Thursday, April 13, 2006

Alpha, Beta, Theta...Have a Snortfull

Here's a little herbal trivia for you from my notes:

Increase your beta brain waves and heighten awareness by sniffing stimulating essential oils, such as rosemary or peppermint.

For promoting relaxation, a sense of well being, activate the alpha and theta waves by sniffing on lavender and sandalwood.

It's not a bad idea to carry a homemade sniffer with you depending on your situational needs. A small bottle (like those used for liquor samplers or digestives) with a little cotten stuffed in it and a few drops of EO (essential oil) is all you need.

Carry a rosemary or peppermint one when you need to be more awake/aware at work or driving and another with lavender or sandalwood for when you suspect a stressful situation (going to a meeting, dealing with aggressive situations/authorities).

Does it work? I think it does, of course subtly and like many things believing it will is a real boost. Just remember that EO's should be used judiciously and when a true need is there and not just for making the room air 'smell nice'. They are, afterall a powerful medicine.

I made one for my cold and head congestion. A personal blend of thyme, tea tree, and peppermint oils - a homemade Vicks sniffer. Just unscrew the cap, close off one nostril and SNIFF. Wooooo! It worked and I am certain the anti-bacterial properties of the oils (especially the thyme and tea tree) helped keep my head cold in check.

More trivia: the ancients used a crown of rosemary to honor academics. In ancient Greece, students studied with a sprig of rosemary behind the ear believing it helped them study better and increased their power of memory. Now we know WHY it works, something the ancients didn't - rosemary stimulates the beta waves helping memory, concentration and even mood.

Which is why, never take a bath with rosemary bath essence and think you can "sleep easier after a bath". Wrong. It WILL stimulate you. Save it for the Monday mornings.

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