The Practical
Potions, Aromatic, Adventure
Orientation:
Practical Potions Introductory is one of a two-part Aromatherapy Program taught by Robert Rogers and Laurie Szott-Rogers via The Northern Star College of Mystical Studies.
To Continue Your Adventure
First, please listen to your animated helper orient you.
Then, to get situated, make your way to the Ship’s Crow’s Nest -Climb the main mast from Deck 6; the ladder is accessible from the Navigation Deck. The Crow’s
Nest is at the top of the mast ladder. Maurice, the shipmate you see peering through the telescope, will help start your day.
When you get to the Crow’s Nest, you can look at the notes on this page introducing you to aromatherapy.
In Today’s Lesson:
You may watch a short video on the history of essential oils. We will also discuss how to use essential oils safely. At the end of the page, you will find an overview of navigating the course and Robert’s substantial video on introductory aromatherapy.
The journal download at the bottom of the page will help you prepare for the journey ahead. Please get your copy as you leave the Crowsnest.
Introduction:
Take your time with these introductory aromatherapy concepts, as they are the program’s building blocks. Taking notes while reading the write-ups and watching the videos will help you remember the content. Instructions on navigating the ship’s rooms can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
A Brief Aromatic History of Essential Oils-Video (In the Ship’s Crow’snest)
The shipmate, Maurice, will narrate this Video.
Using Essential Oils Safely:
The following course promotes using essential oils safely and enjoyably.
If you are sensitive to essential oils, proceed cautiously, using your common sense and prior knowledge of your body. Although essential oils are natural, they can cause mild to severe reactions. Please do not take them internally; even a little of some essential oils can be fatal. Do not use or diffuse essential oils with children, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding. Do not let infants, pets, or those without proper mental capacity near the oils.
Essential oils should not be used with pets—do not give them oils internally or put them on their fur, which they will lick. Even diffusion of essential oils may cause problems with some pets, so practice extreme caution. Some essential oils are more toxic, and some animals are more sensitive, but avoiding using them with your animals is best.
Keep essential oils out of your eyes. If they do get in, apply vegetable oil to the edge of a clean cloth and place this on the corner of your eye. This will attract the essential oil and works better than washing the eye with water.
Please don’t apply essential oils directly to the skin without dilution and patch testing on the thin areas first. This includes your wrists, inside of elbows, behind the knees, and under the ears, the same places you would apply fragrance. Some essential oils, like bergamot and lemon, can cause nasty burns if worn in the sun.
If you suffer epileptic episodes, avoid any of the stimulating oils, such as sage or rosemary. People with epilepsy should never ingest stimulating oils.
Some essential oils may affect asthmatics. If you have allergies to specific plants, be cautious about using essential oils from the same plant or plant family, as they are known allergens. Sometimes, the allergy is only to the pollen and will not apply to the oil- but approach slowly.
On the other hand, many people with allergies to petrochemical perfumes may find essential oils surprisingly refreshing. I know I can use them, but chemical-based perfumes negatively impact me. Many of our students are charmed by the scent of essential oils and repulsed by petrochemical-based scents. Reactions, of course, are highly personal and subjective.
Store essential oils in a very safe place. Ensure your bottles have drop inserts so the oil comes out slowly. This may involve moving bulk essential oils into smaller bottles for dispensing. Some essential oils may interfere with medications, mainly when used internally, which we rarely advise. Keep away from children in a secure, locked cupboard.
Essential oils do well in a cold, dark environment, like a fridge. Could you keep the lids on tightly? Certain essential oils oxidize quickly and should be used within a couple of years. Oils that oxidize will be mentioned in the Cautions section as you proceed through the course.
Essential oils suggested for illness and disease are meant as adjunct therapy ideas, but always consult the best possible experts before proceeding.
This course is not meant to replace medical treatments or prescriptions.
Aromatherapy is an evolving field; only some things about how oils react with medicines and individual chemistry are understood.
Certain essential oils interact with drugs. This is especially true if you ingest the oils, which we generally do not advise. We have tried to include the newest research on this topic in the course, but more information is constantly emerging. Always be cautious and monitor your reactions.
Pay special attention and do extra research on your own if you are on medicine for diabetes or the cardiovascular system.
How to Navigate this Course:
Video- Vanessa- Please Press the Play Button
Please follow the directions for where to show up on the ship for each course. Always bring a beverage and a notepad.
Making Time for What You Love:
Academic success depends partly on commitment and consistency. Setting aside 7-20 hours per week is a good strategy. Could you arrange this time off with others in your family or work? Mark the times on your calendar. Leaving all homework until the last minute (known as the heroic approach) creates stress. It helps to work with a schedule and make time each day to do what you love. But, mostly, have fun and enjoy the excitement of creative achievements!
Create a Get To-Do List
Robert has asked Jack, a second-year student, to narrate the Video Below on Creating a Get-To-Do-List.
Visualize Your Life Aromatically:
For now, envision how you might use aromatherapy in your life. Imagine yourself using all-natural cosmetics you’ve made. Start the morning by brushing your teeth with a naturally flavourful tooth powder you have created. Spritz your face with an aromatic hydrosol, scented with rose or orange blossoms, to cleanse and tone—shower with a liquid peppermint soap that refreshes you. Then, drive to work in a car enlivened with a lemon-lime scent. Return home and get or receive a foot rub with some relaxing mandarin ointment. Spray your spouse’s pillow with a hint of lavender, or have a chamomile bath so you both sleep soundly, embraced by gentle scents.
Understanding how to use essential oils safely will allow you to make everything from simple healing remedies to cleaning tools and personal products. You will no longer rely on toxic, commercial products!
An Introductory Video on Aromatherapy
with Robert Rogers:
Aromatherapy Introductory from Laurie on Vimeo.
These authors and this school accept no liability for any claims, now or in the future, arising from the use or misuse of any remedy, recipe, or application herein.
This information is for Northern Star College’s Aromatherapy Students only. It is not for sale, copying, or redistribution except where permission is granted. But you can copy and paste the online version of this course into your notes for use. This will allow you to have a hard copy to refer to.
Information researched from references is cited on the course’s Reference Page. These references have been used repeatedly throughout this writing.
Now, return from the Crowsnest and enjoy everything the ship offers.
Accessing and Using Your Practical Potions Journal-Interactive Downloads:
You can click to download. Then, you can check the download file on your browser to find the file. The download button at the bottom of this page will allow you to open the exercises in PDF form for your Practical Potions Journal. Press print to make a physical copy of the journal.