Summer is officially in session and it is HOT! With the temperatures getting warmer and warmer, earlier and earlier, we are reaching new levels of heat and wondering how we can deal with it. We get a lot of clients that have to wear uniforms all day long in the sun, and sometimes they don't have air conditioning, misters, or even fans to help keep them cool throughout the day. It becomes overwhelming, but it is not anything new. Our ancestors didn't have air conditioning or fans, but they did have access to nature and plants. It has been noted that Native Americans used to use Peppermint leaves to help the body cool down. Today, we have a concentrated and much stronger product because of distillation. Just a few drops in some key zones of the body can instantly cool us down. The plants we Love to anoint to keep ourselves cool during the Summer months are Peppermint, Cornmint, and Vetiver.
Peppermint is a perennial mint plant that has been used in Egypt over 3,000 years ago. She was cultivated in the 18th century for her medicinal properties. She is amazing for opening the sinuses, lungs, and mental faculties, and she is wonderful for digestion, skin, women's health, and headaches. Aside from these properties, Peppermint is a powerful cooling agent. A few drops on the insides of the upper arm, behind the neck, or behind the knees can cool the body down significantly. Energetically, she helps to cool down anger, relax tension, and manifest harmony where this is imbalance.
Cornmint is Japanese Mint, and is also a perennial herb. She is known to be the coldest of all of the mints, and is able to crystalize into a sold when temperatures around her become cold. Cornmint is wonderful for pain, toothaches, digestion, heart imbalances, headaches, and skin issues. She can be used like Peppermint on the insides of the arms, back of the neck, or behind the knees to keep the body cool. This is another level of cool. Be aware of her cooling power, and use Cornmint when Peppermint just isn't cool enough. Energetically, Cornmint is there as "ego mediicine". She helps us let go of inferiority, pride, and a negative ego in order to release negative perceptions around the world. Cornmint instills properties of competence, self-Love, and the ability to ask for help when we need it the most.
Finally, Vetiver is a root essence of a grass that is native to tropical areas. She is known as the "Oil of Tranquility", and her roots have been historically used to make homemade evaporative coolers that act like air conditioners. She was the original air conditioner before electricity was invented. Her roots have been used over cars, homes, awnings, on rugs, in bedding, and into drinking water for coolness. Vetiver can be used as medicine for arthritic conditions, pain, circulation, lymphatic health, skin, colds, and fevers. She is a Central Nervous System harmonizer and can support mental and physical exhaustion. For heat, people use her as a deodorant under the arms. She helps us feel our eternal spiritual essences that never dies, and find the joy of living. When we are energetically "burnt out", Vetiver gives us the feeling of being "at home", in our bodies, and fearless about death, birth, sex, and pleasure.
Anoint 5-10 drops "neat" onto the area desired, rub it in, and take several deep breaths. Observe your body temperature and emotional state as the plant essence absorbs into the body and assimilates. Journal your experience for future reference.
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