10 Native American Teachings To Live By

10 Ancestral Teachings

1) The Earth is our mother, care for her.

2) Honor your ancestors through your actions.

3) Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.

4) All life is sacred; treat all beings with respect.

5) Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.

6) Put the good of all before your own interests.

7) Give constant thanks for each new day.

8) Speak the truth; but only of the good in others.

9) Follow the rhythms of nature; rise and retire with the sun.

10) Enjoy life’s journey, but leave no tracks.

Nick Polizzi
Host of Remedy: Ancient Medicine for Modern Illness
& Founder of The Sacred Science

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.

Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.

Because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

— Rumi

13^th Century Poet

Happy New Year!

Essential Oil Profile: Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang

Latin Name: Cananga odorata

Family: Annonaceae

Plant Part: Flower

Method: Distillation Avoid grades 1,2 &3 . Choose complete or extra.

Note/Element: Note: Middle/Base  , Element:Fire.

Functional Groups: Alcohol, ester, phenol, sisquiterpene

Type: Euphoric, Relaxing

Ayurvedic Dosha (Balances): Vatta, Pitta

Scent: Floral , sweet, creamy, rich

For Skin Type: Dry, Normal & Oily

Cautions: Overdosing may cause headache. Possibleskin sensitization.

Physical Uses: Heart palpitations, anti-spasmatic, high blood pressure, insomnia, skin & hair care

Mental/Emotional Uses: Stress, tension , anxiety, self-esteem, anger, PMS, depression, anger.

Other Uses: Favorite of teens, perfumery, aphrodisiac

Blends Well With: Floral, Peel, Wood

References:

Graf, Katherine:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Foundation Level, 1999-2010.

https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/ylang-ylang-oil.asp

Schnaubelt, Kurt, Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont, 1998, p 26, 95,103.

 

 

 

Essential Oil Profile: Yarrow

Yarrow

Latin Name: Achillea millefolium

Family: Asteraceae

Plant Part: Flower

Method: Distillation

Note/Element: Note: Top/Middle Element: Wood

Functional Groups: Sesquiterpene, Oxide, Ketone

Type: Balancing

Ayurvedic Dosha (Balances): Pitta

Scent: Sweet, floral, herbaceous, woody

For Skin Type: Sensitive, oily, acne

Cautions: Not during pregnancy. Not for those with Ragweed allery: contact with dermatitis or asthma (severe breathing problems could occur). Not for Children.

Physical Uses: Muscle and joint pain, tendonitis, bursitis, burns, rashes, scars, menstrual cramps, amenorrhea, scanty menstrual flow, indigestion, colds, flu, fever, hair care, migraine, scars, stretch marks, wounds, hemmoroids.

Mental/Emotional Uses: Stress, to balance the emotions during menopause

Other Uses: To inpart a blue color in blends

Blends Well With: Flower, Flowering Plant, Fruit

References:

Katherine Graf:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Master Level, 2001-2012.

https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/yarrow-oil.asp

Schnaubelt, Kurt, Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont, 1998, pp 45,49 & 94.

Essential Oil Profile: Violet Leaf

Violet absolute

Latin Name: Viola odorata

Family: Violaceae

Plant Part: Leaf

Method: absolute (solvent extracted)

Note/Element: Note: Middle. Element:Fire, Wood.

Functional Groups: Alcohol, Salicyic Acid, Ketone

Type: Relaxing

Ayurvedic Doshas: Pitta

Scent: Sweet, floral, green, earthy/woody, cool, intense

For Skin Type: Oily, acne

Caution: Not during pregnancy

Physical Uses: Muscle and joint pain, headache, sore throat, cough PMS

Mental/Emotional Uses: Anxiety, nervousness, tension, stress, to sooth, over come fears.

Other Uses: Perfumery

Blends Well With: Flower, flowering plant

References:

Katherine Graf:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Master Level, 2001-2012.

https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/violet-leaf-absolute.asp

https://www.edenbotanicals.com/violet-leaf-absolute.html

Violet Essential Oil (Leaves)

 

Essential Oil Profile: Vetiver

Vetiver

Latin Name: Vetiveria zizanioides

Family: Poaceae

Plant Part: Root

Method: Distillation

Note/Element: Note: Base. Element: Earth.

Functional Groups: Alcohol, ester, ketone, sesquiterpene

Type: Relaxing:

Ayurvedic Dosha(Balances): Vata, Pitta

Scent: Rich, earthy, sweet, woody, smokey.

For Skin type: Dry, Mature

Cautions: Not during pregnency.

Physical Uses: Joint and muscle pain, insomnia, scanty menstrualtion, menstrual cramps, immune support.

Mental/Emotional Uses: grounding, stress, depression, tension, anxiety, PMS, exhaustion, spaciness, fighting burnout,addressing anger.

Other Uses: Perfumery fixative, aphrodisiac

Blends Well With: Flower, Peel, Resin, Root, Seed, Wood

Reference:

Graf, Katherine:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Master Level, 1999-2010.

Schnaubelt, Kurt, Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont, 1998, p 94.

https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/vetiver-oil.asp

https://www.edenbotanicals.com/eden-botanicals-blog/fixatives-and-their-function-in-natural-perfumery

 

 

 

Essential Oil Profile: Vanilla

Vanilla

Latin Name: Vanilla planifolia

Family: Orchidaceae

Plant Part: Fruit (Cured Pod)

Method: CO2, solvent extraction 

Note/Element: Note: Base. Element Earth.

Functional Group: Aldehyde, trace components

Type: Relaxing

Ayurvedic Doshas (Balances): Vata, Pitta

Scent: Sweet, smooth, rich

For Skin Types: None

Cautions: Possible Skin sensitivity. Not during pregnancy.

Physical Uses: Insomnia, natural skin and hair car formulations, balance harmones, reduce inflammation, PMS & cramp relief, lowers blood pressure.

Mental/Emotional Uses: Home sickness, comforting, nurturing, stress, tension, grief, depression

Other Uses: Celebrations, children, to create homey atmosphere, perfumery, aphrodisiac, baking.

Blends Well With: Flower, Peel, Resin, Spice, Root, Wood.

References:

Graf, Katherine:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Foundation Level, 1999-2001.

https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/vanilla-oil.asp

https://draxe.com/vanilla-oil/

https://www.diynatural.com/vanilla-essential-oil/

Essential Oil Profile: Valerian

Valerian

Latin Name: Valeriana officinalis

Family: Valerianaceae

Plant Part: Root

Method: Distillation

Note/Element: Note: Base Element: Earth

Functional Groups: Esters, Terpene, Sesquiterpene, Alcohol, Aldehyde

Type: Relaxing, hypnotic, grounding

Ayurvedic doshas(Balances): Vata

Scent: Earthy, woody, balsamaic, bitter-sweet, cloying, tenacious

For Skin Type: None

Cautions: Not during pregnancy. Use sparingly: can be stupefying.

Physical Uses: Insomnia, muscle pain, headache, stomach and menstrual cramps, PMS, hearth palpatations, .

Mental/Emotional Uses: Anger, extreme tension, emotional crisis, nervousness, panic, anxiety, addictions especially smoking.

Other Uses: Perfumery, fixative. Useful with Rescue Remedy.

Blends Well With: Flower, Fruit, Resin, Root, Wood.

News You Can Use: Known to attract cats and rats. Use at your own discretion.

References:

Graf, Katherine:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Master Level, 2001-2012.

https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/valerian-essential-oil/profile

https://organicdailypost.com/17-unbelievable-uses-valerian-essential-oil/

https://hopewelloils.com/valerian.php

Essential Oil Profile: Thyme

Thyme 

Latin Name: Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol

Family: Lamiaceae

Plant Part: Leaves, Flower/Bud

Method: Distillation

Note/Element: Note: Top/Middle Element: Fire, Metal

Functional Groups: Terpene, phenol

Type: Stimulating

Ayurvedic Dosha (Balances): Kapha (use with care irritating), use Thyme Linalol for Vata

Scent: Herbaceous, penetrating, fresh

For Skin Type: Oily, acne

Cautions: Not during pregnancy. Not with high blood pressure. Skin irratant, Not with epilepsy.

Physical Uses: Colds, cough, flu, innune system, digestion, infection, warming, chills, sore throat, diarrhea (diffusion is the safest method of use).

Mental/Emotional Uses: Mental Clarity, courage, strengthening, exhaustion, emotional coldness

Other Uses: 

Blends Well With: Spices, citrus, roots, flowers

References:

Katherine Graf:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Foundation Level, 1999-2010.

Schnaubelt, Kurt, Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont, 1998, p 15, 32, 47.

https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/thyme-oil.asp

Essential Oil Profile: Tagetes

Latin Name: Tagetes patula

Family: Asteraceae

Plant Part: Blossoms

Method: Distillation

Note/Element: Note: Top/Middle  Element: Fire

Functional Groups: Ketone, Terpene, Aldehyde

Type: Refreshing, calming, warming

Ayurvedic Dosha: Vatta, Kapha

Scent: Fruity, herbaceous

For Skin Type: None

Cautions: Not during pregnancy. Phototoxic. May cause skin sensitization.

Physical Uses: Athlete’s foot, corns, calluses, nail fungus, coughs with mucus, muscle pin, menstrual cramps, cuts, bruises.

Mental/Emotional Uses: Stress, tension, apathy, mental clarity

Other Uses: Insect repellent. Combines well with Calendula Macerate.

Blends Well With: Flower, Fruit, Resin, Root, Spice, Wood, Seed.

References:

Katherine Graf:Aroma Studio:Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Master Level, 2001-2012.

https://www.stillpointaromatics.com/tagetes-essential-oil-aromatherapy?keyword=tagetes

Photo by AromaAngie