Always learning

It is important to always expand the knowledge base.  As aromatherapy has "come into its own", more research and more information is becoming available.  Safety and effective usage is possible through best practices and evidence-based use.

Here are a few ways to dig deep into aromatherapy:

• Get your education from multiple sources.  There is always a bias in information.  Being familiar with a wide variety of philosophies is helpful.
• Find a mentor who is an experienced clinical aromatherapist.  This can include getting an education from a solid school of aromatherapy. (Vintage Remedies, and others)
• Read evidence based books by solid experts in the field (Len and Shirley Price, Jennifer Peace Rhind, and others)
• Learn to fact check research citations.  Note:  Evidence-based resources will be well cited!
• Become familiar with the "best practices" laid out by Alliance of International Aromatherapists, National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and similar organizations.
• Set up a consultation with a certified aromatherapist.

Chai blend

Nothing says autumn quite like the aroma of chai.  A couple drops of this blend in a diffuser adds a sweet spicy warmth to the air invoking the beauty and calm of the fall season.  

Chai Diffusion Blend

Equal parts:

Black Pepper EO

Aniseed EO

Clove Bud EO

Ginger EO

Sweet Fennel EO

Cinnamon Leaf EO

Cardamom EO

It only takes a couple minutes for this blend to fill a room, so diffusing for a short period of time a couple times per day is sufficient.

Real Food: Zattar bread & Labneh

It is fermented food day at Vines of Wellness.  Cultured yogurt, water kefir, and sourdough are all rebooted and happily fermenting.  They are stored in different areas of the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.

Probiotic foods are a great way to maintain healthy gut flora.

Above is labneh.  This is a Mediterranean dip made with probiotic rich Bulgarian yogurt which has been strained then drizzled with olive oil and a generous pinch of zattar seasoning.

Zattar seasoning:
2T toasted sesame seeds
2T sumac
2T thyme
2T basil
1T oregano
1T sea salt

All of these herbs and seeds are health boosters.  They are used generously to top a pita with olive oil and baked until lightly crisp.  This Zattar bread (right) is used to scoop up the labneh dip.

This is a great example of incorporating real foods into the diet.