Lemon verbena includes 70 varieties, used in aroma blends. The fresh leaves can be crushed and added to refresh teas. as an essential oil, lemon grass is usually added to lemon verbena. The leaves make very little essential oil. Know your source.

Roman Chamomile is most often used in aromatherapy. German Chamomile makes the best tea. Both are calming and easy to grow or find in markets.

 Blue Chamomile is the German variety, producing a blue absolute, containing azulene, rarely used alone.

Choose Roman Chamomile for aromatherapy blends.

The last essential oils added to a blend are Top or Head notes. They are the first aromas you smell upon opening a blend. They will evaporate quickly so you can experience the heart essential oils and the composition of the blend. Top Or Head notes are familiar scents, inexpensive and available.

Heart notes define an aromatherapy blend, lending a bridge from heavier base notes to highly intense top notes. They can guide and transform all the essential oils into a unique exquisite aromatic experience. Knowing compatibility is a great part of the art of aromatherapy.

Base aromas are the most ancient, anti-inflammatory and versatile scents to explore. Their scents include vanilla- like aromas, floral, amber, woody, herbaceous, balsamic and earthy. Blending together or using them singly sets the mood, scent sensation for a lasting unique aroma blend or perfume. Learn the most important base essential oils, how to use them and compatible essential oils to blend like a professional aromatherapist and perfumer.

 The high frequency of roses enhances our emotions and well-being. We can learn ways to use them in culinary, aromatherapy, beverages, foods and skincare.

Obesogens are Phthalates and Parabens in lotions, skin and nail care products that may disrupt normal metabolism and encourage fat storage leading to obesity. The average person absorbs 168 obesogens daily from common skincare.

Fetal and infant exposure to cannabis  causes  prolonged negative influences in brain development. This is caused by ingestion, inhalation, breast feeding and skin application. The effects are lifelong and can be passed to prodigy.

Symptoms include hyperactivity, delinquent behavior,memory dysfunction and lower I.Q. By adolescence, they experience higher rates of opioid use and other recreational drugs. By adolescence, they have  experience more depression and anxiety, psychotic and schizophrenic behavior.

Cannabis is easily absorbed into the blood- barrier. It adversely affects complex brain functions, such as goal directed behavior and decision making processes.Reduced  social behavior can occur from altercations in several important brain proteins. Females suffer more from aggression and impaired attention than males according to recent research.

Source: Andrew Scheyer, Fetal Effects: The Scientist, January, 2019.

Recent research at U.C.at Berkeley suggests copper regulates sleep. Copper is needed to release the enzyme dopamine hydro-lase associated with nor-epinephrine in the locus coeruleus of the brain, which regulates sleep.

The locus coeruleus is rich with copper. This part of the brain collects sensory info while awake, regulates cerebral blood flow to the brain and is associated with stress, anxiety, emotional sensitivity, attention deficit disorders and post traumatic stress syndrome.

Christopher Chang, at U.C. Berkeley is researching copper modulation in relation to sleep and fatigue disorders. The next step may be elevate copper in this brain region to determine if it enhances sleep.

  Copper is dependent on liver function to eventually become available in the locus coeruleus. Zinc and copper must be balanced on a cellular level for either mineral to be available in  multiple enzyme processes.

There are many foods high in copper, including walnuts, sesame tahini, asparagus, and grapes.

Great question!  No, essences and essential oils have different properties when grown and produced in different climates and terrains.Essences and Essential oils may have different qualities when grown in different terrains and climates. The amount of sunshine, rain, humidity and altitude may activate different chemicals in plants. Some may be stronger than others. The soil composition and Ph also affect the chemical and subtle properties in plants. The availability of sunshine, rain and nitrogen from lightening strikes catalyzes  the potency of plants.

When and how plants are harvested and cared for also make a difference in potency and quality. The time of day for harvesting makes a difference. For example, roses are harvested before noon, most often in the spring. Neroli is harvested before the buds are open. Rosemary, sage, thyme and helichyssum are most potent harvested in the heat of summer afternoons. Most plants become more potent with heat and pruning or cutting, but too much heat and low rainfall require more compassionate care. In north Texas, I do not harvest in August because it is too hot and dry. I also don't harvest right after a rain to avoid the spread of fungal and viral disease. I also leave some blooms for bees and beneficial insects to thrive. Hand picking  blooms and plants do no damage. I distill with glass to produce the highest quality products.

We can enjoy quality essences and essential oils in tune with the environment. Many plants producing essential oils and essences are endangered from over production. Awareness of the environment is vital for the continuation and availability of healing plants. We must also benefit the plants we encounter. We all heal together, encouraging different properties and information from the plants we encounter.