An Aromatic Life

Yoga and Ayurveda to support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction

Yoga and Ayurveda to support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction
by Catherine O’Neill

***This article has been published with permission from Durga. It originally appeared in the Townsend Newsletter, January 2007. http://www.townsendletter.com/

The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda (science of self-healing) and Yoga (science of self-realization) offer therapies and practices to bring about and maintain lasting sobriety from drug and alcohol addiction.

Ayurveda views each individual as a unique expression of the five elements, refined into three essential doshas (biological humors): Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. This holistic healing system offers simple and practical methods to repair and rejuvenate the body through the use of five-sense therapies and specific detoxification techniques. Ayurvedic therapies revitalize the body’s systems and boost the immune system, giving a strong foundation in health and an increased ability to face the challenges and stresses of daily life without resorting/relapsing into old addictive behaviors. Most importantly, treatment methods employed by Ayurveda rely on lifestyle changes rather than on simply taking a pill to eradicate symptoms.

Together, Yoga and Ayurveda offer a truly empowering personal program of recovery. Accordingly, I have set out, below, the 12 steps to healing addiction with Yoga and Ayurveda.

1. Diet
2. Herbal remedies
3. Massage therapy (Ayurvedic body treatments)
4. Aromatherapy
5. Sound therapy (Mantra and Kirtan)
6. Color therapy
7. Detoxification
8. Asana
9. Pranayama
10. Relaxation
11. Positive thinking and meditation
12. Synthesis of the Four Paths of Yoga- Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.

DIET
The diet for those coming off alcohol and drugs should be warm and nourishing; it should include cooked whole grains (grains are high in the B vitamins), fresh vegetables, and fruits. It is best to favor cooked foods over raw, cold foods. Often we see strong attachments to stimulant substances like coffee and sugar, and in the initial stages of withdrawal, these stimulants can actually be helpful. Ayurveda does not recommend any drastic changes to the body, as we know doing too much, too soon will create imbalance. However, when sobriety is achieved, it is important to look at reducing the intake of these stimulating substances, replaced them gradually with healthy alternatives.

Most addictions lead to a Vata imbalance (excess mobility and dryness), so tonic food like milk, almonds, pine nuts, and sesame seeds are very useful. An excellent rejuvenator for the system is ghee (clarified butter); recovering addicts and alcoholics need the nourishment ghee gives in order to feed the damaged nervous system, lubricate the entire system, and restore the strength of the immune system. Ghee can be used as a base cooking oil or simply added to each warm meal.

HERBAL THERAPY
It is important to ensure the digestive capacity if strong enough for the body to rebuild itself with the food. One of the first things to do in this respect is to eliminate all cold/iced drinks. Drinking hot herbal teas will help to soothe, balance, and detoxify the system. Ayurveda employs spices – used in cooking and/or taken as a digestive formula – to aid digestion. Household spices like fresh ginger, fennel, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and pepper help the health and function of the digestive processes. Certain Ayurvedic formulas can be taken to help each doshic type with digestion: Hingvastak is used to help Vata’s variable digestion (asafetida/hing is part of this formula, which helps relieve gas). For Pitta types, we can use the formula Avipattikar, and for Kapha types, stronger, more pungent herbs, like those combined in Trikatu, are used.

Herbal therapy is offered depending on the constitutional type, the imbalanced dosha(s), keeping in mind the addictive substance and its propensity to damage particular tissues and organs. In general, nervines would be used to calm the mind (gotu kola, brahmi, jatamansi, valerian, chamomile, etc.) Gotu kola (taken in ghee) is the best herb to help cleanse hallucinogenic drugs from the liver and brain; Ashwagandha is the best herb for helping to rebuild the nervous system; and Shatavari is given to help restore emotional sensitivity and balance.

The diuretic effect of most drugs dry out the system, especially the large intestine, the main site of Vata in the body. Kidney function will also be compromised; the kidneys are another organ governed by the Vata dosha. The best Ayurvedic herb for tonifying and strengthening the kidneys is shilajit. Excessive use of alcohol will lead to problems in the liver, a major organ governed by the Pitta dosha. Turmeric and Bhumyamalaki are two herbs that are very good for clearing liver energy. Aloe Vera juice is a good mild liver tonic and can be very effective in cooling people who have imbibed too much alcohol, which represents the fire quality.

MASSAGE THERAPY: Ayurveda Body Treatments

Abhyanga, a massage with warm, herb-infused oil, can be self-administered daily and is wonderfully relaxing yet, at the same time, energizing. It is easy to do and takes only about 15-30 minutes. It helps pacify Vata dosha, relieving stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed and spaced out. The Ayurvedic texts recommend that the massage be done in the morning, since it helps keep energy levels high during the day and helps promote easy, restful sleep at night. The massage also helps promote balanced emotions and contain prana within the body. With regular performance of the massage, deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are loosened and released into the system for elimination through the natural toxin-release processes.

AROMATHERAPY
Essential oils offer many beneficial properties from sedation to stimulation. Ayurveda treats imbalances in each dosha with its opposite qualities. Since Vata is composed from the air element, it is light, dry, mobile, and cold. Vata is balanced by sweet, warming aromas, like lavender, cinnamon leaf, sweet orange, and the chamomiles.

Pitta is the fire dosha. Having the qualities of heat, it is balanced by sweet, cooling scents like rose, jasmine, and sandalwood. Kapha is water and earth and is predominantly cold, moist, slow, and heavy in nature. It can be treated with warming, drying, lightening, and stimulating essential oils like basil, camphor, clove, eucalyptus, sage, and thyme.

The essential oils can be added to a bath or used as a compress (especially good for headaches and nervous tension). It is also very useful to have the aroma diffused into a room. At night, this can aid sleep, and at the workplace, this can help overcome feelings of stress or irritation.

SOUND THERAPY
Sound healing often begins with moving people away from excessively stimulating (rap, heavy rock) music or depressing music (blues, sentimental love songs, and ballads) toward more uplifting and balancing music – perhaps classical or instrumental to avoid the repeated listening to lyrics that may trigger unhappy or sad emotions form the past. the highest sound therapy is mantra. More and more people in the West are now experiencing the healing effect of mantra through Kirtan, the call-and-response chanting, which ends in silence, the ultimate healer.

COLOR THERAPY
Another welcome therapy is that of color. Using plants (green color for healing energy) is a simple starting point. Fresh flowers offer both fragrance and color and influence the heart. People in recovery find it good therapy to purchase a bouquet of flowers every week to reward themselves for their continued abstinence. People recovering form alcohol and drug addiction also benefit by employing color therapy in their choice of clothing. As a rule, it is best to avoid black, brown, and gray as these have a more depressing effect. Light, pleasant colors in both the home and workplace do a lot to improve mood.

DETOXIFICATION
If detoxification is required, Ayurveda offers a three-part process known as Pancha Karma. It is important to understand that this is a process, which involves preparation, cleansing, and rejuvenation. Pancha Karma takes time and should be done with a qualified professional. Often, a person in early recovery will require some tonification before any elimination therapies may be employed. Ongoing mild tonification and detoxification can be achieved by taking Triphala regularly.

Triphala is a classic Ayurvedic formula containing three fruits amalaki, haritaki, and bibhitaki. It balances all three doshas and is safe for use in the long term. It is high in vitamin C and has strong antioxidant effects. The cleansing food of Ayurveda is kitcharee, a dish consisting of basmati rice, split mung beans, ghee, and spices. It is nourishing, yet easy to digest and easy to cook; it also cleanses the digestive system. Eating kitcharee, taking Triphala, and doing daily self-abhyanga for three to ten days can achieve a simple home detoxification.

ASANA
Yogic physical exercises (asanas) are designed to develop the body, broaden the mental faculties, and broaden the spiritual capacities. Yoga exercises improve health of the spine and aid the proper function of the internal organs. They also work on the nervous system and the endocrine system (glands and hormones), thereby restoring health and balance to the entire system.

Many detoxification/rehabilitation centers are now offering yoga classes because of the many benefits their patients feel from the practice. It is important to note that asana practice denotes moderate, conscious, gentle exercises, promoting calmness and helping to move and balance the prana (vital life force), thus breaking the stagnation and imbalances caused by drug and alcohol abuse. Asana practice also helps concentration and leads to increased focus and awareness.

PRANAYAMA (Proper Breathing)
Breathing techniques, like deep abdominal breathing, help to balance and calm the mind, increasing mental clarity and alertness, and can be practiced at any time. Most people take shallow breaths into the chest alone; deep breathing can nourish and calm the central nervous system. Such breathing is an essential tool in overcoming any addiction.

RELAXATION
Yogic relaxation practices are useful in reducing mental tension and anxiety. Due to the over-stimulation of the body through drugs and alcohol, often there are problems with nervous energy and insomnia. Simple techniques like Savasana (corpse pose) with auto-suggestion relaxation (tensing, then relaxing, each part of the body progressively from toes to head while mentally repeating “I am relaxing my toes, feet, legs, back, etc.) can be taught and practiced for ten to 15 minutes daily to calm and stabilize the body and mind. The ability to consciously relax the body and mind is a great practical way to increase self-esteem and self-confidence.

POSITIVE THINKING AND MEDITATION

“All addictions are part of a psychological pattern of dependency. This must be addressed through efforts to contact the true Self that is independent and transcends environmental influences.”1

To overcome any disorder of the mind, it is important to understand how the mind works. For those who have problems with addiction, basically the mind is out of control. Addiction is the nature of the mind: the mind attaches to a thought and then has the tendency to repeat that thought over and over again; its mechanics are habitual. Addiction is simply a negative habit/association. The mind associates that alcohol/drugs are a solution and habitually jumps to this wrong conclusion; the mind get into a loop, and it is difficult to get out of that loop. Positive thinking and meditation offer techniques to slow the mind down so its habit can be changed. The initial aim is to increase the elapsed time between the craving, habitual though, and the action. These mental techniques help to straighten out the mind, bring simplicity and clarity by replacing negative thinking and emotions with opposing positive thoughts and attitudes.

In the beginning, it is difficult to make the mind positive as it has become dull and lethargic through its destructive habit. Satsang – spending time in the company of wise, spiritual, positive people – is a good way to uplift the mind. The fellowship found in 12-step meetings are an example of a readily available satsang. Here, newly sober people have the benefit of hearing the stories of those who have fought the battle of addiction and are now in continuous abstinence. Their stores tell what is was like (identification), and what happened (moment of clarity), and what is is like now (ongoing experience of lie on life’s terms). Even reading the testimonies of people who have found balance can help if you are unable to attend group support meetings every day, and these accounts are found in most 12-step literature. Satsang inspires us to do the right thing. Addiction is self-destructive, so often we benefit by being in the company of those who are able to love us until we can love ourselves -i.e.g , we get help from outside until it can come from within. When addicts/alcoholics feel the love and understanding from others, they are more able to care about themselves.

The mind of the alcoholic/drug abuser is addictive, obsessive, compulsive, and dysfunctional. They need to relearn things with people who are already healthy. The need to be under the influence of those who are strong and who know where happiness lies. They need to have the courage to face their problems and this is easier when they are with those who have courage, truth, love, and compassion. Unconditional support is required. Recovering addicts/alcoholics need to be around people who will encourage them on their new path.

SYNTHESIS OF THE FOUR PATHS OF YOGA: KARMA, BHAKTI, RAJA, JNANA

Addiction is understood to be a malady of body, mind, and spirit. Yoga views the individual as a holistic personality of three bodies (physical, astral, causal). The synthesis of the Four Paths of Yoga offer an integral approach combining

1. the physical and breathing exercises of Hatha yoga methods with

2. the meditation and mind analysis of Raja Yoga methods;

3. the selfless service of Karma Yoga (action without personal egoistic motive or a sense of being the doer); and

4. the philosophical inquiry about the nature of “who am I?” and my relation to the universe (Jnana Yoga)

The practice of these Four Paths of Yoga needs to be done on a daily basis, a little at a time. This practice is the necessary strategy to bring back wholeness and health and to combat addiction, which is a symptom of not being whole. The variety of practices helps a personal to have choices in daily life while maintaining healthy boundaries and promoting press in achieving self-control, a positive attitude, and a healthy lifestyle.

To establish oneself on the path of self-healing and wholeness, it is necessary to get out of the ego and understand the basic truth: the unity of life. Karma Yoga (selfless service, living to serve others or a power greater than oneself and one’s ego) is very important for healing. Bhakti Yoga is the practice of self-surrender through devotion and worship. An activity that is becoming more common in the West today is Kirtan (call-and-response chanting of mantra), a sure method of healing as it brings positive emotions of joy and love and connection with the divine.

Raja Yoga is represented by the Eightfold Path offering purification through practice of the yamas, niyamas, asanas, etc. These are guidelines in positive self-discipline and control of mind – the opposite of the root of all addictive habits. This purification leads us to meditation, a sure method of consciously connecting with our Higher Power/Self.

Jnana Yoga is affirming our true self; once we realize our true nature, all psychological problems are removed at the roots. Affirmation of the self and identification with the self removes all cravings, sense of lack, self-esteem problems, and self defeating behaviors.

Combining Yoga psychology and the Yogic philosophy of the self alongside an Ayurvedic lifestyle offers a sure path from self-destruction to self-realization – one day at a time. This powerful combination can be experienced in-depth at Yoga of Recovery retreats, courses, and workshops offered in the Bahamas, Vietnam, Virginia, London, New York, and California. For more information, please visit: www.yogaofrecovery.com

Reference 1: Frawley, D. Ayurvedic Healing. Utah: Morson Publishing; 1989.

‘Durga Leela’ Catherine O’Neill, BA, CAS, PKS
Yoga Acharya
P.O. Box 743
Loyalton, CA 96118
durgayoga@yahoo.com

Durga is a Clinical Ayurvedic and Pancha Karma Specialist, trained at the California College of Ayurveda and also in Kerala, India. She leads several Ayurvedic Retreats at International Sivananda Yoga Ashrams. Durga has been involved with the 12-Step Fellowship for over 10 years. She completed her Sivananda Yoga teachers Training Course in May 2002, the Meditation Immersion Course in January 2005 and the Advanced Yoga Teachers Training Course in March 2006.

North Carolina
Febuary 7 – 8, 2011
Inner Peace Yoga Therapy 300-hour Yoga Therapy Certification program with comprehensive curriculum including Yoga of Recovery (Durga), Yoga for Depression (Amy Weintraub), Yoga for Cancer, Adapting Yoga for Heart Disease (Nischala Joy Devi). Durga is on the Faculty of this school along with top instructors in the fields of yoga therapy and Ayurveda, including: Dr Marc Halpern, Shar Lee, Neil Pearson, and Antonio Sausys.

Prama Institute
Asheville, North Carolina
Telephone: 970-946-8961
Fax: 970-385-1009
http://innerpeaceyogatherapy.com/
email: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.com

Beloved Ginger

Ginger Zingiber officinale

Falling in love with Ginger! Over the past couple of weeks I have found myself quite drawn to ginger and have used it as a tea, a body scrub, a body oil, an additive into our humidifier, a divine bathing experience, and simply to inhale via direct palm inhalation. (some recipes to follow at end of article) Beautiful, intoxicating, warming, and soothing.

On the days when I can feel the winter chill in my body, I am sure to make a cup or two of fresh ginger tea with lemon and honey. I have also been using a ginger salt scrub every other day along with an organic jojoba oil infused with vanilla beans and then a 2.5% dilution of cardamom and ginger.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a herbaceous perennial of about 1m in height, with large long grass-like leaves developing from a branched rhizome. The flowers occur in a dense, scaly spike on an elongated stock. Each flower has three yellowish orange petals with an additional purplish, lip-like structure. (Van wyk and Wink)

Ginger is considered to be the most ancient spice known to humankind and has been used as food, medicine, and a spice. It enjoys a long history of use in China, India, Japan and throughout Asia. The ancient Greeks and Romans held ginger in high regard for its medicinal and culinary uses.

Ginger is a member of the Zingiberaceae family which includes over 48 genera and 1200 species including cardamom and turmeric. This is a highly aromatic family of plants, with most being prized for their exotic spicy aromas and tastes.

Ginger is thought to have occurred wild throughout the East Asian crescent spanning South China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. The perennial plant was found cultivated in earliest times in Inner Mongolia and South India. A botanical clue to the antiquity of ginger is that ginger is propagated only by splitting the root, never from seed – a sign that it has grown for so long under human control that it has lost one of the essential characteristics of the wild plant from which it derives. (Dalby, A., Dangerous Tastes: The Story of Spices)

Current world producers of ginger include: China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Africa, Thailand, Philippines, and Nepal. The aroma, appearance and taste of ginger can vary depending on country of origin.

There is so much great writing on ginger that I have kept the above simple and short. If you are interested in further readings, please see the resources at the end of this article.

An Aromatic Experience
If you have a fresh piece of ginger in your fridge, go and get it. Also gather up any essential oils of ginger you have. First, take a few inhalations of the essential oil of ginger. Close you eyes and hold a bottle of ginger essential oil close enough to your nose to be able to smell, waft the bottle to the left and right, inhale, observe, feel.

Notice its aroma, its affects on your mind/body/emotions. Then clear your nasal palate by taking a few inhalations of fresh ground coffee or coffee beans.

Then, take a few moments to cut into the fresh ginger rhizome, close your eyes, and hold the cut ginger up to your nose, wafting it from left to right and take a few inhalations. Take a moment to observe its aroma and aromatic impact on your mind/body/emotions. Take another moment to smell the fresh ginger. Then clear the nasal palate by smelling ground coffee or coffee beans.

Now repeat this process with the essential oil. Close you eyes and hold a bottle of ginger essential oil close enough to your nose to be able to smell, waft the bottle to the left and right, inhale, observe, feel.

What differences do you note? How did smelling the fresh ginger enhance your perceptions of the ginger essential oil?

Ginger Chemistry
Ginger rhizome contains 4-10% oleoresin composed of nonvolatile, pungent principles, specifically: gingerol, gingerdiones, and shogoals.

The essential oil is typically obtained via distillation of dried ginger. Dried Ginger has a 1.0 to 3.3% essential oil content comprised mostly of sesquiterpenes supported by monoterpenes. Main sesquiterpene components include: zingiberene, b-sesquiphellandrene, and beta-bisabolene. Other minor components include: b-phellandrene and camphene.

The essential oil of ginger (Zingiber officinale) does not contain the bitter principles, however the CO2 extract does. The CO2 extract of ginger contains 18-23% pungent components, making the Co2 extract more heating and diaphoretic than the essential oil.

Western Therapeutic Applications:
Ginger has traditionally been used for its antispasmodic, carminative, and diaphoretic properties. As both a herb preparation (tincture, infusion, powdered extract) and essential oil it is used to relieve motion sickness and nausea. Ginger is used to stimulate digestion, expectorate mucus/phlegm from the lungs, and is indicated for use with: flatulence, dyspepsia, colds, loss of appetite, menstrual cramps, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, nausea and as an adjunct for arthritis and pain relief.

It is used as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic for dysmenorrhea, uterine fibroids, and chronic pelvic pain. Beneficial as a antianorectic due to appetite loss associated with cancer and HIV chemotherapeutic treatments. (Romm)

Pharmacological data and experimental data indicate two potential uses of ginger: antiemetic and anxiolytic/antidepressant. (Spinella)

Core therapeutic actions include: carminative, peripheral circulatory stimulant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, digestive stimulant.

Ayurveda
In Ayurvedic medicine ginger is the universal medicine and can be of benefit to all. It is specifically indicated for vāta disorders. Ginger destroys toxins, is a digestive, prevents nausea, enkindles the digestive fire, reduces feelings of cold, is rejuvenating, alleviates cough and breathing difficulties, and alleviates pain. Like TCM, Ayurveda distinguishes between dried and fresh ginger. Dried ginger is called Sunthi and fresh is called Ardraka.

  • Dry ginger clears āma from plasma and blood. (for information on ama visit http://ayurveda-foryou.com/ayurveda_principles/ama.html or http://www.myyogaonline.com/healthy-living/health-and-wellness/ama-ayurvedic-medicine-and-energy)
  • Dry ginger clears phlegm in kapha-vāta coughs and colds.
  • Fresh ginger increases peripheral circulation and causes vasodilation and sweating.
  • Dry ginger increases agni and the secretion of digestive enzymes.
  • Useful for nausea including morning sickness, post-operative nausea, and travel sickness.
  • Fresh ginger hot tea can be used to relieve menstrual cramps.
  • Dry ginger, which is more heating then fresh ginger, can aggravate pitta.

    • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
    Both fresh and dried ginger are officinal drugs of the modern Chinese pharmacopeia. It is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs and is believe to be used in half of all herbal prescriptions in modern China. Traditional Chinese Medicine distinguishes clearly between dried and fresh ginger. Dried ginger (Gan-jiang) is used to treat yang deficiencies. ‘It is more effective in expelling Interior Cold, which is related more to the constitution of the patient while fresh ginger (Sheng-jiang) promotes seating and disperses Exterior Cold which is brought on by external factors’. (Mills and Bones, 2000)

    Fresh ginger root is used to dispel pathogens via its ability to induce sweating. It expels cold, relieves nausea and clears toxic matter from the body. It is used from common colds due to pathogenic Wind Cold.

    Dried ginger root is used to treat depleted Yang and alleviates Cold conditions characterized by pallor, poor appetite and digestion, vomiting, cold limbs, pale tongue, or thin, watery or white sputum. (Mills and Bones, 2000) Use for Yang exhaustion syndromes with severe chilliness, slow pulse, and aching.

    According to Peter Holmes, the essential oil of Ginger warms the interior of dispels cold. It warms the Lung and transforms phlegm, warms and opens the meridians and blood vessels (indicated for scanty menstrual flow, amenorrhea, spasmodic dysmenorrhea) and Warms the Kidney and fortifies Yang (indicated when there is frigidity, impotence, cold extremities, fatigue, or diarrhea).

    Dosages of the herb: (Blumenthal and Romm)

      Tea: 1 tbsp. grated fresh root per 1 cup of boiling water, 3 to 4 cups daily.
      Powder: 1 to 2 grams daily
      Tincture: 1.5 to 5ml three times per day

    The Aroma of Ginger: Psychological and Spiritual affects
    Gingers aroma is warm, spicy, woody with a hint of lemongrass and varying degrees of sweetness.

    Ginger’s warm spicy sweet aroma offers the individual strength during times of depletion or loss of motivation. Ginger promotes clarity by ‘detoxing’ negative or toxic thoughts and energy. As a root essential oil, ginger is also grounding and provides strength to move forward. The warmth shared by Ginger also has the ability to soothe and relieve anxiety, providing a solid ground on which to gain clarity.

    Ginger provides deep warmth and stimulation on the physiological level while its aroma (fragrance) works deeply into the psyche, bringing energy and strength to some of the deepest sources of our power. Ginger can be an ally in the process of self-empowerment, giving us the strength to meet life’s challenges with an adequate vital response. (Holmes)

    The warming nature of ginger sustains and then rebuilds where there has been a loss of energy on the physical and emotional levels. (Zeck)

    Ginger essential oil can restore determination and help to boost confidence and morale. It is indicated for those who may have clear plans and good intentions, but who lack the personal drive and optimism to manifest initiative and take real or immediate action. Ginger can be a catalyst of the Will (Zhi), invoking and enhancing ones vital fire. (Mojay)

    Contraindications

      The use of ginger is contraindicated in patients with gallstones due to cholagogue effect.
      Daily doses of ginger in excess of 4 grams should be avoided in patients already taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin or aspirin or with individuals susceptible to hemorrhage.
      Avoid use of ginger for Yin deficiency with heat signs; reckless movement of hot blood; specifically to be used with caution during pregnancy (http://tinyurl.com/3y6jxzx)
      Use low dosages during pregnancy.

    Recipes

    For Digestive and Warming Tea
    Thinly slice 3 to 5 pieces of fresh ginger, place into cup and pour boiling water over the ginger. Cover the cup with a plate and let sit for 15-30 minutes. Remove plate and add a bit of honey and freshly squeezed organic lemon.

    Aphrodisiac Massage Oil
    1oz Organic Jojoba oil with:
    5 drops Ginger Zingiber officinale
    6 drops Ylang ylang Cananga odorata
    3 drops Cinnamon leaf Cinnamomum zeylanicum
    6 drops Mandarin Citrus reticulata
    4 drops Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum

    Arthritis/Pain relieving gel
    15 drops Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
    24 drops Ginger Zingiber officinale
    2 ounces Organic Aloe vera gelly (Lily of the Desert)
    1 tbsp. Arnica herbal oil
    1-2 tbsp. Lavender hydrosol
    1 tbsp. Roman or German chamomile hydrosol* (if not available, use more Lavender hydrosol)

    Blend all ingredients together. Add more hydrosol if the gelly is a bit ‘tacky’ feeling. Rub on localized area as needed.

    Warming body oil
    1 ounce of organic Jojoba or Sesame
    7-8 drops Ginger Zingiber officinale
    6-7 drops Black pepper Piper nigrum
    7 drops Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum
    10 drops Sweet orange Citrus sinensis

    Winters Ginger Bath
    You can put a 1/8 to 1/4 cup of grated ginger in a muslin bag, tie to the faucet and let the hot water run through it as you fill up the bathtub. OR Add 4-7 drops of ginger essential oil into two to three cups of sea salt and pour in water just before getting into the tub. Mmmmmmm!

    Soothe away anxiety inhaler
    Mix synergy together in a small bowl then soak inhaler pad in the essential oils. Place pad in the inhaler tube and close inhaler. Use as needed.
    6 drops Ginger Zingiber officinale
    3 drops Neroli Citrus aurantium (flos.)
    2 drops Sweet Marjoram Origanum marjorana
    4 drops Mandarin Citrus reticulata

    Massage oil for cramps/painful menstruation
    1 ounce organic jojoba or sesame
    8 drops Ginger Zingiber officinale
    6 drops Clary sage Salvia sclarea
    4 drops Sweet marjoram Origanum marjorana
    5 drops Mandarin Citrus reticulata

    or

    1 ounce organic jojoba
    7 drops Ginger Zingiber officinale
    4 drops Rose Rosa damascena

    And for Reflexology sessions: Add a ginger footbath to stimulate circulation and support the movement of Chi.

    Place 3-4 drops of Ginger and 1-2 drops of lemongrass in a warm foot bath and soak clients fee for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also add the ginger and lemongrass into salt and offer a foot salt scrub before the foot bath.

    References

    Blumenthal, M. Editor (2003). The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. New York, NY: Thieme.
    Dalby, A. Dangerous Tastes: The Story of Spices. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2000.
    Foster, S., Ginger Zingiber officinale – Your food is your medicine. Retrieved on January 3, 2011 at: http://www.stevenfoster.com/education/monograph/ginger.html
    Holmes, P. (2001). Clinical Aromatherapy: Using Essential Oils for Healing Body and Soul. Cotati, CA: Tigerlily Press, Inc.
    Mills, S., and Bone, K. (2000). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. London: Churchill Livingstone.
    Mojay, Gabriel (1997). Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Healing Arts Press; Rochester, VT.
    Pole, S. (2006). Ayurvedic Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
    Romm, ,A. (2010). Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
    Spinella, M. (2001). The Psychopharmacology of Herbal Medicine. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
    Van Wyk, B., and Wink, M. (2004). Medicinal Plants of the World. Oregon: Timber Press.
    Zeck, R. (2008). The Blossoming Heart. Australia: Aroma Tours.

    Resources

    http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ginger Botanical image public domain

    http://www.stevenfoster.com/education/monograph/ginger.html

    Interview with Buddha Nose

    Student Success:

    Amy Galper: Buddha Nose

    1.  What brought you to the study of aromatherapy and natural lifestyles?
    About 14 years ago I was diagnosed with a mysterious kidney disease and it really changed my life.  It made me look at the illness ( how it manifested) and my habits, life patterns, symbolically –and with great resolve, I chose to make some changes. The journey of getting better introduced me to herbal medicine, and many alternative healing modalities.  My studies intensified, and soon I became a Shiatsu therapist with a nice practice in NYC. The disease went into remission, and my work with my clients inspired me to begin experimenting with essential oils and herbs.  Seeking a better foundation of knowledge, I enrolled in Jade’s course…and was hooked!

    2.  What inspired you to create Buddha Nose?
    Buddha Nose grew out of my Shiatsu practice, and my efforts to inspire my clients to be still and breathe, and make a mind-body connection.  As I worked with people I began to see great resonance between the energies of the meridians and the energetics of the essential oils, and played around with various blends to help my clients experience the mind-body-beauty relationship. The name combines two of my favorite practices:  Zen Buddhism/meditation and aromatic plant medicine.  hence the name :  Buddha  and Nose!

    3.  How did you come up with the name and the line of products?
    The products are direct expressions of my Shiatsu work.  In fact, the first set of products I ever made and used in my practice I called “meridian balms” – and they echoed the themes and energies of each meridian and their corresponding element.  For example, I had a “lung/large intestine (or metal) ” salve, and a “water element” balm.  Eventually, I realized that my clients found the names of the products a little intimidating, and felt uncertain about how to use them.  So I changed the names, but kept the basic formulations:  What was once the “lung” salve, became the Deep Breathe Balm,  what was once the “Triple Burner” Balm became the I Booster Salve, etc.  The new names were more user friendly, and still communicated the underlying intention of each product.  The goal was still the same:  to inspire stillness and simplicity.

    4.  What importance do you place on quality of materials that go into your product line?
    Using high quality ingredients is crucial; that is how I am trying to differentiate the brand.  I try to only use certified organic when available.  3 out of the four products in the line now carry the USDA organic seal – of which I am very proud.  Everyone who experiences the blends can tell right away the high quality and feel.

    5. What is your vision for your business?
    I’d like to see Buddha Nose grow and expand and be available in more locations.  Right now the products are sold mostly in yoga studios and spas in the US, and I think I cold connect with many more yogis nationwide.  I am distributed internationally as well and would like to see that side of the business to grow too. I’d also like to see Buddha Nose grow into more of a lifestyle brand, emphasizing experiences and community building.  Perhaps that will manifest as home parties, events, workshops and retreats.  This December Buddha Nose is already scheduled for about 8 events in New York City.

    Visit www.buddhanose.com


    The Viver Ayurveda Certification Course

    Stone and Spa presents Arjun Das of TriGuna Ayurveda
    The Viver Ayurveda Certification Course
    April 27-May 1, 2011, Wednesday – Sunday 9am-6pm
$750 – early registration before 3/1/11 | $950 – after 3/1/11

    This very special Ayurvedic training has been designed to cover the classic principles and authentic background of Ayurveda from its history and philosophy to anatomy and physiology. You will be introduced to the elements which help us to engage Ayurveda vividly in our daily life as part of our sadhana or spiritual daily practice. When we celebrate our life, disease is honored as the inner teacher which shares its message of knowledge and in so doing helps to remove ignorance and invites the wisdom and poetry of the cure.

    Prof. Arjun Das (Agnaldo Santos) is the Founder and Director of TriGuna Institute in Brazil. TriGuna is a dedicated holistic center that promotes wellness through natural healing systems based on Ayurveda, Yoga, and Jyotish along with traditional Brazilian systems through the use of plants and herbs.

    Download a flyer at: http://www.stoneandspa.com/ayurveda.htm

    for Information of Dates and Cost. 919-309-9989 or 703-307-1523

    Richo Cech

    This is a quote written by Richo Cech in Horizon Herbs recent newsletter.  I just loved it.  Check out Horizon Herbs at: www.horizonherbs.com

    People, please learn, teach and practice permaculture.  Attune to food as medicine, medicine as plants, plants as emanations of the Great Spirit.  Let us respect our landscape by greening it up for the benefit of all beings:  rocks, microorganisms, insects, plants, trees, fishes, mammals, birds and humans.  May the elements of soil, sun, air and water nourish our plantings and contribute to the balance of nature.  If you find yourself separate from this balance– if your mind is fettered by the distractions of modern times, if your breath comes quick and shallow, if your body aches from stasis, if your emotions spill out of control and bring you down, then I have only one piece of advice.  Go outside.  Find a tree you like and put your hands on its bark, close your eyes, and feel the tree.  Understand that the tree gives selflessly of its shelter, its earth-building leaves, and its fruits.  The tree is a good example of how we can best purport ourselves on Earth.  It is our teacher.  Then, if it is warm outside in your garden, or if you have plants in pots in your greenhouse, solarium or apartment, find a plant you like and speak softly and encouragingly to it as you pull the weeds out from around it.  Bury your fingers in the soil and cultivate around the plant, improving nutrient dissemination, giving this lovely miracle space to grow and breathe.  The plant gives selflessly of its aromatics, beautiful flowers, seeds, and in many instances, its very body!  By caring for the plant we care for our own spirit, and in so doing, we heal our Mother, because she is us.

    During this holiday season, we encourage you all to eschew the chaos of electronic gadgetry and plastic gee-gaws,  the bright and empty, gaudy detritus of civilization.  As my friend Julia Butterfly Hill says, there is no “away” where you can later throw this stuff.  Instead, invest in the miracle of life.  Buy seeds and make plans to plant them.  Self-sufficiency may be a dream now, but in the ensuing years it may well become a necessity.  The open-pollinated seeds we send you  are 100% seed saver friendly.  This means that once you have the plant in your garden, with care, you can continue to grow your own, year after year.  Then, in a pinch, you can still eat.  Perennial medicinal plants and trees are in many cases as permanent on this landscape as you and I, so planting them once, their positive effects can be effortlessly appreciated for the duration of our stay.  Every morning, each of us has the potential to bring goodness to our fellow creatures.  I bid you all to awaken to the potential of the new morning.  May your eyes be bright, your voices gentle, your hearts warm, and may your days be filled with love.

    Richo

    Reflecting

    Stephen Harrod Buhner believes “that the loss of connection to plants, to the land, to Earth, leaves the holes with which we are naturally born unfilled. No matter how much Ritalin or Prozac is poured into those holes, synthetic pharmaceuticals can never fill them; merely human approaches can never heal them. Pathologies come from the empty holes that are unfilled, from lack of contact and communication with the wild. The holes within us possess particular shapes – that of stone or tree or bear. It is not only plants that are our teachers and healers; not only plants that are among our community of life; not only plants that have a language we have long known.

    Without deep connection to the land our healers remain anthropocentric – human centered – in their approaches, their theories of human health generated in isolation from the environment with which we evolved. They contain the same category of error that all reductionistic sciences contain. The solution is reconnection to the natural world and the living intelligence of the land”. (The Lost Language of Plants, p.231)