The Aromatics International Blog

We recently got introduced, in a cyberspace kind of way,  to a new distiller in Thailand. He told us about two other distillers he knew who both distilled Plai essential oil. I have been wanting to buy Plai for Aromatics International for a few years now, but had not found a source. You can imagine my delight! I ordered samples from both distillers; one has his distillery in Central Thailand, the other in the North East.

When the samples arrived I was surprised at how different they smelled from each other. I liked them both and was quite sure from the aromas that the chemistry of the central Plai would be quite different from the N.E Plai. I sent the samples to Daniel to test in France. The results showed that each oil was excellent, and that they were significantly different from each other.

The N.E Plai distiller harvests the roots and then stores them in a root cellar until he has requests for the essential oil, then he distills it. The N.E Plai has a typical chemistry for Plai from Thailand. There is almost as much terpinene-4-ol in this Plai as in Tea Tree (sometimes more, depending on the Tea Tree. Our Tea Tree from Australia is quite high in terpinene-4-ol).  terpinene-4-ol has been well researched and is to known to activate white blood cells for dealing with infections, it has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects, and is quite supportive for the immune system. Very appealing essential oil component to use for healing infections (also found in Sweet Marjoram).

The N.E Plai also has a significant percentage of sabinene, a component noted by many aromatherapists for its anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains a nice percentage of 2 isomers of terpinene, known for their anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties.

What does all that mean? Its a great oil if you are sick, especially with inflamed sinuses, or dealing with a fungal infection! Also, Plai is used by Thailand Massage Therapists to ease joint and muscle pain, or sprains and strains.

The Plai from Central Thailand has an interesting story. The distiller produces the oil right after it is harvested, and the roots are not stored. The resulting chemistry is different but equally interesting! This oil has a large percentage of sabinene and a small but significant percentage of dimethoxyphenyl butadiene, known for its analgesic effects. Plai is considered a great oil to reduce pain and inflammation, and these properties are often associated with the dimethoxyphenyl butadiene (DMPBD).

The Central Thailand Plai is an excellent oil to add to blends for reducing inflammation for injury, sprains, muscle and joint issues. Plai is from the same plant family as ginger (Zingiber officinale) but does not possess the classic heat that is common to Ginger. Instead Plai has a cooling action on inflamed areas. It is very effective!

We decided to purchase both essential oils and we have been blending them together! Best of both worlds! Next time you feel some muscle pain, or have a bad cold or flu that leaves you feeling sore and achy, try some Plai essential oil blended into a soothing carrier oil or lotion. Apply to your chest, neck and back.

Tags: Add new tag, aromatherapy, blending, Chemical Components, cold and flu, Essential Oils

The best way to store essential oils is in a cold, dark space. We have a cold room dedicated to our essential oils. I don’t normally like hanging out in cold, dark rooms (being more of a fan of the tropical scene) but our essential oil cold room is hard to resist! When I walk in I am met by the smell of all the essential oils, blended into one exotic aroma.

We recently expanded our cold room, as we are ordering larger quantities of essential oils and butters now. When I turn on the light, the room is filled with colorful labels, bottles of essential oils from around the world, hydrosols, body butters, carrier oils, glass beakers and bags of resins! I never thought a cold, dark room would be my favorite place!

Tags: Essential Oils, Storage

Fun to study online!

The Aromahead Institute’s Online Aromatherapy Certification Program has students worldwide: Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa…and even Texas! Of course there are many students from the USA as well!  The case studies are rolling in, and we are putting the finishing touches on a forum for online students to ask questions and receive answers from both author Andrea Butje and Aromahead graduates. Great blends are being made, inspired by the video library included in the online certification program. I am excited every time I read a case study and hear about the amazing blends students are making and the results we are seeing for their clients!

Tags: Add new tag, AIA, aromatherapy, aromatherapy classes, clinical aromatherapy, Essential Oils

We have very exciting news to share with our students and prospective students!

The Aromahead Institute of Essential Oil Studies was recently approved by the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) to offer a 400-hour program for students to become AIA approved Clinical Aromatherapists.  The official AIA title is CMAIA-Clinical member of the AIA.

The Alliance of International Aromatherapists is a leading international Aromatherapy organization making Aromatherapy a readily accessible and respected holistic healing modality.

Aromahead Institute is the first school in the continental United States to pass review and evaluation.  After dedicated work on the application, we are thrilled to offer this to our students.

The Scholar’s Program at Aromahead Institute fulfills AIA’s 400-hour requirements. Please visit our site to learn more about the exciting Aromatherapy courses that will help you reach this high level of certification.

If you are a current or former student, the hours you’ve already taken are eligible to be applied to the 400-hour AIA requirement!

Tags: AIA, aromatherapy, aromatherapy classes, clinical aromatherapy, Essential Oils

I have learned some amazing things while learning to enjoy essential oils in my home which I would like to share with you.  I started dabbling with essential oils after being given a bottle of lavender essential oil. I’m thinking this is probably where everyone starts their adventure into this amazing field. My first very important lesson was that a little bit goes a very long way. So who would have thought that a drop or two would be enough to fragrance an area?  I love the smell of lavender so popped a few dropperfuls onto a dish. Yes, there can be too much of a good thing!

Some of my favorite ways to use essential oils in the house are a drop or two on a radiator in each room (making sure the essential oil you use will elicit the appropriate response). When the heat comes up, it smells like heaven. A drop or two on the front of a fan fills your room with fragrance.  Even a drop or two on an open window’s sill will bring a wonderful smelling breeze right in every time the air stirs.  Don’t forget the air conditioning vents.  I really get a giggle out of using an all natural lemon potpourri in the living room, always smells just dusted!  Dust on my table?  You know these old farmhouses - get dusty in an hour!  Hey, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Using essential oils has become a way of  life for myself and my family. You really can elicit physical responses with the fragrances you use. I had some success helping my hubby with the nausea that came with chemotherapy with ginger and peppermint oil.  I hope you never have need of it for that reason, but I hear that it will also work for morning sickness, stomach ailments and motion sickness. I put a drop of each oil on a business card and keep it in an old pill bottle.  When the nausea strikes, you just open it and let the oils do their stuff. (each card will last 2 or 3 days). I have since discovered the pleasure of a personal aromatherapy amulet to wear around your neck. (I carry these on my website-shameless plug).  Another good way to spread the fragrance is to put a few drops of essential oil in the humidifier.  Eucalyptus is nice if your nose is stuffy, otherwise, whatever suits your fancy!  The added benefit I have found is that many essential oils are antibacterial and antifungal so you don’t get the gunk build up that happens with plain water.

I heartily encourage you to make use of essential oils in your day to day life, although I would also encourage a little research as to the oils you use.   It adds a whole new level to the ambiance in your home and can do you some good at the same time.

Patricia Morello owns Patricia Rose-A Potpourri of Fabric, Fragrance and Findings and also writes a blog about her business and life.  Follow her on Twitter @PatriciaRose.

Tags: easy aromatherapy, guest post, products

Aromahead Institute is offering discounted Aromatherapy classes this summer in Sarasota, Florida! We love the summer in Sarasota–the beach is amazing, the water is  warm, and the plants are wildly in bloom. Come join us!

Since we scheduled our summer classes at the last minute, we are offering all classes in June and July at 25% off the listed tuition! Once you register and pay in full for the class, we will refund you 25% of the tuition.

You can see the whole schedule on the Aromahead Institute schedule page.

For details on each of our classes, visit our Classes at the Institute page.

Here are our Summer offerings:

• Component Blending: June 4-6 (3 days with Andrea)
• Advanced Graduate Program: June 9-13 and July 8-12 (10 days total with Andrea)
• Advanced Practitioners Seminar: June 16-19 (4 days with Andrea and Cindy)
• Anatomy and Physiology: A Holistic Approach: June 24-27 (4 days with Cindy)
• Aromatic Blending: June 29-July 1 (3 days with Andrea)
• Business Owner Seminar: July 15-18 (4 days with Andrea and Cindy)

We have a very exciting announcement to make on Monday.  Stay tuned!

Tags: aromahead institute, CEUs, continuing education, education, Essential Oils