AROMATHERAPY

Two Brains for the Price of one

The human brain has two distinct parts - left and right - which govern, respectively, the logical, analytical jobs and the creative, inspirational aspects of human endeavour. The majority of people rely on the left-hand side to get through life and can function quite adequately with the skills the left-hand side provides - speaking, reading and writing, for example. Others use the right-hand side predominantly and are the artists of the community. Whichever side we rely most heavily on, we tend to under-use the other. So those who have developed the left-hand side of their brain tend to be accountants, lawers, and teachers who cannot paint a portrait while those who have developed the right tend to be musicians and artists who cannot understand a balance sheet.

This is of course a generalization, but you and I both know plenty of people who will say 'I'm no good with technical things' while looking at the video machine and those who say  'I' can't draw a thing' when they haven't even tried to draw anything since they were a rebellious teenager in the art class at school. But are these mental blockages inherent or the result of teaching practices which tend to emphasise in a particular person those talents which first show themselves ? Might we all not benefit from using both sides of the brain equally, not only so that we can perform logically and artistically but so that each side of the brain could feed off and charge the other side.

• Leonardo da Vinci is the classic example of someone with a powerful two-sided brain - the most marvellous artist with tremendous logical talents that enabled him also to be a brilliant mathematician, architect, engineer, and inventor of flying machines, submarines, hydraulics and weaponry. He has been called 'the complete man', but we can all to some extent be complete in this same way - Renaissance men and women  capable of doing diverse things and able to enjoy life and work to the full.
  

Most people know which side of the brain they favour and it is interesting that the logical person who uses the left side of the brain is usually right-handed while the right-brain, artistic person is usually left handed. ( As you probably know. the right side of the brain controls the left -hand side of the body and vice versa. ) The majority of people in our society are right-handed, leaving the inspirational, creative part of the brain largely under-used and undeveloped. It is this right-hand side of the brain that most of us need to develop.

• The duality of human nature has for millennia been recognised by Eastern systems of thought, and balance between the two sough so that the interaction can stimulate a more effective performance in all sorts of activities. In Western society the group who have taken these lessons most to heart have probably been sportspeople, who add to their very disciplined and logical training methods those specifically designed to bring out the inspirational - and of such methods tennis and golf stars have been made. Men and women all over the world have read books such as Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards, and have learned to draw, paint or play music when these talents had previously totally evaded them. Clearly, much can be achieved by training the brain.
• First, sit or lie down quietly and imagine that you have a small glowing, coloured light in your head. The light can be of any colour. Place the light inside your head just over the left eyebrow and slowly allow it to explore all over the left side of your brain. Then imagine it crossing over and exploring the right-hand side of the brain. Then get the light to travel along the line that separates left and tight, back and forth. Again, let the light explore left and right, and down the centre.
  
• When you feel harassed at work picture in your mind a scene of great tranquillity and transfer that scene from one side of the brain to the other, back and forth. This can also be done for success - imagine yourself achieving the particular job you are trying to get done, whether it is getting through a pile of paperwork, finishing a PhD or decorating the house, See yourself with the job finished, complete with a satisfied grin, and transfer that image back and forth from one side of your brain to the other. You will find that this simple device can motivate you into getting the job done.
  

• THE RIGHT SIDE,'BRAIN TRAIN OILS
  Bergamot- Grapefruit-Coriander-Neroli-Chamomile Roman-Birch-Melissa-Pettigraine-Palma Rosa
  
• Go for the brain train with these synergistic formulas:
  
• THE RIGHT SIDE,'BRAIN TRAIN'
• 
  FORMULA 1: Palma rosa 8 drops-Pettigraine 4 drops
• 
  FORMULA 2: Geranium 4 drops-Grapefruit 6 drops
• FORMULA 3: Neroli 4 drops- Coriander 4 drops
• 
  FORMULA 4: Mellisa 6 drops- Chamomile Roman 2 drops
• 
  Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy; Valerie Ann Worwood
  

Some people get into such a state during exams or interviews that they couldn't remember the name of their own sister, if asked. Self-hypnosis is a technique they could find useful, but it is not only for them. many jobs are extremely stressful and many of us need a mental oasis to recoup the mental faculties we lose during the course of the working day.

Self hypnosis for relaxation is as relevant for the commodity broker who would prefer not to be burnt out by thirty as for the teacher of a rowdy bunch of teenagers and the mother with a toddler.Self-hypnosis is a technique of suspending normal consciousness for a limited period of time in order to relax and allow the mind and the body to recharge. This state of suspension allows complete relaxation and is, even if done only for a few minutes, extremely revitalising.

Some people find it easier than others to suspend the dominant left brain, but with practice everyone can achieve it. And once you have mastered the technique, self-hypnosis can be reached without all the preliminary procedure.

Certain essential oils help the process.

First, at least while you are learning the technique. Place 1 or 2 drops of one of the following essential oils on a piece of tissue and inhale. It helps if you place a few drops on a source of heat as well to infuse the atmosphere of the room.

ESSENTIAL OILS TO FACILITATE SELF-HYPNOSIS

Narcissus, Jonquil, Patchouli, Neroli, Osmanthus, Clary-sage-Palma rosa- Geranium

Or use one of the following synergistic blends:

HEAVY SYNERGISTIC BLEND:

Narcissus 1 drop-Palma rosa 3 drops-Osmanthus 1 drop:

LIGHT SYNERGISTIC BLEND: Clary -sage 5 drops-Geranium 2 drops

Now focus your attention on an object - something light and bright - and keep concentrating. Slowly count from one to fifty, while all the time maintaining your focus on that object - something light and bright - and keep concentrating. Slowly count from one to fifty, while all the time maintaining your focus on that object.

Close your eyes now and imagine the object in your mind, trying to see it as clearly as possibly open them until five, ten or fifteen minutes have passed. Feel relaxed and at ease with yourself.

When you open your eyes you will feel very relaxed indeed - able to tackle anything and anyone.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie A Worwood

What perfume or aftershave you are wearing when you go for a job interview is a critical factor in 'impression management' as it is known in research circles. The interesting thing is that it makes a great deal of difference whether you are being interviewed by a man or a woman. Men aren't impressed with men who wear aftershaves at all, perhaps because of male rivalry, and surprisingly perhaps, they consider women who wear perfume at interviews to be frivolous and unbusinesslike. Female interviewers are much easier to please and consider perfume and aftershave an integral part of good grooming. But there are perfumes and perfumes, and nobody is going to be impressed if you wear a heavy, hypnotic type of perfume that you might also use on a seductive date. If you wear one of these fragrances you might get asked out, but you won't get the job.

Clearly, if you want to manage the impression you make, the aroma you wear at an interview is an important component of the overall picture. And because odour alters people's perception of each other on the subconscious level, it might even be more im portant that the qualifications you have in your hand. I just didn't like him/her is a pretty wishy-washy reason to turn an application down but it happens and, according to research, with predictable regularity. In view of all this it might be better not to wear a fragrance at all at interviews - especially if you are a man - but we wear fragrance to please ourselves as well as other people and, most importantly, to give us confidence. Somehow a balance has to be struck and using essential oil is the perfect way to do it.

Certain essential oils are confidence boosters, working through the limbic system of the brain, and their aromas are subtle so if they are detected on the subconscious level  by the interviewers, they will have their confidence raided too. This is all to the good. In view of what we know about the negative impact  of the heavy scents, it makes good sense to stick to the light and floral type of aroma so even if it is perceived on the conscious level it won't make a negative impression. Rather you will come across as fresh, clean and confident. Below is a guideline of which essential oils to use, and not to use. Just use them as you would a perfume - a dab behind the ears - or put a drop on your handkerchief in your top jacket pocket. And, if some time later, you ask why you got the job and you're told 'We just liked you', dont be surprised!

THE RIGHT OILS FOR THE JOB
Lemon-Bergamot-Melissa-Pettigraine (lemon or orange) Neroli-Coriander-Verbena: THE WRONG OILS FOR THE JOB Rose Maroc-Ylang-Ylang-Narcissus-Jasmine-Vetiver

Here is a synergistic blend of oils which will boost confidence, increase your powers of memory and allow you to concentrate  - even if you are a nervous wreck. This is perfect for an interview or exam alike.

SAILING THROUGH INTERVIEW AND EXAM FORMULA

Grapefruit-8 drops-Basil-5 drops-Bergamot-5 drops-Lavender-2 drops: The evening before an important interview or exam can be dreadful. The anticipation makes you more and more nervous so that you end up lying awake for hour after ghastly hour. To nip this syndrome in the bud and give yourself the refreshing sleep you need use the following formula in a bath, followed by a massage:

THE NIGHT BEFORE 'SWEET DREAMS' SYNERGISTIC BLEND

Chamomile Roman-2 drops-Geranium-6 drops-Sandalwood-3 drops-Lemon-3 drops- Make up a concentrate in these proportions-use 6 drops in a bath just before bedtime and 5 drops in a dessertspoon of vegetable oil for massage.

There is no point spending the evening before the interview or exam in going over your speech, again and again, or trying to cram more facts into your already nerve-jangled brain. You've done the basic work, so now try to get yourself into mental shape so that you can deliver the goods you already have in a nice orderly fashion(rather than spilling them ina dishevelled mess all over the interview room or exam paper). Try to forget the whole thing and instead spend the time doing something you enjoy: watch TV, read a book or, better still, make love - a notoriously good way to relieve stress. Then take your, 'Sweet Dreams' bath, preferablywhile listening to relaxing music which will help to drown out your anticipatory thoughts. Now massage yourself, or have someone massage you, with the same formula, as above.

• PRE-EXAM SYNERGISTIC BLEND FOR THE UNDER SIXTEENS:
• Lavender-5 drops-Chamomile-3 drops-Geranium-3 drops-Mandarin-5 drops-Make into a concentrate.
• On the morning of the exam put 2 drops of grapefruit and 1 drop of lavender in a bath and go for it!
• Reference: Valerie A Worwood

Those who work the land have humanity's greatest asset in their hands and under their feet. It is their responsibility to think of the future - for the sake of the children and ours. Most people now agree that mono-culture farming methods which rely on chemicals, rather than the inherent goodness of the land, are bad not only for the land itself and the workers who have to handle pesticides, herbicides and fungicides on a regular basis, but for the consumers of produce so grown.  

If you are what you eat, most of us are by now to a certain degree pure chemical Inter-growing so that so that the natural protective mechanisms of plant life can operate, feeding the land organically so that its nutrient qualities are retained, and utilising the essential oils as growing enhancers (in both size and taste) and guardians against pests, would be the best action for anyone concerned enough about the environment to take personal steps to protect it.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie A Worwood