Great question!  No, essences and essential oils have different properties when grown and produced in different climates and terrains.Essences and Essential oils may have different qualities when grown in different terrains and climates. The amount of sunshine, rain, humidity and altitude may activate different chemicals in plants. Some may be stronger than others. The soil composition and Ph also affect the chemical and subtle properties in plants. The availability of sunshine, rain and nitrogen from lightening strikes catalyzes  the potency of plants.

When and how plants are harvested and cared for also make a difference in potency and quality. The time of day for harvesting makes a difference. For example, roses are harvested before noon, most often in the spring. Neroli is harvested before the buds are open. Rosemary, sage, thyme and helichyssum are most potent harvested in the heat of summer afternoons. Most plants become more potent with heat and pruning or cutting, but too much heat and low rainfall require more compassionate care. In north Texas, I do not harvest in August because it is too hot and dry. I also don't harvest right after a rain to avoid the spread of fungal and viral disease. I also leave some blooms for bees and beneficial insects to thrive. Hand picking  blooms and plants do no damage. I distill with glass to produce the highest quality products.

We can enjoy quality essences and essential oils in tune with the environment. Many plants producing essential oils and essences are endangered from over production. Awareness of the environment is vital for the continuation and availability of healing plants. We must also benefit the plants we encounter. We all heal together, encouraging different properties and information from the plants we encounter.

Garden Companions and Recipes

Potatoes enjoy the company of garlic chives and onions. Their antioxidant properties are enhanced with butter substitutes made from lemongrass, lemon verbena and lemon thyme. Cook 1 T of each in 1 cup of cold pressed extra virgin olive oil or a vegetable oil (not canola). Simmer for 10 minutes. Cover and allow the herbs to infuse 5 more minutes off the burner. Strain and brush the vegetables for extra flavor.

Sage grows well near cabbage, kale, broccoli and Brussels’ sprouts. Flavor these vegetables with a sprinkle of fresh sage to enhance the anti-cancer properties of the cabbage family.

Rosemary grows well with many mints and herbs. It has anti-depressant, and immune enhancing qualities especially to help prevent cancer and allergies.  Combine 2 teaspoons of rosemary, 2 teaspoons of lemongrass and 1 teaspoon of marjoram and lime zest to flavor poultry. Rub it on before roasting or grilling and create a happy atmosphere for the family dinner.

Grow in Peace and enjoy every blessing.

Flowers that Heal has more information on aromatherapy and plants. 

Slice of Life Diet and Nutrition Handbook has more information on recipes and eating well.

For more information go to www.aromahealthtexas.com

Helpful Plants in the Garden

Remedies from the garden include aloe and lavender to heal burns when applied topically. Rose Oil Skin Therapy is also good for burns.

To prevent or alleviate colds and flu, make a tea with sage, thyme, tea tree and basil leaves. Cold & Flu spray is another option.

Fevers are cooled by spearmint tea.

Headaches respond best to rosemary or lavender compresses on the forehead and back of the neck. Recall Memory and Rosemary Shampoo are aromahealthtexas products containing rosemary.

For insomnia, make a strong chamomile tea with lemon balm at lease 30 minutes before bedtime or dilute a tincture of Valerian root. To relax, sip a tea of catnip leaves. Sweet Dreams is another option.  

Try an after dinner cup of fennel seed or peppermint leaf tea Increase digestion.

For a natural diuretic, make a tea of fresh parsley and dandelion leaves. 

To reduce the toxic effects of pollution make a strong cilantro tea and add cilantro leaves to soups and salsas. Environment and Detox are other options to help the body with detoxification.

For mental stimulation, make a tincture of ginko leaves in the fall. Add lemon balm leaves to enhance stimulation.

For bruises and cracked skin, compress with a tea of comfrey and yarrow leaves. Comfrey Yarrow Healing Cream is a prepared cream for this purpose. 

Diabetes responds well to cinnamon, cinnamon basil and fenugreek seeds.

For more information go to www.aromahealthtexas.com

Feng Shui in the Garden

Your garden is a living field of energy that affects you and your home in many ways.

Leave the entry to the door open. Enhancement feng shui spray is also good for increasing energy around the entryway.

Welcome fragrant, vibrant energy near the front door with pink and red plants. This is good if your front door has a southern, southeastern or southwestern exposure.

If your door faces north, or for the north side of your yard, use blues and purples.

For the western exposure, use white. All white flowers indicate mourning.

Create a winding path to slow down good energy.

Cover the east and southeast with blooms for wealth.

The left side of the front door, facing from inside the house looking out is a good placement for a water feature.

Having water on both sides or around the house equal tears and loss. 

Gates are best on the left side of the house when looking out from the front door. Gates should be high and solid. A higher center of a gate indicates all goals achieved.

Trees should not be opposite the front door. Keep willow trees away from the house.

As you come into the garden, create soft curves, chairs for relaxing, hand wind chimes, running water and attract birds, bees, and butterflies with nectar producing flowering plants.

Pools weaken the balance of good energy. Surround pools with rock gardens. Paint yogurt on the rocks to grow moss for good luck, grow narcissus, mums, peonies and magnolias. Begonias and viburnum have both yin and yang qualities.

The four Feng Shui Sprays available at aromahealthtexas are:

Attraction

Clearing

Enhancement

Harmonize and Balance

Flowers that Heal has more information on aromatherapy and plants. 

Feng Shui for the Home

Every time you eat, you enact an ancient ritual. The kitchen is where the heart of the family is kept alive. The stove is the most important place in the kitchen. There is an intimate connection between the stove, food, wealth and health. 

More burners on the stove lead to more wealth in the home. Rotate burners to unlock money flow. An unclean stove reduces wealthy.

Add light to the kitchen. The kitchen window should reveal a beautiful scene. Create one if needed.

Keep knives and sharp items out of sight.

Keep cooking herbs close by and vegetables in a nearby garden.

A happy chef creates a happy family. If the stove faces away from entry doors, the cook can be startled and ruin the ambiance of the meal. Place a mirror behind the stove so the chef can see behind him. Otherwise keep mirrors out of the kitchen.

The dining room is blessed with abundant meals when a mirror is placed across from the table.

Hang a wind chime or crystal between the stove and entry door to the kitchen and dining rooms to correct and enhance the flow of energy. Clearing is a good feng shui room spray for this purpose and also for clutter in a room.

The four Feng Shui Sprays available at aromahealthtexas are:

Attraction

Clearing

Enhancement

Harmonize and Balance

Feng Shui Room Spray Testimonial

I just returned from a Celebration of Life for my father who passed away last Fall. There was a great deal of stress involved with returning to his home, dealing with various personalities and getting everything set up for the event. I have been using the Feng Shui Room Sprays for years and brought several with me on this trip. I must say that the Harmonize and Balance and the Clearing sprays worked wonderfully. Whenever there started to be dissension among family members, I politely excused myself, sprayed myself with either Harmonize and Balance or Clearing and returned to the room. Within seconds, everyone was calmed down and behaving well. Grief drops were also used by family members during the big event which kept us all upbeat and positively remembering happy times. Once again, your aromatherapy products saved the day. 

 Susan