[əˌrōməˈTHerəpē]
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing practice that utilizes essential oils, which are highly concentrated plant extracts. Essential oils are found and distilled from plants, creating their distinct scents and various therapeutic properties.
Using aromatherapy for healing
Scent is strongly connected to memories and emotions
The science behind your nose
The human olfactory nerve begins on the bony roof of our nasal cavity and ends with the olfactory bulb located on the underside of the frontal lobe of the brain, known as the olfactory cortex. The olfactory cortex includes the Piriform cortex, the amygdala (seat of emotions) and the Entorhinal cortex (connected to memories). From here the information is sent to the prefrontal cortex and the thalamus, which helps us distinguish different odors. Information is also sent to the hypothalamus and even the brainstem, which stimulate autonomic responses involved in appetite, salivation, and gastric contraction.
What is a Certified Aromatherapist?
I completed my Level One Aromatherapy certification, which included 265 hours of in-person study covering anatomy, physiology, chemistry, taxonomy, and Latin for plant identification. I engaged in supervised case studies, passed multiple exams on chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and wrote a research paper on grief and essential oils, check out my blog post titled "Essential Oils and Grief."
I earned my certification in 2017, building on my master's degree in clinical mental health counseling which provided a strong understanding of brain functions and emotional discord. From this foundation I have practiced aromatherapy creating aromatic and topical formulations for physical and emotional support.
I've also practiced distillation, oil infusion, and integrated plant medicine into my esthetics work. I formulate nourishing serums for skincare, herbal steams to clear pores and sinuses, and face masks using ingredients from the garden.
My hands and heart are drawn to create essential oil blends that aid in processing grief and loss. In 2019, I participated in training and certification as a death midwife to deepen my understanding of death and the process of dying.
To contact me about aromatherapy please email: kldazllc@gmail.com
Alchemy & Distillation
Humans have been distilling for essential oils for more than 2000 years
The photos above feature Rose Geranium, or Pelargonium graveolens. It is an important safety measure to know the Latin names for plants because plants have different species, and differing species have varying chemistries. For more information on essential oils and safety, check out my YouTube video on Essential Oil Safety.
I distill the leaves of the Rose geranium plant to create hydrosol. Hydrosols are water-based solutions made by distilling fresh flowers, leaves, fruits, and other plant materials. To distill for hydrosols or essential oils, the plant material is added to water and heated to create steam. The medicinal oils from the plant come from the plant's pores (stomas) which open from the heat in the still and are carried by steam through a refrigerated coil then collected in glass. The steam holds the medicine, and once it cools the essential oil separates from the water and floats on top to be collected. The water distillate or hydrosol is known to hold about 20% of the plant medicine.
Hydrosols can be used for a variety of things from baking to cleaning. Skin friendly hydrosols can be used in place of skin toner.
I completed my studies through Stillpoint Aromatics in 2017.