health & wellness
romancing aromatherapy continued from page 21 / By Justin Kaye
Following are simple ways to enjoy essential oils on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year. ` Salt bath infused with essential oils ` Room spray or diffuser for the bedroom or bathroom ` Candles with essential oils ` Massage oil infused with essential oils
Flowing Form Bodywork Deborah Gerard
The undiluted application of essential oils is a highly controversial topic within the aromatherapy industry. Because some oils can irritate the skin, they should usually be diluted with a carrier oil rather than being applied directly to the body. Those who do feel that using certain undiluted oils is appropriate generally only apply them to specific localized areas for acute conditions. The single most powerful oil I have encountered is agarwood or oudh oil. Agarwood is reputed to be the most expensive wood in the world. There are many names for the resinous, fragrant heartwood produced primarily by trees in the genus Aquilaria. Most commonly, the resin is known as agarwood, aloeswood, eaglewood, gaharu, or oudh. Agarwood has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda to treat a variety of ailments, yet it is largely unknown even among those in New Age communities. So it’s the brain (limbic system) that is
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the real erogenous zone. It would appear that the limbic region is a very important part of human beings in the wider context. It is much more than a mechanism related to smell, since we know it can have a direct effect on so much of our physiology as well as our psychology. Ultimately you need to find the scents that you and your partner respond too. We are all largely stuck in conditioning as to what is considered masculine and what is considered feminine fragrance in the West. In India, people don’t create the same distinctions about specific fragrances. For example, it is as common for women to wear musk oil as it is for men to wear rose oil, which in the West is considered to be more feminine. It may take a little experimenting, but that is the fun part too. It’s all worth it when you find that specific fragrance that your loved one responds to.
For information about the limbic system as well as an interesting history of aromatherapy go to www.essentialoils.co.za. ~ Justin Kaye developed an interest in healing work from a very early age. He has been a licensed massage therapist and hatha yoga teacher. A longtime student of aromatherapy, Justin decided to turn his passion for scent into a side business. Visit www.facebook.com/ scentsbyskanda. Scents by Skanda offers a full line of essential oils known and unknown. Specializing in custom blends, musks, and agarwood oils. Contact Justin for sampling and more information. justingkaye@gmail.com (413) 717-2498