Letter From the Founder

Dear Friends,

It seems like such a long time since I've had a chance to write to you all! We've had quite a time here in Arizona. The heat has been most interesting these past few weeks, actually going up to 110° one day.

People ask me how I survive in the desert heat, and I tell them that it can be quite nice. One of my favorite things is to go out early in the morning with my dogs for an hour or so. The world looks so clean and shiny at 5:30 am. And best of all are the desert smells!

The heat brings the monsoon rains, and the rain releases the wonderful scent of the desert all around us. These clean, sharp smells remind me of the aromatherapy that we do at Mirasol.

When I designed the Mirasol program, I wanted to include modalities and exercises that would help people wake up all parts of themselves! Recovery means being alive and being aware of everything around us. We do this by using all of our senses, including the sense of smell.

In this issue of the Sunflower, we'll talk about aromatherapy and how it can play an important role in healing the body, mind and spirit.

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD

Aromatherapy in the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Aromatherapy is an alternative health modality that can be used to complement traditional medical care. Holistic aromatherapy does not include the use of fragrance oils or unnatural products. Unfortunately, many sellers of so-called aromatherapy products just use the term "aromatherapy" to market their pleasant-smelling products, even making unfounded claims about their health benefits.

If you expect aromatherapy alone to cure a major illness, you will probably be disappointed. On the other hand, if you expect it to have a positive effect on your mood and to help alleviate or temporarily eliminate stress, you will probably be delighted with your experience. Essential oils can also help heal cuts, wounds, bruises, inflammation, indigestion and acne and more.

I highly recommend that you purchase the best essential oils that you can afford. They are more concentrated and will go much farther.

Here Are Some Fun Things to Try

Run a warm bath and ensure the door and windows are closed. When the tub is sufficiently filled, add up to 10 drops of essential oil to the water, circulating it throughout. The scent will rise with the steam of the water. Now get in, take your time, and enjoy the wonderful aroma while you soak!

Recipe for a Calming Bath: 2 drops Lavender 2 drops Bergamot 2 drops Cedarwood Recipe for an Energizing Bath: 3 drops Rosemary 2 drops Lemon 2 drops Frankincense

Recipe for Insomnia: 4 drops Chamomile 2 drops Lavender 2 drops Neroli 2 drops Marjoram Recipe to Relieve Nervousness: 6 drops Geranium 4 drops Basil

A Soothing Foot Bath. For tired, sore, worn out feet, the aromatherapy foot bath provides great relief! Fill a container (big enough for both feet) with very warm water and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Sit back, relax and give those barking dogs a rest!

My Favorite Oils

Basil is used for sharpening concentration, for its uplifting effect on depression, and to relieve headaches and migraines. If you have an upset tummy or gastric distress, it helps to rub a couple of drops of basil on your stomach.

Bergamot is an excellent insect repellent and may be helpful for both the urinary and digestive tracts. It is useful for skin conditions linked to stress, such as cold sores and chicken pox, especially when combined with eucalyptus oil.

Black Pepper has a sharp and spicy aroma. Common uses include stimulating the circulation and for muscular aches and pains. Skin application is useful for bruises, since it stimulates the circulation.

Tea Tree Oil is prized for its topical (external) antimicrobial (i.e. antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, or antiparasitic) activity and can be used as an antiseptic or disinfectant. Rashes and toenail or fingernail fungus are all dramatically relieved by tea tree oil.

Eucalyptus is often used in combination with mint to provide relief for the airways in case of cold or flu.

Lavender can be used in creams, used in your bath, and used as an antiseptic, to soothe minor cuts and burns, to calm and relax, and to soothe headaches and migraines.

Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang-ylang are used as aphrodisiacs.

Lemon is an uplifting anti-stress/anti-depressant. In a Japanese study, lemon essential oil in vapor form has been found to reduce stress in mice.

Peppermint is one of my favorites. Put a drop on your finger and tap it on your tongue to clear up tummy aches or nausea.

For further information, aromaweb.com has lots of information and resources.

Fragrant Rice Pilaf

½ small onion, thinly sliced ½ garlic clove, thinly chopped ½" piece of fresh ginger root, finely chopped ½ tbsp. sesame oil ½ tsp. butter 1 C long grain rice 1" stick of cinnamon, broken in little pieces	½ tsp. ground coriander 2¼ C hot water ½ tsp. salt ¼ C currants ¼ C almonds 1½ tbsp. sesame seeds
Heat the sesame oil and the butter in a medium-sized sauté pan and sauté onion, garlic and ginger, stirring constantly, until the onion begins to turn golden brown. Add the rice, cinnamon stick pieces and coriander and continue stirring over heat for a few minutes. Stir in hot water, salt and currants. Cover, lower the heat and let rice simmer very gently for 25 minutes. Turn off heat and leave the pan uncovered for another 5 minutes, then uncover and fluff with fork. While the rice is cooking, spread the almonds on a cookie sheet and toast them in a 350° oven for about 10 minutes. They should release a delightful fragrance and have a very light golden brown color when broken. Let them cool and then chop them coarsely. Toast the sesame seeds for a few minutes in a little pan on the stovetop, stirring vigilantly, until they start to turn golden brown. To serve, pile the rice pilaf on a platter and sprinkle it with chopped almonds and sesame seeds. Garnish platter with cilantro. Serves 4