Welcome to the art of medicinal aromatherapy and the Wisdom of the Earth difference!

There is much to be explored: essential oils, hydrolats and nut/seed oils. There are various approaches and application methods to explore with each aromatherapy product as well. I will do my best to introduce you to the philosophy I have compiled throughout many years of study, education, and practicing the Art of Medicinal Aromatherapy. I hope that this can provide you with some guidelines for getting started with aromatherapy in general. If you need more guidance, I invite you to please reach out and schedule a consultation. Initial 15min. consults are free, and I am happy to provide ordering assistance as well. 

Wisdom of the Earth (WOTE) is the company that I have used and trusted for over 16 years. Their portfolio consists of 280 pure single ingredient essential oils, 24+ hydrolats, and a variety of nut/seed carrier oils. All these aromatic/plant based products are either organic (some certified and some non certified, since many of the farmers are quite small), biodynamically grown or sustainably wild harvested. Nothing is ever added or subtracted in the process and all the oils and hydrolats are hand poured (inside of a copper tensor ring to hold & protect the vibration of the plant’s essence) with love! Wisdom of the Earth sources their oils from all over the world and supports primarily smaller family operated farms who have farmed and distilled these plant essences within their family for generations and consider distillation an artform. Many of the WOTE farmers have learned about the healing effects of these plants firsthand. Artisan distillers aim to honor the plant’s essence by observing the distillation process closely and looking for the signs through constant sampling, smelling & intuitively knowing when to stop the distillation to preserve the therapeutic grade of the essential oil rather than over distilling to produce more product that may be diluted down from over distillation, but still will “smell nice”. The owner and Wisdom of the Earth team has personally visited over 80% of the farms that they source from to ensure quality, and that the plants are being put first (i.e., Harvested sustainably and ethically). It is continually inspiring to me the attention and intention that goes into every aspect of bringing us this beautiful plant medicine! 

Wisdom of the Earth does not offer any blends. When we consider the complex composition the plant itself has created, we can begin to understand that the plant has already crafted its own “blend” that has much to offer therapeutically in its own right. For this reason, Wisdom of the Earth has chosen to highlight single, pure essences and are meticulous to ensure that nothing is ever added or subtracted from the oils or hydrolats - and their portfolio is extensive! You will notice there are several varieties of many of the plant species (i.e. over 10 different varieties of lavender, 7 varieties of eucalyptus, 10 varieties of fir etc.) Each species will carry its own unique vibration and health benefits within the broader spectrum of the species in general. As you develop your relationship with oils/plants and your sense of smell, you may notice how oils will smell different from the bottle as opposed to when they are applied to the skin. This is because as soon as the essential oil hits your skin it begins to change in chemistry and respond to your own body oils. For this reason, it is important to note that the best way to apply your oils is by holding the bottle away from your skin and allowing the oil to drop through the energetic field onto your skin.  Avoid touching the plastic orifice reducer on your bottles so that you are not contaminating your essential oils with your own body oils. Once you get down to the bottom of your bottle though feel free to pull the plastic orifice reducer off and savor every drop! To conclude on the topic of blending, I like to avoid using “definitives” and recognize many approaches have a context. When looking to receive the most medicinal benefits from your essential oil, it is best to layer the oils directly (neat) on the skin (sandwiching “hot” oils between “cold” oils) to receive the most out of the medicine, and blending on the body according to what is needed in that moment. Blending or diluting in carrier oils prior to application is best done in small batches and can be necessary in certain circumstances and approaches. As an aromatherapist, I will often craft an aromatic formula that is specific to the individual’s constitution and health concerns in small batches so that the formula is fresh and carries the optimal therapeutic benefits. I often find that the client’s formula will need to change in about two weeks, as the body responds and shifts into a new healing phase, hence the importance of crafting small batches to keep the formula fresh and adapt as needed. The longer the formulated blend sits, the more diluted the medicine becomes, losing its vibration and effectiveness slowly. Please consult with a qualified medicinal aromatherapist for guidance when using essential oils internally. Always do a test patch on yourself on the forearm when using a new essence to observe your own personal response. Anyone can have a reaction to any substance. Reactions to essential oils typically occur quickly and a carrier oil can be applied to dilute and ease the reaction. To be safe, give yourself 24 hours after application to observe your own response. The soles of the feet are typically the safest application area when in doubt. This is useful for allowing the benefits to absorb into the reflexes for the whole body and has an all encompassing therapeutic effect.

Essential oils do not have an expiration date when stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight and they should never smell “rancid” unless they have been cut with a carrier oil which does have a shelf life. Many essential oils actually get better with age, like a fine wine, and are thought to carry the wisdom of the earth from that time period on the planet. Hydrolats and nut/seed oils, however, have a shorter shelf life and I do recommend storing them in the refrigerator. Hydrolats are the byproduct of essential oils and are often referred to as the homeopathic approach to aromatherapy. They are wonderful for the skin and much gentler in nature than essential oils. You might consider looking to hydrolats for use with children, elderly, or immune compromised individuals who would benefit from this gentler approach.  I don’t yet offer hydrolats on my website, however stay tuned as I work on completing my own descriptions and guidance on usage based on my own experiential education and research that I have compiled. Extreme heat or cold can compromise these precious waters or cause the bottles to leak in worst case scenarios, making shipping during extreme weather/seasons off limits. If you would like to order Hydrolats from me, contact me privately and I can let you know if it is possible to ship them to your area depending on weather conditions and put your order together via a personalized invoice.

On a final note, I believe essential oils work in such a way where they lift the vibration of that individual and begin to make the internal environment inconducive to the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual ailment one is looking to heal. While we might experience an immediate shift in consciousness when breathing in an essential oil, I have observed that the underlying transformation takes place in a more gradual and subtle way. Adding in other modalities can be helpful to the process, such as life coaching, acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, feng shui or whatever resonates most with you. It can take about one month of consistent and intentional use of essential oils for every year the condition has been present so please be patient and honor your own timeline for healing. For more detailed information and for assistance in creating a wellness plan with essential oils, please contact Rachel directly for a consultation. Consultations are always best in person but can also be done via Zoom if you are a long-distance client. 

Thank you again for your interest and I hope I can be helpful to you along the way.

With Heart,

Rachel

Email: Racheljackson.yoga@gmail.com