Holistic Health Tips               
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Compassionate Consulting                                         January 8, 2014   


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There are many ways to start a New Year. Years ago, after holiday eating I would start the new year out with a digestive cleanse. Then I learned my Ayurvedic body type (called dosha) and discovered that especially during the winter months I need to take in warm soups and nourishing food. This helps keep me grounded and my digestion humming. Not only is my dosha "Vata," but winter is a Vata 'season,' marked by cold temperatures, movement/wind and dryness in the air and skin. So I'll be focusing on hearty vegetable soups, skin-moisturizing essential-oil-lotions and keeping warm! 
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Some people start with resolutions to get more sleep, spend more time with family and begin a meditation practice. I love these ideas because they support you and your body, mind, spirit!

However you're starting 2014 I hope it's with positive intention to take good care of yourself. I look forward to helping you in any way I can.

With love,
Jean
"We're all in this together."

  Last Chance for Early Bird Special

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Law of Attraction Series
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8 Week Study Sessions
 
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Tues. Jan. 21st
10am - 12 noon
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Full Price is $199.00



or pay as-you-go
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Jean Oswald RN

Call 585-872-6242
or write: jean @
compassionateconsulting.net
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Disclaimer  
Any products mentioned, techniques, personal usage tips or other information provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prescribe for, or cure any disease, ailment or injury to the body. The decision to use or not to use any of this information is the sole responsibility of the reader. 
Copal  Warming or Cooling?
 
Sometimes people ask me - when is the right time to apply heat vs. ice to an injury? What about chronic pain or swelling? There could be a similar question for applying essential oils because some are more cooling or warming than others. It's important to remember that essential oils have a wonderful synergy when used together - in the way they balance and bring out therapeutic qualities in each other when combined - so there's no need to be scrupulous. But you might still want to know some front-runners for cold and hot circumstances.

If you suffer from an injury, like a sprain, rotator cuff, sunburn, sports injury or have post-operative swelling, this is considered a hot, inflamed condition and you would want to use cooling, anti-inflammatory essential oils like Lavender, Juniper, Cypress, Copaiba, Carrot Seed, Chamomile, Petitgrain, Blue Cypress or Lemon. Yes, there are others! These cool the inflammation, reduce swelling and improve circulation. Once you apply your essential oils you would add ice for 15 minute periods.
 
For these "hot" conditions you might pick a carrier oil to blend with your essential oils that is also cooling - like coconut oil or aloe vera gel -  this would make an excellent remedy for an injury, bug bite, sunburn or post-op healing. Hydrosols like Chamomile, Lavender or Bay Laurel are also cooling and would make a great base for blends.

If you have chronic arthritis, rheumatism or fibromyalgia these are considered 'cold,' stagnating conditions that include stiffness and pain, making movement difficult.  Essential oils rich in monoterpenes will decrease pain and inflammation by bringing warmth into a desired area. This helps to increase circulation and improve mobility. In these cases you would want to reach for warming, anti-inflammatory essential oils like Ginger, Palo Santo, Elemi, Black Pepper or Turmeric. Once you apply essential oils, you can add heat to the area (a warm towel, "herbie" or heating pad as a last resort) and the work of the essential oils goes deeper.

Under these circumstances you can choose a carrier oil that is warming. For example I often suggest Balsam Fir essential oil for pain and stiffness. It's a great anti-inflammatory oil with analgesic properties. The aroma of Balsam Fir is very calming to the body and mind. One absolutely LOVELY thing I learned last summer was how to infuse jojoba oil with conifer 'absolutes'. It's actually very easy but the smell made me feel I was in Heaven! Recently I poured about 3.5 ml of Balsam Fir 'absolute' into a 12 oz jar of Jojoba oil. I let it sit in my cold basement these past two months, rotating it gently (to stir) every couple of days. I wish you could smell it now. Amazing! This conifer-infused jojoba oil would make a nice blend with some warming essential oils listed above for arthritic pain or fibromyalgia. 

Sample recipes:

Sports Injury Blend (a hot, acute condition) 

1 ounce Aloe Vera Gel
6 drops Black Spruce  (Picea mariana)
4 drops Helichrysum (Helichrysum Italicum)
4 drops Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis)
4 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
2 drops Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Mix well and massage over area 3-4 times a day. Dries on the skin within a minute or so.

Chronic Pain & Stiffness (a cold, sluggish condition)

1 ounce jojoba oil
6 drops Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
3 drops Ginger essential oil (Zingiber officinale)
3 drops Elemi (Canarium luzonicum)

Mix well and massage over joints or painful areas twice a day as needed.