Volume 2, Issue 4                                                                          April 2001

April Showers Wash Away
Winter Blues

Stress Awareness Day

April 17
How truly apparent is the integral connection between mind and body in the simple connection between stress and physical health. Once thought to be completely unrelated, it is now firmly acknowledged that what dwells in your environment affects your physical body.

In today's hurry-hurry world with its attendant cell phones, faxes, interminable meetings and endless lists of errands, family events to schedule around, and poor eating habits why are we surprised when our body shouts "Hold it! I can't go on like this any longer!"

Stress accumulates so quickly and easily when we are not watchful for the signs. One leading factor in stress to the immune system is shift work, especially rotating shifts. The change from day to swing or night shift leaves the body unsettled and unable to recover lost rest. Studies in the past have shown an increase in heart attacks in persons who remain on shift work for only a couple of years.

Throwing a meal together or driving through the fast food establishment several nights a week gives stress another toe-hold in wrecking your immune system. Sitting down to eat should be reserved as quiet family time to allow your body to conserve its energy for the task of digestion. And it goes without saying that the body benefits a million-fold from fresh fruits and vegetables, unprocessed grains, and less fats. While you may be unable to change the stress factors involved in your work or in traffic, this is one area where you have the opportunity to do something good for yourself. It is a conscious choice you can make for your health and your families. You will be amazed at how much just choosing to fortify your body with the proper nutrients will help you withstand the other stresses of life.

If you make a decision to make only that small change in your life this spring see what a difference you will find in your health by the end of summer. And to paraphrase the commercial, "You're worth it."

Earth Day 2001

April 22
Shower someone with April fun by getting them in touch with Earth's wonderful bounty on Earth Day 2001. And what better way to experience Earth's treasures than to indulge yourself or a loved one in the pleasure of aromas from the earth. Since essential oils are created from the very basics of nature, oils expressed or distilled from the roots, leaves, berries, leaves, and flowers of Earth's own plants, they could not better represent all that is available to us in nature. Celebrate Earth day by planting a new tree to add oxygen to the air, and possibly lush blossoms for visual enjoyment. Or set out some wildflowers and a few months from now enjoy them blowing in each summer breeze. After your day of celebrating with Mother Nature, celebrate yourself with a warm bath enriched with Collette's Delight Bath Salts to help you relax and unwind after all your work for the health of the world.

Cleansing Aroma:
Juniper

Spring is traditionally a time of rebirth, of cleansing, a tonic after a long hard winter. My grandfather used to make up a spring tonic of sassafras tea for his family of twelve. When spring came it was time to get the blood running, to purify the blood, and energize the body, so it would be prepared for the hard work that would be expected of it on his Daviess County farm. The tonic simmered on the back of the old wood stove, ready to be enjoyed through the day.

Granddad was an extremely intelligent man, and he probably knew that he could have used Juniper externally to the same effect, had it been available to him. Juniper berries and needles have been used over countless centuries for cleansing and purification rituals. Civilizations in China, Tibet, Egypt, Europe, and North America have made use of these qualities of the Juniper tree. Its fragrance is fresh, green, and woody; a very pleasant change to the stale atmosphere generated by months of closing up the house against winter.

Make use of a simple aromatherapy lamp or diffuser. Add five or six drops of Juniper essential oil to the diffuser bowl after filling it with warm water. Light the tea candle and allow the clean, outdoor fragrance to fill your living space.

In your office space drop two or three drops on an unglazed clay diffuser and place it out of the way on your desk. Breathe and enjoy.

I have heard so many people say this has been such a long winter that they are just worn out with it. Use Juniper oil to strengthen and uplift your spirits during times of low energy, anxiety and weakness. It purifies the blood and, as Granddad would have said, "It gets the juices flowing."

This oil stimulates the digestive system, and is used externally for sore muscles, acne, and lumbago. It is used to encourage inner vision, to fill one with enlightenment, and to uplift the soul. Of course, these are just a few of the uses this oil has in the field of aromatherapy. Juniper oil should NOT be used by pregnant or nursing women, or anyone with acute kidney problems.

You will find juniper in Touched By A Scent's Meditation Formula One.

New Oils! Spring Sale!

Online and mail-order sale: Any Fragrance Oil ordered via www.TBAScent.com or with a mail-order form is 15% off April 15 - May 30. At the e-store select your Fragrance oil, find the "Coupon" tab, select "Health and Beauty", and look for the Touched By A Scent coupon. Mail-order: deduct 15% from Fragrance Oils only.