One of my favourite classes tonight.... Complex Cases. As part of their Clinical Aromatherapy training, we regularly get together and bring complex client cases or successes we have had to the table to discuss. It's always an eye opener as some students also practice other complementary therapy modalities. I'll sometimes open this to therapist level students too. It inspires them to continue their studies to a higher level. I honestly don't know of any other school that does this as part of their training programme. Therapist level training starts in September, so now is the time to start the enrollement procedure. For Aromatherapists/Reflexologists wanting to level up, you can start your enrollement at any time. *special thanks to @Liz Fulcher for her excellent meme! 😊

I am curious on everyones thoughts when it comes to Sage Essential Oil (Salvia officinalis). For some Aromatherapists like Lea Jacobson, in her Essential Oil Safety files, all she does is say Do NOT USE Neurotoxic. This is mainly due to the fact that Sage, like wormwood, mugwort, and yarrow are rich in the ketone thujone, which is a neurotoxin. However, according to Schnaulbelt, Penole, and Franchomme, Sage essential oil is considered to be the least toxic of the the thojone rich essential oils and in fact is considered less toxic than what its thujone content would otherwise indicate. Infact he has a few formulations designed for old scars which contain sage essential oil along with helichrysum. Would you or have you ever used Salvia officianlis essential oil? What did you use it for? If yes/no, why? What would you substitute this essential oil therapeutically with? I will be posting an article that I am writing on this oil soon.

I was wondering if anyone in this group knows anything about or has made herbal health wines? I am interested in making a Hawthorn Berry and Schishandra Berry Red Wine to help support my health by drinking a glass of it a day. Hawthorn Berries were chosen as they support heart health, improve circulation, reduce blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, combat inflammation, aid in digestion, and are packed full of potent antioxidants like polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoids. Schishandra Berries were chosen as they contribute to better blood flow, improve heart function, enhances oxygen exhangte in tissues, helps with insomnia and palpitations, protects against myocardial infarcation, lowers LDL cholesterol, increases indurance, stamina, and energy levels, help with cognitive function by improving mental clarity, focus, and concentration, are neuroprotective, support liver detoxification, is an adaptogen that reduces fatigue, stress, and prevents cortisol-induced burnout. **************** Why a wine and not an infusion (water decoction) or a tincture? Well, the answer is threefold. I am looking into making it into a wine, as not only would the decoction extract most of the water-soluble constituents of the berries, the alcohol during its fermentation process would draw out the alcoholic constituents as well. Also, Red Wine, when drunk as 1 cup per day, offers cardiovascular benefits due to its polyphenols, especially resveratrol, catechin, and epicatechin, which can help protect blood vessel linings, reduce LDL cholesterol, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and prevent blood clots. So for me, it's about maximizing the beneficial aspects, specifically the polyphenols found within wine, hawthorn, and the schishandra. Also, I am using this as a health tonic/drink in addition to medicine to support heart health, especially. When I utilize tinctures, which I often do, they are more medicinal in nature and less nutritive/nourishing. It is this nutritive/nourishing aspect of wine that I am looking for.

Just a reminder that our monthly Sunday Evening Relax starts at 7pm GMT for Premium members. I'm really looking forward to some downtime tonight as I've spent the best part of today prepping for a Clinical Aromatherapy class tomorrow night looking at almost 80 clinical level essential oils that have a direct effect on the skeletal and muscular systems. Thirtythree page handout later and it's done! Phew! What have you been up to this Sunday? Clinical Aromatherapy in Classroom has been updated for next week for my students.

My friend and fellow Clinical Aromatherapist, Virginia Joy Stella Musacchio wrote a song, with a little help by Suno, about Black Spruce, one of my personal favourite EO's. Enjoy! https://suno.com/s/irjzcqHCySQELMwE