HERB CORNER Aromatherapy Healing Wand for Calm and Well-Being
therapists, the practice of aromatherapy is the use of natural plant extracts as healing agents —whether as essential oils, carrier oils, or hydrosols — either applied topically or through inhalation. I personal - ly believe that living and dried plants and flowers can be included in a healing aromatherapy practice as well. My favorite is lavender, which is known for its calming properties. In dried form, as an oil, or in its budding live plant form, lavender is a fragrance I always include in my aromatherapy hacks, like an aromatherapy wand. Lavender reminds me of the softness and sweetness of new babies, the gentleness of a warm smile and the exhale after a long day. I was surprised to learn of a NIH study that attributed medicinal properties to lavender as a vapor and recommended it as an alternative to syn- thetic anesthesia in some instances. Lemongrass Another one of my favorite dried herbs is lemongrass. Dried lem - ongrass is fragrant and motivating, and often suggested for those who suffer with depressive thoughts and need energizing. It helps me tre - mendously with climbing out of a negative mindset. Of course, fresh lemongrass smells and tastes amazing in food, too; and when ingested, it often helps with inflammation. And did you know that lemongrass oil, much like citronella, is an excellent insect repellant? Sandalwood I grew up with the warm, earthy scent of sandalwood in the house. When I was a child, my mother would burn it as an incense, and she wore it regularly as an oil perfume. I would hug her and loved having the scent linger on my clothes as we parted. Sandalwood on its own merit is a calming oil. For me, it helps calm anxiety and is also a scent that often reminds me of the good times with my late mother. DIY Aromatherapy Wands What scents evoke your memories, bring you calm, put you in a pos- itive mood, or de-escalate your depressive or anxious episode? Round up those essential oils that provide comfort and create this DIY heal - ing hack — an aromatherapy wand. The aromatherapy wand is my go- to when I want to take my favorite scents with me, but not necessarily as a topical fragrance or part of my adornment routine. When we think of wands, we usually think of the sage bundles and
BY KHADIJAH Z. ALI-COLEMAN, ED.D. Aromatherapy — the use of fragrance to calm or boost your energy— is a healing practice that has been around for centuries. Whatever your religious practice, various religious texts reference myrrh and frank- incense and the burning of oil as sacred practice. While researching the culture of the ancient Egyptians when writing my 2017 stage play, When We Were Goddesses , I was fascinated by how the ancient Egyp - tians regularly used essential oils for everything from adornment to
embalming. I was awed to learn that even in the last century as ancient Egyptian pyramids were raided and excavated, alabaster pots within the tombs were still fragrant from the herbs and oils held inside centuries lat- er. Today, you most likely practice aromatherapy techniques already with- out even realizing it. If you burn incense to cre- ate a special vibe, choose a special scented bubble bath concoction to wind-
down, or wear certain fragrances to energize or start your day, you are engaging in aromatherapy. According to some practitioners, the fragrance should be an essential oil to technically be an authentic aro- matherapy experience; but that usage is more likely the case anyway, as many of us prefer essential oils to fragrance our homes, as well as instead of chemical-laden perfumes, and toxic bug repellants. Aromatherapy is an easy and accessible healing practice for calm and well-being. Essential oils can soothe as healing rubs and health tonics. Here are a few of my favorite scents and their medicinal prop- erties. Lavender According to the International Federation of Professional Aroma - A Recipe for Vibrant Living by Kenny W. Robinson, M.A. ✦ Discover how raw foods, mindful movement, and simple lifestyle shifts can unlock asting health and vitality. This transformative guide blends powerful pant-based recipes with holistic wellness tools—including yoga, strength training, and meditation—to help you strip away what no longer serves you and thrive in your natural state.
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