The Magic of Essential Oils and Recovery

The Magic of Essential Oils and Recovery - Allison Stillman

It's a wonder as I witness people in recovery, how the brain, and the thoughts buried within the brain lead us on such paths of suffering. I ponder the notion that the path of suffering can bring so much growth and yet have such profound marks on our lives.

When it comes time to give up the influences that take us down the path of suffering, whether it be drugs, alcohol or abuse, the center of the brain that stores addiction happens to be located next to the area of the brain responsible for emotion and behavior. So it only makes sense that as the addiction begins to take hold, the emotions are dramatically impacted, as well as our behavior. While the behavior might not initially be influenced by the addiction, the behavior behind the addiction degrades over a long period until there is some form of suffering that brings us to recovery, and there the magic begins.

I say magic because the road to recovery can be filled with miraculous moments, where a simple thing like having happiness in your day, can indeed be magical. How do we retrain the brain to avoid going back into our addiction? One way to retrain the brain, and one of the most powerful tools, is the use of essential oils, not only for the healing of the physical body, but primarily for retraining the portion of the brain responsible for addiction and behavior, hence affecting the emotional center as well.

We affect the portion of the brain that stores emotions and behavior through the olfactory system, or the sense of smell. One of the marvellous, even miraculous, things about fragrance is that even if you can't actually smell the scent, it still has a desired impact on the brain. In other words, the essential oils and their specific aromas can impact the brain, whether we realize it or not. Magical, wouldn't you say?

Moreover, continued use of a specific fragrance begins to beget a response just from a brief encounter. When we use particular oils to calm and relax the central nervous system, we can ease the effects of anxiety and depression, both side effects of withdrawal from chemical addictions. As we continue to use the oils to calm the central nervous system, the brain starts to recognize the calming aroma and messages from the body, "Time to calm down, lavender is being used", and the body begins to relax, just from inhaling.

When we combine the actual application, perhaps a little lavender massaged on the back of the neck, for example, we are affecting the emotional center and gaining a physiological response, essentially doubling the impact of the essential oil.

Eventually, when practising the application and inhalation of the prescribed essential oils, we can change the physiology of craving, anxiety and depression and the idea or emotion of each of those emotions and behaviors.

Essential oils are miraculous with their myriad chemical constituents in creating all manner of balance and equilibrium in a turbulent environment.

With long-term use, we can change any emotional state within the body, mind and spirit. Essential oils want us to feel good in the body, strong and relaxed, as well as being in control of our behavior; they are a magical component to healthy, sober living!

When you begin to use essential oils, or the liquid, volatile, concentrated essences distilled from plants, flowers, roots, trees, and grasses, it's best to begin with one single oil used in a blend with a carrier oil. Essential oils are very, very concentrated essences and can be a little caustic to the skin when used undiluted. Some essential oils are very caustic to the skin and can only be used sparingly in blends.

In the 50 years of using essential oils, I've learned much, and yet, I still feel as if there is so much more to learn about these magical elixirs. And they truly are magical in so many ways.

A few years ago, I did a 2-year study in a recovery home with women introducing them to the power and magic of essential oils. When I began the study, the women were very downtrodden, some coming out of jail, off the streets and from abusive homes. I was there for one hour each week, and after the very first visit, I watched their scowling downtrodden faces turn into smiles, laughter, and tears.

It was one of the more powerful studies I've conducted with essential oils. In the shortest time imaginable, all of them were changed by the simple inhalation of 3 different oils. I witnessed true magic alchemy in the most powerful way with those women. By far and away, the number one favorite amongst the women in recovery was the essence of sweet orange oil, combined with neroli essential oil. Neroli, of course, is the oil of the angels, and distilled from the sweet orange blossoms. Neroli is one of the most expensive essential oils because it takes one ton of flowers to make 16 ounces of essential oil.

I've done a few neroli harvests and distillations and can attest to the value of the essential oil. With 25 people picking blossoms for an entire day, we only produced 5 ml. of essential oil. However, the experience is extraordinary because the orchard's fragrance is exquisite and intoxicating. Citrus oils are the number one oils for depression due to their uplifting and anti-depressant properties.

Maybe you don't or have never struggled with addiction to alcohol or drugs; perhaps it's an addiction to suffering, or feeling unworthy, or giving too much of yourself away every day, leaving you stressed and exhausted.

For me, sweets are always my go-to when I get overwhelmed and stressed, and I've come to know that my craving for sweets is really craving or addiction to sweetness in my life. Over the years, I've learned when life deals me crazy, turbulent, or difficult experiences, my body always reaches for chocolate, so I've conditioned myself to get out a few oils, anoint myself, and then get into nature. Those are my go-to remedies to find the sweetness now. Not to say I still don't get a bite of dark chocolate too, but it doesn't own me anymore.

At the end of the day, we are all looking for more sweetness in life. I remind myself every day of the gifts of nature and all her essences that provide a powerful vehicle to change our emotional state and lead us back into peace, serenity, and a love for our lives.

- Allison

Allison Stillman is an author, teacher, transformational coach, and an acclaimed Aromatic Alchemist. She’s been a student of aromatherapy, alchemy, and spirituality for 45 years, and has been deepening her connection to Love her entire life.

Her book the “Sacred Art of Anointing” was the first of its kind when it was published, and continues to educate people about the ancient art of anointing. “The Sacred Art of Anointing” was admitted to the Harvard Divinity School Library, as it’s a deep exploration of the spiritual and religious use of essential oils throughout history, and is a reference for awakening consciousness and deepening Love.

Allison has been featured in numerous books including, “Love for No Reason” by Marci Shimoff, “More Hot Chocolate for the Mystical Soul” by Arielle Ford and “Insights from the Coffeehouse” by Jonathon Collins.

She’s also been featured in magazines, and on radio shows across the globe, and as a speaker at global conferences & events.

Allison has worked with people from around the world individually through private anointing rites of passage, coaching and mentoring individuals, as well as teaching large events for 30 years, and is dedicated to changing and empowering people through the gift of Aromatic Alchemy and Conscious Alchemy Coaching.

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