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Essential Oil Safety E-Course

Essential Oil Safety E-Course

So many people have asked me, 'Please do a e-course, webinar or something so I can take your Essential Oil Safety Class'. Most of you that know me know me, know that technology is not my strongest feature.  However with a little help from Kristin my assistant, we did it.  We created an Essential Oil Safety E-course.  Now that I have her we will be doing more E-courses as well to fill your needs that you have communicated to me. 

So if you have been invited to a home party on Essential Oils,  go through this E-course first to make sure that the information you are getting is safe and valid. 

https://coursecraft.net/courses/z9QyM

Out With the Old In with the New

Decluttering

Out with the Old In with the New

The blog I'm going to write about today doesn't really have a whole lot to do with herbalism per se but it can be a tool in changing your health. It's something that I've been doing for the past few weeks in the physical form in the past two years  (or so) in a relationship form.

So what does that mean? Well what I mean by in the physical form is going room-to-room, cabinet-to-cabinet, drawer-to- drawer and actually physically decluttering! So I am getting rid of old stuff and stuff that doesn’t serve me anymore. Everyone has that junk drawer and the stuff in there that you’ve had for years you don’t ever touch it (hell you are afraid to put your hand in there) you don’t ever use it,  you don’t even need to have that crap in there anymore.  Am I right? Well unfortunately for me I have more than one junk drawer and I have some cabinets as well.

For the past few years, I have been decluttering (little by little) non-physical things.  So I have been examining relationships, things I am doing in my life that no longer serve me, or that in my case as someone with a Familial Nervous System Disorder actually harming me.   Now this can actually be harder to do than getting rid of old clothes or crap in a drawer, but for me it was either do this or never get completely better. Even with holistic practices, herbs and whatnot I still was hitting a wall that I could not get over to regain my full health (ANS disorder). I even broke down and saw MD (they admitted they couldn't help either) so,  had no choice but to go to a deeper level in my care and examine more possibilities.  I am a 'save the world' type of person that tries to do it all, but I was not helping myself.  And you must take care of yourself before you can take care of others (self care 101). 

So ... Folks will go through and do decluttering for many different reasons. Maybe they're looking to energetically free up some space and feel lighter. Maybe they are looking for more abundance in certain parts of their life so they feel like they have to get rid of the old to the new can come in. Or maybe they have too much stress and want less to focus on to relax them.  People do it for many different reasons, probably many that I don't even know of. 

In my case I started doing this for strictly and purely for health reasons I could see that so many people were pulling me in so many different directions and I honestly was being compromised, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  So I had to start saying NO to people and had to start allowing friendships and activities that no longer served me to fade into the background.

I'm still going room to room and decluttering I'm still working on that and I'm still writing down places in my life where I can say ‘this is not healthy for me’ or ‘I need to move on from this relationship or this activity’ Now, it's a slow process but I can tell you that if you venture out into this world of decluttering, in the long run it will serve you so well. So well in fact, that you will wish you had done it earlier.  Start with something that doesn’t ‘freak you out’ like the junk drawer; you don’t have to start with relationships and activities like I did.  BUT it is going to bring things to your life that you never thought of. You will likely (after the uncomfortableness of the doing it passes)  feel emotionally and physically  better, honestly you will wish you did it earlier.   Hope this helps someone today!

So after I wrote this Blog, I looked up some similar articles and Here they are hope they help!

http://luckybitch.com/declutter/

http://www.trans4mind.com/counterpoint/index-happiness-wellbeing/radun12.shtml

This one is a good one: 

http://www.doctornerdlove.com/2014/07/dump-toxic-friends/

http://sarahprout.com/declutter-your-life-for-abundance

I have found this resource VERY useful as well so I am sharing it too! 

https://goo.gl/FKk5us

But It’s in the Bible and they are Natural!

©Maw-Maw Kelli, Herbalist

(Originally Written for Learning Tangent Homeschool Magazine April 2015 Issue) 

Did you get invited to an essential oil party?  Did they say, “it’s in the Bible,” or “it’s all natural?” Or maybe they said, this brand is the only ‘Therapeutic Grade’ of essential oils that you should use?  Ok, I love house parties as much as the next person, but when your health is concerned, these are NOT the place to go for scientific, safe, or accurate holistic health information -did you hear me? Should I say it again?  They will use emotionalism (and lots of it), and may throw out some terms to make you think THEIR way (and they will convince their way only) is solid science (most of it I have been witness to is NOT, not even close). 

Were you told that essential oils are in the Bible and are all-natural?  Maybe they used some fancy words like esters, hydrocarbons or aldehydes, and they said that doctors in France use them like this or such and such method.  You don’t really know what some of those terms means but the person sounded like they did so what’s the harm, right? Are you willing to bet your liver or your child’s liver (or worse) on it?

But you say, oh wait I had chemistry class, so I know. Great maybe you had chemistry then go check the facts!!  But maybe you didn’t or maybe it was years ago and you forgot some of it – It’s ok – I am going to make this real simple for you (and for me too). Before you read any further I want you to know I do NOT affiliate with any essential Oil company nor do I get any kick back or benefits from anyone for writing this article.  This is simply about you and your family’s safety. Nothing more!

I think we all know by now that the term natural is thrown ubiquitously and really doesn’t mean crap!!!  Tyson, need I say more?  So here’s the skinny on essentials oils and some of the safety protocols you may NOT hear promoted by these home parties, social media, or in Internet memes.  So let’s get into it.

Would you sit down and drink gallons of concentration peppermint tea at once?  Of course not, that’s a lot of peppermint, isn’t it?  Essential oils are CONCENTRATED distillation of a large amount of plant material (a lot of plants have to go in for that tiny bottle you bought).  What does that mean? Think moonshine! Hang on you ain’t Appalachian? You don’t know moonshine? Well sugar, let me learn you; a heated still is full of fermented ‘corn mash’ and as that heats up and then cooled back down, what comes out is ‘White Lightening’  (thanks to George Jones for that) or a highly concentrated version of the low amount alcohol ferment that you started with.  So that gives you an idea of the concentration of essential oils. So we need to think about them in this concentrated manner and then we can better understand the safety protocols and why they are so important.

So let’s talk a brief history. Oh come on you know you love history, and we learn from it. So here’s a short introduction. Distillation was invented (in the context we know now) around 1000 AD by a Persian Polymath named Avicenna. That means that essential oils were NOT back in Biblical times. They did use extracted oils, incense and other methods of aromatherapy, but not essential Oils in the context that we know today. So if you heard the claim that essential oils were in the Bible that’s not entirely accurate, and in fact extremely misleading.

SAFETY! (Hopefully that’s why you are reading). I do wildlife rehabilitation and education programs, and like I say at programs ‘not everything you see on TV or on social media is true.’ This is the same for essential oil claims. People are trying to sell you something so the more YOU use, the more money THEY make. Good marketing ploy isn’t it? But good marketing and good herbalism are two entirely different things. So here are a few things that should get you started. I will some reputable resources for you at this end of this (just in case you don’t believe me, nor should you)!

DILUTE: that means dilute the oil. About 6 drops of essential oil (again depends on which one this could be LESS) to about 1 ounce of carrier oil would be appropriate for an adult in most cases (at least half the amount of the essential oil dose for a younger kid and just avoid all together with children under 2) NEVER ever use ANY oil NEAT –without dilution (no matter how ‘pure’ –which is another pseudoscience term they use) Its just not A. necessary nor, B. safe.

INGESTING: Just Pass. Just go the opposite of what Nike says. Just DON’T do it. I have the valid information to support this but is long and terribly complicated so just pass. If you want lemon water, buy a damn lemon. Are you willing to bet your liver, your child’s liver (or worse) on the pseudo-scientific information they presented? You may be doing that. I once witnessed a lady via a essential oil list on yahoo kill her dog because… “I love my oils…” she said.  That won’t bring her dog back to life for not seeking appropriate vet care. “I love my oils…” is emotionalism and it NOT a scientifically valid argument for ingesting or force ingestion on anyone.  Two of the major company’s that promote this come from a marketing standpoint and not a safety standpoint.

TOXICITY: Not all are safe for children, elderly, gestation, lactation nor pet application, to name a few. Many are unsafe for babies, children under 6, under 12, etc. In most cases they are extremely toxic to cats and other small mammals. Sadly, sales people don’t always have the extensive amount of training to communicate to you what oil is safe for what age (and at what dilution rate). I recently saw a Meme for clove essential oil on baby’s gums. CLEARLY a HIGHLY DANGEROUS suggested use since it is not approved for young children! (even IF that particular oil was safe-and it wasn’t- the dilution rate was WAY off as well, making it completely unsafe advice). I have a personal rule. If the person cannot vocalize to you permission to receive the use of essential oils application, you do not have permission to use them.  It’s that simple. 

None of these things I talked about are a complete list of proper essential oil safety, and I can say I am not the most advanced aromatherapist in the world certainly. HOWEVER I have had extensive training as defined by the NAHA as professional member (and I have met those requirements).  So if you are local and need an educated source, I am trained and reputable!! 

One last thing...... There is just way too much out there to write about. BUT my hope to you after reading this, is that before you use anything you will go research it from a reputable highly trained person, and that you will NOT blindly follow any salespeople. I know for a fact that in a few years they probably won’t be selling it anymore anyway, they will be on to the next big craze, which is Alkaline Water Machines… Yes I went there, they are a scam too!

About me:

B.A. Liberal Arts (heavy science focus) and M.A.Ed. I am a Community Herbalist/Educator,  Certified Teacher, Naturalist, State and Federally Permitted Wildlife Rehabber, Reiki Master and Teacher, and avid student of Mother Earth. 

www.mawmawkelli.com

Reputable Texts and Websites For Reference and Learning (in no particular order)

Websites:

NAHA: https://www.naha.org/

Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy  http://www.atlanticinstitute.com/

Mountain Rose Herbs: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/essential-oils-warning

Floracopeia: http://www.floracopeia.com/education/how-to-use-essential-oils-effectively/

Ingesting oils: http://empoweredsustenance.com/ingesting-essential-oils/

Books and Authors I like:

Essential Oil Safety  by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs

The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual by Sylla Sheppard-Hanger

The Chemistry of Essential Oils by David G Williams

I love any books by Shirley Price, Jeanne Rose, Mindy Green, Robert Tisserand, or Colleen Dodt, Demetria Clark (to name a few folks). Sorry if I left anyone out. 

Leave your Shed Behind....

Leave Your Shed Behind and Show the New You!

©Maw-Maw Kelli, Herbalist

(Originally Written for Crossroads Healing Magazine, Published on February 2016 Issue) 

Walking into the toasty room that is known as the ‘Wildlife Rehab room’, I see that Ms. Candy is in shed. It’s snake-feeding day; the day that I make sure everyone’s bellies are full. Everyone that knows me, knows how I love my snakes, and am very particular about them. While I am there I also change water, clean cages and do things that must be done when you tend to critters. Ms. Candy however is a bit grouchy, you see Ms. Candy Cane is a very sweet snake; she is named Candy because she is sweet and looks like a candy cane. She’s beautiful, excellent at Wildlife Rehab Education programs and pretty much lets any Educator handle her. She’s very popular and everyone loves her and asks about her when she is not at programs. Although, when she’s in shed, she’s a little grouchy.  She doesn’t see well, her skin is tight; she doesn’t really want to eat like normal, and often refusing to come out for food. Honestly, she just wants to be left alone to hide in her log.  She doesn’t do programs when she is in shed, nor greet visitors, since we know she doesn’t feel in the best of moods. When a snake is in shed, they are growing, and so of course going through shed is good for her and any snake, it’s a healthy sign of growth. She scrapes up against her favorite plant, the Camellia japonica, and it helps her let go of her old skin. As she pulls away form the shed, she leaves it behind, no longer needing it. When she comes out she is hungry, brightly colored, looking like a new snake. She’s ready to eat and is more like her normal self only bigger and better.

Now, you may want to know ‘where are you going with this?’ Well, sometimes with growth you will be uncomfortable. You may not feel yourself, you think during that time of whatever is going on, that it is forever. Maybe you don’t feel like you fit in your skin anymore and you wonder ‘will it last?’ Maybe you don’t feel like you can see the whole picture. When you are going through change, you want to hide from the world, and not show yourself at all. When we look at change and growth like we see in with the snake we see that being uncomfortable is temporary, after the shed, we will look like new creatures. Temporarily the growth may not feel real good to us, but growth is necessary for us to come into the people we are meant to be. We don’t go back to our shed and ponder on it, we let it go and move forward. Growth can be painful in some cases, and for others growth its easy, for most of us, I would venture a guess, it is difficult.  But we have to try and keep our eye on the fact that it is temporary, and when we come out on the other side, we will be better, stronger people. That is what growth is about, being better than your old self!

What are some things that may be helpful to you in the process? Though it is a natural process and doesn’t always need ‘helped’ sometimes, I know that a little help can make it gentler and make go smoother.

Tulip Poplar Flower Essence: I love this Tree Essence because it helps build confidence in areas that you may not have even known you needed. It’s a beautiful flower and the tree is nourishing and I believe those come through in the Flower Essence.

Magnolia Flower Essence: In the same family as the Tulip Poplar tree, this Tree Essence is great to help to keep negative emotions from sticking in area. I love it for people who get stressed and hold tension in lower back, neck, etc. I find this Tree Essence works well to lend a gentle hand to help process those emotional and help them to move through the body and not get ‘stuck.’

Red Maple Flower Essence: I love Red Maple for grounding and bring you back to a place where you can focus and feel secure. Connecting with Mother Earth. I think of a turtle pulling into her shell for a temporary time until you are ready to come out and when you do you are strong.

These are just a few I like. You can find all of these Tree Essence and more at www.mawmawkelli.com

Have you hit a wall with your health?  Do you yo-yo diet?  Or never stick with with new protocol? Do you want to finally take steps to change your health for good? Have more energy, sleep better and generally feel better? Take the next leap and invest in a Health Coach. Not just someone 'took a class' but someone who LIVES it! DAILY!!!  I WALK the TALK and can help you too!!!  Start today for the low price introductory offer (these price WILL go up soon!)

http://www.mawmawkelli.com/#!product-page/cd4f/c121167f-99b4-4988-f2b9-f5b827d6e58e

About me: Kelli Hughart Armes AKA Maw-Maw Kelli is native-born Appalachian girl that grew up in the hills of WV riding motorcycles and playing in creeks.  Commonly referred to as ‘Wild Woman’ She is a Reiki Master/Teacher, Community Herbalist,  Health Coach, Forager, Perfumer, Aromatherapist, Flower Essence Practitioner, and Federal/State Licensed Wildlife Rehabber. With a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree, she is a student of life and enjoys talking to plants, trees and animals. She also enjoys teaching and practicing Martial Arts and is a 3^rd Degree Black belt.   www.mawmawkelli.com or Find her on FB https://www.facebook.com/mawmawkelli