January 10, 2012 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Energy Work, Essential Oils, Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

Complementary and alternative medicine – some basics

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to healing modalities that don’t fall into conventional Western medical philosophy, including bodywork, acupuncture, herbology, homeopathy and mind/body techniques. CAM is becoming a more familiar term as approximately 125 million Americans suffering from chronic illness — arthritis, back pain, hypertension, and depression — look for solutions that conventional medicine can’t provide.

“Complementary” modalities are used together with conventional medicine, such as utilizing aromatherapy to lessen a patient’s discomfort following surgery. “Alternative” modalities are used in place of conventional medicine, such as using herbs to treat stomach upset rather than taking pharmaceuticals. And the merging of alternative and conventional medicine is referred to as “integrative medicine,” connoting the idea of combining the best of both healing philosophies.

CAM is continually gaining the respect of the Western medical system, as indicated by the nearly 100 medical schools now offering courses in alternative therapies. The University of Arizona is an exceptional model of such a school, offering the nation’s only postgraduate, two-year Program in Integrative Medicine (PIM). Founded in 1994, PIM is designed to teach small groups of physicians how to integrate holistic modalities into their practices. These doctors are committed to a fundamental redesign of medical education including such principles as:

- Appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body’s innate healing response

- Consideration of all factors that influence health, including mind, spirit, and community

- A philosophy that neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative medicine uncritically

For more information and research about CAM, visit the nonprofit Alternative Medicine Foundation.

December 20, 2011 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

A Guide to Health for 20-something Women

This is the second article in a six part series on women’s health. The first article focused on hormone balance and on the lifestyle choices one can make to facilitate balance. In today’s post, we’re going to focus on issues related to women in their 20′s.

In your twenties, you feel invincible!

Many women in their twenties are more worried about their weight than they are about their health. They are often unaware that what they eat has long-lasting effects. College life often means lots of junk food, stress, poor sleep and other unhealthy habits. Many women also start their careers in their twenties, which often goes hand in hand with demanding hours and take-out food. It’s therefore no surprise that the twenties can be a hormonally challenging period for women.

Tips for living a balanced lifestyle in your twenties

• Establish an exercise routine
• Maintain healthy eating habits
• Protect your skin
• Get a good night’s rest
• Manage stress

October 13, 2011 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Essential Oils, Mindfulness and Meditation, Wellness by empoweringwellness

Winter Wellness – Made Simple

The cold and flu season is fast approaching so, I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips I learned from my friend Connie Boucher, a certified massage therapist and spokesperson for DoTerra Essential Oils. She shared some very helpful tips to strengthen the body’s immune system and reduce your risk of catching the flu or colds.

• Diet – eat as much unprocessed (and preferably organic) food as possible. I know it is difficult, but try to stay away from junk food and sugary snacks
• Drink plenty of water each day. How much will depend on a variety of factors such as your activity level, weight, etc. But try to keep a bottle or glass of water at your side throughout the day.
• Exercise regularly
• Get plenty of sleep
• Wash your hands often, and keep your hands away from your nose and mouth as much as possible
• Try to keep a positive outlook
• Gargle with warm salt water daily, and finally
• Use pure essential oils daily

I heard recently that the average person gets 2 colds per year. But, I have to say that follow most of the items on the list above, and I have not had a cold for over 4 years. I constantly wash my hands (before and after working with clients). And, I believe that the essential oils I use in my practice have really helped boost my immune system and keep me healthy.

Here are some ways to use essential oils to help boost your immune system as we approach the cold and flu season.

Flu and Cold

• Essential oils such as Wild Orange, Thyme, Oregano, and Lemon all have antiseptic qualities.
• Peppermint and Lime both help to open the respiratory system
• Frankincense helps to strengthen your immune system
• Lavender and Melaleuca help soothe and calm the nervous system

You can diffuse any of the oils above or use them topically. Combine them with a carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil or grape seed oil both make good carriers) and rub them on the ears, chest, along the spine and soles of your feet.

Sore Throat and Cough

• Frankincense – helps strengthen the immune system and promote healing
• Lemon – soothes and disinfects
• Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Ylang Ylang (helps to stop spasms)

Put 1-2 drops of oil in a teaspoon of agave nectar or honey and swallow to soothe coughs and sore throat. Don’t drink water immediately afterwards; let the oils sit in your throat.  You can also rub oils directly on your throat and then cover with a warm cloth.

Congestion and Mucous

• 1 drop of Frankincense
• 2 drops Oregano
• 3 drops Cinnamon
• 4 drops Peppermint

Combine all the oils and rub into the soles of your feet.

February 7, 2011 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Essential Oils by empoweringwellness

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy in the Home

Aromatherapy is defined as the use of fragrances to affect or alter a person’s mood or behavior and to promote health. And, within our homes essential oils and aromatherapy can play a pivotal part in creating a positive mood. When diffused in your home, essential oils provide an aromatic experience that enhances relaxation, uplifts the mood, and promotes well-being.

Aromatherapy: Diffusing Essential Oils

Three important activities take place when essential oils are diffused into the air in your home.

First, certified-pure, therapeutic grade (CPTG) essential oils have the ability to eliminate or reduce airborne pathogens, thus creating a healthy home environment free of unwanted germs. During the winter months, we tend to spend more time indoors, so it is vital for good health that the air quality in your home is germ-free.

Second, when CPTG essential oils are diffused, they are inhaled into the lungs. The oil molecules are absorbed into the tissues of your body, and you now get the benefits of the oil throughout your entire body. Just as the essential oils act as a detoxifier in the environment, they have the ability to act as an immune enhancer in your body by directly attacking pathogens, microbes, and germs in the body.

Third, essential oils have the powerful benefits of improving mood and behavior. Aromas can be relaxing and calming, keeping tension and stress at bay; uplifting and invigorating so that the mood is upbeat and positive; or simply refreshing, bring a sense of cheer, hope and joy.

To learn more about essential oils or purchase essential oils, you may click here.

January 31, 2011 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Essential Oils, Wellness, Workshops by empoweringwellness

Essential Oils for Women’s Health Workshop

Since the weather didn’t cooperate last week, I have rescheduled my workshop, Essential Oils for Women’s Health for February 10, 2011. The workshop will start promptly at 6PM and will last until about 9PM. I will be serving a nutritious dinner for those who attend.

So, what will you learn at this workshop? Workshop participants will receive a workshop booklet with essential oil formulas to help address the following women’s health issues / conditions:

- Hormonal balancing to address issues associated with menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome
- Menstrual cramps
- Anxiety / panic conditions
- Grief / Emotional healing
- Headaches and insomnia
- Breast health

Workshop participants will also be entered into a drawing to receive:

- An essential oil starter kit (Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint essential oils)
- A signed copy of “What’s Up, Down There?” by Dr. Lissa Rankin, and
- A free 90-minute Lomi Lomi massage with AromaTouch™ technique ($150 value)

And finally, I will also be offering special discounts on massage and wellness packages for this night only:

- Purchase a 3 hour massage therapy package for $120
- Purchase a 6 hour massage therapy package for $210

So, join me on February 10th for this informative workshop. Attendance is limited (15 people only), so RSVP to info@empoweringwellnessnow.com, or call me 703-623-5889.

May 22, 2010 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Essential Oils, Massage Therapy, Wellness by empoweringwellness

Aromatherapy – An Everyday Household Application for You

I am very pleased to offer this useful aromatherapy formula from an e-book written by Marlene Druhan and me titled The Essentials About Essential Oils – Basic Aromatherapy Applications. The book contains many useful aromatherapy formulas ranging from household applications and everyday uses to formulas for managing stress, relieving muscle and joint pain and much more.

Excerpt from The Essentials About Essential Oils – Basic Aromatherapy Applications.

Everyday Household Applications

Essential oils can be invaluable for household uses ranging from cleaning/disinfecting to gardening. For those interested in cleaning and adding pleasant fragrance to the home with highly effective and pleasant alternatives to chemicals, here are a few formulas to get you started.

Countertop Disinfectant

Ingredients:

• Spray bottle
• Distilled water
• Essential oils of lavender, lemon, & tea tree

Fill spray bottle with distilled water and add 20 drops tea tree essential oil, 25 drops lavender essential oil, and 20 drops of lemon essential oil. Shake well and spray the surface you wish to clean. Wipe with a paper or cloth towel. Variations for those who appreciate a lovely fragrance while cleaning are: Add 25 drops of lemon essential oil, 10 drops of ylang ylang essential oil, and 25 drops of mandarin, grapefruit or sweet orange essential oil; or add 20 drops of peppermint essential oil, 10 drops of spearmint essential oil, and 20 drops of pine needle or spruce essential oil.

You may purchase a copy of The Essentials About Essential Oils for $12. Please contact me through my website for details on how to order.

May 20, 2010 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Massage Therapy, Wellness by empoweringwellness

Introducing Aroma Touch Therapy

I’m very pleased to announce a new therapeutic offering – Aroma Touch Therapy. Aroma Touch Therapy was developed by Dr. David Hill, a licensed Chiropractic Physician and the Chief Medical Advisor to dōTERRA, a leading manufacturer of therapeutic grade oils. The Aroma Touch Therapy technique uses 8 specially blended essentials oils developed by dōTERRA.

The Aroma Touch Therapy technique involves applying a combination of the 8 different essential oils in a precise sequence. The technique helps with:

- Reducing stress – Emotional stress, career choices, family discord, financial worries and the like elevate stress levels. Clinical studies have linked high stress and chronic stress to numerous negative health conditions.

- Boosting immune system response – We’re exposed to a wide array of toxic insults, including disease-causing pathogens, hormone and pesticide contaminated food products, and elevating free-radical assault from pollution, foods, and sunlight. The Aroma Touch Therapy technique uses a blend of oils specifically designed to help reduce adrenal fatigue and strengthen immune system response.

- Reducing inflammation – The increased consumption of foods with pro-inflammatory components (foods high in polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as safflower, corn, and peanut oil) together with high carbohydrate, low protein diets contribute to increased inflammation in body systems. Stress, with its accompanying imbalance of cortisol, can also contribute to inflammation. Studies increasingly show links between poor health and chronic inflammation. The Aroma Touch Therapy technique uses a blend of oils that help reduce inflammation in soft tissue, thereby contributing to an overall sense of well-being.

- Balancing the nervous system – Imbalance of the autonomic nervous system can negatively impact health in a number of ways. Aroma Touch Therapy helps to restore the body to a state of homeostasis (balance) and helps to address the physiological impact of stressors on the body.

Clients may schedule a 30-minute Aroma Touch Therapy session, or include Aroma Touch Therapy as part of their therapeutic massage session.

Visit my website to schedule your Aroma Touch Therapy session now. And as an added bonus, if you book an appointment for Aroma Touch Therapy in May or June, you will receive a FREE copy of my e-Book, The Essenstials about Essential Oils, a beautifully illustrated reference guide written by Marlene Druhan and me that will help you incorporate essential oils into your daily life.

Here’s one of the many formulas that are included in the book. This formula is for a natural cleaning agent.

Lemongrass-Citrus Sink, Tub, or Toilet Scrub: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda in a damp sink or tub along with 6 drops of lemongrass essential oil and 6 drops of lemon essential oil. Use a wet sponge (rough or smooth) and clean as usual. Rinse very well. ** Caution: some sinks and tubs (especially old tubs with “make over” surfaces) scratch easily so keep this in mind. Use with care. Variation: Use 6 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 drops of spearmint essential oil. This can also be used as a toilet scrub.

Finally, here is a brief video featuring Dr. Hill from dōTERRA, as he explains some of the benefits of essential oils and how they work.