Download and/or view in .pdf format - file 358 KB

President's Letter

Dear Aroma Friends,

Perhaps I was hasty in my comment in last month's newsletter, when I said autumn was my favourite season. It's done nothing but rain since then! There are ducks swimming and children rowing small boats in what was once our local park. This, in a roundabout way leads on to this month's topic - creativity! Looking on the positive side, how many people can have a park that doubles as a lake? How creative is that?

Our grandson arrived on September 28th weighing in at a healthy 8 lbs, 15 oz after a three hour labour. His name is Liam and he's the most gorgeous baby on the earth but I think I may be biased. Incidentally, a point for discussion may be the fact that his mum was drawn to essential oil of Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) during her entire pregnancy. She put it in her bath, cleaned her house with it and wore it all the time in an amphora around her neck. Some experts may consider this to be a little over-enthusiastic but I think this was healthier than some other desires mothers get and it will be interesting to see how Liam will react to Tea tree when he's old enough to express himself.

As I write this letter, one of our staff is stranded in Squamish BC, which you may have seen on the news is in a state of emergency from flooding. Many of the residents are not allowed back in their homes yet, but once they are, they will be faced with the problem of drying out and getting rid of the resulting mould and mildew. This is where Tea tree once again comes in handy. It is a great fungicide. We have included a recipe in our recipe section to help you get creative should you find yourself faced with a challenge like this.

With our Thanksgiving festivities past, we are now focusing on Christmas. We hope our creativity will help to spark your creativity to help you make new and exciting things for your friends and loved ones! We would also like to wish our American neighbours a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Barb Greenwood
President & CEO

Aromatherapy and Creativity

When working on the idea for this newsletter, a few things came immediately to mind. We wondered: do we write on how using essential oils can help your creativity or do we write on how you can creatively use essential oils in your life?

After pondering this notion for awhile it was decided that we should not limit ourselves to only one way of thinking, so, read on to discover interesting ways to creatively use essential oils as well as some ways essential oils can help feed your creative spirit.

Be creative with your oils! As a client reminded us not that long ago, it is really easy to get into a rut when using essential oils, whether it is in your home or at work. We get to know certain oils, become comfortable and familiar with them and then, as is such a part of human nature, we dig ourselves into that familiar rut and remain there happily comfortable until we either roust ourselves or someone comes in to do it for us! You could see this newsletter as your little jolt to get you thinking outside the bottle!

Let's say you use Lavender (Lavendula angustifolium) regularly when you feel the need for calming relaxation. Have you ever thought of trying some other oils that may help you achieve the same purpose? Clary sage (Salvia Sclarea), Marjoram (Origanum marjorama), Sandalwood (Santalum album) and Vetivert (Vetiveria zizanoides) are all well know sedatives and may help you in ways you were not aware of.

Or how about using Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) to clean your countertops or cutting board when you clean up after cooking? It's antiseptic, anti-bacterial and antifungal abilities make it a natural for cleaning your workspace of any remaining harmful bacteria. It's an immunostimulant as well!

Lemon (Citrus limonum) is another excellent oil for doing this also. An added benefit of using Lemon essential oil? It is uplifting, so you can be happy while you are cleaning! (Ok, maybe we are pushing the creativity aspect just a little here!)

Other Creative Ideas

• Freshen your carpets with essential oils and baking soda! See our recipe section for ideas.
• Scent your linens with essential oils. Put a few drops of your favourite essential oil or blend onto some cotton balls and place them on the shelves in your closet.
• This same idea works in your 'unmentionables' drawer to delicately scent your bras and panties.

Help stimulate your own creativity by using essential oils to unleash your creative genius from within! Remember that many things can inhibit your ability to be creative: depression, anger/resentment, fear and, of course, stress. Look at what may be blocking you and find the relevant oils to help you work through it.

For stress, try using Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea), Rose Otto (Rosa damascena) or Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata).

Anger may be worked through by using Melissa (true) (Melissa officianalis), Rose Otto (Rosa damascena) or Bergamot (Citrus bergamia).

Fear may become less of a problem while using Frankincense (Boswellia thurifera), Jasmine (Jasminium officianalis) or Neroli (Citrus aurantium).

Depression can be lightened by using any of the citrus oils; they have a reputation for being 'happy!'

By creating a special time for yourself to incorporate these essential oils into a unique ritual you may help break through the barriers that hold you apart from your own internal creative genius. It really is there, sometimes we just need a gentle reminder to breathe life back into it again.

Product Highlight: Personal Start Up Kits

Created specifically for our new clients who can't wait to get started blending and creating on their own!

This hand crafted wooden box holds 12 - 5ml bottles of our top selling, therapeutic grade essential oils. Combine this with our 'Aromatherapy Essentials' book for an excellent gift that will keep on giving for many months to come!

The box contains: Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Lavender (Lavendula angustifolium), Orange (Citrus sinensis), Patchouli (Pogostemum cablin), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Rosemary (Rosemarinus officianalis), Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)

Oil Profile: Frankincense (Boswellia thurifera)

The use of Frankincense probably dates back to before written records were kept. It has been used over time for ceremonial and ritual purposes, as well as a perfume, a cosmetic and as medicine. The Egyptians also used it for embalming. Frankincense is distilled from a small tree native to North Africa and the Red Sea region in Egypt. The oil is steam distilled from the resin and varies in colour from clear to pale yellow. Another name for this oil is Olibanum. Modern day finds us using the oil in many of the same ways. In skincare, Frankincense is most especially helpful for ageing skin, helping to restore some tone to slack looking facial skin and may help to diminish the appearance of wrinkles! It is an oil that is used regularly as a meditational aid, as it helps to calm the emotions and the mind with its sedative qualities. It has also been used to help in the treatment of asthma due to its ability to slow and deepen breathing, which is useful when an asthmatic's chest is tight and constricted during an attack. It is important to note that this oil may trigger an attack if inhaled directly from the bottle. It is best to dilute Frankincense in a carrier oil first to lighten up the scent and if necessary increase amounts from there. The best application of this is via massage. Frankincense has been touted as being very helpful for the lungs and great for respiratory infections. It is known as being one of the best pulmonary antiseptics as it can help to calm coughs and is especially helpful for chronic bronchitis. This can be done most effectively through steam inhalation. Other ways to use Frankincense are as a chest massage or added to a warm bath into which Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts have also been added. On a spiritual level, Frankincense is said to be elevating, spiritual and meditative and holds some of the wisdom of the universe. It is the protector of the heavens.

General properties: anti-inflammatory astringent carminative cicatrisant digestive diuretic emmenagoguic expectorant sedative tonic uterine vulnerary antiseptic cytophylactic Aromatherapy uses: May help with symptoms of bronchitis, laryngitis, colds, coughs, rheumatism, scars, wounds and inflammations. Ways to use: Diffuser, massage, bath, compress, inhalation and lotion.

Creativity Recipes!

If you like our recipes - you'll find many more on our Recipe Pages

Perk-up-the-family-blend

• 8 drops Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
• 4 drops Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
• 1 drop Rosemary (Rosemarinus officianalis)
• 2 drops Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• 2 cups baking soda

Pour baking soda in a glass jar and add the essential oils to it. Cap tightly and shake well. Allow to sit for a day or two to let the fragrances blend and scent the baking soda effectively. Sprinkle on your carpet and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Vacuum up this perky blend and see if your family springs to life! Maybe your housework will get done faster!

Barb's Anti-Fungal Blend

• 5ml Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• 1 tsp alcohol
• 2 cups of water

Put in spray bottle and shake well. Spray wherever mould or mildew is a problem. This spray is also great for cleaning countertops to help keep them clear of germs and bacteria. This will keep for a long time.

Party scents!

With the holiday season just around the corner, you can get creative when using essential oils to help you set the 'mood' for the occasion. These are just a few of the oils that can be used:

Relaxants	Stimulants	Romance Inducing
Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) Frankincense (Boswellia thurifera) Rose (Rosa damascena)	Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) Orange (Citrus sinensis) Cardamom (Elettaria cardomomum) Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)	Jasmine (Jasminum officianalis) Vanilla Patchouli (Pogostemum cablin) Rose (Rosa Damascena)

Castor Sulphated (Turkey Red)

This oil is very light in texture and makes an excellent base for creating your own light bath oil. It is a good medium for essential oils as it helps to disburse them into your bath water without leaving an oil slick behind (as can be the case with regular carrier oils when used as a bath oil). Just be sure to keep in mind though, that this product is still an oil and as such may make the tub slippery. We don't want anyone slipping and falling!

Vegetable Glycerine

This is an emollient used in many different applications. It is known to smooth wrinkles, moisturize, improve elasticity and protect your skin. Due to its non-toxic nature, this product is useful for many applications. By adding it to your home-made skincare creations you help make your skin feel soft and supple. Vegetable glycerin has an oily texture but is water soluble.

Tea tree Hydrosol

Antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial this hydrosol is useful in so many applications. It is even useful as a mouthwash or gargle at the first sign of a sore throat or cough and may help fight gingivitis.

Diluted it can be used for candidiasis and urinary tract infections. Topically it is an excellent product for helping to clean cuts and scrapes. Keep it handy in a spray bottle for when injuries occur. In a spa or salon where manicures and nail applications are done, to help combat fungal infections under the nail.

Online Poll Results

How long have you used Green Valley Aromatherapy products?
11% - Less than 1 month
11% - 1 - 6 months
22% - 1 to 3 years
6% - Over 3 years
37% - Never used

Did You Know?

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), in its original form, contains a chemical called bergapten. Bergapten is a furano-coumarin which, in the presence of UV light, produces abnormally dark pigmentation and reddening of the surrounding skin. This condition is known as berloque dermatitis or bergapten dermatitis and it can last for many years. It is therefore not recommended to use Bergamot in products that will be used on the skin or don't venture out in the sun while the oil is on your skin. However, Bergamot does have many excellent properties and using it in a massage oil can be very beneficial. Aromatherapists are using a rectified version of this oil, known as Bergamot FCF, means the bergapten has been removed (furanocoumarin-free) to get past this problem. Now you know!

Quotes

People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
~ Elizabeth Kubler Ross