In my many years of working with Natural Health Therapies a dominant pattern has been a mainstay - "What is GOOD for the ENVIRONMENT is GOOD for US!"  For decades I have been counseling clients to avoid chemical based sunscreens such as  oxybenzone &  octinoxate. Research shows that these chemical based sunscreen ingredients are hormonal disruptors and may lead to cell damage and potentially cause skin cancer. Not only are these sunscreen chemicals harmful to us, they damage aquatic life including the Coral Reefs! Shall we connect the dots... substances that are Harmful to Humans are usually Harmful to the ENVIRONMENT! Solution: use mineral based sunblock products, look for such ingredients as Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide.
Chemical sunscreens are a form of pollution. Pollutants are not only causing destruction of the natural world but are powerful co-factors in many of mankind most deadly health conditions. 

Anosmia, or loss of the sense of smell is a symptom some Corona patients suffer from. The smell organ is located high in the nasal cavity, when anosmia is involved it suggests upper respiratory infection. Enter Aromatherapy! Inhalation Therapy with Essential Oils is the perfect fit for upper respiratory issues because breathing in aromas is one of the only ways direct contact can be made with the Olafactory Bulb (our smell organ).  A variety of natural oils may be beneficial, this natural therapy may turn out to be one of the most useful for sinus conditions.; For more Contact Us

 Lavender Essential Oil has long been considered a *"Medicine Chest in a Bottle". Indeed it is highly recommended for use against infectious disease, colds, flu, respiratory complaints. It has anti-se[tic, anti-viral & anti-bacterial properties. Gentle to use * with anti-inflammatory properties, a nice change from the artificial smell of commercial sanitizers, the aroma immediately relaxes as you pour from the bottle. Ideal ingredient in the simple Hand Sanitizer Formula.
 RECIPE
2 ounces Aloe Vera Gel
20 to 30 drops Lavender Essential Oil
~Mix together in a 2 oz Bottle
~Shake well before each use
 Reference . Healing with Aromatherapy by M.Ericksen
* Check for allergies before use

Indeed Breathe is Life! Our life force, the Prana (life energy force). In all things there is a silver lining. A striking phenomena has occurred due to reduced human activity of the Sars-CoV2 Pandemic - CLEAN AIR! Pollution in Urban areas is a Co-Factor that negatively affects anyone with underlying Lung issues. Rates of Childhood Asthma are higher in areas of high pollution. With the world on quarantine car/ vehicle traffic has been dramatically reduced. The benefit of less automobile traffic is the potential for improved lung Health. This in turn, can reduce our risk for respiratory problems. Nothing is better  than long walks in fresh clean air, preferably in open Natural surroundings. Without cars we also are without urban noise; honking, road rage, sirens. In the new found stillness - listen to the sounds of nature, bird song, rustling of wind, as you breathe deeply into your lungs. Breathe slowly and relaxed, expand the lungs fully, allowing for complete oxygenation - exhale fully allowing waste to release. Simple, deep Breathing has an amazing healing effect - Take Daily with a dose of Sunshine - wear appropriate garb - include a smile!
​Sing, chant or whistle as you walk= let your joy bubble up and out!

​Infectious Disease has been part of mankind's existence since the human race began. Man has dealt with caring for its sick with plant medicine for just as long. Aromatherapy is a branch of botanical medicine that can be beneficial during times of infectious illness. Many essential oils have anti-infectious properties. If you have a household member who is vulnerable and needs to be quarantined, they should be in a closed room preferably with their own bathroom. Diffuse essential oils into the air to disinfect the space. Electric Aromatherapy diffusors are a good choice. Anyone entering the room should wear a fresh face mask and latex gloves (disposable). The face mask should be disinfected after use. Air out the room when possible, sunshine is a good disinfectant via the Ultra Violet Rays from the sun. Indeed there is no such thing as a sterile environment and we ultimately rely on our immune system to fight off invading pathogens.....more to come in next post.......

In the beginning of the Corona Virus outbreak in the USA, there was much confusion about whether or not Face masks worked. Surgical masks are approved for protection against coughs & sneezes, but may only be available for health care providers due to shortages. Cloth masks are now being recommended by CDC health officials. To increase the effectiveness of a cloth mask, sprinkle a few drops of Tea tree oil on the mask. Tree tree oil is antimicrobial and beneficial in fighting off germs & microbes. When wearing the mask, you will have 2 benefits- Disinfecting the outer air space & breathing in the vapors of the tea tree oil. Breathing in the Aromatic vapor is beneficial for the lungs. Wash & disinfect the mask when returning home. AromaFace has formulated Virex Spray with a more potent combination of botanicals; USES; spray on masks, disinfect personal air space, surfaces, shopping cart handles, packaged grocery items.   To order.

Franchomme's Lectures provide the type of in depth knowledge that puts the "Therapy" in Aroma-Therapy. He draws parallels between the science behind medicinal properties of essential oils and their use in real time treatment. Correlating chemistry with pathology.  For example; the mention of Petit grain (Bitter orange) and it's use in pain treatment. Most of us who have used this oil, know it to be uplifting. But Pierre explains that this is so because it stimulates secretion of endorphins. To go further into the science, specifically it is a " Stimulant of Morphino-mimetic substances". An "Aha" moment, I had never quite viewed petit grain with such bonafide action. This knowledge enhances and broadens my thinking on it's use when it comes time to formulate for my clients health needs. 
​Indeed Pierre Franchomme offers validity to the very important healing modality called "Aromatherapy".
Bravo and Thank you to Pierre.            

Kurt's comments below, about the success of the recent Conference and the introduction of Asian essential oils into Aromatherapy....
​aromatherapy 2.0
November 27th, 2015 by Kurt Schnaubelt
After the Conference
The 8th PIA Conference on Therapeutic Uses of Essential Oils appeared to be a success in every aspect. We would like to thank all the participants, presenters and helpers who contributed. The diversity of the presentations showed impressively how aromatherapy is a healing modality with an expanding horizon.
Almost all presentations can be looked up in “Unlimited Possibilities,” proceedings of the conference. An overview of the presentations is still available on the New PIA site (www.newpacificinstituteofaromatherapy.com).
aromatherapy 2.0
In addition, I would like to point to “aromatherapy 2.0.” This project of OSA and PIA offers new perspectives on essential oils that so far have not been at the center of attention. “aromatherapy 2.0” highlights essential oils of an Asian pedigree that have not been among those that the colonial powers of the 16th century and thereafter brought to the West. “aromatherapy 2.0” focuses on the wood, rhizome and resin oils of Asia, quite some of them at the center of scientific attention for their ability to help with chronic inflammation or to prevent tumors.
“aromatherapy 2.0” also introduces some of the most sought fragrances from Asia: Different Agarwood and Sandalwood essential oils.
All of this can be explored on our new site www.asia-aromatherapy.com. The objective of the site is to allow for leisurely exploration and gathering of information. It offers three main approaches
Experiences. This first approach introduces two offerings, “Monsoon” and “Smelling T’ang.” Collections of oils intended to transport and mediate a relaxed and balanced mood.
Explorations. Different collections of Asian essential oils assembled according to diverse cultural or therapeutic aspects.
Notes and more Reading. The asia-aromatherapy site is first and foremost intends to provide a slow and pleasant approach to the cultural connections in which many Asian aromatics are embedded and to stimulate curiosity. In the “Notes and More Reading” column we will sporadically add more texts referring to the healing properties of these oils, mostly from an Asian perspective.

Looking back from the first Conference I attended in the 1980's to the 2015 International Conference on the Therapeutic use of Essential Oils, the innovations presented by Speakers from around the Globe, as always, do not disappoint. Kurt Schnaubelt and Monika Haas bring together the innovators in all fields of Aromatherapy. New research in science, medicine, holism and metaphysical aspects of essential oils, push the envelope of the confines of what has become main stream aromatherapy. 
I will be posting more about the proceedings and call upon any attendees to comment and post about the impact of what they heard, learned or used, as their own personal take away, from the San Francisco Event!  
 Aromatically yours, Marlene