by Guiomar Campbell TCM, Dipl Sh. RN

Essential oils not only enhance beauty and well being, they also detoxify the body, balance emotions, and carry nutrients inside the human body.

We can be seriously affected by imbalances in our lifestyle, our environment and emotional patterns. These imbalances result in an accumulation of toxins in our body, creating free radicals, which degenerate our cells and cause health crises.

Essential oils have the ability to repair cells and remove toxic waste from the body. Pure grade “A” essential oils support the natural systems of elimination in the body including liver, colon, lymph, skin, and kidneys.
Read how to create your own detox with essential oils

Getting started with essential oils

Since essential oils are highly concentrated substances, they need to always be diluted in a carrier oil such as sweet almond, grape seed, sunflower, jojoba or wheat germ. Look for oils that are organic or cold pressed to provide extra benefits to the body. These are easy to find in any health food store.

Please avoid using essential oils if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant without consulting an aromatherapist. It is always recommended to seek medical advice or talk to your aromatherapist about choosing the most appropriate oils for your concerns.

There are several oils which are excellent for detoxifying the body in specific ways:

•    Juniper helps the body to throw off toxic wastes, improves elimination and improves skin conditions

•    Lemon is beneficial for liver detoxing and bringing clarity to the mind. It also stimulates white blood cells to defend the body against infection

•    Grapefruit aids the digestive system and skin, and helps detox from substance abuse

•    Fennel helps with nausea, flatulence and constipation and is wonderful as an afternoon tea

•    Bergamot is very relaxing and directly influences the appetite control centre in the brain by regulating cravings. It also lifts spirits

•    Rose geranium has a tonifying effect on the liver and kidneys. It helps the body to eliminate fluids more efficiently, thereby helping the lymphatic system to detox

Useful applications

To cleanse the lymphatic system of high levels of toxins and improve digestive and elimination tract, use fennel, juniper, and lemon essential oils.

Start by massaging the oils on the feet, then moving up toward the legs, belly, and chest, following the direction of the lymphatic system.

You may also apply the oils in the acupressure points located near the lymph nodes, such as below the clavicle bone, under the arm pit, the inguinal area, and behind the knees.

It is also important to drink lots of water after the massage, as it helps to flush the wastes from the body naturally.

To release emotional trauma from the body and detox the liver, combine bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, rose geranium, and sandalwood, and apply the blend to the back of the neck, on the temples, and over the liver and solar plexus area. It is highly effective in calming symptoms of anger and frustration.

Detoxing with essential oils is a very simple and effective procedure and needs to be done on a regular basis for optimum results, whether you choose to use them in bath water, spritzer, compress, massage, or simply as a perfume.

For a full aromatherapy consultation or shiatsu massage, come in for an appointment with Guiomar at Lotus Arts and Wellness- 416 986-9270
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The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. ~Hippocrates

This information is intended to educate the public on other alternative approaches to health and not to cure diseases. Please consult your Doctor if you need any help.

Let’s welcome beauty and radiance, vitality and balance into our lives, this New Year. I know that last year was a challenging one for many. This is a good time to let go of the overwhelming and difficult moments, negative thoughts and feelings of inadequacy to make space for good memories and good feelings. Choosing to focus on positive thoughts can bring good health and longevity. Not always easy? Here is a fast way to overcome negativity: use your sense of smell. Really!

Have you noticed how some smells can transport you to a different state of mind and even bring in memories from the past? The smell of baking bread makes your stomach rumble, or the smell of freshly cut grass reminds you of warm days in summer? I have fond memories of my mother cooking rice every time I smell garlic. I can clearly see her standing near the stove with a large mortar filled with peeled garlic, and I feel there with her in that moment.

The same process happens when you smell an essential oil. According to  Marlene Ericksen, in her book, Healing with Aromatherapy, smell is the only sense that goes directly to the limbic system or emotional brain, bypassing the cerebral cortex, also known as the intellectual part of the brain. As she explains, senses other than smell, such as sight and hearing, must register with the cortex before entering other parts of the brain. Our sense of smell is the only direct link from the outer world to our inner world.

Inhaling the essential oils clary sage, jasmine or grapefruit help to balance your emotions. Clary sage in particular, is considered a good remedy for nervous stress with a tremendous ability to relieve anxiety, depression and fear.  It contains sclareol, an estrogen-like structure that makes it beneficial for the female reproductive system. It helps to balance symptoms of cramps, menstrual pain, hot flashes in peri-menopause women as well as sexual dysfunctions.

There are many ways you can inhale an essential oil. You may use an electric diffuser to dispense fragrance into the environment. You can also apply 2-3 drops of the oil on to a light bulb, a good method to use in hotel rooms while traveling. Another method is to apply 5-7 drops of the oil in a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapor. My favorite method is to apply 10 drops of oil on to a cotton tissue and store it inside a plastic bag to preserve the aroma. I usually carry it in my purse and inhale it when I need it.

To release feelings of anger and irritability and bring in good feelings, inhale essential oil of grapefruit and jasmine while stretching your inner thighs and legs. This helps to open up the liver meridian and allow the trapped energy to move.  The liver meridian runs upwards from big toe towards the back of the knee, inguinal area and chest. The memory of the smell of oils and the feeling of a stretched muscle come back to you when you find yourself in emotional distress again.

When you are aware of the process of connecting to your limbic system, to emotions, you are then in a position to change your awareness which puts you in charge of awakening ‘feel-good’ techniques.

Disclaimer : This website is for informational purposes only. These statements made in this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products  or recommendations offered are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you believe that you may have a disease condition, please consult your healthcare practitioner immediately, and before using any dietary supplement product.