Sunday, March 17, 2013

Banish a Blue Mood with Aromatherapy




This has been the longest winter on record. Or at least it feels that way!  Thankfully, finally, the weather is getting warmer here in the Northeast. Every morning when the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, I feel better. I've also purchased two lovely Ranunculus (they look like paper roses) plants and put them in my sun room to cheer me up. To get through the final weeks of winter, I thought I'd share some aromatherapy tips that can help with a blue mood or mild depression too. 

Essential oils used in the practice of aromatherapy can help, in part because of the proximity of the nerve endings in the nasal cavities and the brain. There is a wide variety of oils than can help to banish a blue mood. Choose a scent that appeals to you: Basil, cedarwood, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, coriander, geranium, neroli, patchouli, peppermint, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, thyme, vetiver, wintergreen, and ylang-ylang. To get a lift, just take eight deep inhalations right from the bottle (carry it along with you in your pocketbook) or put it in a diffuser when you go to sleep at night. Sweet dreams! 


“Scent to Kill is a well-crafted mystery…Devotees of natural medicine and aromatherapy will enjoy the tips that appear at the beginning of each chapter and scattered throughout the text.” Publisher’s Weekly   

Willow McQuade, naturopathic doctor, along with her hunky ex-cop boyfriend Jackson Spade, attend a party for a psychic TV show that is filming on Long Island’s idyllic East End. However, Willow is much more interested in visiting the estate’s lavender farm, seeking inspiration for the new aromatherapy workshops she'll be holding at her store, Nature’s Way Market & Café.   

Before the party is over, Roger Bixby one of the producers is dead and the police suspect murder. Roger was working on the show, MJ’s Mind, with Carly Bixby, his ex-wife and the new girlfriend of Willow's ex from L.A., TV writer/producer Simon Lewis.   

After Willow leaves the party, she gets a frantic text from Simon asking for her help. Since Simon had a fight with Roger earlier in the evening, and because of his death is now the primary shareholder in Galaxy films, Willow's ex becomes the prime suspect. Simon begs her to crack the case and clear him of the murder. MJ McClellan, the psychic and star of the show also asks Willow for help. She hires Willow to provide natural remedies, including aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and yoga to soothe the agitated crew of her show. 

To find the killer, Willow has to deal with ghosts in a haunted mansion, a truly dysfunctional family, death threats and “accidents,” while trying to untangle a homicide identical to one committed during prohibition. Thankfully, Jackson has been hired to provide security and is there to watch her back and help Willow solve this spooky mystery.

As a bonus, you’ll find dozens of natural aromatherapy cures throughout the book that can improve your health in mind, body and spirit!

Chrystle Fiedler is the author of SCENT TO KILL, (Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster) the second in the NATURAL REMEDIES MYSTERY series, DEATH DROPS: A Natural Remedies Mystery, the non-fiction title THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO NATURAL REMEDIES (Alpha, 2009), co-author of BEAT SUGAR ADDICTION NOW! (Fairwinds Press, 2010), currently in its fourth printing, the BEAT SUGAR ADDICTION NOW!COOKBOOK (Fairwinds Press, 2012) and THE COUNTRY ALMANAC OF HOME REMEDIES (Fairwinds, 2011). Chrystle’s magazine articles featuring natural remedies have appeared in many national publications including Natural Health, Vegetarian Times, Better Homes & Gardens and Remedy. Visit www.chrystlefiedler.com.

4 comments:

Linda O. Johnston said...

Even though I live in an area where winter isn't particularly difficult, Chrystle, I'm glad for my friends and relatives that the weather is getting better--or at least it's supposed to be!

Chrystle Fiedler said...

It's slow going for sure. The other day we had a few flakes of snow! Hope this remedy helps those who need a lift! Thanks for stopping by!

Betty Hechtman said...

What a wonderful list of scents to lift your spririts. I never thought of carrying a bottle of essential oils with me. I do always put some sachets of lavender in my suitcase when I travel. Then if I can't sleep, I put them under my pillow.

Chrystle Fiedler said...

Good idea Betty! Carrying a bottle of essential oil is a quick stress reliever. You can sniff from the bottle or put a few drops on your pillow or in the bath tub. If you have essential oils and Bach Rescue Remedy you're prepared for most situations that can cause stress!