Jeanne Rose Explains the Copper Distiller

Book Review: Aromatherapy Treatments by Jeanne Rose

Jeanne Rose, The Grande Dame of AromaHerbalism has released a fabulous compendium of herbal, aromatherapy and other complimentary treatments! The material in the book comes directly from Jeanne Rose’s personal files spanned over the last 40 years. 40 years!  There aren’t that many experts in the fields of Aromatherapy and Herbalism who can say they have 40 years of writing, published works, consultations, and experiences behind them.  Having seen Ms. Roses’s files myself I am amazed (but not surprised) that she was able to pare it down to 200 invaluable pages.

Written in Ms. Rose’s legendary style you will learn to treat your physical, mental and emotional self as a whole using complimentary therapies through the use of herbs, aromatherapy, hydrosols, diet, nutrition, spa and massage.  Recipes for salves, massage oils, baths and more are included as well as an excellent formula for the dreaded Neti Pot.  Dreaded on my part that is, but with the formula given it is a much better experience! 

Aromatherapy Treatments is different from any of Ms. Rose’s other books in that the ailments covered are done so much more in-depth, sometimes 2 or 3 pages if not more covering a single subject. My favorite part of the book would be the 38 pages devoted to Asthma, the Respiratory System, Allergies, Sinuses and Bronchial treatments.  Another favorite would have to be the handy reference charts that are throughout the book as well for a variety of conditions and ailments.

Missing from this book would be information on PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome) which seems to be so prevalent these days included in the section for Women. However there are sections on Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes, both a part of PCOS that I have found to be most helpful. 

On a daily basis I find myself referring to Aromatherapy Treatments.  If not to re-read it, then to look up treatments for my family or recipes to make preventative salves, sprays and massage oils.

For someone who is advanced in aromatherapy and herbalism Aromatherapy Treatments is a must have reference for your library that you will refer to again and again.  For someone who is new to aromatherapy and herbalism this book is not a replacement for the study of essential oils and herbs.  It will however, spark your curiosity (and perhaps even awe at the power of AromaHerbalism) to learn more about the use of herbs, essential oils and other complimentary therapies.  Who better to learn from than The Grande Dame?

Aromatherapy Treatments by Jeanne Rose $209  

 To order please visit http://www.jeannerose.net/books.html

Note:  I have learned that this will be the first of 3 volumes that are to be released by Ms. Rose.  By the time she is finished it will be quite an amazing collective compendium!

Essential Oil Inventory

Tonight I'll be taking an inventory of the essential oils that I have.  Right now most of them are carefully packed away so it'll be like Christmas opening everything up!

Well, hopefully tonight if those Oompa Loompas would ever fall asleep.  If I let them come down into the dungeon with me they'll be wanting to open bottles up and get their hands into everything.  I still haven't recovered from the time Oompa Loompa #1 and #2 found my hidden stash of rare and precious oils, some of them gifts from Jeanne Rose and other very special people.  The kids were how old....oh, lemme think.  #1 was probably 5 and #2 was 3.  Seems they decided that they were going to 'blend' oils just like mommy does! 

The little darlings blended Spikenard, Zdravetz, Jasmine, Bulgarian Rose, Neroli and a very special Patchouli all over their art table. Oh, the memory of it is going to give me the vapors!  Where are my smelling salts??  I can't think about it anymore or I'll end up throwing myself on the floor in a fit and have to surely be admitted to the loony bin to hang out with Baby Jane.

Thankfully I still  have an obnoxious amount of essential oils, especially since there are some oils that I hoard.  (Yes! Just as I do with my vintage art supplies!)  As my grandma and mom would say, "No tienes veruenza!  Meaning:  You have no shame!  Know what?  They're right.  I don't.  ha!

My private reserve Patchouli that is over 10 years old now.  mmmm, mmmmm!  If you don't know what aged Patchouli smells like -  don't expect it to smell like the stereotypical Patchouli scent of wet earth, smelly hippies and bad incense.  (Please, no hate mail from those over 60.  We all know that you know what I mean!)   

Aged Patchouli becomes the part of a perfume that makes you feel as if you've been kissed by an angel's wings and it's sillage keeps you looking for just one more kiss.

Of course, it would be a kiss from a fallen angel.......hehheh!  Yeah, good luck trying to get THAT oil from me.  Although I do have perfume blends that are made from it, one in particular that is quite wicked indeed.

Jeanne Rose had a mystical, magical, stunning Patchouli that was well over 30 years old.  I used to love to open the bottle and sniff/inhale it like a crack fiend who had finally lost their marbles. 

Unfortunately - something happened to it during one of Jeanne Rose's fabulous Perfume Workshops and alas!  It is no more.  Good thing I wasn't at that workshop - I'd have probably *accidently* had to push the offender out of the attic window. . . . 

Well it's now 11pm and 2 out of 3 Oompa Loompas are still awake.  I suppose the inventory will have to wait until tomorrow morning.  I'm sure there will be things to write about after that feat is accomplished!  (Maybe even some pictures.  Maybe.)

Synchronicity

Today I got dressed as I normally do when I'm going to just schlep around the house, do a little cleaning, and get some long over-due reading done.  Of course most of what I accomplished was just obsessing.

Over the last couple of weeks I've received a series of emails from past customers and/or friends of mine who have been asking me to either make them specific products or asking if I still make products.  I've also been speaking to fabulous femmes I've trusted and adored for years in the aroma world who have encouraged me in this direction as well.

Which is funny to me.  Funny because I have been throwing around the idea in mah purtee leetle head to start making a few products again.  Butter Bars and Balms mainly.  Screaming Queenie (PMS blend), Bitch Balm (self-explanatory) and a couple of other blends come to mind that I'm keeping to myself, for now.  I've even wanted to start writing about aromatherapy once more!

I'm big on 'signs' and gifts from the Universe and thought, hmm.  Is all of this a sign?  Or am I MAKING it seem like a sign because I've really missed and regret not using the oils?

Today the icing on the cake (aka gift from the Universe!) for me was  was a mysterious package that arrived from the Grande Dame Jeanne Rose. I couldn't wait to open it because no matter WHAT the package contained - I knew that it would smell like the House of 1,000 Aromatic Wonders! 

Having been missing Jeanne Rose horribly I opened up the package and was immediately transported aromatically to my favorite home in the world.  Aaaah, the power of scent never ceases to amaze me!  If only I could find my ruby red slippers so that I could click them three times and be home.  *sigh*  The Oompa Loompas all had to have a turn inhaling directly from the box as well so they could "smell Jeanne Rose's house!"

No I am not willing to divulge what was in the box just yet - but trust me.  Once I am ready to tell everyone about it - you'll hear about it here first!

As for making products and getting back into working with the oils again - how can I turn down a direct sign from the Grande Dame herself?