We have only done 14 oils, and several side subjects, but there is so much MORE to learn.  I hope you continue learning and applying some of the basics that you have learned here.

Okay, On to this weeks lesson:  Sandalwood (Santalum album ) Steam Distilled.   If Rose is the Queen of Essential Oils then Sandalwood is King.  Mind you this is just MY opinion.  Others will tell you that Frankincense, or perhaps Spikenard, but in my book, you cannot beat a good Sandalwood.

Okay, for the last time in this course, get out those Q-tips and start smelling your Sandalwood.  What do you think?  A smell that knocks you on your keister?  Or is it a slow seductive smell?  How do you feel when smelling it?  Revolted?  Happy?  Do your inner fires get a jolt?  Can you describe it?  Does it smell like rotten potatoes?  Spicy?  Flowery?  Woody?  Don’t forget to enter the note.  Which do you think it is?

Major Chemical Components: Sesquiterpenols.  Actions: antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, decongestant, emollient, expectorant, fungicidal, insecticidal, sedative.  Main Uses:
 

• nervous system: depression, aphrodisiac, nervous tension, stress, neuralgia, sciatica
• genito/urinary and reproductive: bladder infections, stimulates sex hormones, aids in fridgitiy, impotence
• digestive system: nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, aids digestion, constipation
• immune system: strep, staph infections and is a stimulant to the immune system
• muscular and skeletal systems: muscles spasm. sciatica, lumbago, neuralgia
• respiratory system: bronchitis, catarrh, laryngitis, sore throat
• skin and hair: wounds, acne, oily skin, dry skin, cracked and chapped skin, aging skin, aftershave moisturizer

Now on to the drops one uses in the tub or in a tablespoon of a carrier oil.  Which note did you come up with?  If I tell you it’s a mid to base oil with a lingering base note (in other words lasts a VERY long time) would you be surprised?

So knowing that how many drops would you use?  3?  1?  Well in actual fact (and this may surprise you) 6 drops.  No, I didn’t mis-type it.  It is in fact 6 drops.  One of the few base notes that uses so many drops in a tablespoon of carrier oil/lotion, tub of water or to be diffused.

And that’s pretty much Sandalwood.

Side subject for this week, is the stuff I haven’t covered in this course, or briefly touched on.   The systems of your body: The lymphatic system, Respiratory system, skeletal and muscular systems, the skin , cardio system, immune system, endocrine system, genito system, Urinary system, nervous system, the brain and the mind.

Do you KNOW what all these systems are?  Do you know what they DO?  Do you know which organs are where?  If I say respiratory, you know that I’m talking about conditions that affect breathing i.e. the lungs.

Do get a good anatomy book and find out where every major organ is, how the olfactory system works, why massage is so beneficial to the lymphatic system etc.   But most important is see if you can find a GOOD book on dermatology, you really need to find out about the skin, all the layers of the skin, the pores, the hair and it’s follicles, how it breathes, the aging processes, etc.

One last side subject before you all are bored to tears and that is E.O.’s from ecologically endangered areas.  One example of this is Rosewood.  The over uses of this wood has endangered the tree and it recommended that one substitutes Ho Wood instead.

Then there is Sandalwood.  Sandalwood is a success story.  Sandalwood has been over harvested in India, to the point where it was and is in danger of being wiped out.  The Indian government stepped in a put a halt the senseless logging of the Sandalwood trees and put them under protection.  The wood is still harvested, and the resin from the tree but it’s done under strict supervision, which is why the true Sandalwood is still available for purchase.

And there you have it.  The end of the course.  I will post a test next week for those who would like to test themselves to see how much they have learned.  However, PLEASE send the answer to the Question that has been up for the whole length of the course "What is an Aromatherapist?"

Final exam question: What is an Aromatherapist?  Easy Question?  We'll see.  Remember, I would like to see your answer at the END of the course.

Sources of Information: Besides my own course notes, and things I’ve learned along the way, for this course I also use:
 

• The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual By Sylla Sheppard-Hangar

• Plant Aromatics A Data & Reference Manual on Essential Oils and Aromatic Plant Extracts By Martin Watt

• Advanced Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaublet

• The Aromatherapy Work Book by Shirley Price

• Aromatherapy for Health Professionals by Shirley Price and Len Price.

© 2001 Kathleen E. Petrides, SmeLLeNNium
 

© 2001 Mother (page layout only)