...thoughts on aromatherapy

I've known of (been familiar with) the term "aromatherapy" for a long while, since the late 1980s, in fact. Of course, aromatherapy, itself, goes way back farther than that. Wisewomen and medicine men and women of old practiced exactly that, if calling it by another name at the time. The art of aromatherapy is fascinating - knowing herbs by sight, touch, smell; knowing the properties of any particular plant or flower. Knowing what part of each plant to use - leaves, flowers, roots - and the resulting benefits of each (again, whether by use of tea, poultice, or collected oil essence). Fascinating. I never tire of reading up on the subject overall, or of delving into particular methodologies.
What first came across my path was a sheaf of photocopied pages from an old book. I read about the different herbs, their properties, their origination and habitats, the uses of each. Peppermint leaves crushed into a paste to clean the teeth and tongue - or even the use of a twig to clean between the teeth - and this before the advent of tooth paste and brushes! A rinse of rosemary to cleanse one's scalp and hair. Lemon for lightening. Creating colognes from lavender, rose petals, orange zest and a bit of alcohol. Or men's cologne with bay leaves, spices, and rum.
Aromatherapy practice consists of beauty treatments: skincare, bodycare, haircare - inside and out (with caution and the knowledge of an educated practitioner, please!). It includes treatments (use of herbs in teas or inhaled essential oil essences) that alter our moods and emotions. Oils are used in massage therapy to ease body aches and promote both relaxation and healing. And through each of these methodologies, aromatherapy heals the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.
Imagine how long aromatherapy has been around - our prehistoric ancestors watched and learned from nature around them. And passed it on to us.
My favorite aspect of aromatherapy is discovering essential oils particular aromas and properties and finding those that are complementary in order to create a really terrific blend.
I first began blending, quite by accident, in the store where I worked. At the time, I was only concerned that it smell great! In the end, my first blend not only smelled terrific, I had concocted a blend that, when inhaled, one couldn't help but feel uplifted, better. I liked that effect. I liked that customers commented positively on the aroma filling the store. It was 2 years later before I reproduced the blend to sell it. I have it for sale, now, at my website SweetPea & Violets.
A delicious blend of orange, lavender and white clover (hard to find, folks!) I call it Irish Morning. I am working on others, including a "signature fragrance" - something that is the epitome of what I want others to understand what SweetPea & Violets is all about.
Just a note, here - I am not a practicing herbalist or aromatherapist. I am an aspiring aromatherapist. I am working on certification, a degree in holistic theology, as well, even as I write this. But, I am not prepared to offer advice, other than a recommendation to one who may be more qualified than I. What I do here, in my writing, as well as through my website as I create products or just sell safely ready-made product, is offer to share what I know and what I am learning. That aspiration is what inspired me to create my other website: Your Well-Lived Life - to be able to share and to point interested readers toward those other sources and/or sites that I believe will be of help and growth. So, there you are.

For those interested, I've completed the SweetPea & Violets website newsletter, which will shortly be sent out. Showcased a few really good items: promoting the Terra Nova products, and, of course, the candles. Added a few notes regarding the gifts that I have offered in the past, as well as a link to a gift catalog found on my Gift Gallery page. Made those all-important updates to my Etsy site: SweetPea16.etsy.com which will hopefully result in a little bit of positive feedback - and maybe even a sale or two!

In the meantime, I keep up with my studies, my work, my art. I've begun the writing, again (thank you my Adlandpro , Salespider and StartUp Nation community friends for inspiring me to commit to a blog - though I did heartily resist)
More to come...

Happy July... I like "firsts" - the first day of the week, of the month, of the year... it somehow feels new, that I can begin anew. I like the feeling of opportunities waiting to be explored.
I have been so busy working on all this internet/website stuff. I feel like I am neglecting other equally (or more!) important things - sorry, sorry, sorry! I will do better. There are just so many "important things" - family predominantly. But, I feel so driven to make this website business adventure of mine successful. Enough of that for now...
The SweetPea & Violets e-newsletter will be going out shortly. In it, I have made mention of all the website changes being implemented, as well as making reference to these other promotion activities I have undertaken - all in the name of "converting targeted visitors into customers"! I also make note of my etsy store, where I will be showcasing SweetPea & Violets knits and crocheted sets - not to mention the possibility of putting any other handcraft and art work of mine over there. So, if anyone that is familiar with my crochet work, you can find it there: http://www.sweetpea16.etsy.com
Please, visit & let me know what you think. I've only posted a few things, so far, but I have new stuff (never before seen!) that I will be putting up soon. It may feel like it is too hot (weather-wise) to sell knit/crochet, but I never feel that way about creating it. Crochet is one of my favorite things to do. Anyway, if you stop by my etsy store, leave a comment, please. Oh, and if you'd like to commission something made special, email me with your request. I'll gladly work with you on the details.
Some of that promotion activity has included joining varied ad communities. Two I am working with are Adlandpro and Salespider. Still exploring, but finding good things and good people. Thank you, Melanie and Debbie, for all your good advice and suggestions! Another good community that I've only just discovered is StartUp Nation. So far, it seems pretty cool. Lots of stuff to learn, though. And, I admit, I am a bit shy about adding my thoughts to the different forums available. Although I have had an idea for one kicking around in my brain, in which I may rant about a particular subject and blow off some steam.
I realize that these communities have probably been around for some time (goodness knows blogging has been, and look at me, I'm only just starting at that, too!) so, bear with me if I sound a bit naive or ignorant, at first. I will find my way. I will learn this internet world. I just never had any desire to before now. I had no interest in the internet, other than to check my email box - and I was terrible about keeping up with that! Now, that I am here, I suppose I am making up for lost time.
Back to my websites. Been working feverishly the past several days getting stuff added and making little tweaks here and there. Adding new product, new suggested resources - you'll see at the sites. http://www.sweetpea-and-violets.com and http://www.your-well-lived-life.net
(apologies for the wrong url in my last post... I was tired; it was an oversite written out of habit - the website logo/banner actually reads: "For... Your Well-Lived Life", but the "for" isn't in the web address...) Please visit; let me know what you think via email (or you can come back here and post a comment - that would be cool). I appreciate all comments and/or suggestions. It is all about improving and growing the business, after all.
'Til next time...