balance our emotions to create stability balancing our feminine and masculine within to create equality. Now it is time to release, let go, forget, and begin anew. We are at a remarkable time when we have the ability to release all past karma. Of course we have free will and we can hold onto whatever we want.  I have a friend in South Africa who has spoken to this moment and I would like to include her thoughts here.

Graceful Surrender
“Times have been turbulent, energies have been volatile and there has been a sense of friction as layers of old energetic patterns are released – this is much like the shedding of an old skin as you outgrow emotional and mental patterns from the past. This can be a painful process as it exposes all that restricts, limits or pulls you out of balance and catapults you into a relentless process of releasing and letting go. This may be perceived and felt as losses and many are currently experiencing grief, fear or a profound sense of emptiness as the layers of old energy are released. Bear with this process and know that it shall pass; there is a season and a time for all things. Know that you have shifted energetically and that this creates a new resonance within you, a new energetic frequency and your lives will reflect this too.

All is in flux at this time as the old energy falls away and a new energy begins to emerge. This is the shift in consciousness that has long been prophesied for 2012 and we remind you again that the shift occurs first within you. This is what creates the changes you see happening in your lives – you have shifted your own energetic frequency and this will ripple through all areas of your life, revealing all that is not of a resonant frequency, all that is not in alignment with your new energetic frequency – your new consciousness. Bless all that is released with gratitude for it has played a role in bringing you to this moment, to this energetic space. Center in your hearts and stand in a space of Love, then you shall see the blessings and gifts within all things, all people, all situations – this in turn, will transform loss into graceful surrender, and grief into loving acceptance.

As your lives change and shift now, we urge you to remain in a space of heart-centered consciousness as it is here that you will hold a balance for yourselves and all life upon your planet. Connect your energy to Mother Earth, grounding and anchoring the new consciousness of Love, and affirming your desire to be here now, to be part of this shift in consciousness. Place your feet upon the Earth so that Gaia may feel your energy, and in turn, she will hold you steady in her embrace. You are supported and you are loved – open your hearts and feel the tremendous energy of Love surrounding you. Open your hearts and receive the Love flowing to you – breathe – and allow it to flow through you. The new consciousness is Love. You are Love. All is Love.”

Think and visualize the color pink. The crown chakra is white and the root chakra is red. As these lines of energy merge into the heart, pink is created. As you use this blend, allow yourself to become pink. This will bring in compassion and joy.

The stones:

Rhodochrosite – Emotional healing, releasing the memories of past wounds/karma leading to self-love and compassion

Pink  Transparent Calcite – resonnances with the energy of Kwan Yin and opening the heart center leading to a rapturous experience of life’s joy

Satyaloka Rose Azeztulite – Azeztulite’s are being energized by the Azez energies, beings from the Elohim. This Azeztulite awakens the heart within the ascension process to recognize its divinity. It allows smooth and easy heart connections to the mind. The heart and mind become one within the truth that only the heart can know.

The oils:

Rose Geranium – offers protection and courage as you open to newly discovered parts of yourself.  Our hearts can hold information and truth that we are not aware. Fear can be created within the mind when this information emerges. Rose Geranium will quiet and calm the mind creating courage to become the new.

Pink Lotus – is one of the five major ascension oils. It offers meaning to all the pain and suffering that you have endured this life and all others. It gives you detachment from it all as the wise part of yourself comes forward. Pink Lotus allows you to forget as you have forgiven leading to transcendence and expansion.

Privet – is about your sense of special and knowing. You probably have not been validated as you thought you should. No one seemed to be listening. Soon you will be listening to yourself and you will fully realized who you are and why you are here.

Rose Absolute - is about becoming in love with yourself. The old patterns of self loathing and self destruction dissolve, as joy fills your field. Rose Absolute will also support you as you mourn the loss of your “old self.”

Rose Maceration – will continue to support the loss of yourself as you become compassionate towards yourself and others. No longer will you look to others for love as the truth is you have all the love you need within you

I look forward to creating and being with you in a world of grace.