Category: Aromatherapy

Finding Solace in Difficult Times

7/10/2020

It's been a while since I've written a blog post. I've missed connecting with you, dear reader.

I've wanted to share something comforting for living through these surreal and challenging times. I've needed a lot of time to find my footing, and I still struggle with uncertainty and fear. Thankfully, I've rediscovered healing plant allies that I want to share with you.

Neroli essential oil has been a precious friend. I anoint my third eye area with a tiny bit of neroli before bed and it brings me a deep peace. I've also come back to such a "simple" oil - lavender. I like to blend it into an aloe vera gel and apply it to my neck, shoulders, back, and chest. This relieves muscular pain and tension while also bringing relaxation and a lovely cooling effect. Lavender is so perfect for the summertime. In addition to the magic of essential oils, I've also been deeply studying the plants themselves.

I've been fortunate to continue studying herbalism through a wonderful online program during these COVID-19 affected months. I'm happy to share my favorite calming evening tea. I look forward to it every night.

It's a hot infusion of linden, ginger, and chamomile. My herbal teachers refer to linden as a "hug in a mug." Linden leaves and flowers are soothing for the nervous system, including nerve pain, and help alleviate insomnia and stress related ailments. In addition, the green, honeyed, hay-like aroma of linden is gently comforting. Linden plays beautifully with ginger and chamomile; this herbal blend is truly heavenly.

I add about an inch of dried plant material (linden, ginger, and chamomile) to the bottom of a quart size mason jar. Then I boil water, pour it over the herbs, and close the jar. I let this steep for at least 20 minutes, and then strain. You can add honey if you like. My favorite is orange blossom raw honey.
I hope this blend will bring beauty and relief to your evenings.

What is bringing you solace in these challenging times? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Please hang in there. You are not alone.

With love,

Miriam

I am still providing custom aromatherapy blends, so do reach out if you'd like some assistance.
You can email me at: kindredearthbotanicals@gmail.com

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Join Us at the 2020 NAHA Aromatherapy Conference!

2/16/2020

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Conference Details:

October 14-17th 2020
Salt Lake City, Utah

Save $25 when you sign up with the code Miriam2020

Look Forward To . . .

Exploring the Red Butte Botanical Gardens
Aromatherapy Presentation from Kurt Schnaubelt
Shopping the Trade Show with EOs from around the globe
Making wonderful new friends!

Sign up by June 1st 2020 to receive early bird pricing!

To learn more about the conference, please visit:
conference.naha.org

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Seasonal Self Care: Winter Edition

1/30/2019

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Seasonal Self Care Ideas for Winter:

Add hydrosols to your skincare routine: My current favorite for winter is Sandalwood hydrosol which hydrates, softens, and calms redness and irritation. It has a beautiful, light scent (very different than the essential oil). Mist hydrosol on damp face and neck after cleansing and gently pat onto face with clean hands. Follow with serum/moisturizer/facial oil of your choice to lock in moisture. You can mist hydrosol on your skin throughout the day to nourish your complexion and also receive the emotionally therapeutic benefits. Sandalwood hydrosol calms the nervous system.

Stretching: Find a few stretches that make you feel good and try to get into the habit of doing them every day. Stretching tends to get overlooked, but it improves posture, reduces pain, helps relieve tension headaches, and is great for stress relief.

Feel better eating less sugar: According to the American Heart Organization, the maximum amount of sugar you should eat in a day is 25 grams (6 teaspoons) or less. However, most Americans eat over 70 grams a day. As you pay more attention to sugar on food labels, keeping that 25 grams in mind, you'll see that it adds up quickly and insidiously. It's shocking how much sugar is added to yogurt, salad dressing, sauces, and any packaged foods. I definitely have a sweet tooth, but I'm aiming to be more mindful of sugar so I can live a longer, healthier, happier life.

Diffuse citrus essential oils: They really bring in the sunshine and help lift low winter moods. Pink grapefruit, blood orange, and lemon are my current favorites. Here are some of my favorite essential oil diffusor blends for winter.

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"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...in spring, summer, and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."

- Ruth Stout

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Seasonal Self Care: Autumn Edition

10/24/2018

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Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. I love the opulent array of rich colors in nature, as well as the spicy scents, comforting food, and the overall introspective feeling of Autumn. Here are a few of my favorite ways to nourish mind, body, and spirit during these cooler months.

Seasonal Self Care Ideas for Autumn:

Cook healing foods: Warming soups, stews, and bone broths keep you warm and nourished for the cooler weather.
Nature walk: Bundle up and take a five minute nature walk. I was recently surprised to see how many strikingly beautiful birds are out in autumn, including red headed woodpeckers, bluejays, and cardinals.

Herbal Teas: Rooibos tea, ginger chamomile, and chai blends are a few of my fall favorites.

Painting: Bring out your favorite painting supplies or treat yourself to some new ones. Painting is deeply absorbing and a wonderful distraction from the harder aspects of life.
Update your skincare routine: Swap out your lighter products for richer, more moisturizing ones. Oil based facial cleansers are recommended. Apply lip balm frequently as the lips tend to get very dry in fall. Apply organic sesame oil for strong, healthy nails. Additionally, you may want to try a humidifier if your skin is prone to dryness and irritation in the colder months.

Indulge your senses with aromatherapy: Try my handcrafted Warm Comforts Spritzer. It's a decadent chocolate fix laced with warm spices and earthy patchouli.

Journaling: Autumn is an excellent time to contemplate the year so far. Getting your thoughts down on paper has a centering effect that relieves stress. There are no rules to journaling; I encourage you to journal without judgment!
Reading: Try a novel or poetry if it's been a while. Visit your local library and see what inspires you.

Social media pause: Whether it's for a day, a week, or a month, you will find yourself feeling calmer and far less distracted. You'll also free up so much time to do the other activities mentioned above. This may be the hardest one to implement, but it's possibly the most rewarding!

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Dear Reader,

What are your favorite self care ideas for Autumn?

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Coming Soon! 2018 Summer Aromatherapy

6/2/2018

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Summer Aromatherapy is coming soon!

Savor new recipes, feel vibrant and inspired, and experience living in harmony with the seasons.

Summer Aromatherapy is based on healing traditions around the world, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Herbalism, and Aromatic Medicine.

You will receive:

Cooling Summer Gel for refreshing, deep relaxation & glowing skin
Seasonal tips and wisdom for feeling your best in Summer
Healthy, delicious, seasonally inspired recipes*

*Recipes for meals, snacks, and drinks such as Maca Berry Bliss Smoothie,
Corsican Omelette, Maple Dark Chocolate Cherries, and more!

Sign up by June 15th to receive the early bird pricing.

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“It was June, and the world smelled of roses.
The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”

― Maud Hart Lovelace

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4 Reasons to Attend the 2018 NAHA Aromatherapy Conference

4/6/2018

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NAHA 2018 Beyond Aromatics Early Bird Conference

1. Visit the Red Butte Botanical Gardens. Located on-site at the University of Utah campus, the Red Butte Garden is stunning! Temperatures in October range from the 60's to 70's, making for ideal autumn weather to take a stroll. Make sure to visit the Fragrance Garden. You can drive, walk, or catch a free University shuttle to the garden.

2. Expand your knowledge. I'm especially looking forward to learning more about clinical Ayurveda aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of hydrosols, creating custom plant-based tincture blends, and so much more!

3. Shop the Trade Show. Chat with fellow aromatherapy enthusiasts as you discover hundreds of exotic essential oils and plant extracts from around the world. Take your favorites home with you!

4. Community. Reconnect with your aroma buddies! The NAHA community is warm and inclusive. If you've never been to a NAHA conference before, rest assured that you'll make inspiring new friends.

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Coming Soon! 2018 Winter Aromatherapy

12/29/2017

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Sweet smells wafting from the kitchen
spiced hot cocoa & warm fireplaces
mittens, hats, and boots . . .

Winter Aromatherapy is coming soon!

Savor new recipes, feel uplifted and inspired, and experience living in harmony with the seasons.
This program is nourishing, informative, and fun with a few surprises thrown in too!

Winter Aromatherapy is based on healing traditions around the world, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Herbalism, and Aromatic Medicine.

You will receive:

Warm Comforts Spritzer for joy, optimism & deep relaxation
Seasonal tips and wisdom for feeling your best in Winter
Healthy, comforting, seasonally inspired recipes

All promptly delivered right to your doorstep!

Sign up by Jan 15th to receive the early bird pricing.

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“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”

Edith Sitwell

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Aromatherapy for Healing Grief and Loss

8/1/2017

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“There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love,
the only survival, the only meaning.”
- Thornton Wilder

Lately there are many people I know who are experiencing some kind of loss, including the death of a loved one. Two weeks ago I lost my beloved dog, Robey. I have turned to aromatherapy and my aromatic garden to help ease my heartache. One thing I've noticed about grief is that a new loss can reactivate prior, unhealed losses. Give yourself permission to mend it all. I hope these tips are helpful for you . . .

A Few of My Favorite Aromatics for Grief and Loss:

Rose - A must have oil for heartbreak and loss. Rose has an affinity to the heart and brings a sweet, gentle comfort. Available as an essential oil, an absolute, and a hydrosol (an aromatic water).
Helichrysum - Helpful for the initial shock and trauma that loss can bring. Apply one drop to the chest.
Neroli - Also known as orange blossom, this exquisite oil is soothing and calming to the nervous system. It assists in the relief of repressed emotions and promotes a lightness of being.
Roman Chamomile - Calms anger. Soothes restlessness and irritability.
Blue Lotus - A rare and precious absolute with a delicate, otherworldly fragrance. "The lotus symbolizes the purity of the spiritual life of man, for as the flowers have their roots in the water, but float above in sunlight, so the soul of man rises above the earth life." - Eleanor Rohde
Lavender - Lavender is a classic for a reason! Gently calms and aides restful sleep.
Cypress - A great oil for going forward when one feels weary. Gives strength, centers, and helps one cope with and accept difficult change.
Frankincense - Stills the mind and is helpful for meditation, contemplation, and prayer.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like a custom tailored aromatherapy blend for your unique situation. I also make an aromatherapy spritzer called Ethereal Light that features Blue Lotus and other healing oils for loss.

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3 Reasons to Join NAHA in 2017

3/2/2017

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1. Subscription to NAHA's Aromatherapy Journal.
The quarterly e-journal is filled with articles written by the world's leading aromatherapy experts.
I love their aromatherapy blending recipes (you can find some of my own recipes in the journal too!)

2. Community.
The NAHA community is warm and welcoming. You can make new friends and network at our NAHA state meetings. I serve as the Illinois District Director and would love to see you at our Spring 2017 meeting which will be held in the North Chicago area. Feel free to contact me with any questions. As a NAHA member, you can also join in on live, educational aromatherapy webinars which are held online every month.

3. Attend the 2018 NAHA Aromatherapy Conference!
Our last conference was held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event was so outstanding that NAHA has decided to hold it there again for the 2018 conference. You will love the Red Butte Botanical Garden on campus. 2018 will be here before you know it. Mark your calendar!

Here are some pictures from our last conference . . .

Join NAHA today and save $10.00 on NEW Membership
To learn more, visit:

naha.org/?/membership/become-a-member

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Building Ojas (Vitality) in 2017

1/10/2017

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Ayurveda is an ancient traditional healing modality from India. My clinical aromatherapy education included learning an Ayurvedic perspective on wellness.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, Ojas represents our wellness, vigor, and vitality. You could also say it's what gives us a "glow" that radiates out to others.

As I continue to delve into Ayurveda, I've discovered that certain practices really do add to my life and wellness. I hope you will find these tips useful!

Ways to Build Ojas:

Loving others
Laughing
Acting on what you are passionate about
Giving and serving others
Yoga
Abhyanga (self massage with warm herbal oils)
Aromatherapy
Meditation
Nasal breathing exercises
Being in nature
Practice surrendering to what is
Keep good company - surround yourself with positive, compassionate people
Eating fresh, wholesome foods in a relaxed manner
Getting ample rest – 7-8 hours of sleep with the cycles (up early, to bed early)
Eating dates and ghee (in moderate quantites)
Drinking golden milk. My favorite version consists of almond milk, raw honey, loads of turmeric, a pinch of black pepper, and adaptogenic herbs.

If you are interested in more Ayurvedic wisdom, take a look at my personal aromatherapy consultations. I offer an Ayurvedic intake and blends that are custom tailored to your own dosha (your unique constitution).

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