These blends are formulated by our owner, Melanie Snell, who is a registered acupuncturist, herbalist and Reiki Master. She uses Chinese medicine theory in most of her products which will be indicated by the acronym TCM, which stands for Traditional Chinese Medicine. The essential oil blends and singles are made in a Vancouver, BC, Canada facility specializing in essential oils.
Balance Earth & Fire
What can this blend help with?
Nourish Blood strengthens the Spleen and calms the Heart (TCM theory). Nourish the Spirit, relieve anxiety and improve focus.
Ingredients: Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), Neroli (Citrus aurantium), and Blood Orange (Citrus sinensis) in a base of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil.
- Patchouli: In Chinese medicine, Patchouli tends to be neutral in temperature with a stabilizing and sinking quality with its Earth and Water element affinity. Its primary functions are to nourish the Yin, resolve any dampness in the body and calm the Shen. Spiritually Patchouli stimulates the conscious mind and stabilizes the etheric mind. Good for clearing environmental energies and neutralizing disharmonic frequencies, making it useful for purification and space-clearing rituals. Within the physical body, it's helpful for anxiety, insecurity, resignation, and disconnection accompanied by fantasizing outcomes, oversensitivity, fear and low libido.
- Important to note about Patchouli is that historically and still today, one of the most adulterated oils. Other inferior patchouli oils can be distilled separately and added to the genuine Patchouli oil; these include Java patchouli, Chinese Patchouli, Gurjun balsam and Casesarweed. Further, companies, in some cases, will even cut the final Patchouli oil with various cedarwoods, Capaiba, Cubeb, Colve, and synthetic compounds. This is why it is so important to do your research about quality.
Meridians: Heart, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Lung
Caution: Avoid this essential oil/herb during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Neroli: In Chinese medicine, Neroli's temperature is cool, and action is downward movement and maybe a bit of dispersing. Because Neroli has a cool and calming effect on the Heart and Shen, it shows us an affinity for the Fire element. A great ally with clearing heat, particularly hot, agitated conditions of the Heart characterized by restlessness, insomnia, and palpitations. It also helps regulate the Liver Qi easing disharmony with frustration and irritability, which, left to fester, usually creates heat conditions. It can help drain dampness within the body by working through the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Helping to balance things like metabolic disorders, chronic fatigue, allergies etc. Neroli is one of the top spiritual oils; there is a pearl of wisdom that extends far beyond worldly knowledge and seems ageless; it brings us in touch with our higher selves and facilitates all spiritual work, and is recommended for enhancing creativity.
Meridians: Stomach, Spleen, Heart
Caution: There is a high sensitization potential due to widespread adulteration because of its production cost; this is a general caution and does not include our blends or singles.
- Blood Orange: In Chinese medicine, most orange oils are similar and tend to be neutral, warm or slightly cool in temperature, with an affinity for the Fire and Earth elements. Mood-enhancing qualities calm nervous tension leading to anxiety, helping us to be cheerful, courageous, adaptable, optimistic, and open. Orange tends to soften and spread Liver and Gallbladder energies easing perfectionism and feeling stagnant. It has a downward action, making it an excellent ally for draining and drying dampness in the body. Oranges symbolize love, marriage, joy, and happiness; a bowl of oranges is believed to bring good fortune. This oil is also used in spiritual practices and ceremonies to purify the body, chakras, homes, and sacred spaces from negative energy. It can be used in Reiki healing to strengthen and purify the energy field of people, places, or things.
Meridians: Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Gallbladder, Liver
Caution: Generally safe.
Instructions:
Step 1: First, twist off the cap and either breathe in the invigorating scent from the roller or wash your hands and roll into the palm of your hand - rub your hands together and cup around your nose, inhale three slow, deep breaths.
Step 2: Roll a small amount onto the inside of the wrists, around the back of the ears/neck or sternum. Please be mindful that oils can stain. You do not have to continue to step 3 and use acupressure points (this is just another option to use these blends).
Step 3: Roll on and massage acupuncture/acupressure points:
- Ren 17, also called "Sea of Qi," is a place to calm fear or anxiety, to catch what feels like a panicked uprising and send it gently, with love, downward back to the earth—located at the Heart Chakra, which, when open, enhances our ability to open our hearts, allowing us to love deeply and completely.
- To locate Ren 17: On the midline of the sternum, in a depression level with the crossing of the 4th intercostal space (rib) and the sternum – start under the clavicle and count down the spaces between each rib, then move to the center of the chest. You will probably feel a tender spot.
- Pericardium 6, also called "Inner Pass," is considered a 4-star point as it is a powerhouse for treating the mind and body. A primary point for treating nausea, no matter the cause, calming the mind and reducing anxiety. PC6 has the ability to "open and unbind the chest," helping symptoms such as tightness in the chest and palpitations. When someone is habitually "wearing their heart on their sleeve', the gate is wide open - the Heart is just shining away, leaving them inappropriately vulnerable to hurt. On the other hand, When someone is habitually 'cold-hearted,' that gate is closed shut and doesn't let anything in or out. Stimulating this point is like oiling the gate, allowing it to open and close with ease depending on life's ebbs and flows. It strengthens appropriate boundaries.
- To locate Pericardium 6: Position your hand so your palm faces you. Between the two tendons on the inside of the wrist, about three fingers below the wrist crease (Note: a small percentage of people only have one of these two tendons; if you are one, locate PC6 similarly, making sure you are primarily centred on the arm.
- Ren 12, also called "Middle Cavity," In Chinese medicine, we call this point the Front Mu of the Stomach, as it directly affects the Stomach by unifying and strengthening the Spleen and the Qi. On an emotional level, especially the emotions of worry, anxiety and overthinking can also injure the healthy functioning of the Stomach and Spleen, resulting in weakness and therefore slowing down digestion and improper absorption of our food. If anger, frustration, and resentment are present, especially while eating, this can further impair healthy functioning resulting in stagnation of Qi which often manifests as abdominal pain.
- To locate Ren 12: This point is in the midline of the upper abdomen, halfway between the belly button and junction where the ribs come together, or about your hand's width above the belly button.
- Stomach 36, also called "Leg Three Miles," is one of the essential points to tonify Qi and Blood and is one of the most famous and commonly used acupuncture points. The name of this point reflects its use for accessing deep nourishment and energy when we are worn out and exhausted - "just three more miles, I can make it!". It helps strengthen Qi and Blood, removes dampness, strengthens your digestion and body, relaxes you spiritually, and relieves pain. It helps us connect to our Earth element and feel grounded to launch into the higher realms on our journey to self-realization.
- To locate Stomach 36: Measure four fingers widths down from the bottom of your knee cap along the outer boundary of your shin bone. At times it can feel tender to press.
- Spleen 3, also called "Supreme White," The physical effect of Spleen 3 is that it dissolves mucus. Therefore, it supports the Lungs' functioning and ensures that Qi flows in the right direction, reinforcing energy levels. Emotionally and mentally, Spleen 3 helps to get out of your head. It gives peace of mind and ensures you are here and now. In addition, it provides harmony and balance during transitions between the seasons and the transitions between different phases of life and situations.
- To locate Spleen 3: on the medial (inside) of the foot, in a depression just below the first joint of the big toe at the meeting where your skin turns red and white.
Warning: Store it in a cool dark place. For external use only. Avoid the eye area, if you are epileptic or pregnant. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use. The information shared is not to replace your primary medical professional's advice.
References:
- Diploma of Acupuncture from Pacific Rim College
- The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia
- Aromatherapy by Micheline Arcier
- A-Z of Aromatherapy by Patricia Davis
- Natural Healing for Women by Susan Curtis and Romy Fraser
- Aromatic Medicine: Immune & Nervous Systems 2-part course with Peter Conway, Medical Herbalist, Pacific Rim College (PRC)
- The Nectar of Plants 3-part course with Josephine Spilka, L.Ac
- Aromatica Volume 1 & 2: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Principles and Profiles by Peter Holmes
- The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood
- Chinese Medicine Essential Oils: A Materia Medica and Practical Guide to Their Use by Evelyn Robert L.Ac