Aroma Wisdom - The Canadian Aromatherapy Journal Spring 2019

Aroma Wisdom The Canadian Aromatherapy Journal

Spring 2019 The Blossoming Edition

education, innovation, growth, support

Essential Oils and PTSD:

Mar-May2019

Jennine Stromkins Reviews 3 Cases

British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy ISSN 2562-2218 $8.00CND

Don’t Forget to Join Us for the Spring CE Event April 13th & 14th, 2019 with Dr. Tim! The British Columbia Alliance Of Aromatherapy’s Spring 2019 Continuing Education Event Welcomes Dr. Timothy Miller April 13th & 14th, 2019 At the Vancouver Island Convention Centre 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J8 Phone: 250-244-4050 For this workshop only, members with a consecutive membership in the BCAPA or the BCAOA for 10 years or more, get 50% off the workshop price and members with a consecutive membership for 5-9 years receive 25% off the workshop price.

If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact Leah at registrar@bcaoa.org before registering.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided on both days.

The two-day event counts for 8 Continuing Education credits.

The BCAOA members-only Annual General Meeting will take place directly after Saturday’s class.

Registration fee for members & non-members until midnight April 6th is $375.00 Don’t forget to apply your member discount if you qualify!

For those who can’t do both days, we are offering the option to register for either and get 4 CE Credits for a day: Day 1 - AromaChemistry

OR

Day 2 - Pharmacokinetics

The one day price for members & non-members until midnight April 6th is $250.00 The same discount offers and deadlines as for the two-day event apply.

For more information & to register, go to https://bcaoa.org/bcaoa-events/spring-2019-bcaoa-ceevent/.

Contact Betsy at cecoord@bcaoa.org for any questions.

1

Aroma Wisdom

The Canadian Aromatherapy Journal

Celebrating our first year in print

BCAOA 3928 Michigan Rd, Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 5Z6

Supporting aromatherapists everywhere The Spring Edition ~ March 2019 Created and printed in the Greater Vancouver Area of Beautiful British Columbia, Canada Sustainably printed on Sugar Sheet paper, reducing carbon and saving trees Lilliane Graie Editor & Design Advertising editor@bcaoa.org

Social Media Tracey Lewindon media@bcaoa.org

Secretary Kathleen Jaggassar secretary@bcaoa.org

Continuing Education Events Betsy De Lucca cecoord@bcaoa.org

Treasurer Louise Dawson treasurer@bcaoa.org

Registrar Leah Ursic registrar@bcaoa.org

President Colleen Thompson president@bcaoa.org

Vice President Drena Drenic vicepresident@bcaoa.org

Directors at Large: Michelle Beukers, Lynne Edel, Jennifer Roberts ISSN 2562-220X (Print)

Past President: Pat Antoniak

ISSN 2562-2218 (Online)

Aroma Wisdom is an educational resource published by the British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy (BCAOA). It focuses on issues important to the aromatherapy community and provides an interactive forum for information exchange. Published quarterly in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, Aroma Wisdom is available to our membership and the public around the world.

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Contents 4 Our Contributors 5 President’s Message 7 Announcements 9 Featured Writer: Essential Oils and PTSD Part 1 of 2 - Jennine Stromkins reviews case studies of clients with PTSD

15 BCAOA 2019 Essential Oil Safety Booklet Order Form 16 Guest Writer: So You Want to Distill?

International Speaker Ann HArman starts us on the Art of Distillation

22 Getting Business Done Marieka Zimmerman gives us A Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing an Aromatherapy Workshop

28 Student Case Study Mary Stephenson Gives Hip Pain a Leg Up

33 Aroma Wisdom Subscription and Edition Order Form 34 Recap of the NAHA IX Conference - Beyond Aromatics Colleen Thompson Attended and Reviewed the NAHA COnference in October

37 The Classifieds

3

DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE BCAOA, ITS DIRECTORS, THE EDITOR, OR ITS MEMBERS. INFORMATION PROVIDED IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. THE BCAOA, ITS DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, AND EDITOR CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISUSE OF ESSENTIAL OILS OR ANY OTHER THERAPEUTIC METHODS PRESENTED HEREIN. THE BCAOA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ANY ARTICLE OR ADVERTISEMENT SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION AND DOES NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSE ANY PERSON, PRODUCT, COMPANY, COURSE, OR SCHOOL MENTIONED HEREIN.

Contributors Thank you to all our wonderful contributors for sharing their knowledge, wisdom, experience and creativity with our community through this journal.

Ann Harman – Ann is an organic farmer, herbalist and distiller. She has been making herbal products for decades and distilling hydrosols for nearly 30 years. Ann is the author of Harvest to Hydrosol, a how to book about distilling for hydrosols. She is currently involved in research of the hydrosols; chemistry, microbiology, adulteration, heavy metals and comparison experiments through Circle H Institute. She loves sharing her knowledge of the world of distillation and hydrosols. She is an international speaker who lectures on her continual research on hydrosols and the Art of Distillation. Ann hosts intensive, hands on workshops featuring international teachers in Washington State, USA. She regularly contributes articles about distillation and hydrosols to industry journals.

Mary Stephenson – Mary holds a law degree from George Washington University Law School and is currently a professor at Montpellier Business School in France. She is a Level 1 NAHA Certified Aromatherapist and is passionately pursuing the completion of the Advanced Aromatherapy Graduate Program as a student of Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies.

Jennine Stromkins – Jennine received her Aromatherapy certifications in the spring of 1994. In June 1994, she established Scents of Comfort, offering training and organic essential oils. Jennine has continued attending courses including those from Dr. Pierre Francomme; several by John Steele; chemistry courses by Rhiannon and Bob Harris; and on neuromuscular therapy. She has spoken numerous times at the Scientific Conferences of Aromatherapy and published a number of articles.

Colleen Thompson RA®, EOT®, CAHP – Colleen has worked in the field of Aromatherapy since 1995. She completed her Provincial Instructor’s Diploma Program in 1997 and now teaches a 600-hour aromatherapy certification program through her school Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies. She was an Aromatherapy Instructor at West Coast College of Massage Therapy from 2006-2012 and Spa Program Coordinator at West Coast College of Massage Therapy for 3 years. Colleen has written aromatherapy articles for a number of publications and conducted talks, workshops and seminars for a variety of organizations. She was named one of the five top aromatherapists in BC in 2015 and 2016. Colleen is currently the President of the BCAOA Board of Directors, is a Director of the AIA Board of Directors, and sits on the Education Committee of the AIA. Her Titles include: Certified Reflexologist, Reiki Practitioner, Lymphatic Drainage Massage Instructor, Master Formulator, Diploma in Adult Education. Colleen can be reached at info@essenceofthyme.com

Marieka Zimmerman RA®, RMT, HP – Marieka is a Registered Massage Therapist, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Registered Aromatherapist. She is the owner and operator of Aspire Massage & Holistic Therapies, in Smithers, BC, and has been in practice for 15 years. Marieka is passionate about supporting the health and wellness of her patients through the use of her diverse treatment modalities, as well as patient education, awareness and prevention. Her knowledge and love of learning has provided Marieka with a dynamic background of techniques, which enable each patient to receive a treatment plan designed specifically for his or her needs.

Your Name Could be Here and earn CE credits at the same time! Send us your articles, photos, reviews or research papers. EOT (Essential Oil Therapist) and RA (Registered Aromatherapist) are Trademarked Occupational Titles of the British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy (BCAOA) 4

President’s Message Spring 2019

Dear Members, As I am writing this, it is difficult to imagine that Spring is around the corner – and I am sitting at my desk in Phoenix Arizona! It has been unseasonably cold here and we had snow yesterday and the day before! The hilltops look more like the interior of BC! I know back in British Columbia the winter wonderland has lasted for many weeks. But there are little signs that Spring is indeed on it way!

Crocuses and daffodils are poking up through the ground and of course our Spring CE Event is fast approaching.

The CE Event, which is taking place on April 13th and 14th in Nanaimo is almost sold out. So far, we have 60 registrants! This is not surprising for a number of reasons… 1) the early bird fee and loyalty discount were very enticing; 2) Tim Miller has a reputation for being a very engaging speaker and 3) this is a topic that has come up on the CE Event Feedback Forms over the past couple of years.

Betsy and Michelle have put in many hours to ensure the success of this CE Event in the newest location – Nanaimo, BC. They have also been hard at work planning future events – stayed tuned for more information coming soon!

The first BCAOA Committee was struck earlier this year and the first meeting was held in February. Thank you to the people who volunteered to be on the Education Committee – Lynne Edel, Norma Smith, Kim Gale Gotoweic (and me). We have an ambitious list of tasks we would like to accomplish in 2019 and I am sure, based upon our first meeting, that the committee members will succeed in crossing each item off the list.

It has been wonderful to see our membership numbers growing. We would like to welcome our newest members for 2019: Leanna Hatch Mary Tomlin Marvice MacLean Fawn Steinman Leesa Poffenroth Amanda Henderson Desiree Taylor 5

The website is just getting better and better! We encourage you to take a little time to look around at all the great resources this improved website has to offer. Our webmaster Nathan Wallace and Editor Lilliane Graie are the masterminds behind the scenes – thank you to both of you!!

By the time you receive the journal, the Election Notice and Intent to Stand will have gone out to the membership. With a few exceptions, the majority of the current BCAOA Board is made up of Directors who have served for many years on the previous BCAPA Board. We know that each of our members has something special to offer to the Board and the Membership – this may be expertise in a certain area i.e. Social Media, working with websites or putting on events or it may be that you are a researcher, a teacher or a writer. We would love to have you join the team to make the BCAOA even better. Board experience is not a requirement – we would be happy to mentor you and I promise that each person on the Board will make you feel welcome. Please consider putting your name forward, even for just a year!

We hope that you enjoyed your special Christmas gift from the Board. Many of you have expressed appreciation and we thank you for your feedback. Our loyalty discount for the Spring 2019 CE Event was also well received.

Although we won’t be able to offer this type of discount every year, it does pay to keep your membership current – you never know when it might pop up again!!!

I hope to see you in Nanaimo on April 13th and 14th!

Warm wishes!

Colleen BCAOA President

And all the woods are alive with the murmur and sound of Spring, And the rose-bud breaks into pink on the climbing briar, And the crocus-bed is a quivering moon of fire Girdled round with the belt of an amethyst ring. ~ Oscar Wilde 6

Announcements Welcome to our Announcements page for notices of upcoming events and general interest to the community.

Members can send personal brags/achievements or special shout-outs to other members (congratulations, celebrations, births, milestones etc.), just be sure to have permission to share any personal information with the community! To send in your announcement request, email the information to the editor with “Announcement Page” in the subject line. Let’s celebrate!!

Congratulations to Colleen Thompson and Kelly Ablard on their new partnership in Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies!! We all wish them the best on their new adventure!

Printed versions of our Safety Booklet and Spring Journal will be available for purchase at the Spring CE Event. If you would like to place a bulk order and pick it up at the event to save shipping costs, please contact the editor by April 1st at editor@bcaoa.org BCAOA Sponsored Events 8 CE credits are granted for attendees to both days Spring 2019 CE Event - The BCAOA is proud to host Dr. Tim Miller for our Spring CE Event! See the inside front cover for details and registration information.

Location: Vancouver Island Convention Centre Dates: April 13th & 14th, 2019 Contact: Betsy De Lucca cecoord@bcaoa.org Web: https://bcaoa.org/bcaoa-events/spring-2019-bcaoa-ce-event/

Non-BCAOA Sponsored Events According to BCAOA Guidelines, every full day of attendance at a recognised seminar, workshop, or webinar is equivalent to 4 CE Credits. Please contact the registrar at registrar@bcaoa.org if you are unsure of an event’s status.

CEC Credits: Please refer to the CE Activity guidelines. Proof of attendance can be sent via hardcopy or electronic mail. Please make sure to include the title of the specific event along with your name and address.

Sharon Falsetto: Advanced Aromatic Chemistry Course – "Essential Oils in Colour: The Caddy Profiles" by Rosemary Caddy. Ongoing, Home Study.

Information and Registration: Sedona Aromatherapie

Other links to explore for upcoming events: Alliance of International Aromatherapists

7

Essential Oils and PTSD Can essential oils rewire the limbic system?

In Part 1 of this article, featured writer Jennine Stromkins discusses PTSD and reviews three case studies As our knowledge and understanding of mental health has evolved, so too has our ability to recognize and develop treatments to help those suffering. Once, mental health issues were considered taboo, something not to be discussed or acknowledged by the sufferer or those around them. A clear example of our changing ethos is how we perceive and treat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Once called “shell shock”, “war neurosis”, “cardiorespiratory neurosis” and “idiotism”, among others, it was believed to be a soldier’s condition brought on by horrific battlefield experiences.

Known for centuries, PTSD was believed to be contagious and that one man exhibiting fear in the lines of battle would cause others to do so as well. Military leaders were extolled to order any man who felt fearful to leave before a battle lest he infect his brethren.

A powerful sense of shame and failure came to be attached to the concept of fear in, or as a result of, battle.

This led returning soldiers to remain silent when symptoms appeared, allowing them to escalate into too often heartbreaking consequences. When the Industrial Revolution’s steam-driven machinery caused previously unimaginable disasters, society was introduced to cases of PTSD with non-battleground-related causes. These 9

were called by some “railway spine” or “railway

flashbacks, and nightmares.

brain” as they believed the psychological symptoms were the result of microscopic lesions on the spine or

Emotional numbness and avoidance of places,

brain.

people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma. Increased arousal such as difficulty

During the mid-twentieth century, though we began

sleeping and concentrating, feeling jumpy, and

to see small changes in society’s perception of those

being easily irritated and angered. Diagnosis

suffering from this challenging disorder, it has to

criteria that apply to adults, adolescents, and

this day negative connotations of cowardice, mental

children older than six include those below.

weakness or instability, “faking it” and a sense of somehow being contaminated and shameful.

Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation:

Despite the fact that this disorder has existed for so

o

long and been prevalent enough to be recognized over two thousand years ago, it wasn’t until 1980

events o

that the term Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) appeared in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of

directly experiencing the traumatic witnessing, in person, the traumatic events

o

Mental Disorders, 3rd edition.

learning that the traumatic events occurred to a close family member or close friend; cases of actual or threatened

The definition of PTSD offered by the Anxiety and

death must have been violent or

Depression Association of America is:

accidental o

experiencing repeated or extreme

“PTSD is a serious potentially debilitating

exposure to aversive details of the

condition that can occur in people who have

traumatic events (Examples are first

experienced or witnessed a natural disaster,

responders collecting human remains;

serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden

police officers repeatedly exposed to

death of a loved one, war, violent personal

details of child abuse).

assault such as rape, or other life-threatening

Note: This does not apply to exposure through

events.

electronic media, television, movies, or pictures, unless exposure is work-related.

PTSD is diagnosed after a person experiences symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic event. However symptoms may not

The presence of one or more of the following: o

spontaneous or cued recurrent,

appear until several months or even years

involuntary, and intrusive distressing

later. The disorder is characterized by three

memories of the traumatic events (Note:

main types of symptoms:

In children repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic

Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event,

events are expressed.) o

recurrent distressing dreams in which 10

o

the content or affect (i.e. feeling) of the

For the first two years of his life, his mother had

dream is related to the events (Note: In

custody and he was exposed to pornography; a great

children there may be frightening dreams

deal of sexual activity; drug addicts getting in fights;

without recognizable content.)

and a very poor diet. His grandparents now have

flashbacks or other dissociative reactions

custody.

in which the individual feels or acts as if

o

the traumatic events are recurring (Note:

Case Study #3 - Eileen is in her early 60s and grew

In children trauma-specific reenactment may

up in the Rockies. She has a broken ankle but doesn’t

occur in play.)

feel any pain. She witnessed her first murder when

intense or prolonged psychological

she was 4 whilst a passenger in a car when the

distress at exposure to internal or

person in the back seat took out a gun and shot the

external cues that symbolize or resemble

driver in the head.

an aspect of the traumatic events o

physiological reactions to reminders of

When she got home to her mother, blood-splattered

the traumatic events”

and crying, she received a beating for crying and was told that if she didn’t stop, it would happen to

The following Case Studies are examples of PTSD

her. By the time she escaped the area at 16 years of

resulting from various external causes. All names

age, she figured she had witnessed over a dozen

have been changed to protect confidentiality.

people murdered but couldn’t tell anyone due to the threats on her and her mother’s lives.

Case Study #1 - Sally is in her mid-40s and has sensitivities to many foods, perfumes and air temperature changes. Up until Sally was in her early teens, her mother was supporting them by bringing men into the house for sex. Sally witnessed her mother beaten, bloody from rape, and had the job from preschool age of cleaning her mother up. Sally is now married to a sweetheart of a guy who understands she sometimes can’t handle sex. She has been diagnosed with a spastic bladder, IBS, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

Case Study #2 - Daryl is a bright, happy boy of 8 years of age, whose mother is addicted to various drugs and alcohol. He had trouble focusing on school and sleeping; many food allergies; and would say that his head hurt so much at times that it felt like his eyes were going to pop out of his head.

Treatments Before I get in to the case studies, I would like to mention that the Mayo Clinic’s, and many physicians, feeling is that “Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping but, with time and good self-care, they usually get better.”

According to psychologists who specialize in PTSD, without proper help the person is emotionally scarred for life. The limbic, or emotional brain, is now dysfunctional and not connecting with the rest of the neurological system, creating immune system problems as well as the emotional ones.

A psychologist to whom I wanted to send a client

11

said that essential oils can do more than he can:

Poplar (Populus balsamifera)

“The oils have the potential of rewiring the

Melissa (Melissa officinalis)

emotional system and closing the files of bad

Place 6 drops of each in 30 ml lotion. This is applied

memories thereby allowing everything to work

to the bladder opening and rectal tissue to ward off

together again.”

infections, irritations and balance hormones.

For those in their ‘golden’ years, I add 6 drops of

Case Study #1

Rose Centifolia (Rosa x centifolia). This works on both

Sally’s original wish was for a diminishment of the

genders, shrinking the prostate in men and revving

pain since she had been told that the rest was all in

the sex drive back up in women as well as

her head and just a bid for attention.

improving lubrication.

She and her husband had been in a motor vehicle

Long-term treatment was alternating looking after

accident so her doctor felt that that was the reason

the hurt inner child with a blend of:

she was in pain. Therefore, after checking her levels and rotations and finding them off, I went after the

Orange (Citrus sinensis),

pain in the first session.

Benzoin (Styrax benzoin), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens),

The oils I used were Black Pepper (Piper nigrum),

Rosewood (Aniba parviflora) and

Linden Blossom (Tilia cordata), Nutmeg (Myristica

Osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) (a brain hit that

fragrans) and Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara L)

kids love, it smells like bubble gum);

with some Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) for a

and relaxing the spasms in her back and hip rotators

happy brain.

since they are some of the attachments that cross the pelvic floor. Sally commented that her marriage is

During the treatment, I found the areas of pain

better than it ever was.

happened to be the ones regarded as trigger points for fibromyalgia. Pressure had to be fairly light since

Recognizing that a child should never have

she was hypersensitive and apologized repeatedly

witnessed what she did and using oils to comfort,

for “being a wuss”. My recommendation was that

reassure and encourage some happy feelings is what

she see her doctor for an official diagnosis.

has allowed her to have a relationship with her mother that is relatively positive. Sally is now able to

The take-home blend was what I call the Body Fix

recognize that what her mother did wasn’t right but

since it fixes hormones, skin injuries, burns, cuts and

she was doing what she felt she could to look after

eliminates internal cysts. Two weeks later, she was

them.

all excited on the phone since she could actually enjoy sex with her man.

Her pain is mostly gone but Sally comes once per month as it makes her “feel like she’s floating on

Body Fix Recipe:

clouds over the rainbow for days.”(Client quote) Her

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

sensitivities to foods and fragrances have diminished

Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodora)

to where she feels that she’s mostly normal now.

12

Case Studies #2 Daryl was officially diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and possibly fetal alcohol syndrome. When he saw my massage table, he immediately started removing clothing since he figured “he needed a massage for his head.” His next question was whether I ever used my massage table for doing it with guys as he saw movies of that at his mother’s; that was straightened out pretty quickly. Bear in mind, at that first meeting, Daryl was 5 years old.

with his birth mother since “they watch and do bad stuff.” Social services agrees with him.

His school grades have gone way up but he “carries his special potion in case his brain goes crazy.”

(Client quote) There used to be screaming and crying when he saw anyone who looked like his birth mother – punk – but now he goes up to them to tell them they need help.

Case Study #3 Eileen was refusing to take any pain medications as

My first oil to let him smell and give an opinion on

she wasn’t feeling any pain from her broken ankle.

was diluted Cocoa Absolute (Theobroma cacao)

She was sent to me by another client who felt I could

followed by Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis). The

help the ankle to heal.

change in his demeanor was amazing. He went from an adult in a kid’s body to just a happy child. Daryl

I did a treatment on her using Linden Blossom,

has that undiluted mix as something he carries

Ginger Lily (Hedychium spicatum), Nutmeg and Black

around “for when he gets worried.”(Client quote)

Pepper for pain in the ankle but also to treat any muscle spasms she was having after falling. There

His daily blend is Sweet Orange for the emotional

were a great many scars on her back and buttocks

reassurance and liver tonifying, Benzoin for calming

from when she was a child.

and reassuring as well as improving kidney and liver functions, and Cypress to counter his fear that

Take home blends were:

he would have to go back to his mother and not stay

a) Body Fix blend since I felt there was probably

with “momma and poppa”.

abuse buried under her lack of pain sensation and also because it balances hormones and internal

The Cypress and Benzoin also detox the brain and

chemistry;

body from any drug residues before birth and subsequently thereafter. For night time, his blend is

b) Pain blend for the ankle to stimulate healing (the

Green Mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco), Red

same one I used in treatment but undiluted); and

Mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco), Benzoin and Neroli in a 2% concentration lotion.

c) a blend to calm the brain which includes: White Rose (Rosa alba), *Peruvian (aka High-altitude)

Used in Europe on autistic children, the addition of

Myrtle (Myrtus communis), Cypress, Benzoin; and to

the Green Mandarin in particular has enabled him to

treat the limbic brain: Honeysuckle, Frangipani

concentrate better. Headaches, probably migraines,

(Plumeria obtusa), Amber (Pinus Succinifera), Bitter

are no longer an issue and his food allergies have

Almond (Prunus armeniaca L.) and Motia

greatly diminished. He now refuses to spend time

(Cymbopogon martini var motia).

13

The latter are euphorics but extremely calming and

quivering mess if she hears something similar to a

grounding (this is also undiluted since, in the words

gunshot, such as a vehicle backfiring.

of a psychologist, when comparing the actions to prescription drugs, the blend was much more

In Part 2, I will cover 4 more Case Studies.

healing and reprogramming for the limbic brain.)

After a week of using her blends, her husband called

*Note: Peruvian, or High-altitude, Myrtle is Myrtus

to ask what to do as his wife was sobbing and

communis harvested at 4500 metres in the Peruvian Andes

wanted a teddy bear. I told him to get a teddy bear

possessing different actions on the limbic brain, as well as

and come for more Brain Calm. She had used 10 mls within the week.

She was actually complaining of ankle pain but the

smelling "like apple juice" to quote one of my child clients.

Jennine Stromkins received her Aromatherapy certifications in the spring of 1994. In June 1994, she established Scents of Comfort, offering training and

swelling and discoloration were greatly reduced,

organic essential oils. Jennine has continued attending

much to her doctor’s delight. The reason she couldn’t

courses including those from Dr. Pierre Francomme;

feel her broken ankle was due to the extreme pain

several by John Steele; chemistry courses by Rhiannon

inflicted on her psyche as a child, making the broken

and Bob Harris; and on neuromuscular therapy. She has

ankle minor in comparison.

spoken numerous times at the Scientific Conferences of Aromatherapy, worked with the BC Cancer Agency and

Her horrifying childhood memories don’t surface in her dreams anymore and she doesn’t become a

the BC Transplant Clinic at Vancouver General, and has published a number of articles.

The 2019 BCAOA Essential Oil Safety Brochure: Precautions & Contraindications is now available for order in printed format These beautiful booklets can now be used in many ways as a value-added product for your business such as: Including it with your teaching modules for your students Adding it to aromatherapy gift baskets Using it as a bonus with treatment for clients Reselling it for the cover price to add to your sales Non-Member Prices $8.00 $7.50 $7.00 $6.50 $6.00

each each each each each

Member-only Prices - 1-25 - 25-49 - 50-74 - 75-100 - 100+ -

$5.50 $5.00 $4.50 $4.00 $3.50

each each each each each

*Email the Editor with order amount & address to get a shipping cost.

Please complete the order form below then scan and email it to editor@bcaoa.org, or mail to the address below with your payment.

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So You Want To How to Start off When Distilling Essential Oils and Hydrosols

Ann Harman

Distill?

Guest writer and seasoned distiller Ann Harman takes us through understanding the first steps to take in beginning distillation.

I love distilling, I was hooked the first time I saw a distillation of roses. Needless to say, I was hooked from the start! I have now been distilling hydrosols for nearly 30 years. The journey has taken me to many places, and I have learned much along the way. I have distilled on different styles and sizes of stills, different metals and glass, I have even distilled on a clay replica of an ancient still. Each has its own distinct nature. So how does one choose?

Let’s start at the beginning. The following is a list of questions to ask yourself before you purchase a still.

•

Why do I want to distill? Is it for essential oil, hydrosol or perhaps a combination?

•

How will I use the product? Is it for personal and family use or do I want to make value added products and/or sell the essential oil or hydrosol?

•

What access do I have to plants? Do you plan on growing your own, wildcrafting or purchasing?

•

Do I want to specialize in one botanical or distill many different plants?

16

When you have honestly answered these questions,

years it takes to learn how to make a great product,

you can begin to decide upon the size, style and

be it essential oil or hydrosol. We will discuss this

material from which the still is made. Each has its

more in Part 2 of this series which deals with the

pro and cons. We will begin by looking at each

ethics of distilling.

question in a little more depth.

Personal size stills are relatively easy to find and

Are you distilling for essential oil or

will give you a range of choices. When distilling for

hydrosol?

personal use, your ecological footprint is smaller.

You can learn and make mistakes without risking

This is a key question as many do not understand the large mass of plant material needed to produce

large amounts of plant material or losing heaps of money.

small amounts of essential oils. I have seen folks buy very small stills and be surprised when they have no essential oil to collect from their distillation.

What access do you have to plants?

Lots of folks don’t think about this before they

Different botanicals have very different yields of

purchase a still, but it is a question worth exploring.

essential oils, from 0.01% to 10% or better.1,2 The

I find the best way to start out on your distillation

yield of any botanical is of course dependent upon

journey is to choose one or two favorite plants that

many factors. A good comparison is Rose (Rosa spp)

you grow yourself. This way you will be able to try

essential oil, which has a very small yield, less than

distilling them at different stages of growth, and

0.01% and Frankincense (Boswellia spp) which can

different methods of distillation.

yield upwards of 10%.

It can get costly having to purchase enough plant If you are choosing to distill for essential oils, you

material to fill a still, even a small one. If on the

will need to research the expected yields before

other hand you have a family farm and want to

choosing the size of your still. When one distills for

distill, say Lavender (Lavandula spp) you will have

the hydrosol as the primary product, the yields are

ample material with which to experiment. Those

much higher, generally around 100%. For example,

that have easy access to public lands may choose to

for every kilogram of fresh plant material you will

distill wildcrafted plant material.

get approximately one liter (1 kg) of hydrosol. When distilling for hydrosols you can choose a smaller

This is definitely an option, however it does have

still.

some additional considerations, such as sustainability and making sure the plants are

Are you distilling for personal use or to sell?

herbicide free. When you don’t have control, as in direct cultivation, you must practice due diligence

Many new distillers start out distilling for family

and make sure the plant material has not been

and personal use. I highly recommend it, it will give

sprayed.

you time to perfect your craft and learn from experience. It is my personal opinion that anyone who is even considering selling product put in the 17

Do you want to specialize in one botanical or

without risking a great deal of plant material.

distill many different plants?

• This question will have bearing on what style of still

produces small amounts of essential oils from

you will purchase. There are two main types for distillation for the home distiller: hydro and steam.

high yielding plants and plenty of hydrosols.

•

A hydro distillation is where the plant material is

value-added products.

distillation, the plant material is held above the plant material and primary product (essential oil or

60-150 liters: good size for family farms or producing retail and wholesale amounts of

placed directly in the water in the pot. In a steam water by either a basket or sieve type plate. Your

20-40 liters: good for personal and family use,

Still Material

hydrosol) choice will determine which method you

There are many different styles of stills. Often the

will select.

material will determine the style. For instance, glass is generally labware and small in size, the largest I

Each botanical and product (essential oil and

have seen in a glass still is 50 liters but that was very

hydrosol) is best suited to particular distillation

expensive. Copper is quite malleable and perhaps

methods. In general, steam distillation offers the

has the most styles. Stainless steel is used in most

best yield for essential oils, where hydro distillation

essential oil production and can come in different

may offer the best means for a particular botanical

styles, including very large commercial sizes.

such as roses. Resins, such as Frankincense or Pine (Pinus spp) are also typically hydro distilled.

•

Glass: great for lab or testing new botanicals.

Knowing what botanicals you will distill will help

Has size and fragility limitations (less than 50

you understand what style to choose.

liters). Material of choice if one has metal allergies.

Choosing a Still

•

Copper: might be beneficial for hydrosols.4 Many styles and sizes from which to choose.

Size

Copper is reactive, which is helpful with off-

In my opinion the smaller stills, 5-10 liters are fantastic for trials and testing new botanicals but are difficult to regulate properly. The yield is also very low for the time and energy devoted to the distillation.

On the other hand, a larger still of 60-150 liters is far more efficient but requires a great deal of plant

notes, especially in perfumery.

•

Stainless steel: might be beneficial for essential oils as it is less reactive. Many sizes, including large commercial sizes to choose from (20-2000 liters).

Style of Still

material available at any given time. If you know

There are many styles of stills to choose from, the

why you are distilling, for personal or commercial

most common are alembic pot stills, alembic column

use, it will help you decide upon a size.

stills, alquitar and various other versatile styles. The first still I purchased many years ago was a copper

•

5-10 liters: good for testing new botanicals,

alembic pot still. Its main purpose was for hydro

trying different methods for comparison

distillations, so it had some limitations.

18

condenser. I prefer it when distilling resins as it has no condensing coils to clean.

Pot Still with Column on the side; Photo credit Ann Harman

An alembic column still is quite adaptable. It can be used as a pot still (without the column) or with the column to steam distill. In addition to these two

Alquitar Still; Photo credit Ann Harman

main types of distillation you can also do what is called a combo, by placing the botanical both in the

When choosing stainless steel stills, there are several

pot with water and in the column.

types to choose from in the smaller to medium size.

I have a “milk can� type alembic that is made from a food grade stainless steel milk can with an alembic head. It was designed for alcohol, so the condenser is not efficient for essential oil or hydrosols but with some adaptations it performs adequately.

Column Still; Photo credit Ann Harman

An alquitar is an ancient design and was used for distilling roses and resins. It does not have a typical water bath-type condenser as with the previous

Explorer: Still; Photo credit Benoit Roger

designs mentioned. Its hat, which is unique, is the Recently a very versatile and transportable stainless 19

steel still3 has come on the market that adapts to hydro, steam and cohobation. Cohobation by

https://www.essentialoil.com/pages/percentage-yield (February 20, 2019)

definition, is where the hydrosol is recirculated to

3. ALChemia Solutions, http://alchemiasolutions.com/en/home-

capture all the essential oil instead of being

2-2 (February 20, 2019)

separated. Cohobating is often used for Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Rose (Rose spp) distillations.

It is my wish that you enjoy the distillation journey

4. Ann Harman, Harvest to Hydrosol (botANNicals, 2015)

Ann Harman is an organic farmer, herbalist and distiller.

as much as I have over the years. Choosing which

She has been making herbal products for decades and

still is the first step. In the next part of this series we

distilling hydrosols for nearly 30 years. Ann is the author

will discuss sourcing your stills, education, ethics

of Harvest to Hydrosol, a how-to book about distilling for

and more. Enjoy the journey!

hydrosols. She is currently involved in research of the hydrosols; chemistry, microbiology, adulteration, heavy metals and comparison experiments through Circle H

References: 1. Bettina Malle and Helge Schmickl, The Essential Oil Maker's

Institute. She loves sharing her knowledge of the world of distillation and hydrosols. She is an international speaker

Handbook: Extracting, Distilling & Enjoying Plant Essences

who lectures on her continual research on hydrosols and

(Austin, TX: Spikehorn Pr, 2015)

the Art of Distillation. Ann hosts intensive, hands on workshops featuring international teachers in

2. The Essential Oil Company, “Percent Yield Guide for

Washington State, USA. She regularly contributes articles

Essential Oil Distillation�

about distillation and hydrosols to industry journals.

.

Getting Business Done A Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing an Aromatherapy Workshop By: Marieka Zimmerman RMT, HP

The world of aromatherapy and essential oil use has broadened significantly over the past few years with the onset of companies such as DoTerra and Young Living. While it is exciting to see more and more people becoming aware of the benefits of essential oils, and wanting to incorporate the use of them in their own homes for personal use, there are some concerns about the lack of education around just how potent oils are and safe applications.

There are many precautions and contraindications that are applied to each individual oil, which many are not fully aware of when they purchase and use their oils. This is why offering an Introductory to Essential Oils workshop can be a great way to educate others and encourage their safe use of aromatherapy!

I have personally put on a number of workshops for small groups ranging from 5-10 people. As a selfemployed Massage Therapist and owner of my own

clinic, I was able to host the smaller gatherings in my own office space. For my larger groups, I used my husband’s shop. If space is an issue, you might be able to find a free room to use at your local library, church, or even just host in your own home, if you can. There is no need to feel stressed about providing snacks or beverages though I always have water or tea on hand.

For your first workshop, I would suggest keeping it relatively simple, by choosing 5 essential oils to discuss. I like choosing oils that are familiar to most while being beneficial to have in a household oil kit, such as Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Orange, and Peppermint, to name just a few.

You can start the workshop off with pertinent information of aromatherapy. What seems like straightforward information or common sense to an educated aromatherapist, is all brand new information to the lay person so keep it fresh and fun!

22

Give each individual a

Finally, a discussion on whether essential oils can be

handout for them to follow

safely ingested or not is a must. Here is a basic

along. Start perhaps with

outline for how you could share the information for

definitions, followed by a

each individual oil to be covered. You can make up

history of aromatherapy and

handouts for each oil with all of this information on

some interesting facts and

it then cover each in more depth in your talk.

information on the use of oils through the ages.

Essential Oil Common Name: (Latin Name) Source of oil: Flowering tops

You could then go on to

Produced by: Steam distillation

discuss the 3 basic components of identification

Identification: Top Note

(Top, Middle and Base notes). For example, you

Benefits:

could share that:

All body systems – skin, esp. burns

Top notes are oils with a light and fresh aroma.

•

Immune stimulant

They evaporate more quickly and are the first the

•

Nervous system; shock, anxiety, stress

nose discerns.

•

Muscles; aches, pains, tension

•

Circulatory system, hypertension

•

Enhances actions of other oils blended with it.

Middle notes can calm or stimulate and are used primarily for balancing.

Base notes are heavy and rich, evaporate the slowest and is the smell that lasts the longest.

Contraindications/precautions: •

Low blood pressure & sensitization

Most people have no idea how essential oils are made so talk about the process of how different oils

Properties:

are extracted from plant material. You can even use

Analgesic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory,

pictures/diagrams for those that like visual aids!

antimicrobial, antiseptic, detoxifier, hypotensive, tonic, sedative.

Next you could discuss the characteristics of essential oils such as:

General Information: Plant is native to the Mediterranean. Most useful

•

highly volatile

and versatile of oils. Very effective in reducing pain,

•

soluble in alcohol and all carrier oils but

scarring, and infection due to burns (sun burn or

hydrophobic

other topical burn). Great to use for acne as it

sensitive to heat and light - don’t buy if the

inhibits bacteria and soothes and balances the skin.

•

bottle has been sitting under lights in a store •

composed of natural complex chemotypes

Helps stimulate growth of new skin cells and is

•

useless/destroyed in soaps - this is important

useful for eczema. Helps reduce menstrual pain.

to share as many people buy detergents and

Helps reduce pain and strengthen contractions

soaps with essential oils added thinking they

during labor and helps with expulsion of afterbirth.

are benefitting from them 23

Mixed with lemon might help repel mosquitos and

Christmas Party for 10 women. A perfect DIY

other biting insects. Will help with sting and

project for great gift ideas!

irritation post-bite.

In the workshop I supplied all the necessary jars, It can be combined with neroli and mandarin to

containers, spritzers, salts, oils, etc., so the cost for

lessen possibility of stretch marks and scarring due

this kind is significantly higher due to the necessary

to pregnancy. Apply to abdomen and breasts as

materials. However, because of the take-home

soon as possible after the 1st trimester.

products, people usually have no problem paying for this type of workshop!

It would also be beneficial to include simple blending recipes and various uses in your handouts.

It would still be beneficial to discuss the same

This will allow individuals to refer back to it as,

essential oil information as in the Introductory

trust me, they will forget!

workshop, but perhaps in a briefer capacity as time will be needed for

For example, how many drops of oil should be

making up the

included with Epsom salts for a bath, how many

blends.

drops go in a diffuser, how to make a massage oil blend, etc. Maybe even offer a few blends already made up so they can experience what different oil combinations smell like.

Even though many of us have been taught to blend

You can choose any type

for therapeutic benefits, not for aromatic

of blends you enjoy

combinations, I do find both to be the ideal blend!

making and teaching.

For example, you can do

Payment for your time and information is a valid

a revitalizing sugar scrub, restorative Epsom salt

consideration so don’t discount your knowledge!

bath blend, and an immune booster spray/spritzer.

Not to mention the prep time, which can be

Massage blends or lotions, headache buster roll-ons,

considerable. And if you want to pre-order the

or bath bombs are also some ideas.

essential oils you will be covering so each person has a “take-home kit” – always appreciated by the

You will need a space with a few small tables or one

new essential oil user! – then of course that cost

large table depending on the number of attendees.

should be included in the workshop price. Be fair,

In order to keep the mess at a minimum, cover the

but reasonable, with your cost requirement per

tables with large table cloths (massage sheets work

person.

in a pinch!) so you can keep the salts/sugars contained and easy to shake out afterwards!

Another workshop option is to have a Blending Party. People love learning “How To” with finished

People lead busy lives so entice them with a 2-3

products to take home! I recently put on a Blending

hours maximum workshop, and offer an evening or 24

a Saturday afternoon option. That sort of flexibility

all leave excited with their new knowledge!

is always appreciated!

So, as an alternative way to increase your income or simply to boost your business, try putting on a No matter what type of

workshop in your community! Along the way, you

workshop you choose to

might find a renewed sense of why you got into

host, the most important

aromatherapy in the first place!

thing to remember is to have fun. Though there is

Marieka Zimmerman is a Registered Massage Therapist,

important information to

Holistic Health Practitioner, and Registered

get across and we want to

Aromatherapist. She is the owner and operator of Aspire

emphasize essential oil use safety, people want to learn about the oils because they enhance our lives, they smell great and are fun to use!

Massage & Holistic Therapies, in Smithers, BC, and has been in practice for 15 years. Marieka is passionate about supporting the health and wellness of her patients through the use of her diverse treatment modalities, as well as patient education, awareness and prevention. Her knowledge and love of learning has provided Marieka

You will learn from every workshop you put on and

with a dynamic background of techniques, which enable

can make tweaks as you go, but so far I have never

each patient to receive a treatment plan designed

had anyone disappointed with the event and they

specifically for his or her needs.

THE SUMMER EDITION IS COMING. GET READY. That sleepy summer weather will be here before you know it. Make sure your business gets seen no matter how many naps in the sunshine you take or how often the kids “drag” you to the beach.

Submit your ad by May 20th to ensure your business is still being seen around the world, no matter where you’re building sandcastles or dipping your toes.

Visit https://bcaoa.org/membership/submissions/ 25

The Next Edition Even though we just released this one, it’s time to start thinking about the Summer edition.

We’ve got lots of places to have your work read so check them out and see what appeals to you!

We are looking for a FEATURED WRITER for Fall & Winter 2019 The Featured Writer section is for those who submit 2-4 topic-related pieces for sequential editions. For instance, write 2 pieces for summerfall; 3 pieces for spring-summer-fall or summer-fall-winter etc.

The Guest Writer section is for single-piece submissions but can be a 2part piece if it is too long for a one edition.

Send in your Reviews for classes, workshops, seminars, events, books, webinars and products.

In to Research? Strut your stuff in the science of all things aromatic and send us your work! Student Case Studies approved by your teacher are welcome!

And you can gain CE credits if your a member or get a discount on applying for an inital membership with your submissions!

For our Author’s Agreement, or our Advertiser’s Agreement if you’re looking to place an ad, just go to https://bcaoa.org/membership/submissions/ or send an email to editor@bcaoa.org

26

Aromatherapy Student: Mary Stephenson Goals Relieve Longterm Hip Pain; Reduce Risk of Discomfort During & After Activities Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies AT101

Student Mary Stephenson discusses working with her client for relief with longterm hip pain, and reduce the risk of future aggravation using Lemon, Black Pepper, Juniper Berry and Lavender in a mixed carrier oil base.

Case Description This case study focuses on a client who is a 51-year old male.

My client is an entrepreneur and part-time homeschooling parent. He is married and has two young sons, 8 and 11 years of age. He has been running two web-based businesses out of his home for the past 10 years and also homeschools his 11-year old son on a part-time basis.

The client had suffered from right hip pain for the past 10 years. He does not recall any injuries that could be deemed as the cause of the hip pain. However, he has an untreated orthopedic condition (very flat feet, diagnosed during childhood) that could be contributing to his hip pain.

Otherwise physically fit, my client goes to the gym for classic calisthenics and weight training at least twice a week. He reported that his workouts tend to provide relief from his hip pain, while sitting for long periods of time tended to aggravate his pain. Other physical activities, including prolonged walking, also aggravate his condition.

The client also reported issues with anxiety and insomnia since the birth of his oldest son. He indicated that his preoccupation with his children’s health and well-being is a principal cause of both of these conditions. His insomnia was not usually pain-related though he did report occasionally tossing and turning at night to find a sleeping position that did not apply pressure on his hip.

My client had not consulted any health practitioners concerning his primary (hip pain) and secondary (anxiety and insomnia) conditions for two reasons: (a) his lack of health insurance and (b) his strong desire to avoid 28

taking medications. He had therefore not undergone any medical treatment for his hip condition nor had he regularly taken any prescription medication for it. Instead, my client would take ibuprofen (usually Advil, an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) about once or twice a week for the pain.

He indicated feeling temporary pain relief after taking Advil but that he usually started feeling some discomfort within 24 hours. He also reported having taken turmeric capsules, or just adding turmeric and black pepper to his food, on a daily basis in the past after reading about the spice’s promising antiinflammatory properties. He experienced a lessening of the severity of his pain during a 6-month course of turmeric treatment and intended to start taking turmeric capsules again in the coming weeks.

I advised him that this was probably a very good idea and that taking this supplement would not be incompatible with using an aromatherapy blend. However, I also advised him not to exceed a dosage of 2 grams per day, the recommended dose mentioned on the label of the brand he usually purchased (https://www.costco.com/Nature's-Lab-Turmeric-Curcumin-C3%2C-1000-mg.%2C-120-VegetarianCapsules.product.100088941.html), and that in the event of any surgical procedures, to inform the surgical team of his regular use of the supplement well in advance as turmeric might slow blood clotting. (https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric).

My client had asked me for an aromatherapy consultation during his holiday visit to my home, hoping that I could provide him with a blend and treatment for his hip pain that was more efficacious than Advil and/or turmeric. He would also be very pleased if this same aromatherapy blend could help improve his sleep (usually only 5-6 hours per night), either through reduction of occasional nighttime hip discomfort or indirectly through the relaxing/sedating effects of one or more of the blends constituents. I therefore monitored him directly during his stay in my home then remotely via email and telephone after his return to his place of residence.

Treatment protocol The main objective was to help reduce the discomfort and pain associated with my client’s right hip pain – possibly due to arthritis or bursitis – and reduce the risk of discomfort during and after certain activities, including long walks and working/sitting for long periods behind a desk.

Using the Aromatherapy Certification Course 101 and 201 Manuals and the EOT Resource Manual (Summer 2018 ed.), I formulated an essential oil blend that could address my client’s right hip pain. I informed my client that he would be applying the blend via self- massage to the affected area and he was comfortable with this method. I also had my client smell the blend by applying a few drops to his hand, once it was diluted in the selected carrier oils (calendula, tamanu, castor and macadamia nut).

He found the blend had a deep nutty scent – perhaps due to the tamanu – and a relatively thick texture, probably due to the castor oil, calendula and tamanu combination, but he indicated that neither of these characteristics posed problems for him. I informed my client to keep the two 30 ml bottles I had prepared in a cool dark area between uses.

The following table provides a breakdown of the blend’s components:

29

TABLE 1: Therapeutic ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND for HIP PAIN - 16.7/83.3/0 TOP/MIDDLE/BASE RATIO

Note this blend is inspired by the Black Pepper Arthritis Oil blend described in the EOT Resource Manual (summer 2018) (page 246 and 256).

Only the carrier oils are slightly different, mostly for reasons of availability.

Treatment method My client was provided with two labeled 30 ml bottles, each containing a 3% dilution of the essential oils listed above (top/middle/base note ratio: 16.7/83.3/0). Oral and written instructions for use of the blend were provided with them.

Precautions It was pointed out to the client that, during treatment, he needed to be watchful for any reactions he could have to the blend. As this was the first time my client was using essential oils, I had him apply just a few drops on the skin near his wrist in my presence. I examined the area a few hours later. There were no signs of redness or reaction to the blend.

30

Mode(s) of administration Gentle self-massage. Since my client was on vacation and did not want to explore any complicated (albeit pertinent) modes of administration, it was agreed that he would use self-massage to apply the blend. Client was advised to apply the blend to the affected areas up to four times per day and particularly right before bedtime to optimize the healing process, potentially improving his comfort during sleep.

Instructions for client For right hip pain (cause/diagnosis unknown; potentially arthritis or bursitis) While lying down comfortably on the unaffected side of the body, apply 10-20 drops of the blend to the affected hip area, using gentle circular motions. Do not apply pressure to avoid pain. Apply the blend up to four times per day for at least ten days then begin attenuating to one morning and one evening application once pain and discomfort has clearly started to diminish.

The client was advised to take his time and to try to relax during application of the blend, notably at nighttime, for maximum benefits. I also suggested that he could try applying the blend while lying on his back, bending his knees, then crossing his right knee over his left and gently stretching and exposing the hip area to be treated (similar to a yoga pose, as demonstrated during the first minute of the following video, entitled “How to Massage the Hips”: https://youtu.be/l42XcTZSm6w). The client was familiar with this position, as his wife is a yoga instructor and she had shown him various yoga stretching exercises for his hip.

Note: I also provided the client with the link to a very useful website with videos which I have used myself for stretching exercises to relieve pain from buttock and piriformis syndrome pain, as client had indicated that his pain was aggravated after long periods of sitting, a classic sign of piriformis syndrome: http://www.drnickcampos.com/health-newsletter/PiriformisSyndrome.html Treatment duration: 3 weeks. The client was encouraged to contact me in case of questions or concerns during the treatment period and was also reminded that he would be providing feedback concerning his response to the treatment.

Client’s response and feedback The client used the blend for his condition per the instructions. He started his treatment on Dec. 22 (selfapplication at bedtime) and massaged the blend into his right hip area 3-4 times per day for the first 7 days, then only 1-2 times per day due to travel and also because his pain had subsided so much during the first week that he did not feel the need to apply the blend more than once (at night) or twice (morning and night) per day.

I followed up with my client on Dec. 24. He was using the blend as instructed and had no questions or concerns to report. He reported the blend was already having positive effects, as he was experiencing less pain and better, less interrupted sleep. He also expressed astonishment with the fact that he was pain-free for hours after his morning application, even after his long walking tours of the city. He indicated that he found the blend more pleasant smelling than unpleasant, and that its effects lasted longer than he had expected. The relative viscosity of the blend was rather a plus for him, as he felt like he was applying a “shield of protection” against pain on his hip area.

On Dec. 29 I had a final face-to-face consultation with the client as he and his family were leaving the area that evening. He remained very pleased with the blend and its positive effects. He did not feel 4 applications per day were warranted, so it was agreed that he would apply the blend at bedtime and, whenever possible, during the daytime. Since he and his family were going to be travelling for the next week, this compromise 31

seemed both necessary and realistic. His wife also indicated an interest in helping my client stick with the treatment course, offering to help him stretch and massage the blend into his hip area.

Jan. 5 check-in via Messenger: Client just spent the past two days travelling by air. He missed at least one day of blend application. Nevertheless, he continued to feel improvement in his hip area. The pain was about a 2 on a scale of 10, even after a long, uncomfortable international air flight. His sleep patterns were disrupted during his end-of-trip travel period and now he was dealing with jet lag. He was still hopeful that the blend would help stabilize his sleep in the coming days.

On January 13, I did a final check-in via telephone with the client. His entire family had just gone through a wave of GI and respiratory virus infections. He reported having slept very poorly for the past 5 days, spending most of his normal sleep hours taking care of his younger son. The client reported being very close to finishing the second of the two 30ml bottles with which I had provided him. He expressed his intention to order his own supply of oils to refill his blend bottles. I provided him with advice on blend formulation as well as two websites for ordering essential oils in his country. Also, after reading the information on the chiropractor’s website I had provided him with, the client decided to explore orthotic insoles as a possible means of alleviating his hip pain.

Evaluation I am pleased with the blend’s impact on my client’s hip pain and very happy with his level of compliance and communication with me. Unfortunately, travel conditions and illness made it more difficult to determine whether the blend also had a significant secondary effect on the quality and continuity of his sleep. For similar reasons, assessment of the blend’s impact on my client’s anxiety issues was also difficult.

What I have learned from this case study is the importance of open-mindedness on the part of both Client and Practitioner in identifying potential treatment paths for chronic pain and the value of pursuing them in a complementary or simultaneous fashion. This client had never explored aromatherapy as a possible solution for his long-term hip pain. It was our discussions about essential oils during his holiday visit that led to his interest in trying oils for his hip pain. My discussions with him and his wife (a yoga instructor) also awakened my interest in exploring other disciplines (nutrition, yoga) in addition to aromatherapy whenever possible to manage pain.

As a result in this particular case study, through websites, videos and follow-up information, I have provided my client with signposts for other paths he might wish to follow to complement his aromatherapy treatment. I think this is of vital importance when dealing with clients who suffer from chronic pain. Aromatherapy treatment, for safety reasons, cannot be a continuous life-long treatment. I am hopeful that after my client completes this first cycle of essential oil treatment, he will find other complementary methods to help prevent and manage his pain.

References Thompson, Colleen. Aromatherapy Certification Course Levels 1 and 2 2012 (rev. 02.2014 and 7.2016).

Thompson, Colleen. Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies Resource Manual (Summer 2018).

Ramalho, Theresa, et al. "Gamma-Terpinene Modulates Acute Inflammatory Response in Mice." Planta Medica 81, no. 14 (2015): 1248254. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1546169.

Video "How to Massage the Hips." YouTube. June 18, 2009. https://youtu.be/l42XcTZSm6w.

Piriformis Syndrome: A Real Pain in the Butt - Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills Chiropractor, Dr. Nick Campos. http://www.drnickcampos.com/health-newsletter/PiriformisSyndrome.html.

"Turmeric: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning." WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono662/turmeric.

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Conference Review: NAHA IX - Beyond Aromatics October 24-27, 2018 When it comes to organizing a first-class aromatherapy conference, the Board of Directors at NAHA have it down pat. From the ease of registration to the quality of the speakers and diversity of the topics, this conference was amazing.

purchases from some of the many vendors! Each day was packed with lectures from 9:00am to 9:00pm with generous breaks for lunch and dinner. All meals were included and served at the Officers Club, just a couple of blocks away from the Guest House.

In 2016 and again in 2018, the conference was held at the University Guest House in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sitting atop a hill overlooking Salt Lake City, the Guest House is just a short shuttle ride away from the Salt Lake City airport. Upon entering the university grounds, one is transported back in time. The university was built in 1850 and this is reflected in the stately brick homes and mature trees that surround the campus. Upon further exploration, one can visit the herb and medicinal gardens and the beautiful rose garden.

The weather was perfect and the short walk amongst the autumn trees, spectacular in their vibrant colours, gave us a chance to revitalize before the next round of speakers. The most difficult thing for me was trying to choose between talks that often overlapped with one another.

The venue for the conference, the University Guest House was also where most of the attendees stayed.

The conference rooms and the vendors, who hailed from around the world, were located on the first floor with the guest rooms on floors one through three.

Breakfast was included for those staying at the Guest House and this is where attendees would congregate and network before the daily lectures.

On the third day of the conference, attendees were bussed to the AGM and Gala Banquet, held at the Alumni House Ballroom. The venue, meal and entertainment were above any expectation, offering a further opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends.

The conference was four days in length with an additional post conference day. I attended all five days, coming away brimming with information and an extra suitcase full of goodie bag items and

Some of my favourite speakers and topics were: Kelly Ablard – Conservation Consciousness, Clinical Aromatherapy, and Connecting with Spirit. Kelly spoke about biodiversity, the Sixth Extinction, CITES, and a variety of threatened and critically endangered species. Her two-hour workshop took us on a trip to Peru where she focuses much of her work on sustainability and conservation of essential oil and carrier oil bearing plants. Who would have thought that certain herbs and once-abundant plants would now be on the endangered list? That Spikenard and Mûna (a type of mint) could possibly be in short supply? Kelly reminded us to be mindful of what essential oils we use and the need to use them sparingly.

Salvatore Battaglia – The Role of Scent in Culture and Spiritual Practices and How This Has Established the Framework for the Practice of Aromatherapy Today. A very engaging speaker, Sal’s humour and enthusiasm for his work shines through in every word spoken. Sal spoke about the role of ectopically located receptors and how they have been identified as biomarkers for carcinoma activity of the prostate, lungs, breast and 34

colon. He discussed some of the odorant molecules identified in activating the olfactory receptors which leads to a reduction in the proliferation of cancer cells.

And did you know that research has been done on the skin’s ability to smell and potentially heal itself?

Sal also did a second session on the Role of Science in Aromatherapy where he spoke about the importance of science for the advancement of humankind, but that in focusing on a purely scientific approach, health care is an extremely alienating paradigm. He went on to say that while the science has helped us to understand the chemical nature of essential oils and therefore how the essential oils work at a pharmacological level, we still don’t understand the full mechanisms of olfaction or the intricate relationship between smell, the limbic brain and our emotions.

He quoted biophysicist Luca Turin, who in 1996 suggested that olfactory cilia detect smell by molecular vibration rather than molecular shape. Sal then segued into the topic of inflammation, its causes and how aromatherapy can play a role in managing it.

The keynote speaker was Joy Bowles. As a wellknown teacher and author of books on the chemistry of essential oils, her topic of Is Aromatherapy All in the Mind? was surprising. Joy spoke about the current research on the psychological, cognitive and neurochemical effects of essential oils and their constituents. She gave examples of essential oil constituents that affect neurotransmitters, such as thujone, camphor, linalool and 1,8-cineole.

Joy went on to discuss how essential oils might help in Alzheimer ’s disease by lowering cortisol, Glutamate blocking, AChE inhibitors, interruption of cyclical thinking by odour impact, and odour cuing to aid confusion about time and space orientation. She then spoke about ADHD and ADD, and depression and anxiety which might be related to high cortisol levels, increased glutamate activity and GABA deficiency.

Joy also did the full day post-conference workshop on

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How Essential Oils Get into the Body and What Do They Do When They Get There. I chose to attend this workshop, although I was torn between it and Madeleine Kerkhof’s workshop. Joy is an engaging speaker who lends some humour in what might otherwise be a dry topic which, coupled with her interactive approach, made the full day fly by.

Marco Valussi is one of my favourite speakers and I never tire of listening to him. His talk on Coevolution, Taste, Olfaction and Essential Oil’s Chemical Features covered cultural evolution, structural constraints, why plants are producing secondary metabolites, and why aromatic and strongly flavoured plants are dominating in human pharmacopeias.

Then Marco spoke about Acupharmacology, which is a neologism coined by herbalist Simon Mills in Principles and Practice of Phytochemia. Mills defined it as any pharmacological action of molecules via interaction with skin/mucosae sensory receptors, with no need for systemic bioavailability. Marco further discussed the TRP Receptors, of which there are 27 subdivided into six subfamilies.

This topic would require a separate document to explain but the gist is that TRP modulated essential oils show a high integration of diverse stimuli and that, in general, they integrate aromatherapy with inflammatory mediators, endogenous chemical ligands and xenobiotics, creating a complex continuum of thermal sensation and chemesthesis coupled with modified pain and increased alertness.

Other exceptional speakers included Gabriel Mojay, Madeleine Kerkhof, Kelly Holland Azzaro, Timothy Miller, Remi Clero, Jessie Hawkins, Farida Irani, Raghda Maksoud, Sharon Falsetto and more….

As you might imagine, the logistics of putting on an international conference of this scale was tremendous.

I am told it was 2 years in the planning, with many moving parts and the full commitment of the Board.

Yet, in spite of all the hours and hours of volunteer time each Board member put in to ensure the tremendous success of the Conference, they all

missed parts of the various lectures to ensure that the needs of attendees were taken care of, that audiovisual equipment was set up and functioning, and that the help desk was always manned with at least two Board members. Every single Board member went out of their way to be helpful, gracious and kind.

Colleen Thompson has worked in the field of Aromatherapy since 1995. She teaches a 600-hour aromatherapy certification program through her school Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies. Colleen has written aromatherapy articles for a number of publications and conducted talks, workshops and seminars for a variety of organizations. She was named one of the five top aromatherapists in BC in 2015 and 2016. Colleen is currently the

The next NAHA conference - NAHA Beyond AromaticsÂŽ- The World of Aromatherapy X Conference, takes place at the University of Utah Conference Center from October 14th through 17th, 2020 with the post-conference on October 18th. I would encourage everyone to try to attend. I have no doubt, with the same people at the helm, that it will be equally amazing and inspiring.

President of the BCAOA Board of Directors, a Director of the AIA Board of Directors, and sits on the Education Committee of the AIA. Her Titles include: Certified Reflexologist, Reiki Practitioner, Lymphatic Drainage Massage Instructor, Master Formulator, Diploma in Adult Education. Colleen can be reached at info@essenceofthyme.com

The Classifieds Welcome to our Classifieds Section. To send in a classified, email the editor with “Classified� in the subject line.

SELLING: Gorgeous wooden cabinet geared for aromatherapy field. Includes bowls. Asking $125 Parchment brochures witten by Ceryl Grossman and designed by Julie Nasmith - $0.50 each.

For more information or to buy, please contact Cheryl Grossman at cheryl.r.grossman@gmail.com

WANTED: Casaroma Wellness Clinic is looking for an Aromatherapist as a full time addition to our team.

We specialize in helping people cope with pain and stress using state of the art health devices like PEMF, LED light therapy, Brain Tap reprogramming, Biofeedback Therapy, and of course our own brand or aromatherapy products formulated in our parent store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Casaroma Wellness Centre. If you think you would enjoy helping people feel better in our beautiful waterfront location in Gibsons, BC, this may be your dream job. We currently offer Aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, and reiki, as well as other modalities of health care and would welcome people who have experience in helping people attain better health. Training will be provided on all our current devices, and we would welcome someone who could teach us other ways to help people as well. Please forward your resume to Peter Caron at casaromawellnessclinic@gmail.com

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: We are now accepting applications for Volunteers for our upcoming Committees. Join us in making our association stronger! Committees require less time than a Board position and you earn benefits. Fill out an application today at https://bcaoa.org/for-members/committeevolunteering/

DONORS WANTED: Thinking of donating to the Spring CE Event and want to place an ad in the Journal? Confirm your donation with Betsy at cecoord@bcaoa.org then let the Editor know when you submit your ad and get a 25% discount on advertising. This is on top of the discounted price that members already receive!

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Want to Learn more about Aromatherapy?

Our recognised schools and teachers offer professional level courses that give you the solid education to allow you to build a business, or just feel secure knowing you are using essential oils safely.

The advantages of attending a recognized course and studying under a recognized teacher might include rapid membership processing; no cost for membership application review; and it ensures students have access to teachers with a specific level of knowledge and practical experience who have agreed to teach to the BCAOA’s core curriculums.

To see a list of our recognised schools, courses, and teachers, please go to: http://bcaoa.org/membership/education-membership/recognized-courses-teachers-andschools/ If you would like to apply to have your school or course recognised, please contact us at secretary@bcaoa.org to request an application and the appropriate core curriculum.