Aromatherapy Learning (13)(14)
- Cindy Blog Space
- Jun 4
- 7 min read
We moved on to learning about the integration of aromatherapy into healthcare, exploring how essential oils can be used to support the various bodily systems and health aspects. This includes the respiratory system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, women's health, circulatory system, and children's health.
Part 1: Respiratory, Digestive, Musculoskeletal
It seems interesting but natural to me where we began with the respiratory system. Where there are many necessary processes and chemical reactions involved in attaining the energy the body cells need, all this can only happen when oxygen is present. In conjunction, the established understanding of humans' survival period without oxygen (minutes) < without food and water (days). Also, cells ➡️ tissues ➡️ organs ➡️ systems [2].
联想思考 My Associative Thoughts
当时我瞬间联想到 “金木水火土” （五行）。呼吸系统对应 “金” 元素
关于元素间的连接和与流动浮现了：
（“金”）个人意识、边界 等；（“木”）灵活、创意 等；（“水”）柔软、包容 等；（“火”）热爱、动力 等；（“土”）稳定、秩序 等
原来为什么这个 “金木水火土” 词组，“金” 在先。以生命而言，先有 “呼吸” 的前提，才有其它生命动能的运转流动；先有 “生” / “开始” 的前提，才有 “过程、发展、延续，接下来的进程”
以个人特质而言，个人意识、边界感、认识及了解自己（“我”）为首要，自然去开创、发展创意；充满活力成长，带着柔软性和包容，自然有动能的做着热爱的事，稳定有秩序的发展…… 修行自己是基础
（就如任何概念，可以从不同角度和层面探讨。“金木水火土” 可以从循环关系和互动的角度阐述，也可以从与季节的联系上去看，和色彩的关联 等等。上述部分仅以当时顿悟的一些词组顺序上的联想思考，为 N 种可能性解读的其中一种）
When reading this part of the course text, my mind was instantly connected to "Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth" (The Five Elements). The respiratory system is associated with the "Metal" element.
And a connection and flow between the different elements (in terms of wording sequence) emerges:
("Metal") Personal Awareness, Boundaries, etc. ; ("Wood") Flexibility, Creativity, etc. ; ("Water") Tenderness, Openness, Understanding, etc. ; ("Fire") Passion, Motivation, etc. ; ("Earth") Stability, Order, etc.
I realised why this phrase "Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth" might be worded with "Metal" first. In terms of life, there has to be the basis of "breathing" first for the operation and flow of other life forces; there has to be the basis of "beginning"/"starting" first for processes, developments, and continuations to follow.
In terms of personal traits, self-awareness, boundaries and understanding ("Me, Myself and I") being the primary need, following with a natural initiation and development of creativity; growing with vitality, encompassing tender openness, with passion and motivation, stability and order...... Self-cultivation is foundation
(As with any concept, there could be various perspectives and layers to be discussed. "Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth" could be expounded from a cyclical and relational perspective; could also be looked into from its association with seasons, colours, etc. The section above is just some associative thoughts based on the wording sequence, as one of the N possibilities of interpreting)
Something I resonated with from this class was that (1) a single product can serve multiple purposes.
My teacher shared some examples of how one product she created, which supported skin healing for her, also supported other people in her life with other symptoms that they had. And another product she made to support respiratory cough or congestion during winter was also supportive for neck pain. In the context of aromatherapy, this can be explained by that essential oils have multiple indications and affinities with various bodily systems.
(2) A single product can be applied in multiple ways.
The products I made for myself, which were meant for one application initially, have also been supporting me in other aspects:
Body Oil
Body oil* — Using immediately after shower to prevent dryness and nourish skin
Massage oil — Self-massage on neck & shoulder to soothe and relieve muscle tenseness
Inhalation — Inhaling from palms after rubbing, before/after applying via (1) or (2)
Salve
Perfume — As a solid perfume, applying onto wrists
Hand salve* — Applying thin layer onto hands after hand wash^, focusing on dry spots
Inhalation — Inhaling from wrists via (1), or from palms via (2), or directly from the jar containing the product when scooping it out
Body Butter
Body butter* — Using immediately after shower to prevent dryness and nourish skin. Thin layer(s) may be enough for emollient effect yet minimising greasy sensation^
Hand butter* — Applying thin layer onto hands after hand wash^, focusing on dry spots
Inhalation — Inhaling from palms after rubbing, before/after applying via (1) or (2), or directly from the jar containing the product when scooping it out
Roller
Emotionally-pleasant roller — Using when I feel like it ;) (Smiling when using)
Headache, e.g, during luteal/pre-menstruation phase — Applying onto temples
Inhalation — Inhaling from the roller, or from wrists after applying to that spot
*Great for dry + cold season
^Can add on application layering thereafter, when needed
Extending from the two points above, (3) a single purpose can be fulfilled with more than one product.
Something I realised some time ago, which can be relevant to this:
(No.of) Solutions > (No. of) Matter
i.e., for one particular matter, there will always be more than one solution.
解决办法 （的数量）> 事件（的数量）
即，一件事会有多于一个处理办法
Part 2: Women's Health, Circulatory, Children's Health
My teacher shared some important and helpful insights on using essential oils with children. Apart from the safety tips, one of the experiential aspects is about "[being] a role model for aromatherapy use, [using] the oils with them." Apart from aromatherapy use, I feel that this can be extended to other aspects of children's lives, including the importance of 言传身教 (living and teaching by example).
I got to learn a lot about parenting once again. The analogy my teacher used with "upstairs" brain corresponding to the prefrontal cortex and "downstairs" brain for the "limbic system", illustrates how children think with the emotional part of their brain first before the rational part (also does not fully develop until age 25), therefore it might be challenging to rationalise with them unless their limbic system is calm [1]. This makes sense for adults and humans in general, too, where one of the bases for effective conversations is that both parties are in a calm state first.
I also appreciate the pointing out of "using the oils with them". It is not about telling them to use, making them feel like "there is something wrong with them", but to show that it is one possible positive way they could use to help soothe themselves [1]. I also learned that by involving them in creating essential oil synergies, and using the oils with them, also creates bonding for both parents and children [1] during those shared experiences.
In terms of children's development, it is also crucial to appreciate that each child is unique and has their own "rhythm" or "pace". It is alright if something is not working as planned to a "fixed" time intended by the parent, with the child displaying unwillingness to do so (e.g., for potty training). Perhaps they are in a temporary "disequilibrium" period and just wait a little when they are back to their equilibrium period to reintroduce instead of "pushing hard" then [1]. For some children, the introduction may be smooth-sailing, while for others, it may take some time. What is essential is about the child (individually), understanding and catering to their (individual) needs and progression.
Playing is a natural part of human nature, with an innate programming for one to seek pleasure and avoid pain, in general. Quoting what my teacher mentioned in class, "Children want to play, and learn best through play. Anything that seems boring will be more challenging." Likewise, for adults, too.
Doing something that one loves, is passionate about, and wants to do (implying interest), would allow the process of doing that to be enjoyable, pleasant, fun, and easy, and the outcome would naturally be well and be well naturally. It is a simple guide to determine if something is for you or not.
Listening to your heart and following your nature will allow you to flow, live, and experience life easily, pleasantly, and satisfyingly. Life is meant to be easy, joyful, loving, positive, etc.（美好）
The Universe loves us and wishes us the best for us to thrive and live well in our lives. Knowing this, it might help people to see and appreciate things from a transformative perspective.
Apart from supporting children (and individuals in general) with stress, essential oils can also support them with regard to focus and learning. One may ask how to support if a child struggles with anxiety and focus, which symptom to support with then. Thanks to my teacher for sharing, that it is important to always ensure calmness within them first. One would not be able to learn if they are feeling anxious, in that "fight-or-flight" state, when their heart rate is high... Instead of using essential oils that are stimulating, choose those that can calm yet promote focus [1]. Like what was mentioned above, where a calm and peaceful state is the basis for effective conversations, this is also fundamentally essential for effective learning, productivity, and more.
Product Application
We learned to make Deodorant and Perfume in each class, respectively.
I made a solid botanical perfume in a previous class when we learned how to make aromatherapy salve. There are other options for making aromatherapy perfumes, such as perfume sprays and perfume roll-ons.
Acknowledgment
Many thanks and appreciation to my Aromatherapy course teacher, Holly [1], for her generous, authentic and kind sharing and teaching, as well as the course text [2] for the many learnings and inspirations in this post.
