We are in the transition time between summer and autumn.
In Chinese medicine, the days between seasons are associated with the Earth element, reminding us to take this time to nourish and prepare ourselves for the season ahead. Autumn is associated with the Metal element and our body systems that include the Lungs and Large Intestine. These systems remind us to take a deep breath in, and upon your exhale, let it go. Nothing exemplifies this more than the paired organs of the lung and large intestine!
Autumn is usually a melancholic time for me, which is fitting since the emotion associated with the Metal element is grief. Part of grieving is an array of emotions that come before acceptance and forgiveness. Essential oils can help transition you from the depths of despair into a place of acceptance. The spicy flavor is also associated with the Metal element. Spicy herbs get our qi (life force) moving and can help get us out of any funk.
3 Essential Oils for Fall
1. Peppermint — not only great for digestion but also calms down an “angry” liver and helps move you from anger into acceptance. Diffuse this throughout your home or take in the form of peppermint spirits.
2. Thyme — one of our spiciest herbs and one of the best for preventing colds and flus; I also find thyme to be helpful in situations that take time to heal. For grief, I like to diffuse thyme with lavender and rosemary to help me remember the good times and move past the bad.
3. Clary Sage — known as a euphoric and helpful for menopausal symptoms, clary sage also aids us in gaining clarity and insight and lifting the clouds that surround us when we are in grief. I like to make a roll-on with a carrier oil and essential oils of clary sage, angelica, vetiver, and jasmine absolute when I feel sad from a significant loss.
Let me know your favorite spicy herbs and essential oils for fall!
women and the cycles we experience throughout our lives. Always present is the reverence for our medicinal plants that guide and support us along our way. Astrid Grove and Leela Whitcomb-Hewitt brought a much needed gathering to Colorado and I thank them greatly for it!
modulate our immune systems, making us stronger and more resilient throughout the cold season. I recommend diffusing these oils in your home and office. I like to place it by the front door so everyone that enters is enveloped in their healing essence. Your children can also take a spritzer made with these oils to keep in their locker or backpack and use as a hand sanitizer throughout the day.
I’m wearing one). That way I can inhale deeply without fear of noxious odors! In a pinch, I can also drop one drop of Peppermint oil in a little fat based substance (milk, yogurt, coconut oil) and ingest internally in case I need something stronger to settle my stomach. For relaxation after the push of getting to the airport, through security and to my gate on time, I’ll place a drop of Lavender essential oil behind each ear (Lavender is one of the oils you can place Undiluted on your skin) and feel my tension melt away. For protection against any germs that linger within a closed air environment I bring a small spritzer with essential oils of Lavender, Thyme, Eucalyptus and Lemongrass that I use as a hand sanitizer or mist if someone is coughing or sneezing around me.
change, and not the political legislators who implement change after the fact.”
after a surreal experience with burning the root of Angelica archangelica. I had a good sized root that I harvested years ago and found it so beautiful I just couldn’t bring myself to use it. I carried the root in a jar with me and showed it to students in some of my classes. One night while camping I decided to burn part of the root. As I lit the dried root on fire, I inhaled the smoke and began to feel deeply relaxed. Within seconds the essence of spirits (angels, beings- call them what you will) were all around me. Their gentleness soothed me as I began to remember all the loved ones I have lost. In the smoke from the smoldering root I began to see images of my grandmothers, my friends and others that have passed on. I cried a long cathartic cry as the spirits cradled and whispered words of love into me. When the smoke and spirits disappeared, I felt profoundly relieved from some of the grief I had been holding deep inside.
help bring me into a deeper state of relaxation and mindfulness. As I continue to breathe, I make a mild decoction of Ganoderma lucidum (reishi, ling zhi) to bring my intention inward. While drinking the tea I diffuse essential oils of Vetiver, Frankincense, Myrrh and Clary Sage. These oils center me and allow me to go deeper into my practice. After this small ritual, I begin my yoga practice and am more open to receive.
I want to share with you some of what Magnolia has taught me. The medicine of Magnolia is varied depending on species. Magnolia grandiflora is bitter and can help with the assimilation of nutrients and emotions. The aromatic properties open the orifices of the spirit (mind, heart) and allow for deeper breathing and clarity of thought. The intoxicating aroma and beauty of the flowers reminds us that life is not all doom and gloom but also immensely fulfilling.
I cannot say enough positive things about the 
My favorite part was to see (hear, taste and feel) new and old plant allies. The mountain yarrow and horsetail looks so delicate and tender compared to our North Coast varieties. I have found the mountain plants to be smaller, but packed full of vital energy due to their ability to thrive in such harsh conditions. And the conifers! I got to taste and smell the differences in some of the pine, spruce and fir. The medicine in these mountain plants are strong and give us the gift of resiliency. So needed at this time.