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2004 02: Aromatherapy Newsletter February 2004

President’s Letter

Hello Aroma Friends,

Who decided that February was the month for love and romance? Perhaps it was instituted to give some warmth to the cold February days. As far as the garden is concerned, February seems to be a month of indecision. The spring flowers start to peep through, and then we have a cold snap or a dump of snow.

So why has February been called the “Month of Love” for so long? Back in the third century, the Romans began a celebration called Lupercalia to honor Lupercus, who was the God who watched over shepherds and their flocks to protect them from hungry wolves. Also during Lupercalia, but in honour of the goddess Juno Februata, names of young women were put into a box for young men to draw from. These matched couples were considered partners for the year. (Remember last month when I mentioned freedom of choice?) When Christianity came on the scene, the Church changed the name of the celebration to St. Valentine’s Day, after Valentine, a priest who served in the third century in Rome. During that time Emperor Claudius II decided to ban marriage, finding single men made better soldiers. Valentine still supported young lovers and aided them in their quest to be united in holy matrimony, regardless of the Emperor’s decision. One of our staff at Green Valley actually has her birthday on St. Valentine’s Day, but her name is Chika, not Valentine.

There has been a lot of moving around amongst our staff in the past few months – Camille and Emma have moved into new homes, and Bobbi is in the process of doing so. Green Valley is also planning to relocate to another building in anticipation of the new Canadian Natural Health Product regulations; however, we will let you know in plenty of time when the actual move will take place.

By the end of this month, the daffodils and the crocuses will be appearing, telling us that spring is on the way. We are anxiously looking forward to it.

Barb Greenwood
President & CEO

“Scent”suous Adventures

This newsletter is created for those who are looking for fun, non-threatening ways to spice up their intimate time with their significant other. While essential oils may not be the “magic bullet” to help create intimacy where there has been none prior, they can help by working to create a healthy, relaxed environment more conducive to loving contact. By diffusing essential oils in a room you can help to “set the scene” for the evening (or afternoon or morning!) to come. For some people the daily distractions of working, children and family responsibilities are too much, leaving them feeling drained and uninterested by days’ end. By adding certain essential oils to your bath at the end of an otherwise long and tiring day you may find a renewed spark to help kindle a much needed evening of intimate love.

Sometimes we just don’t feel good about ourselves. By treating our bodies like the amazing temples they are through an evening of pampering in your own personal spa, we can bring back some of the confidence that may have waned due self-neglect. It’s not hard to turn your bathroom into your own spa. Light a few candles, turn off the lights, quietly play some music you love in the background and fill the tub with warm water, adding some of the essential oils of your choice. When you alight from the tub, indulge yourself by gently stroking a body oil from neck to toe, blended with your favorite essential oils! Your skin will glow and you”ll feel renewed. Check out our recipes section for more great ideas!

Toys for Romance

For the men in our lives (and the women who love them), a little something “fun” to play with! Green Valley”s team of Aromatherapists put their heads together and created a natural aphrodisiac blend dedicated just to men! This blend of potent essential oils combines synergistically to create a unique adventure-in-a-bottle for those who aren’t afraid to try new things! Our Masculine Moments blend, on sale this month, is easy to use. All you have to do is drop it in the bath, blend it into a massage oil or just diffuse it into the air. Just don’t be surprised if the “sparks” start to fly!

Ladies, we have not left you out of this. Green Valley’s Scents & Sensuality blend is our Aromatherapist’s equivalent to the blend for the guys. This heady, sensual blend makes a wonderful addition to a massage oil.

Oil Profile: Niaouli (Melaleuca viridifilora)

Niaouli essential oil is a close relative of Cajaput and while they do have some similar properties, they should not be confused with one another. Cajaput can cause skin irritation, whereas Niaouli is well tolerated by the skin when used correctly.

Niaouli is obtained from the leaves and young twigs of the evergreen Niaouli tree, usually located in New Caledonia or Australia. The tree material is steam distilled to produce an oil that may be used as a douche, in compresses, diffused, in massage, via inhalation or in your bath.

Patricia Davis (Aromatherapy An A-Z, 1998) says that Niaouli has been used in hospitals in France as an antiseptic in both obstetrics and gynecology because of its antiseptic properties. It is a good oil to use in a wash for cleaning minor wounds, cuts or grazes. It is also good when applied on sterile gauze to burns as it is reported to be a powerful tissue stimulant and as such helps to speed healing.

Niaouli may help with respiratory tract infections. A good way to use this oil here is to add 1 or 2 drops of it to a metal (not glass or plastic) bowl full of freshly boiled water and tent your head over the bowl with a large towel for 10-15 minutes, breathing deeply. This is very cleansing and healing to the respiratory tract. Please note this is not for small children! As this oil is a powerful stimulant, it is best not to do this before going to bed. Niaouli can be blended into a chest rub for use during the day to help with these same respiratory conditions.

Patricia Davis says “A little known but very valuable use of Niaouli is in conjunction with radiation therapy for cancer. A thin layer of Niaouli applied to the skin before each session of cobalt therapy gives some protection against burning of the skin and has been shown to reduce the severity of such burns. The tissue-stimulating properties probably help the burns to heal faster.” (Aromatherapy An A-Z, 1998, pg 226-227)

General Properties of Niaouli essential oil:

  • Analgesic
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antirheumatic
  • Antiseptic
  • Decongestant
  • Expectorant
  • Insecticidal
  • Stimulant

Aromatherapy Uses of Niaouli essential oil: May help with cystitis, acne, boils, burns and is good for respiratory tract infections. Niaouli is used to balance energy and clean wounds. May help with rheumatism and neuralgia.

Ways to use: Douche, compress, diffuser, massage, inhalation and bath.

CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy. Should not be used on children under 2 years.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

A great way to keep the air in your home fresh and clean smelling is to diffuse Cinnamon essential oil! This scent is reminiscent of a freshly baked apple pie. With its antimicrobial, antiseptic and astringent properties it helps serve many purposes!

Did You Know?

Human beings thrive on touch. So vital is this need that without it premature babies can founder and die.

There has been a great deal of study dedicated to what is clinically called “cutaneous deprivation” and how this can lead to emotional disturbances, reduced intellectual abilities and physical growth and even degradation of the immune system. Touch helps to create biochemical differences extreme enough to send people unwittingly to seek touch in whatever form they can find. Sadly that’s not always positive.

We all need tactile stimulation in healthy, respectful and non-threatening forms.

Hug and cuddle your children, especially your teens, even if they roll their eyes and fuss, they still need it, give a hand massage to an elderly friend or relative, too often they can go for years without a positive form of touch, take time out to give your partner a loving massage with no strings attached.

The benefits of positive touch are life long, mentally, physically and emotionally and in the long run, everyone wins!

That song that states “All you need is love” really isn’t that far off the mark!

Recipes

His-or-Hers Aphrodisiac Blend

Combine all oils in a 60ml plastic massage bottle. Swirl oils to combine and add 60mls of your favourite carrier oil. This makes a lovely floral scented massage oil.

Spice Up Your Life Blend

Combine all oils in a 60ml plastic massage bottle. Swirl to combine and add 60mls of your favourite carrier oil. For a spicy blend to help heat up your Valentine, give this recipe a try!

In-the-Moment Blend

Combine all oils in a 30ml plastic massage bottle, swirl to combine and fill with your favourite carrier oil.

More Highlights

February is the month when hearts and flowers seem to be everywhere; perhaps we pay a little closer attention to the ones we love and spoil them more than we usually do. Some of this month”s offerings can help you with this! Is your partner a fan of Hawaii? Does the smell of coconut send them into blissful heaven as they dream of warm sandy beaches and azure blue seas? If so then our Virgin Coconut Cream is the product for them! This oil comes in a solid form that melts like butter when applied to the skin, leaving a sensuous scent and soft sheen in its wake. It is an excellent product for dry, sun-damaged skin.

Castor oil is an all natural emollient and skin softener. This makes it good for dry chapped skin. Using it may help to heal skin lacerations and some skin disorders such as psoriasis. Our Castor oil is cold pressed and does not contain hexane.

Quotes

“..And in the fearless, reckless pursuit of intimate love, it is not the destination, it”s the journey…”
– Amanda Marshall

“Hugging is the ideal gift. Great for any occasion, fun to give and receive, shows you care, comes with its own wrapping and, of course, is fully returnable. Hugging is practically perfect. No batteries to wear out, inflation-proof, non-fattening, no monthly payments, theft-proof and non-taxable.”
– Source Unknown


*This is educational information and any opinions expressed here-in do not replace professional medical advice. If you are ill, see a suitably qualified medical practitioner.*

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