Aromatic Insights in Lilydale, Victoria, Australia | Alternative & holistic health service

Aromatic Insights

Locality: Lilydale, Victoria, Australia

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25.01.2022 Monday musings. I love springtime. Nature reveals all her beauty and wisdom with us. ... Remember to reap the rewards of the seeds you planted earlier in the year. May your heart continue to grow and soar. Have a beautiful week. Spread love and kindness with all . . . . . Image credit Katie Daisy

24.01.2022 Today I had the chance to deep dive into Salvatore Battaglias new book Aromatherapy and Chakras. It is truly a beautiful book - both visually and in content. He explores the true history, the eastern and western chakra systems and the relationship between chakras and physical anatomy amongst other topics. He then goes in depth into each chakra looking at its purpose, the symbology, archetypes and characteristics as well as health issues. ... He then explores which essential oils can help balance that chakra, gives some essential oil blends and some affirmations along with questions for self examination of the chakra. You can read it from start to finish, or you can jump into a chakra that you feel requires support and healing. Sal has a wonderful way with words that draws you in, educating you and giving you further reference points. This book is a gift, and one that I will recommend to anyone interested in self healing in a subtle level. Have you read it yet? Share your thoughts

23.01.2022 There is a misconception that because essential oils are natural and derived from plants that they dont interact with medications. It actually still amazes me that people think that natural equals safe. This is a wrong. They can and do interact with medications, and just another reason why, if you are dealing with a complex medical condition, that you need to discuss your oil usage with an appropriately qualified professional. ... Essential Oil Safety from Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young discusses some of the interactions. Please stop crowd sourcing your health needs and get professional advice - it may just save your life

23.01.2022 If you have Netflix, do yourself a favour and watch Episode 1 of UnWell, a new series that asks: Do these wellness trends live up to their promises? The series looks at the wellness industry, and talks with people from all sides of the equation - believers, professionals, scientists and the skeptic. In this episode, youll see a few familiar faces, including our very own Dr E. Joy Bowles. https://www.theguardian.com//unwell-netflix-series-dark-si

22.01.2022 I was asked the other day why there is variance in the advice / information that professional aromatherapists give. The answer is simply level of education and personal ethics. There is no world wide accepted level of education to become a professional aromatherapist. It varies from country to country. Even professional aromatherapy associations accept different levels of education. In Australia, we have a nationally recognised training qualification, however, even within t...hat there is variance. Each training organisation can select the elective topics they teach their students. All courses do however cover anatomy and physiology, aromatic chemistry, essential oil monographs, application methods and safety amongst other topics. Personal ethics vary from person to person. Even aromatherapists who are members of professional associations who must adhere to the ethics of the association, they are still guided by person ethics. Add on top of all that experience. Once people finish a course, most people immediately niche into an area they love or have other experience in. A niche might be working in aged care, product making and formulation, perfumery, medical aromatherapy to name but a few. This experience filters the lense in which they view topics. As Ive said many a time, very few things in aromatherapy are absolute. Guidelines yes, but very few absolutes. There is variance in most of the work we do. We work within the guidelines and apply our own ethics and experience to our responses. So when you ask for advice or information, you will get a variance from practitioner to practitioner. So remember, different responses from a professional isnt a bad thing, its just an answer through one persons lense and filter.

22.01.2022 Essential oils are not without risk. When misused, overused or used inappropriately, adverse events can happen. Adverse events and reactions are on the rise. The data for this isnt easy to find as there is no single collection point, however there is a growing body of information available to confirm this. There is also much anecdotal evidence of it too. Whilst we dont rely on anecdotal evidence entirely, if we are looking at anecdotal evidence for positive usage, then we must take into account the negative effects as well. We could throw blame around as to why there is a rise in adverse events, however, at the end of the day, it comes down to lack of quality education. When we know better, we do better, therefore we must continue to learn from the negative as well as the positive.

22.01.2022 With Melbourne in lockdown again, and looking like going into further restrictions, many I chat to are feeling this one differently. Peoples mental health is really taking a huge hit. Ill admit, Im feeling this one more harshly too. Not just because of lockdown, I think its moreso the uncertainty and unrest it brings. Everyone is so set that their opinion, their awakening, their thoughts are right, and everyone else is wrong. Lets us use this time to strengthen our men...tal agility and wellbeing. Let us go back to basics oof understanding, love and connection. So, what am I doing to keep my mental health in check. Im exercising my mind by learning new things - 3 courses down so far. Im exercising my body by walking for 20 minutes each day. Im consciously connecting with my friends and followers. Zoom chats, House Party chats, messenger chats and good old phone calls. Im diffusing my essential oils daily. I choose my blend intuitively and diffuse it intermittently throughout the day. My current blend has Sweet Orange, Buddhawood, Hinoki and Rose amongst others. It brings me comfort and soothes my soul. Im listening to music. Ive created new lists on Spotify, discovering old and new tunes then playing them loudly and dancing around much to the horror of the teenagers. Im limiting the amount of news I consume. Im avoiding the commercial outlets, and choosing to look at news I want to know about as opposed to what other people tell me I need to be concerned about. Im reading for fun. A new book is always a great escape. Im watching Netflix and Stan still, as Ive found new series to escape into. Im not spending all day in one room of my house. I might watch tv in the lounge room, then move to the office to read my book, move to the kitchen to listen to music. Whatever it is, I just move around. Im a planner at heart. I love lists, thinking ahead, planning for holidays and the future. But in these times, that seems impossible so Im living in the now, focussing on the present, and how I can feel good today. What are you doing during these strange times? How are you keeping your mind, body and spirit active? What coping mechanisms are you putting in place for your mental health and wellbeing? Image credit Unsplash

21.01.2022 Sometimes, life can be tough. We struggle, day in, day out. We see others succeeding, and ourselves flailing. This is just one of the reasons I support others when I can. It doesnt always need to be financially. It can be a kind word, a written note of support, a hug. My favourite is doing random acts of kindness. If these crazy times have taught us one thing, it is that we can get through things together.

21.01.2022 Ive shared this meme a number of times, and will continue to do so as I keep seeing more misuse, overuse and irresponsible use. I also recently came across someone who purchased over $1,400 worth of oils purchased in a 20 day period, purchased because they were on sale. If only theyd read the article I wrote for the Tisserand Institute about responsible purchasing of oils https://tisserandinstitute.org/essential-oil-consumption/

19.01.2022 Diffusion confusion. Robert Tisserand wrote some guidelines around diffusion a few years ago, and for some it still causes confusion. He wrote: Intermittent diffusion is much more effective, as well as being safer, than continuous diffusion. Intermittent means 30-60 minutes on, then 30-60 minutes off.... This is because our body, especially our nervous system, habituates after this length of time. With continuous diffusion, while benefits do not increase, there is evidence that the body becomes stressed in various ways. However, very low levels of diffusion so the essential oil is barely noticeable are fine anywhere, for any length of time. Remember that safety guidelines are just that, guidelines. The standouts to note from his words are that diffusing for too long can stress the body, which is the opposite of what we are generally trying to achieve. Also the other key point is about very low levels of diffusion if the essential oil is barely noticeable, it is fine anywhere, for any length of time. If you use it in small spaces, with no ventilation, then intermittent is best practice. But if you are using in an open space or large space with good ventilation then longer is fine. http://tisserandinstitute.org/learn/diffusion-guidelines-2/ Does that help clear it up?

19.01.2022 Aroma Card for today from Kim Morrison Ylang Ylang essential oil is what is needed for support today. It will help us feel creative, nurtured, harmonious and peaceful. It will help us feel less angry, less insecure and less sad. With the state of play in Melbourne at present, this oil feels totally appropriate. ... Use a single drop in your diffuser to help create space, release tension and call in peace and confidence. Learn more about this wonderful oil here https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/ylang-ylang-oil.asp

19.01.2022 Ylang Ylang helps moves us from Angry to Mindful. And there is a LOT of anger around at present. To help diffuse the anger, use a little Ylang Ylang today. This oil reminds us soften our attitudes and evoke flexibility. As Robbi Zeck suggests in her Blossoming Heart book, let there be peace in every step you take. The affirmation to support this oil is there is mindfulness in every step I take. ... How will you be more mindful today?

18.01.2022 Are you crowd sourcing your health and well-being? In an age where we have access to some much information and resources, far too many are taking the easy, or perhaps lazy option and crowd sourcing their health concerns. Crowd sourcing is essentially coming on social media, asking other people what they do for certain health conditions. This is particularly prevelant in Facebook groups. People saying I have X condition, what can I do? Then everyone replying saying oh I do A..., use supplement B, ect. From this the question originator then goes with the most popular response, the easiest option or the one that sounds like something they thought would be good. Some might suggest Google. Dr Goggle can provide information, but not proper analysis. And with millions of webpages written by anyone with a computer, finding quality information isnt always easy. Some might suggest articles or blogs written by Dr So and so, but is that doctor one who is trained and qualified independently in that subject area. In most cases, they are not. The reason these resources and approaches are not great is that they do not account for bio individuality. They are generic. They are not focussed on YOU and how your condition manifests in your body, your symptoms. We need to stop self diagnosing and crowd sourcing our health needs, and employ the services of professionals. A general practitioner may be the first step in diagnosis, but they are generalists, not specialists. Use the information youve gathered through reading to help you ask pertinent questions, to be treated as an individual by your practitioner. It will take time to find in most cases, but YOU are worth more than Dr Google, Dr So and So, and more than crowd sourcing. In love and good health, Natalie

18.01.2022 It is said that what we focus on, we get more of. So, lets for now, focus on the things that make you feel happy. What makes you feel happy?

17.01.2022 As I work on a creative new project or two, I have this little blend in my diffuser helping me keep my mindset on track. I know Im not normally one to share blend ideas, but Im on a roll and feeling extremely inspired by the projects I am working on. I hope you enjoy this blend as much as I do. Sending cheers and sparkles to you all... Nat See more

16.01.2022 What a wonderful aromatherapy filled week this has been. Lots of reading, writing, talking and learning about essential oils. Ive been able to connect with my aromatherapy colleagues as a way to support each other as the Melbourne lockdown continues. ... Ive been able to be interviewed for an aromatherapy course a gorgeous soul is putting together. Scheduled to chat for 30 minutes, our Zoom session went for over an hour. Ive been able to listen to and learn from peers about oils and skin care. Served as a great reminder for me. Ive been able to tune into one of the worlds leading aromatherapy educators on oils and the chakra system. Eight years in this field, and Im still thrilled to be a part of it. Some days, it drives me to tears. So much misinformation, so much misguided thinking and the deliberate misleading of people. But others, it fills me with joy and peacefulness. My passion and purpose is crystal clear, and I will continue to guide and educate people on the safe and efficacious practices of essential oils. Stay safe. Stay well. And keep on shining.

16.01.2022 Learn to live with love, grace and gratitude isnt an easy path, but it is one we can learn. My personal history is littered with tough events, ones in which I thought Id never recover from, or ever to be able to feel joy and happiness in my life again. But I did. ... I have. It has been a long and difficult process to get to this place. How did I get here? Lots of personal development work. Lots of reading. Lots of programs. Lots of reflection. Lots of learning. Essential oils have played a part in it. They have become my aromatic allies, ones who give me support and guidance in a way that people can not. As you walk along your healing journey, keep your aromatic allies close at hand. Listen to the innate wisdom they hold, and allow them to bring you back to a place of happiness. Big squishy hugs to you all.

15.01.2022 One drop. Can it really make a difference? We know the power of one drop, and how it can calm us, uplift us, or soothe us. So, if it has the power to heal, then it also has the power to harm. ... The old adage its the dose that makes the poison has never been more true, and is particularly relevant in the aromatic world. Many will say one drop of essential oil in your water wont hurt. The statement, by itself, is true. What is missing though, is that most people are not using one drop of essential oil in isolation. They are using them in a multitude of ways, both externally and internally, each and every day, some multiple times a day. And this is where the dose comes into play. Its about the total amount a person is using, not just that one drop in water. And.... it may be that one more drop that pushes the persons tolerance over the edge and into a state of imbalance. Just some food for thought.

14.01.2022 The overarching stress of 2020 has taken its toll on all of us. Regardless of all the other stuff, we are all human beings doing the best we can. Lets pull together and take care of each other. Image credit Noharanda

14.01.2022 One of the many reasons I love essential oils is how they can support us during emotional periods. They can help calm us when we are overwhelmed, uplift us when we are feeling down, and remind us to breathe deeply. When we change our breathing, we change our emotions. Which oil will you use today to support yourself and emotions?

13.01.2022 My mind has always been overactive at the best of times, so during challenging times it goes into complete overdrive. Mind racing, thinking about endless possibilities and choices. Flittering back and forth, non stop. To help calm my mind and get a good nights sleep, Ive been placing a drop of my favourite oil blend (safely diluted of course), and cupping my hands over my mouth and nose. Three big deep breathes is all I need, then off to sleep I go. ... Im having the best, most restful sleep ever. Simple. Effective. Safe. A single drop. Whilst you will find lots of complicated recipes online, simple is often the best, particularly when it comes to oils.

12.01.2022 With the new financial year just a few days away, it felt like a good time to update my social media and web presence.

10.01.2022 A common question I get asked revolves around education. Or more specifically, which is the best course to do to learn aromatherapy. Many limit their thinking about education to courses and qualifications, generally undertaken in a formal setting. This is one of the many steps to the education process. Education involves much more. Education is about bringing change, learning how to do also how to undo. A good, well rounded education takes time. ... Its more than reading the right books. Read the wrong ones too as they will educate you just as much as the right ones. And will teach you about your learning biases. Its more than completing the right courses, as there is no right course for every person. Its more than reading social media posts. Social media is strewn with ill informed opinions, and very little fact. Its more than learning from your teachers. Learn from your peers, your colleagues, your friends, and your enemies. Keep on learning from multiple people, multiple sources and multiple books. The best advice I can give is start where you are, and keep on learning. Learning to learn will be your greatest achievement.

10.01.2022 When I was younger I never really took care of my skin. I wore sunscreen sometimes, makeup rarely and that was about the limit of my skincare routine. However, since starting in the aromatherapy world, I started to look at what products I used. I started off making my own products, which was fun, but found it easier to buy quality products from other reputable sources, as quite frankly I didnt have the time to make my own. And boy, has it made a difference to my skin. I do...nt look a few weeks shy of 50 years old. So, Ive been asked what I use, heres my favourite products *Tinted Moisturiser from Perfect Potion *Eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara from INIKA Organic *SPF50 cream from Avocado Zinc Nighttime routine *UltimateCleanser from Twenty8 *Firming eye cream from Twenty8 *Anti-ageing support facial blend from Subtle Energies - Ayurveda Aromatherapy *Skin elixir from Perfect Potion I tend to alternate my nighttime products - using them twice a week each then nothing one day a week. Im always on the look out for new skincare products - let me know your favourites.

09.01.2022 So..... I did a thing. Some time before the world plunged into self-isolation, I wrote an article on the phenomenon of buying more and more essential oils. Ive been a collector as much as the next person in the past, but Im trying to nudge us all to consider more responsible consumption. So, have a read, let me know what you think. ... https://tisserandinstitute.org/essential-oil-consumption/

08.01.2022 Ive been watching some videos from companies teaching massage and essential oil usage. Not only was I gobsmacked at what I was seeing, but appalled at the lack of safety shown, taught or considered. In one part of the video, the therapist poured 8 drops of oil into her hand directly, then added a smidge of a carrier, before proceeding to give a hand massage. 8 drops. ... So, lets work out what kind of dilution this could be at best. How much oil could she have held without any dropping out. Lets say 1ml. We know that 1ml is approximately 20 drops. 8 drops of essential oil to 20 drops of carrier oil. That makes it like a 40% dilution. The recommended safe and effective levels are around 2% for such a massage, so this example, shown to NEW students, is a gross overuse of the essential oils. The therapist then gave a leg and foot massage, using the same method of dropping essential oils into the hand, then adding the carrier. It was done several times for the leg component. The essential oils used on the leg area were different from the ones used in the hand massage. The therapist also placed a number of drops in her hands, and cupped them over the mouth of the client on the table for simple inhalation. Again these were a different blend of oils. She also had her diffuser running throughout the duration of the massage demonstration. I felt bad for the client. They received far too many oils in one sitting. Far too much. I felt bad for the therapist. She is exposing herself to a lot of oil that will affect her body, and not in a good way. But mostly, I felt bad for the students who had paid their hard earned money to received such poor training. And, the thing is, these students dont know any better, and will follow what theyve been taught and continue these poor practices, and unsafe methods. All I can say is keep doing your due diligence when it comes to all things essential oils. Ask questions before committing your cash to oils, training or accessories. Ok, Natty rant over. Keep learning, keep asking questions, and do better.

08.01.2022 June - my favourite month of the year. In Australia, June 1st signals the start of Winter. June 2020 also signals the arrival of the easing of restrictions due to the pandemic. Life is changing around us in so many ways. ... Many are hoping for the return to normal, but as we can see from events all around us, the old normal wasnt great, and its time to build a new normal. One that is inclusive of all, one that is based on love, equality and peace. As this new month begins, lead with your heart, give love and support in whatever way you can to those who need it, as there are so many who need us. Image credit Unknown

06.01.2022 Did you know I have a closed Facebook group? My business, Aromatic Insights, is my passion, and purpose. My hope is to help more people learn about essential oils in a safe and efficacious manner. In the group, I share about all things essential oils, book reviews, self love and self care, inspiration, and a touch of selling my products. ... Wanna join? Click here and answer the questions https://www.facebook.com/groups/aromaticinsights/

06.01.2022 As Melbourne heads back into lockdown again for another six weeks, our mental health and fitness will be more important than ever. We know will be find a way to get through the isolation, but we have to do it together. Check in on your friends, your colleagues, your clients, your neighbours. Share your resources where and when you can. ... Reach out for support. Now is not the time for arguing, blaming, shaming and conspiracy theories, its time to come together and do what needs to be done.

06.01.2022 Self love is a vital component to your health and wellbeing. Pooh has some great ideas on how you can incorporate self love into your world. You can add micro moments of self love daily. A drop of your favourite essential oil, on a tissue, inhale deeply and let the aroma envelope your soul. How will you show love to YOU today? ... Image credit @quitedreamy

04.01.2022 It is always a delicate balancing act - what are your tips for maintaining good balance in your life? . . . .... . . Image credit - How Do You Adult See more

04.01.2022 I love reading information from other people about health and well-being, but it can get frustrating. They sometimes make bold claims, and when you ask for more information they tell you to do your research. DO YOUR RESEARCH. This is a statement we constantly hear, and something weve probably said ourselves. But, in terms of aromatherapy and essential oils, if we say something, make a claim, we cant just tell others to do their own research. ... We need to demonstrate and prove what we say and share. We need to share the direct links to the research we are referencing. However, we do need to be mindful of the research we share, and be mindful that what we are saying is proven by the research we are sharing. It is easy for us to share links to PubMed or other online research databases, but have we read the full document or just read the highlights. Have we read the research in full? Have we followed it through? Have we looked at the conclusions? Is the research in vitro or in vivo? Are the researchers independent? What methodology was used to prove their hypothesis? For many of us, reading research papers is not something we are familiar with. They are often long, technical documents, with lots of confusing looking graphs and data. This article has some good advice on how to read research papers https://www.huffpost.com//how-to-read-and-understand-a-sci And remember, when it comes to essential oil research, it generally doesnt take into account safety considerations. Nor does it take into account application methodology. So before sharing research articles, make sure you add conditions that would make it safe for your clients and followers. And always give the links to the material so others can follow along. Let us elevate the industry together. Image credit Pixabay

03.01.2022 The Netflix documentary UnWell has certainly gotten people talking about essential oils. For some, it has raised concern, for others it has raised more questions, which has caused confusion. People are asking can I ingest essential oils? Remember, its not a case of can you. You need to ask deeper questions. Can you ingest? Some will tell you no way, others will say of course you can. The better questions would be should I ingest or Is this a safe and effective way to s...upport my health concern. Asking the right people the deeper questions will illicit a different response as well. When it comes to essential oils, speak with an appropriately qualified aromatherapist. When we start asking better questions, the quality of the responses we get improves, which will in turn improve the outcomes we receive.

03.01.2022 Ive been rather MIA page of late. Everything feels overwhelming, everything seems challenging, everyone is stressed. It is during these challenging times we need to look within, look to our support systems, and utilise our healing tools to help us navigate it all. My essential oils have certainly offered wonderful support and comfort during these times. ... Cedarwood is giving me courage. It is helping me remain grounded and rational. Clary Sage is giving me clarity. It is helping with the emotional and physical confusion. Frankincense is giving me protection. It is protecting my space and my energy systems. Lavender is nurturing me. It is helping me feel safe emotionally, physically and spiritually. Lime is helping ease the stress. Mandarin is reminding me to be happy. It helps me feel calm and soothed, and brings lightness to it all. What essential oils are you using to help support your emotional needs at present?

03.01.2022 This year is undoubtedly one of the most challenging. And with challenges comes change. Perhaps that saying about 2020 hindsight is what its all about. Keep learning, keep growing, keep aiming for a better way. In all aspects of our lives. Image credit Leslie Dwight

02.01.2022 To celebrate my 50th birthday, I created a perfume blend, just for me. It has some of my favourite oils like Rose, Sandalwood, Neroli and Sweet Orange, and so much more. It is also infused with all the love and friendship Ive received today. Lots of calls, texts, emails, Zoom calls, DMs and posts. It has been so lovely. This perfume will hold all the beautiful love and energy of today. Sparkly hugs