I had a thirteen year career in the legal field before retiring and finding my true calling in holistics. To that effect, I respect every person’s journey towards or away from natural healing. It doesn’t work for everyone – but neither does exclusive modern medicine. We’re all animals, let’s have some patience for one another’s processes.

But since you’re visiting and reading my blog, I’ll tell you of my journey here as a little break from *lecturing.* For thirteen years, I worked in personal injury law battling shitty employers trying to deny their workers adequate compensation for workplace injuries.  I loved this career, I felt fulfilled helping wrongfully terminated or inadequately compensated employees get their dues.  I was the epitome of a big city rat race participant. I dressed in black every day, drank black coffee each morning, avoided eye contact with strangers at the gym and on the train every morning, and then sat in a windowless office on a computer for ten hours before avoiding eye contact the whole train ride back home. This life made me happy.

I started seeing an integrative healthcare provider who was happy to provide prescriptions for modern medicinal healthcare but only after exhausting some alternative suggestions.  Whether this was vitamins, oils, meditation, yoga or simple breathing exercises that she had printed on the back of her business cards, I almost always found a way to make this first suggestion work. Besides an IUD as placed by a holistic midwife she referred, I took no prescription drugs or treatments for four healthy years.

Alternative medicines and treatments became a bigger and bigger part of my life while modern medicine became smaller and smaller. Of course, when my appendix became infected on Christmas, I went straight to the emergency room and modern medicine my appendix right the fuck out of here. But my post-surgical care was 90% holistic.

I spent my last three years as a personal injury lawyer completing night and weekend in holistic medicine and massage classes. I retired from my lucrative law career at the age of 39 with full intentions of becoming a holistic healer.

I’ve been running my massage studio and personal wellness center ever since and while the money is less, it’s of less importance. And I was always a good saver!

In rereading my previous blog entry (from a personal standpoint I don’t want to give any misinformation and cause any readers distress; from a legal standpoint I don’t want to give any misinformation, cause minor distress and get consequently sued – so I do lots of editing) I realized I did not adequately explain the use of carrier oils.

Carrier Oils are easy to gloss over because they don’t contain therapeutic constituents like the oils I mentioned above.  They are naturally derived oils from vegetarian sources and they don’t evaporate as rapidly as therapeutic essential oils. Using a carrier oil reduces the concentration of your therapeutic oil while carrying them and their therapies for longer. Not all carrier oils work for all users, so I would mix and match until you find your favorites and their concentrations.

1. Grapeseed oil: This is light, thin, and deeply moisturizing making it great for carrying massage oils like lavender. The only downside is its relatively short shelf life, so start with a small bottle and see how you like it.
2. Almond Oil: Almond oil has a sweet aroma meaning it mixes great with the stronger therapeutic oils like clove and peppermint. It a thicker than grapeseed oil which allows its richness in vitamin E and oleic acid. This is great for anyone who doesn’t have a nut allergy.
3. Jojoba Oil: I love using this one on its own for skin and hair health. I live in a very cold climate so for about 6 months each year, my scalp, nails and hair are screaming for moisture. Accompanied by whichever essentual oil I’m in the mood for (usually lavender) I massage jojoba oil into my scalp, cuticles, hair and face two evenings a week before bed. This one has a long shelf life too, so one bottle can last you the entire winter and maybe some of next winter!
4. Coconut Oil: Googling coconut oil will convince you that any human ailment may be repaired by a thin layer of coconut oil. I don’t necessarily disagree! Coconut oil is solid at room temperature but can be heated into an oil with a distinct coconut aroma. It’s so moisturizing, just so so moisturizing. Natural-haired may love it for moisturizing their hair but if you have thin hair, I don’t advise using this unless you want to be washing it out for two weeks. It’s great as a gentle make-up remover, cuticle repair, course callous treatment, etc. Oh and you can cook with it, which I do regularly.

Again, from a legal standpoint I must remind users to not use any of this advice to override that of their healthcare provider. I do however heartily suggest these life changes as supplements to your current regimen of care.

Whether you work as a holistic massage therapist aligning chakras or a personal injury attorney chasing justice for those wrongly injured, your personal life may benefit from the incorporation of essential oils. Again, I’m certainly not suggesting oils to replace any medications your healthcare provider may prescribe or suggest, but I am heartily suggesting supplementing your self-care routine with oils.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant compounds and while those teeny bottles seem pricey, it can take up to 4,000 pounds of the plant to get just one pound of its oil. And the use of them is often highly diluted.  Keep your eyes on the labels for pure, medicinal, steam-distilled oils and stock up on jojoba oil to use as a diluent. And here are my top ten oils and their usages:

1. Eucalyptus: this may be used to loosen tightness in the chest or sinuses during cold season if inhaled through a vaporizer. It may also work as muscle soreness relief is used with a hot bath. If you’ve ever found yourself in a spa suddenly able to breathe easily through your nose and chest, it’s likely because they’re diffusing eucalyptus oil for this just this reason.
2. Lavender: I like to combine my eucalyptus oil – which can be an overwhelming scent – with lavender which balances it with an herbal, floral finish. This is a very versatile oil as it’s commonly known for its relaxing quality, but it’s also great on skin irritations. My favorite use of lavender oil is to put about three drops into my hands and rub them together right before going to sleep.
3. Peppermint: This oil is more of an *upper* that the aforementioned two. It purifies and stimulates the mind and can increase mental alertness. I like to add a couple of drops to my morning coffee to help with digestion and mental acuity. This is a strong oil for the skin though, so if you’re going to use it topically – mix it with a good diluent like jojoba oil first. Peppermint oil, while not a chemical component, can cause something akin to chemical burns if used on the skin in too high of concentration.
4. Lemon: Lemon oil is great if you have blemishes or acne. I like to drop a big into my evening moisturizer for this purpose. This is also a great oil to keep at the law office as it can help with focus. Just drop a couple drops into the hands, warm it up, and breathe deeply into your palms for thirty seconds. You might find yourself sharper and more focused to follow. This may, of course, be more attributed to the momentary meditation, but why not supplement it with an uplifting sensory experience.
5. Clove: Clove oil is very very strong. Please understand that disclaimer before using it in any capacity. That said, clove oil is an excellent anti-imflammatory and antiseptic so if you’re having any dental issues or a toothpain and can’t get right into the dentist, clove oil may be your best friend. Just remember to mix it with a carrier oil (I use coconut oil, due to its versatility in form) as it’s very strong!

Oils and holistic healing options in general tend to get a bad rap, being resigned to “witch doctor” status or “hippie wicca healing” which can be true. But essential oils have been around and in use in different cultures for millennia. To discount them just because hippies and witches use them is to do yourself and your health a disservice.

I’m a healer and a believer in the power of crystals. I am by no means a medical professional and I’m not suggesting using what I tell you to treat your ailment. However, I do suggest supplementing your medical treatment with respect for and understanding of crystals.

Think of your body as an energy grid requiring certain energies in specific regions (chakras). Your body is surrounded, at all times, by the energies it requires. But the energies are unharnessed rendering them unable to tend to the regions of your body requiring them.  Crystals harness these energies, direct them to the chakras requiring them, promoting wellness and sound chakra alignment.

The energies are placed on the aligned chakra region(s) and while the bodily energies align, the mind meditates on the expected outcome of the alignment. I often incorporate the power of scent into my routine by diffusing lavender and eucalyptus oils during the meditation.

I’m fully aware, skeptical reader, that there is no scientific basis for the practice of crystal based chakra alignment. But I’ve found it to be calming, centering, and profoundly impactful on my quality of life. I believe in science. And I believe in the things unable to be explained by it.

The crystal starter kit consists of: Quartz Crystal, a spiritually healing conduit; Tiger’s Eye, strong and emotionally balancing; Amethyst, physically cleansing and healing; and Sapphire, mentally comforting.

If nothing else, setting aside time in your life for focused meditation and self-healing – with or without crystals – is proven to be enriching. So maybe start there and if you find yourself interested in crystals, incorporate them later.

Next time, let’s talk about the essential oils that you may incorporate into your crystal or meditative healing.