Considering Studying Aromatherapy?

It is with incredible gratitude that I reflect on 20 years of being an educator and practitioner in the ever growing and expanding field of aromatherapy. It has been an honor to be so involved with practicing, teaching, researching, growing, writing and learning about aromatic plants, essential oils, herbs, and the world of health and healing. Over the years I have become more passionate about education in aromatherapy as well as being empowered in our choices for health care. This year I am dedicated to growing and expanding my own Aromatic Life.

What is an aromatic life? One might presume at first that it is the daily use of aromatherapy however it is so much more than that. Aromatherapy or aromatic medicine is a holistic health therapy and as such it includes all the different aspects of holistic living including gardening (both food and medicine), food/cooking (whole foods), yoga (or other movement/exercise), various complementary and alternative forms of medicine (acupuncture/ayurveda/herbal medicine/reiki, etc), lifestyle habits, living with the seasons, being active in creating herbal/aromatic gardens, and even supporting the community we grow and nurture.

Aromatherapy, specifically essential oils, is capable of profound and direct effects on our physical, emotional and energetic bodies. David Crow writes “In Chinese terms, essential oils in general are medicines for the the Shen, the spiritual essence that resides in the heart and governs consciousness. In Ayurvedic terms, they enhance the flow of prana (life force), nourish ojas (nutritional/immunological essence), and brighten tejas (mental luminosity)”.

Dr. David Frawely writes “Aromatic herbs have powerful effects on the mind and prana, activating higher brain centers. Other aromatic herbs help calm the mind and open the heart”.

And indeed, over the years of working with essential oils, I have found that they exert a most amazing influence on the awakening of our consciousness, our connection with all life on this earth, and our heart centered beauty. One of my favorite quotes is:

Herbs (and aromatics) have an inherent ability to channel life energy and to connect with those places in us that are ‘disconnected’ and in need of healing. – Rosemary Gladstar