Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils with the intent of improving your well-being. 

Essential Oils have many wonderful and practical uses (like cleaning up cat vomit), but today we are specifically going to talk about the topical as well as the inhalation application, also called Aromatherapy.

Inhalation.  Typically through the use of a diffuser, which combines distilled water and essential oil droplets which are then sprayed into the air and inhaled, much like in a steam bath.  It is not wise to "inhale" essential oils directly unless you know for certain that the oil or blend you are inhaling is not going to singe your nostrils and cause your brain to melt, while it's very unlikely that your brain will melt, inhalation aromatherapy can actually help with respiratory issues and has many psychological benefits depending on the oil you choose.  

I like to change the type of oil I use with the seasons:
Spring: A wonderful mixture of floral and citrus is perfect!
Summer: Cooling mint mixed with some spicier scents, like ginger is fun!
Fall: My favorite fall mixture would have to be peppermint and orange!
Winter: With the holidays in the air, I love to mix woodsy scents with something spicy like cassia or cinnamon and maybe just a touch of peppermint!

I'll also change them when I want to alter my (or my kid's/husband's) mood.  For example, tangerine works really well for me,  lavender can help you if you are feeling overwhelmed and is great around bedtime.  Frankincense can help ground you and promotes relaxation and can help with depression while Wild Orange can help invigorate you and Peppermint can help you clear your overactive mind.

Bottom line is to have fun with creating your own favorite blends!  I'd love to hear your favorite blend in the comments below!  I'd also love to hear about your experiments gone wrong, so I don't try them!

Topical.   This is where I have the most experience.   I use essential oils almost daily in my Wellness Center.  We have several different blends that have many different uses, most of them are for muscle relief, but a few are used for their amazing psychological benefits.  Remember you always want to dilute essential oils before using them on your skin.  I prefer using Jojoba oil because it mimics our natural skin oil.

Here are the oils I use and what they are good for:
Eucalyptus/Peppermint:  LOL, a thought just occurred to me, this blend has a "camphor and menthol freshness" to it.  Although it makes it sound like some amazing cigarette flavor, do not attempt to smoke essential oils, I can't see it ending well, nor do I condone smoking....That being said, Eucalyptus is great for allergy sufferers as well as congestion and Peppermint has a cooling effect on angry muscles.

Peppermint/Orange:  Peppermint is great for tired and achy muscles and Orange is a great mood lifter.

Orange:  Promotes a feeling of happiness and is great for nourishing dry skin.

Lavender: Has anti-inflammatory properties and is great for treating anxiety and restlessness.

Lavender/Orange: I know what you’re thinking... No, these don't counteract one another.  They actually create a wonderful blend of happiness and relaxation, like a warm breeze on an early summer's morning.  

Lemongrass:  (A favorite among my staff) Not only does it have anti-inflammatory properties, it has anti-fungal and antioxidant properties as well, relieves nausea and stress and it helps to relieve headaches and smells like lemon drops... I can't imagine it tastes like lemon drops though... please don't ingest the essential oils, but if you do, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below...

Deep Blue:  (Deep Blue is a doTERRA product and contains: Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus)  Deep Blue is used for muscle aces and pains.  While this product is quite expensive, there are other brands out there that work just as efficiently.  Do you have a favorite muscle relieving essential oil blend?  Share it with us below and we'll give it a try and let you know what we think...

*With all essential oils, please take care to check for sensitivities before dousing yourself (or a loved one) with what may feel like lava from the pits of hell...
**Also, please be aware that some essential oils may not be recommended during pregnancy.  While they won't cause your baby to grow a third arm, it may cause preterm labor or possibly nausea and vomiting...which isn't great either.

Enjoy and be safe!

A couple of years ago my family took a trip to the Puyallup Fair.  Besides the rides, the food, and the ample opportunity to take pictures of amazing flowers, we came across this little booth in one of the buildings.  I was in love at first sight!  Sienna Morris, a Numberism Artist (www.fleeting states.com), creates these beautiful drawings from numbers, formulas, and equations.

Well, I just had to bring home one...in fact, I had to bring home two (Butterfly Effect & Addy)...and so began my collection (or obsession) with Numberism Art!

Below are the paintings that I have in my office, a little bit of information about each, and where they can be purchased  (should you love them as much as I do - she also has an Etsy site).

From Left to Right:

Touch

Touch is drawn with the chemical formula for Oxytocin, which is a chemical released in the brain during moments of romance, childbirth and breast feeding most notably. It is associate with feelings of pleasure, generosity, empathy and trust (It is also the chemical released in the brain when you receive a massage...quite fitting!  Oh, and I love how it looks as though the wind is blowing her hair from the window).

Petrichor

Petrichor is drawn entirely with formulas, using the molecular formula for Geosim and Water. Geosim is partially responsible for that summer rain smell, released from the earth during a new rain.

Butterfly Effect

Butterfly Effect is drawn entirely with the numbers of the clock, 1 -12, to represent time passing. This piece is meant to remind us to live in the present, knowing that even the best moments pass.

Bioluminescence

The Fireflies are drawn with a chemical formula for Luciferin which makes them glow, the emitted and bounced light is the speed of light in metric and the girl is drawn with the numbers of the clock, 1 -12 to remind us to appreciate the present, knowing that even the best moments pass.

Addy

Addy is drawn entirely with the numbers of the clock, 1 -12, to represent time passing. This piece is meant to remind us to live in the present, knowing that even the best moments pass.

Thank you, Mrs. Morris, for your beautiful work!  I can't wait to add more to my collection!

Take care,
Crystal

The Deltoid is a triangle-shaped muscle located on the cap of the shoulder.

Experiencing pain when the arm is lifted and held out in front of the body or to the side in response to resistance could indicate deltoid strain. In more severe cases, inflammation and swelling might be present in the area where the deltoid has torn. Pressing on the deltoid will also produce pain, especially if it is swollen, as this suggests something more has occurred than just a simple muscle strain.
*For an accurate diagnosis, see a physician for a complete examination.

Actions: When do you use your Deltoid?

1. All the fibers of the Deltoid muscle abduct the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint.

Arm abduction occurs when the arms are held at the sides, parallel to the length of the torso, and then raised in the plane of the torso.

All muscles used:  Deltoid (all fibers), Suprapinatus

2. Anterior (closer to the front of the body) fibers of the Deltoid muscle flex the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint.

The humerus is rotated out of the plane of the torso so that it points forward (anteriorly).

All muscles used: Deltoid (anterior fibers), Pectoralis major (upper fibers), Biceps brachii, Coracobrachialis.

3. Anterior fibers of the Deltoid muscle medially rotate the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint. (Also called internal rotation)

Medial rotation of the arm is most easily observed when the elbow is held at a 90-degree angle and the fingers are extended so they are parallel to the ground. Medial rotation occurs when the arm is rotated at the shoulder so that the fingers change from pointing straight forward to pointing across the body.

All muscles used:  Deltoid (anterior fibers), Latissimus dorsi, Teres major, Subscapularis, Pectoralis major (all fibers).

4. Anterior fibers of the Deltoid muscle horizontally adducts the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint.

The motion of bringing the arm across the chest is called shoulder or glenohumeral horizontal adduction. Glenohumeral horizontal adduction is demonstrated starting from 90ᵒ of shoulder flexion with the arm slightly away from midline in abduction as seen from a front or anterior view.

All muscles used: Deltoid (anterior fibers), Pectoralis major (upper fibers).

5. Posterior (closer to the back of the body) fibers of the Deltoid muscle extend the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint.

The humerus is rotated out of the plane of the torso so that it points backwards (posteriorly)

All muscles used: Deltoid (posterior fibers), Latissimus dorsi, Teres major, Pectoralis major (lower fibers), Triceps brachii (long head).

6. Posterior fibers of the Deltoid muscle laterally rotate the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint. (Also called external rotation)

The opposite of medial rotation of the arm (#3 above)

All muscles used: Deltoid (posterior fibers), Infraspinatus, Teres minor.

7. Posterior fibers of the Deltoid muscle horizontally abduct the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint.

The opposite of horizontal adduction of the shoulder (#4 above)

All muscles used:  Deltoid (posterior fibers)

Origin (where the muscle starts - typically stationary):
Lateral one-third of clavicle, acromion and spine of the scapula

Insertion (where the muscle ends and where the movement typically occurs):  Deltoid tuberosity

Nerves: Axillary C5, 6