December – Family Relationships
Wow! Takes more than a bit of courage to write about family relationships at this time in my life—or at a few other times, if I am to be completely honest!
As a result of a certain amount of angst about, and a bit of discouragement, I hesitate to ‘set myself up as a light to the world’ on this topic.
So. . . I am going to begin this newsletter by quoting from a woman (Tamara S. Runia) whose comments and talks always speak to me and bring light (and a resolve to be better) to my mind! At least two of her talks center on family relationships and personal growth.
“Families are a God-given laboratory where we’re figuring things out, so missteps and miscalculations are not just possible but probable. And wouldn’t it be interesting if, at the end of our lives, we could see that those relationships, even those challenging moments, were the very things that helped us to become more like our Savior? Family relationships [are] a powerful vehicle to teach us the lessons we came here to learn.”
Happiness in family life, to my mind, can only be achieved when gratitude and appreciation for each other are cultivated in the heart and soul of each family member and expressed often. There can exist no hint of selfishness but only—and always— a desire to seek what is best for others rather than for ourselves! An ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ is, to my mind, a very important aspect and a key to achieving happiness and harmony in family life!
Trying to understand another’s point of view can help family members better understand one another and help us to empathize with that point of view and freely forgive when necessary.
In This Issue
LaRee’s Picks
Val’s Picks
December Essential Oils
Featured Herbs
Featured Blessed Waters
Featured Lotions
Featured Blend – LeReconciliation
Featured Singles – Jasmine
Vitamin E Carrier Oils
Synergy Kit
Foot Zoner Kit
LeGrateful Heart
This blend is one of the earliest that I have created over the years. Anthopogon was a later, very beneficial addition to this already impressive blend!
Besides being destructive to relationships with those we love and associate with, dissatisfaction and discontentment are terribly destructive to our own nervous and immune systems! LeGrateful Heart addresses these physical imbalances and their subsequent distress in the body by providing perspective and understanding of our own feelings.
There are schools of thought which maintain that diabetes and hypoglycemia are sometimes (often) driven by feeling that ‘the sweetness has gone out of life’. I could share several instances where I believed this to be true, but confidentiality prevents me from doing so. I can tell you, however, that the LeGrateful Heart blend has been used successfully to stabilize the blood sugar lows of hypoglycemia as well as the issues attendant with diabetes. It has also been used effectively in the treatment of some autoimmune disorders.
LeTrust
One of the best features of this blend is that it makes a very nice perfume or cologne. LeTrust, diffused in the home, can make changes for the better in family attitudes and communication, especially at mealtimes.
LeTrust is a very high-frequency essential oil blend. LeTrust helps us be more accepting, tolerant, compassionate, and forgiving of ourselves and others. This blend can be useful in leaving behind old hurts, guilt, and frustrations. The emotions supported by LeTrust can help us evaluate our relationships and leave behind attitudes of co-dependency or, on the other hand, stubborn independence and the need to be right! Finding a balance between trusting others and ourselves and reasonable caution in new situations and old relationships is another very important life skill that this blend seems to help us cultivate in ourselves
One of the things I love most about essential oils is that when we utilize them hoping for a particular outcome, we often find healing ‘across the board’. Although LeTrust is a high-frequency blend and definitely a spiritual/emotional oil, it has proven useful for the relief of pain with pleurisy and gallstones. Some people report that, when used as a mouth rinse, this blend is good for gum disease.
LeLetting Go
LeLetting Go is a favorite blend of many people, including my husband and myself! This blend is an outstanding aid in the release of anger, frustration, resentment, despair, grief, insecurity, or any other emotion that is not serving you well. This blend is appropriate when your forward progress in emotional or physical healing seems to be halted.
LeLetting Go seems to be particularly beneficial when used for the rebellious or stubborn spirit sometimes seen in teens and others (myself) from time to time.
By letting go of negative emotions and attitudes, we can better develop attitudes of tolerance and compassion towards the faults and foibles of the human race, including ourselves and our families. Sometimes close, functional family relationships can be more difficult to cultivate than relationships with co-workers and others that we interact with from day to day.
Regular use, diffusing around us or wearing on our bodies, of this essential oil blend can help us develop feelings of trust, safety, and security. Does wearing it foster those feelings toward us in those around us? I believe so, but only if we are deserving of such feelings. This essential oil blend seems to bring clarity of thought and emotions to any and all who are exposed to it.
Letting go of the emotional baggage that we don’t need can have an energizing effect on the colon, kidneys, liver, and gallbladder in particular. Holding on to negativity from the past can be the root cause of constipation. Fear can cause the kidneys and the bladder to function below optimum levels. Clogging in the liver and gallbladder creates a multitude of physical problems.
LeTranquility
My husband asked—sort of ‘lobbied strongly’—for the LeTranquility blend (and the LeAngel blend mentioned next) to be included in this month’s blog. For a moment I thought, “How does being ‘tranquil’ tie into ‘Family Relationships’? If you are the mother/father of children of any age, I guess this is a ‘no-brainer’. Right? If you are a child of any age, perhaps this is a ‘no-brainer’ for you also.
LeTranquility is one of the best-loved of the Butterfly Express LLC blends. LeTranquility can help us develop inner strength, patience, understanding, and confidence. LeTranquility helps us take a step back from a situation so that we may come to a fuller understanding of all aspects of the situation. From this perspective, we are usually able to see solutions to our dilemmas—and issues in our families—more easily and more clearly!
How powerful is LeTranquility? One of my early experiences with this blend, after its creation, still remains with me. A neighbor, with her daughter-in-law in tow, knocked on my door very late one night. When I answered the door, I found her daughter-in-law in a state of absolute panic! “Please help,” the older woman said in a frantic and desperate voice. I felt like panicking, too! I reached for my bottle of LeTranquility and waved it under all of our noses. Then I started dumping it all over both women—while breathing deeply myself! Instant—seriously—calm over the entire room!
Diffuse or wear LeTranquility as a perfume. Everyone around you will get to enjoy it and reap the benefits.
LeAngel
LeAngel is specifically for use in releasing traumatic memories connected to negative experiences of various kinds. It is particularly effective for feelings of insecurity, helplessness, and rage resulting from childhood abuse, both sexual and otherwise. LeAngel does not erase the memory of these events. LeAngel can bring them to a place of safety where they can acknowledge these feelings and sort through them. It allows one to move through the anger, let go, and move forward rather than let past experiences dictate their actions
Use of this blend often brings memories of a time or place when one felt safe and loved. Often the person will wish to express these feelings or talk about a loved one from their past with whom they felt particularly loved, accepted, and safe. I suggest, when I see this sort of situation in classes (or elsewhere), that the person record these feelings in a journal. Not necessarily the harsh memories, but the feelings about the person, or time, or place they just recalled, and acknowledge that these feelings are possible for them in their lives every day!
The processing of these memories has a cleansing effect on the stored anger that is often held in the liver and in the corresponding (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine) meridian. There are some behavioral patterns, physical symptoms, and illnesses that are common to people who feel a lot of anger. This is true whether the roots of the anger lie in childhood abuse or in some other event or cause. Some of these physical symptoms are vascular headaches and migraines, high blood pressure, tension and stiffness in the neck and shoulders, muscle cramping, inflammation of the nerves, and distress in the gallbladder and liver. Because LeAngel helps to cleanse the liver, it can be of benefit in many of these ailments.
Conifer trees such as Cedarwood, Spruce, and Fir balsam, because of their structure and very nature, are always, emotionally, reaching into the Heavens while staying strongly grounded in the earth and in reality! No misperceptions here and no misperceptions of reality around this very aromatic blend!
I find that diffusing LeConnection when journaling helps me to better find insights and learn from the mundane or even stressful events of everyday living! What a blessing and what a comfort that can be! LeConnection in the air also keeps my thoughts from spiraling in every direction with too many things to do and too many thoughts running about in my head at the same time!
This beautiful blend can help us communicate better with the people around us—including family members—and with Heaven. LeConnection enhances both our ability to speak/instruct (my life every day, it seems) and my ability to listen both to the points of view of others and to Heaven’s instructions!
The Sage, Angelica, and Ylang Ylang in LeConnection have an affinity for the pelvic area chakras and organs, and for organs such as the gallbladder, while the Spruce and the Cedarwood have to do with the solar plexus and the receiving of divine inspiration. This blend connects those two areas, giving us great core strength and emotional equilibrium.
Bergamot is an ingredient in several of my favorite ‘go-to’ blends. It has some unusual and interesting emotional/spiritual/mental pieces in its healing patterns.
It is sometimes difficult to see when a person is in need of the specific healing capabilities of Bergamot since such a person is usually seen by family and friends as cheerful and wonderfully supportive of those around them. However, this cheerfulness is often only a mask, hiding anger, despair, or depression. It is as though they are carrying the burden of every sad story they have listened to, or even seen on TV, on their own shoulders. They are angry and sad, but since the stories are not their own, they feel they cannot tell them to anyone. The anger they feel becomes repressed and turns inward.
The ability of Bergamot to relieve anger, nervous depression, anxiety, and hysteria has been well documented in Europe. Bergamot can help us find peace when our heart hurts for others’ distress. Bergamot is excellent in any emotional crisis and in convalescing from an illness. Bergamot raises the spirits and brings light into our lives and lightness to dark and weary days. It is often used in treatments for eating disorders.
Bergamot has a great many applications for physical healing. Bergamot is used for urinary tract infections, sore throat, cold sores, bronchitis, and varicose veins. In Italy, Bergamot is commonly used in the treatment of intestinal parasites. Also used in treatments for candida overgrowth and thrush. Bergamot has been shown to be effective against tuberculosis bacilli. Like all essential oils, Bergamot is antimicrobial. It is particularly destructive to bacteria that live in the mouth.
Bergamot contains bergaptene, which is said to be phototoxic. The warnings are many and dire! However, I have never experienced a phototoxic reaction to any essential oil that was applied properly diluted—and I have worked at it! However, there are claims made by others claiming documentation of severe damage to cells on skin that was exposed to ultraviolet light.
Diffused, LeHousewarming creates an atmosphere of welcome and warmth in a home or office. This blend stimulates our thinking and encourages us to seek new solutions to problems and to look at long-standing relationships in new ways.
Physically, the diffusing of LeHousewarming in the house or office strengthens the immune systems of those present. It does this by removing free radicals and stimulating T-lymphocyte activity and immunoglobulin production.
The Cassia, which is the signature essential oil in this blend, is renowned as a powerful oxygenator. Cassia is also considered to be a cardiovascular tonic and is known to be one of the most strongly antimicrobial essential oils. It is amazing to me that something that fills the home with such a wonderful aroma can be so good for us at the same time.
Although LeHousewarming is a simple blend—only 4 ingredients—it is often best diffused rather than worn on the body or inhaled. However, the inclusion of Cassia in this blend, while producing a wonderful aroma in the air, can produce a burning sensation in the nostrils if whiffed directly from the oil bottle. Applied undiluted, Cassia and this blend may be a trifle irritating to the skin. LeHousewarming is excellent in the bath, but 2 drops, well stirred around in the water before climbing in, are strongly recommended. If you get a bit too much or have reacted strongly, a soothing carrier oil applied generously to the affected areas of skin will set things right quickly! However, this is a great blend for lymphatic congestion when diluted well before applying and used sparingly in the bathtub.
Lavender is such a versatile and well-known essential that it would, properly, take pages and pages to describe even its basic healing capabilities. Lavender is a universal oil that has been shown to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need. It is called “the grandmother” of essential oils because it cares for and nurtures us through such a variety of physical and emotional stresses. If you don’t know what essential oil to reach for, try Lavender.
Lavender can be used for nearly all skin conditions. It can be applied to cuts, sunburns, burns, rashes, dermatitis, eczema, and insect bites. Consistent use of Lavender with burns and injuries minimizes scarring. Lavender, usually as part of a blend, is often used to prevent or remedy conditions of dandruff and hair loss. Lavender is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, cytophylactic, and antispasmodic, making it effective for muscle strains and sprains, cramps, and wound healing.
One of the great emotional gifts of Lavender is the feeling of total and unchanging support around and within us. It leaves us with no room for doubt that we are loved and will be supported in life’s challenges and in the process of healing. Lavender promotes faith, even in the hard times. Lavender is wonderfully calming in small amounts, but can be stimulating if used in too large a quantity or too often. This is especially true with babies and small children.
How useful and versatile is Lavender oil? At Butterfly Express LLC, it is an essential part of at least 34 essential oil blends!
Strangely, if a person (woman or child of either gender) suddenly develops a sudden aversion to Lavender essential oil when they have previously loved and enjoyed it, literature all around the world indicates that there is a very high probability that the person has recently experienced some form of sexual abuse. Over the years, I have seen this allegation borne out more than once!
As we experience adversity and joy in this life, our fears, frustrations, annoyances, and irritabilities should mellow into wisdom. This blend can help us do that by moving us away from the negative patterns of our lives. It is of particular use for those who become distraught or discouraged because they continually pressure themselves to do more, be absolutely perfect, or to be ready for any future crisis situation that may happen.
This blend is often used in Inner Child work to establish a firm presence in the present time and situation. LeWisdom can help us express and deal with repressed emotions. LeWisdom is a wonderful oil for any grieving stages of our lives. It is one of the best blends for jet lag and fatigue.
Physically, this blend has been used effectively against extreme fatigue, mental confusion, jet lag, PTSD, and for some autoimmune conditions such as Lupus
A little bit about Hinoki wood, which is a key ingredient to the LeWisdom blend. Hinoki, a member of the ‘cypress’ family, is native to Japan. In Japan, Hinoki is considered a sacred wood and is the prized wood used for building temples, shrines, and structures that will be used in bathing rituals. It is said to absorb, then isolate and remove poisons from the lymphatic system and to act as a decongestant for the respiratory system.
Hinoki, a member of the ‘cypress’ family tree has an aroma that is reminiscent of cedar. However, it is milder and much less woodsy in aroma and imparts a delightful hint of lemon to a blend without the lemon becoming overpowering. Hinoki makes an excellent addition to lighter, aromatic blends such as LeDiscernment, LeEverlasting, LeWisdom, and my favorite LeLetting Go. This essential oil certainly adds to the effectiveness and to the delightful aroma of the LeWisdom blend.
As a child, I loved being in any forest that had a lot of conifer trees. Unfortunately, I was also allergic to most things, including these beautiful trees, that are found in forests. Nevertheless, being there was worth it to me—even when the allergy pills I was given made me groggy and sleepy while I was there! (Fortunately, the things I have learned over the years have eliminated all of my allergies but one—and that is to a commonly used dental deadener!) (More information that you probably wanted to know. Sorry. But a milestone and a blessing in my life every day of the last 30 years!)
Spruce (and other conifers) create the symbolic effect of an umbrella which protects the earth and brings energy in from the universe. At night, the animals of the forest lie down under a conifer tree for the protection and rejuvenation that the tree will provide for them. Spruce grounds the solar plexus and stimulates the thymus, creating the emotional balance necessary to be gracious at both giving and receiving. Spruce can help us push through emotional blocks to further healing.
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Spruce make it beneficial for bone pain, aching joints, arthritis, and sciatica. Spruce should be massaged wherever sore muscles need relaxing and re-energizing. Spruce is an excellent oil for the respiratory and endocrine systems. Spruce is a general gland and organ tonic, but it has an intrinsic affinity for balancing the thyroid function and stimulating the thymus gland.
Spruce is so beneficial and has such a beautiful healing aroma that it is an essential ingredient in 27 Butterfly Express LLC blends.
Featured Herbs for Family Relationships
Catnip/Chamomile
The first thing that I want you to know about both catnip and chamomile is that they are appropriate for use with infants and small children. This combination is excellent in controlling fever and can be administered as an enema if the situation is desperate enough to require it—it will reduce the fever every time, even when nothing else tried has been effective, thus preventing convulsions. I have recommended catnip alone over the years. However, the addition of chamomile adds a calming and relaxing element to catnip’s healing capabilities!
This formula is made as a glycerite because it is typically used for colicky, cranky, or teething infants. It is also excellent for babies, children, and adults suffering from bloating and/or gas. I have sometimes found it helpful for children with bed-wetting problems.
The lives of children diagnosed with ADHD have been improved by regular use of this herbal combination. Catnip and Chamomile are both calming to the nervous system. More importantly, they provide nutrients that are key to the nervous system in helping a child stay calm, sit still, and handle their daily lives without their usual anxiety and inability to sit still when that is required of them. Chamomile and Catnip are both very relaxing herbs, making this formula good for those who are having trouble sleeping.
Chamomile
Chamomile is so well known for its use with infants and children for colic, upset tummy, and nightmares that its many other wonderful properties are too often overlooked. The tonic and sedative properties of Chamomile make it an excellent choice for ulcers and indigestion in adults. Chamomile regulates peristalsis in babies, children, and adults, making it an excellent remedy for either diarrhea or constipation in persons of all ages!
Chamomile, though so very mild-acting in many ways, is strongly antiseptic and is also strongly antibacterial. It has been shown to be effective against Candida, especially as it manifests in the mouth of new babies as thrush. Where does an infant get exposed to the Candida albicans bacteria that is the cause of thrush in newborns? From the vaginal tract of the mother during the birthing process. Of course, this means that the mother’s vaginal tract needs to be treated as well. And, likely, the baby’s father also needs to be treated if the mother is ever to get clear of Candida herself!
Other uses for Chamomile include fever reduction, colds, flu, sore throats, coughs, and digestive infections such as gastroenteritis. The antiseptic action of Chamomile is particularly effective with an inflamed bladder and cystitis.
Chamomile helps to relieve nausea during pregnancy, can relax uterine spasms, relieve painful cramping during menstrual flow, treat the absence of menstrual periods, relieve menstrual headaches, and bring relief from mastitis. Chamomile is also a wonderful herb to relieve menopausal symptoms and is a natural antihistamine that can be used for asthma and hay fever, and externally for eczema.
Chamomile is effective as a rinse for blond hair in the prevention of graying.
With all that said, what does this have to do with family relationships? If you read back through the preceding paragraphs, it becomes obvious that both personal and family life will be improved with family members regularly sitting down with a cup of warm chamomile tea! Besides aiding in good health in so many ways, digestive distress of any kind always brings with it a certain amount of emotional stress and tension—such as judgmental attitudes, impatience, and even anger, to mention just a few possibilities!
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family, and it looks very much like other mints when placed in herbal gardens. I find it a little bit trickier to grow than other mints—but I do have a small patch of it growing in my herbal garden! How do I tell the lemon balm from my other mints? If the leaves are rubbed together in your hands, the aroma will be that of lemons, not mint.
Lemon Balm, as an herb, has been used as far back as the Middle Ages to improve appetite and ease the pain and discomfort of indigestion by relaxing the muscles in the abdominal area.
Many people use Lemon Balm for anxiety, sleep problems, and restlessness. Lemon Balm has also been used for ADHD, Graves’ disease, which involves the thyroid, rapid heartbeat due to nervousness, high blood pressure, skin sores, and insect bites.
I find that a tea made from Lemon Balm is both soothing to my nerves and acts as a pick-me-up when I am having trouble concentrating or sticking to a task.
Research conducted with Lemon Balm and a placebo indicated that Lemon Balm may help improve symptoms of depression. It might also boost serotonin, a neurotransmitter you need for mood regulation.
Another study found that Lemon Balm has antiviral activity that can inhibit the Herpes simplex virus. Lemon Balm seems to clear cold sores faster than a placebo. Suggestion: Use one of the Melissa essential oils carried by ButterflyExpress LLC, along with drinking Lemon Balm tea!
There is evidence that Lemon Balm has anti-inflammatory properties, which could help soothe skin.
As an essential oil, Lemon Balm is referred to as Melissa and is one of the strongest antimicrobial oils possible. It is also extremely expensive. Butterfly Express LLC carries both a ‘rectified’ Melissa essential oil and what is called ‘Melissa Blend’. The original recipe for this blend was given to me by one of the best essential oil people I have ever known and is a capable substitute for pure Melissa in most instances! We hit it off when I placed an order years ago! The result was that, in the very early days of Butterfly Express LLC, she would provide me with small 4 oz bottles of various oils at a breakdown of the pound prices. This, and her knowledge, which she freely shared, helped Butterfly get ‘off the ground’. Madeleine, I love you still and mourn that you are gone from this world and from us! Madeleine’s son has become a great friend of this family and a great resource, as well.
Thyme
The famous English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, who died in 1654, said that Thyme was “a notable strengthener of the lungs, as notable a one as grows; neither is there a better remedy growing for that disease in children which they commonly call chin-cough [whooping cough].” Thyme is a useful tonic for infections, whether in the throat, chest area, or feet (especially fungal ones such as athlete’s foot). Thyme is useful for bronchitis, whooping cough, and pleurisy. There are those who claim Thyme will kill lice. Perhaps a strong tea, applied frequently enough, would do this, but I think that I would probably rely on the essential oil as my first choice.
I think it is likely that the many wonderful healing properties of Thyme are because of its wide range of nutrients. Thyme contains potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and selenium. Thyme is also a rich source of vitamins A, K, E, C, the B complex vitamins, and folic acid. The active ingredient in Thyme, thymol, has been found scientifically to have antiseptic and antifungal properties.
Thyme is an important addition to the Butterfly Express LLC herbal combination CAN-formerly Candida, CART-formerly Cartilage, IB-formerly Immune Builder, LC-formerly Liver Cleanse, and LCON-formerly Lung Congestion. From this list, it is easy to see that the nutrients in this herb contribute to health in many body systems.
Oatstraw (Milky Oat)
Oatstraw is the same plant, according to the medical/medicinal term (Latin name), as Milky Oat. The milk stage of oat (Avena sativa) development is a brief time during the plant’s growth that occurs shortly after flowering and right before the starch turns into a soft but hardening dough.
This amazing mild—and almost tasty herb—is rich in calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, silicon, sodium, cobalt, manganese, potassium, tin, and zinc. It also contains small amounts of vitamins E and K.
Oatstraw (milky oats) is used as a nervine tonic. It is obvious from the list of nutrients contained, and described above, why this would be so! The principal uses for Oatstraw, besides treating a variety of nervous conditions, are to treat general fatigue and debility, and to improve overall energy and stamina. The straw, as well as the grains, are mildly anti-depressant, gently raising energy levels, improving mood, and lending support to an over-taxed and depleted nervous system. Oatstraw is helpful for insomnia and for recovering from nervous exhaustion.
Featured Blessed Waters for Family Relationships
Rest
Crafted to soothe the mind and body, Rest Blessed Water promotes deep relaxation, emotional balance, and peaceful sleep. Featuring Chamomile, Lavender, and White Chestnut, this gentle Blessed Water blend helps calm racing thoughts, ease nervous tension, and restore a sense of inner peace. Ideal for children or anyone struggling with restlessness, mood swings, or sleep issues, Rest encourages calm evenings and a more serene state of being.
I will explain this Blessed Water combination a bit further by describing the Positive Qualities and the Patterns of Imbalance that are unique to each ingredient. ‘Symptom Pictures’ such as these are, of course, the way in which the appropriate Blessed Water/Homeopathic remedy should be chosen.
CHAMOMILE: Positive Qualities: Serene, sunny disposition. Emotional equilibrium and balance.
Patterns of Imbalance: Easily upset. Moody. Irritable. Accumulated tension in the stomach or solar plexus. Inability to release emotional tension. Changeable moods. Inner weather is “stormy” and easily “clouded”. For children, myriads of stomach complaints are often emotionally based.
LAVENDER: Positive Qualities: Spiritual sensitivity. Stable and vibrant physical health. Able to relax and rejuvenate.
Patterns of Imbalance: Nervousness. Depleted physical reserves. Low energy. Stressed. Insomniac. Prone to spiritual, emotional, or mental emergencies. Nervous or high-wired energy states, over-stimulated, insomnia.
WHITE CHESTNUT: Positive Qualities: Having a calm and peaceful mind, spirit, and heart.
Patterns of Imbalance: Repetitive thoughts. Chattering mind. Compulsive. Obsessive. Anxious
Poise
The following is a small amount of information on each of the INGREDIENTS of this combination.
ELM: Positive qualities: Serves joyfully, creative expression, ability to bear tasks effectively, has confidence and faith to complete their tasks.
Patterns of imbalance: Personal and work commitments are overwhelming, feeling unable to perform tasks, scattered or dysfunctional with commitments and responsibilities. Lack of confidence; expects failure.
LARCH: Positive Qualities: Self-confidence. An ability to express oneself verbally and creatively. Spontaneous. Willing to take sensible risks.
Patterns of Imbalance: Doubting oneself and one’s abilities. Lack of self-confidence. Afraid to try anything new or take any risks. Boost self-confidence; overcome feelings of inadequacy.
MALLOW: Positive Qualities: Warm and caring. Open-hearted and friendly. Compassionate. Trusting.
Patterns of Imbalance: Socially insecure. Fear of reaching out to others. Creates barriers to friendships.
MIMULUS: Positive Qualities: Courage within oneself. The confidence to face the challenges presented.
Patterns of Imbalance: Fearfulness in everyday situations. Shyness, hypersensitivity, anxiety, and stress in the solar plexus.
SUNFLOWER: Positive Qualities: Balanced sense of individuality. Healthy, but not overbearing, ego. Radiant personality.
Patterns of Imbalance: Distorted sense of Self. Either bragging or insincere modesty. Vacillating between low self-esteem and arrogance. Poor relationship with father and men in general.
Pulsatilla nigricans
This is the same plant and remedy that Sankaran refers to as pratensis and is referred to these days as ‘the wind flower’. This remedy is useful both as a constitutional and an acute. Need is often indicated by a few keynotes, the chief among these and the most confusing is the “changeableness” of the symptoms. All symptoms build to a pitch and then suddenly subside.
The symptoms may begin on one side of the body but then move to the other side. There may be no symptoms at all when a person first goes to bed, but symptoms quickly develop on whichever side is lain on. Movement brings only temporary relief as the symptoms begin again on the side that is now being lain on.
Pulsatilla nigricans people (constitutional or acute) tend to inward suffering and silent resentments, but feel better for whining or being sympathized with; predominantly a female remedy; particularly useful for tearful, clingy, whiny infants and children.
A Pulsatilla personality requires time alone when no other person’s energy is invading their weakened personal space and can get very annoyed if they feel that someone is pushing them into something against their will. Being hugged (energy fed into the weakened central meridian) improves all symptoms.
There was a time in my life when the Pulsatilla nigricans symptoms fit me perfectly. This remedy was used by me to very quickly turn the baby I was carrying from transverse (lying sideways-an undeliverable position) to head-down and very anxious to be born! All went well, and a neighbor, the midwife, and my husband all arrived before the baby did! Barely!
KEYNOTES: Symptoms are many and varied, as is fitting for “wind flower” people; a polycrest remedy and well worth studying in detail. Other keynote symptoms are irritability, “touchy”, fear of animals—even domesticated animals. In men, there are often fantasies that they are heroic, but their true feeling is that they really aren’t acceptable as a man.
SANKARAN MENTALS: Avoids situations that cause vexation or anxiety. Intense need to be alone.
There are a lot of heart and kidney symptoms listed for this remedy. In those physical areas, this remedy has been very ‘me’ for a fairly large portion of my life—and very helpful to me in healing, as well.
Pulsatilla nuttaliana
This remedy seems to be quite similar to Pulsatilla nigricans in some ways but is not nearly as well known or proven in studies as is the nigricans variety.
There are some very distinctive differences, however, in basic mental and emotional symptoms. Where Pulsatilla nigricans is noted for mildness and a yielding, timid and even weepy disposition, the nuttaliana personality is much more irritable, nervous, anxious and, often, deeply sad and melancholic. Sad and gloomy, and, when away from home or a loved one, suffers deeply and intensely from homesickness.
Other symptoms include being constantly thirsty and often experiencing a dry mouth with a distinct desire for water to relieve the dryness.
There are few heart symptoms and no kidney symptoms listed in Murphy’s Materia Medica for the nuttaliana variety, but a host of symptoms for both heart and kidneys is the nigricans write-up.
Lachesis Muta
How does Lachesis muta (remedy is made from Bushmaster Snake venom) relate to this month’s topic? After studying this a bit for this newsletter (an employee suggested this remedy for this article), it would likely take pages to describe the negative mental/emotional traits that might seriously impact family relationships! I will try to be reasonably brief!
Lachesis muta is a very distinctive remedy with a full page of ‘mental/emotional’ symptoms in Materia Medica. It is easy to see, glancing through the list, that one or more of these symptoms could easily have a very negative impact on family relationships. Removing them, through BlessedWater/Homeopathic remedies, would be a very great blessing to both the individual and the family! Let me give you, here, just a few examples:
Violent bouts of anger, chronic depression, debilitating grief, depression before menstruation and after menopause, manic depression with ideas crowding the mind too rapidly, insane jealousy and suspiciousness, maliciousness and wanting to get revenge, hysteria, and delirium are just a few symptoms that may give you a general impression of this remedy’s usefulness if it can alleviate any of the above behaviors and feelings!
Mania for work, shopping, and spending money, with a need to do everything right now and rapidly, are other keynotes. Schizophrenia is also mentioned!
Alcoholism is also mentioned, and the drinking of alcohol brings on states of fear, violence, mistrust, extreme jealousy, and, too often, unreasonable accusations.
LeBaby Me Lotion
LeBaby Me is a special combination for mothers, expectant and otherwise, and for babies of all ages. The use of this oil brings feelings of connection and willingness to give and take in relationships, particularly in parent/child relationships. It is also recommended for use in bonding between a mother and a new baby. This blend also helps us to feel a connection with the Eternal Father of us all.
LeBaby Me contains ingredients that increase skin elasticity, retard wrinkles, enhance skin tone, and remove scaly patches. The synergistic effect of this blend increases the ability of the skin to act as a protective barrier against germs.
LeBaby Me is appropriate for all skin types. It makes an excellent diaper rash cream. It is wonderful for skin conditioning and makes an excellent aftershave for sensitive skin.
LeAgeless Lotion
My intent with the creation of this blend was to promote feelings of contentment and confidence while also nourishing and protecting the skin. When we are content and confident, we are able to welcome change and move forward with joy into our golden years. At the time, I don’t believe I had really considered the possibility of growing older someday!
What does this have to do with family relationships, the title of this newsletter? I can assure you that I am much easier to get along with when I am content, AND I am only content when I am feeling confident and competent!
Maturity, done gracefully (as I confidently claimed when writing about this blend years ago) comes with wisdom and profound feelings of joy. Well, I have certainly reached the age of this maturity, and I can honestly say that I do feel profound joy and contentment most of the time! Wisdom? I hope so. However, getting older is certainly not for whimps!
I have used LeAboutFace essential oil and lotion for the last many years. Perhaps it is time, coming up on 75 years old as I am, to try LeAgeless lotion instead. Tonight and again tomorrow morning!
LeAgeless is made from nine essential oils, each one bringing its unique healing and regenerating properties to this astonishing blend. This combination of essential oils assists in maintaining or developing beautiful and healthy skin one cell at a time. Some of the oils in this blend prevent free radical damage. Others are useful in repairing damage caused by wind and sun. Daily use of this blend can be helpful in strengthening fragile capillaries and bringing a healthy, radiant glow to the skin.
LeSego Lily Lotion
I remember well the formulating of this blend. It was created, originally, for a Day Spa called Sego Lily. This spa was the very first place I was asked to teach an essential oil class. It was only an afternoon, one-day class, and I was both terrified and very excited! This is a very simple blend. Only 5 ingredients, but they combine to make a wonderful healing oil with a very nice aroma!
LeSego Lily is a blend for skin care and health. It promotes skin elasticity and may slow the process of aging as it nourishes the skin and smooths out wrinkles.
The aromatic influence of LeSego Lily is, in part, meant to bring a feeling of calmness during a crisis or when feeling anxious and out of sorts. LeSego Lily also promotes a feeling of being loved and appreciated. Its aroma often inspires us to show more love and appreciation to others when we see a need.
LeReconciliation Essential Oil Blend
LeReconciliation can fill the deep well of loneliness we sometimes feel when our lives are being lived at a distance, physically or emotionally, from the home and heritage of our formative years. Sometimes we feel that who we have become is so different from who we were that our loved ones no longer have any idea who we are. We feel misunderstood, unappreciated, and isolated from those with whom we would like to share the depths of ourselves. The aroma of LeReconciliation helps us find peace with the past, joy in our relationships as they are today, and hope for the future of our connections to loved ones near to us or far away.
LeReconciliation is a marvelous oil for grief and loss, especially if there were hard feelings or trauma in the relationship at the time of the parting.
LeReconciliation is a good oil for skin care and massage. If there are any physical ailments with roots reaching into relationships, this blend should bring relief—both to the emotions and the physical imbalances.
CAUTIONS: This is a very mild and pleasant oil. According to information previously published by Butterfly Expressions, claims are made that this blend has no contraindications. I, however, no longer consider this statement true of any essential oil used in emotional healing. Experience has taught me (and others who teach about essential oils) that while an essential oil can assist us in seeing things in our characters that we previously did not ‘see’, there is a flip-side to this tremendous healing aspect of oils. If we remain stubbornly determined to refuse to ‘acknowledge something about ourselves and then change for the better,’ this spiritual/emotional/healing aspect and benefit is lost! Not only will we keep this destructive attitude if we are stubbornly determined to do so; that character trait may become even more pronounced and difficult to rid ourselves of.
Perhaps the preceding paragraph sounds strange to you. However, while essential oils can be—and almost always are—emotionally healing, if we insist on ‘justifying’ our sins and clinging to them, the essential oil will step right in to assist us in doing so! There are, of course, a couple of ‘close to my heart’ stories that would illustrate this, but they are very personal, and I do not intend to relate them here.
Jasmine Essential Oils
Jasmine Grandiflorum and Jasmine Sambac are very similar in aroma and in overall therapeutic use. I think it is best to describe them together so that the comparison and differences may be more clearly seen.
Grandiflorum blooms at dawn, and the Sambac variety blossoms late in the evening. Sambac is referred to in the East as “Queen of the Night” and “King of Oils.” This strength at the end of the day subtly affects the properties of the Sambac oil. Though generally considered the more masculine Jasmine (in fact, it is considered the most masculine of the blossom essential oils), the night-blooming variety is particularly suited to those who tend to work late into the evening—or would do so if they only had the energy left at the end of the day to match their desire. Jasmine Sambac can be useful for mothers of sick children who need the energy to care for them during those very long nights.
Grandiflorum is slightly more heady and, if possible, slightly more floral. It is supremely feminine with a very complex aroma. The differences are subtle, and many people, even experienced aromatherapists, have difficulty when judging these two varieties by aroma alone. It is in the effects on the hormones and the psyche that the differences become most apparent.
Therapeutic properties common to both varieties include antidepressant, stimulant, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, and sedative. Jasmines are considered healing to the respiratory system, skin, hormones, heart chakra, triple warmer meridian, crown chakra, and yang energy.
The midwife in me simply cannot help telling you a little bit more about Jasmine grandiflorum, as it has proven useful to women during their childbearing years and even during menopause
Emotionally, this Jasmine can bring us an enhanced feeling of confidence, enthusiasm, optimism, self-esteem, intuition, and the ability to assert ourselves appropriately when a situation requires it. Perhaps, this is because Jasmine is both uplifting to our spirits and soothing of our stresses at the same time. Jasmine is helpful with dysmenorrhea, morning sickness during pregnancy, lack of progress or stalling out of labor, rubbed on the abdomen for retained placenta, and for postpartum depression.
Grandiflorum is an ingredient in the Butterfly Express LLC blends of LeCherish, LeExhilaration, LeExpressions, LeInsight, LeWoman Wise. Sambac is found only in LeMoonlight.
Vitamin E Carrier Oils
Vitamin E, Virgin unrefined
From Triticum vulgare (common wheat), also commonly referred to as Wheat Germ Oil.
Vitamin E Oil, especially the virgin unrefined one, is a very sensitive oil that tends to degrade if not stored with extreme care. Vitamin E Oil should be kept refrigerated and certainly not exposed to extreme temperatures.
Vitamin E Oil is the richest source of vitamin E that can be obtained from a vegetable oil. Vitamin E Oil also contains high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D and is rich in protein and lecithin. These constituents make Vitamin E Oil popular for external application for any type of skin problem.
Proven right here with my husband’s burns, this oil was utilized in making a salve that worked wonderfully well as a healing carrier oil in healing deep burns with almost very little scarring. Vitamin E Oil is beneficial for the general health of the skin, as it improves the circulation of blood in the skin. It also helps the skin cells that may have been damaged due to the sun. Vitamin E Oil helps with conditions like dermatitis, skin ulcers, psoriasis, eczema, and scarring from any source. Vitamin E Oil is known for its high level of antioxidant properties.
This is a very sensitive oil that tends to degrade if not stored with extreme care. Vitamin E Oil should be kept refrigerated and certainly not exposed to extreme temperatures.
Vitamin E, refined
Refined Vitamin E oil is lighter in color—a pale yellow—than the virgin variety—which is a deep orange color. This lighter color makes the refined oil, applied to the skin, less likely to stain clothing or bedding after it is used. Whenever I can, I try to use the unrefined version discussed above.
The refined oil is also less sensitive to heat, has a longer shelf life, and is the one usually preferred as a carrier oil. It should be remembered, however, that some beneficial properties are lost during the refining process.
Synergy Kit
The 10 mil Essential Oil Blends to be found in this comprehensive kit include LeAmplify, LeAscendance, LeBaby Me, LeBalance, LeDeeper, LeDeliverance, LeEndoRelief, LeExhale, LeGuardian, LeHeartSong, LeKey To My Heart, LeLetting Go, LeMillenia, LeReflections, LeRevitalize, LeSolace, LeStimulate, LeSweet Relief, LeTransition, LeWisdom, and LeWoman Wise. They are in a lovely and efficient Hard Case.
The various blends chosen for this kit are meant to support and enhance total body wellness by targeting key body systems—circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, nervous, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary. Each essential oil included has been carefully selected to address both physical and emotional health concerns associated with these systems. Whether you are looking to support the heart, balance hormones, improve digestion, or promote immune function, this kit offers a synergistic blend of oils that work together to create complete body harmony.
The Butterfly Expressions website description for this kit includes brief explanations about each body system along with information about possible out-of-balance conditions, possible symptoms, and possible causes.
For a brief description of each oil in this kit, please go to butterflyexpress.shop. Just below the ‘Learning with LaRee’ description is a link to the Kit Insert. Clicking on that will provide you with a short description of each essential oil in this Kit. This ‘Kit Insert’ is easily printable as a reference guide.
Foot Zoner Kit
This very comprehensive kit was created for use by Foot Zone therapists and body workers (massage, craniosacral, etc.) as a convenient and comprehensive way to have essential oils readily available while they are with a client. It comes in the Executive Case which can hold up to 125 bottle of essential oils, giving you a little room to spare for other favorite blends or single oils not included here. Color choices for the kit include Black, Blue, Burgundy, or Green.
Blends 5ml (51)
LeAboutFace, LeAcknowledge, LeAngel, LeAspire, LeBaby Me, LeBalance, LeBelieve, LeBeloved, LeBenediction, LeBountiful, LeBreezey, LeCinnamonBear, LeCrystal Clear, LeCypernium, LeDeeper, LeDeliverance, LeDreams, LeEndoRelief, LeEnergy, LeEternity, LeEverlasting, LeExpressions, LeFocus, LeGrateful Heart, LeHeartSong, LeInsideOut, LeIntention, LeKadence, LeKindred Spirit, LeLetting Go, LeLife Force, LeMagi, LeMillenia, LeMoonlight, LeMyGraine, LePaine, LePurify, LeRevitalize, LeSanctuary, LeStefanie, LeTendaCare, LeTranquility, LeTrust, LeUnDone, LeUnity, LeVictory, LeVitality, LeWakeUp, LeWarmDown, LeWhispering Hope, LeWoman Wise
Singles 10ml (20)
Basil, Bergamot, Birch, Cypress, Dill, Eucalyptus Blue Mallee, Frankincense Carterii, Geranium, Grapefruit White, Helichrysum Angustifolia (5ml), Lavender Officinalis, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Marjoram, Myrrh, Orange Sweet, Peppermint Piperita, Rosemary Camphor, Tea Tree
Other
Miracle Salve 4oz
List of Topics
Tip: Use the “find on page” or ctrl+F to quickly find where these topics in this blog.
Here is an expanded, alphabetized list of general health topics, concepts, tags, and product names extracted directly using exact words from the text:
ADHD,
Ageless,
anger,
Angel,
antimicrobial,
Baby Me,
Bergamot,
Blessed Waters,
blends,
candida,
carrier oil,
Cassia,
Catnip,
Chamomile,
childhood abuse,
confidence,
Connection,
contentment,
diabetes,
diffusing,
diluted,
empathy,
essential oils,
family life,
Family Relationships,
fatigue,
Foot Zoner Kit,
forgiveness,
gallbladder,
Grateful Heart,
gratitude,
grief,
Hinoki,
homeopathic,
Housewarming,
hypoglycemia,
immune systems,
infants,
jasmine,
jet lag,
journaling,
kidneys,
Lachesis muta,
Lavender,
Lemon Balm,
Letting Go,
liver,
Melissa,
midwife,
Oatstraw,
perfume,
Poise,
Pulsatilla,
Reconciliation,
Rest,
Sego Lily,
Spruce,
Synergy Kit,
Thyme,
thrush,
Tranquility,
Trauma,
Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Trust,
Vitamin E,
Wisdom
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