As the waters rise and the breath of heaven flows around us, we give thanks for the gift of warmth and coziness. One of the things that my clients often say as they enter my current healing space in Tillamook, Oregon, is that they can hardly believe how calm and cozy it is. They report feeling comfort and ease almost immediately upon arrival, especially as we work together over a series of sessions.
It is possible to find a space of peace and serenity, even in the midst of a very busy schedule. We simply have to take time for it. And to set our intention to seek it out.
At Tillamook Healing Arts, I offer a selection of essential oils that can be added to your massage oil for an aromatherapy massage. But when you are between sessions, there are several ways that you can bring some of the warmth and cozy that you find in my healing suite.
Taking time for an epsom salt bath can be an excellent way to relax, to soothe aching muscles, and to prepare for a deep sleep at night. I add about a cup of epsom salt to my tub, and I will often add several drops of essential oils as well.
Here are a few of my favorites for the season of cold and wet outdoors:
Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) provides many excellent benefits, including soothing emotions, calming our minds, providing therapeutic ease to our fibers and sinews, as well as holding antibacterial, analgesic and antifungal properties that benefit our skin and organs.
This is one of my favorite flowers! I always have some lavender growing in my garden, and have often included the flowers, stems and essential oil in my yearly batch of homemade calming winter healing salve, which you can try out in my healing suite during your next visit.
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Geranium (pelargonium graveolens) is a soothing flower with pain releiving properties as well as working as an anti-inflamatory. Geranium provides excellent support for feminine bodies, and supports circulation throughout a variety of areas in most people. It can be helpful for relieving emotional distress, and helps to combat fatigue, (of body, mind or spirit).
Several of my clients have also found it helpful for gentling the effects of Reynaud's, which affects the circulation and sensation in the extremeties. Many clients and friends have found geranium helpful in alleviating the experience of Seasonal Affective Disorder as well.
My father always had several geranium bunches growing in our front yard, and I have always been drawn to their fiery beauty. The essential oil, when mixed with a carrier oil, (I primarily use coconut oil in my practice) will usually bring a sensation of rapid warming to the skin and muscle fibers, which can be very helpful and soothing this time of year.
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Chammomile - Roman (anthemis nobilis) is both calming to the senses and stimulating to our immune systems. It alleviates muscle spasm, calms rashes and irritations of the skin, alleviates nervous tension, and is often helpful with reduction of anxiety. And, much like lavender, Roman Chammomile also acts as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal.
I will often have chamomile tea before, or after, an evening soak to internalize this wonderful healing flower as well. This is another herbal helper that I love to have growing in my garden at home. It nourishes the local bees, looks wonderful while blooming, and then can be dried and used in tea, or as an infusion in my next batch of healing salve.
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Marjoram - Sweet (Origanum majorana) is one of my go-to essential oils for nerve pain. Pinched nerve? Tennis elbow? Hitch in the giddyap? This one may be helpful for you!
Sweet Marjoram is a muscle relaxant, calmative with antispasmotic properties that are also soothing and helpful for the circulatory system. This works surprisingly fast for alleviating the pinching sensation when my SI joint is a little off-kilter, or if I have been sitting too long in the car. Try this lovely oil in your bath after taking a road trip with your family or friends. Marjoram is wonderful all on its own, or it blends well with any of the other oils I have already mentioned in this post.
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I could go on! And, perhaps, in future posts I will. For now, get yourself some epsom salts for a bath. Or, if you are not able to get in and out of the tub, or do not have access to a tub, you can also try an epsom salt compress, which I will write about in a future post (and place the link here afterwards).
A few notes about the Essential Oils:
+++ My healing practice offers a selection of Snow Lotus essential oils, many of which are organic, and harvested in a sustainable and economically viable way.
+++ If you prefer to try your own brand at home, consider looking for organic oils, (as any chemicals on the plants are amplified in the distilation process). from a reputable source.
+++ When my Neahkahnie Healing Space is open, I will have many additional essential oils avilable, either to add to your massage, or to purhase for home use. Also, watch for future posts that highlight essential oils formulated with Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements Perspective.
Take the Next Step:
Consider scheduling an aromatherapy massage with me, if you are in the area. Or schedule with your trusted LMT who is well-versed in aromatherapy, and the benefits of essential oils. You will be so glad that you did!
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