My chapter from a collaboration Holistic Oracle ~Raine Dalrymple
The Power of Aromatherapy
“I help you find your high vibrational self-worth
so that you can live an abundant life” ~Carolyn Westlake
Sirens
I knew fear before I could even speak. I’m the youngest of four kids, raised in a home with an alcoholic parent. Having lived in a small town with a ‘town siren,’ to alert volunteer firefighters; It didn’t matter where I was when that siren went off, if I was not at home, I would have a complete meltdown until I could get home and make sure it, and everyone, was safe. I also became a perfectionist and I married one. I chose careers where 100% accuracy was required in my work. A therapist said to me, “It wasn’t whether you would have a breakdown, but WHEN would you have a breakdown.”
And so, my breakdown came in the summer of 2010. I saw it coming, but I couldn’t stop it. I saw my doctor and said I’m not feeling well and I can’t cope. I can’t manage it all. A stress leave was suggested, but I allowed the fear of shame from my coworkers to make me say, “Oh no, I’ll just get some counselling and I’ll be okay.” Two days later….I was taken to my knees, on a city street in Toronto, which then led me to a fetal position in my bed where I cried incessantly and started to speak to those around me that I’m not well.
I started with prescription medication and found one that made me feel ‘normal’ after the second try, which I feel was a blessing; Firstly, because so many never find the right medication. The experience of being on the wrong one, and the difficulty getting off it, gave me a good awareness of the power of the medication and the effects on the mind.
I attended counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy and it helped somewhat, but I never really got to the root of things. It did help me to put words and actions to my thoughts.
Relief In A Bottle
In 2016, I was introduced to doTERRA essential oils, as I learned through experience that they helped my son who has special needs. I was so impressed with how they helped him with focus, along with his emotional needs, which at times seemed bigger than the learning issues. We were facing many challenges and feeling like things weren’t ‘normal.’
As I’ve studied more in aromatherapy and have learned about the power of touch and connection, I’ve realized what a powerful tool I have to help so many others. I use essential oils consistently and help my clients understand how these oils can be used in their own homes to provide healing in the body, mind and spirit. This approach empowers families to take care of their health needs, naturally.
Essential oils are the plants immune system, used by them, to protect themselves from predators and pests and to attract pollinators. They help us maintain balance and harmony in the complex processes that make up our immune system.
They also have a profound impact on our emotions. As they heal our physical health, by providing us with the energy needed to penetrate the heart and enter the emotional realm, they raise the vibration of the physical body. As we live in higher energetic vibrations, lower energies (such as suppressed emotions) become unbearable as the body wants to release these feelings because stagnant anger, sadness, grief, judgment, and low self-worth can’t exist in a balanced and peaceful environment which essential oils help create.
Essential oils help us take an honest look within, fostering the right environment for healing, but they do not do the work for us. Similar to gardening, if we weed a garden in dry soil, the weeds break off, leaving their roots, but adding water to the soil helps allow the entire weed to be pulled out. Essential oils prepare our emotional soil, so we can remove the weeds easier.
Essential oils bring to light the emotional patterns of deeply held beliefs, encouraging us to identify our limiting beliefs, release the trapped energy and associated emotions and allow us to replace them with positive beliefs.
So many modalities complement essential oils, such as meditation, journaling, getting in nature, sound therapy, energy work, positive mindset and subconscious work, assisting with emotional healing and recovery. Adding in a healthy diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, and good sleep enhances the benefits of essential oils.
I coach families in their use of essential oils and help create targeted wellness plans. We’re exposed to so many harmful toxins, so creating a healthy home, free of as many chemicals as possible, allows us to thrive as we are meant to. We can do so, economically…..it just makes sense to live more naturally.
My Top 5 Favourite Oils
Lemon is a powerful antioxidant
Provides a gentle detox when taken internally
Aroma promotes a positive mood
May assist with seasonal support and relief of congestion
Add a few drops to olive oil to clean and protect wood furniture
Add 10 drops to mixture of equal parts vinegar and water for an effective disinfecting cleaner
Use a few drops to remove glue, grease, permanent marker and more
Diffuse to uplift mood and purify the air.
Peppermint has a cooling effect which assists in decreasing body temperature
Helps alleviate seasonal allergies
Can assist with curbing cravings
May soothe upset stomachs and offers digestive support
Assists with achieving optimal respiratory function
Add a few drops to a diffuser for an energy boost
Helps repel insects
Apply 1 drop diluted to temples and back of neck to ease tension
Add 1 drop to glass of water to ease digestive issues and bloating
Place 1 drop on tongue in place of gum
Lavender has a soothing effect on the body and mind
Helps relieve minor skin irritations, cuts and scrapes
Helps to soothe burns
Provides seasonal allergy support, a natural antihistamine
Eases feelings of tension and unease. Add a few drops to a spray bottle of water and mist your pillow, mattress and linens
Add a few drops to 1 cup of epsom salts and add to bath water
Diffuse at night to promote a restful sleep
Frankincense can assist with brain health and mental fatigue. Rejuvenates the skin and helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars
Helps support the immune system and overall cellular health
Diffuse during meditation or yoga practise to help with centering and focus
Add a few drops to moisturizer to reduce appearance of blemishes and to rejuvenate the skin
Apply to bottom of feet to balance the mind and support immune health
Apply with coconut oil to dry, cracked nails
Wild Orange is a powerful cleanser and purifying agent
Provides gentle detoxification and powerful antioxidant
Supports emotional balance…known as the “happy” oil!
Protects against environmental threats
Powerful sanitizing agent
Add a drop to water for a flavour burst and immune support
Diffuse for energizing and invigorating aroma. Helps to revitalize and calm at the same time
Add to a spray bottle of water for a powerful all-purpose cleaner
Add a few drops to the air filters in your home and car to help reduce airborne pathogens and add a wonderful, uplifting aroma