herbs
The Metaphysical Properties Of Houseplants
Many people who use houseplants to brighten their living space do not realize that they also have metaphysical properties to enhance our spiritual and energetic well-being. Plants, in addition to beautifying our environment, have mystical qualities, and also serve to purify and detoxify the air we breathe.
Herbs are especially powerful and traditionally associated with mental clarity, serenity, and purification. An ancient spiritual cleansing tradition is smudging in which the smoke of burning dry sage and other herbs is used to purify spaces and banish negative energies.
Many herbs are also edible and can be made into elixirs, teas, or potpourri mixes. Delicious and nourishing herbal teas are the perfect way to begin or end a day. Herbs can also be added to healing baths and to enhance nutritious food. Some of my favorites are lavender, mint, rosemary, and basil.
Herbs are easy to grow and do not take up much space. They are no doubt the most versatile houseplant, and even a small apartment can host a herb garden if it has a sunny windowsill.
If you’ve never owned houseplants before, begin with a succulent, such as a cactus or aloe plant. They don’t require much maintenance or watering. Many succulents have spines or spikes, which is why they are associated with protective energies and healing. They are the ‘armor wearers’ of the plant kingdom and keep feelings of despair, gloom, and anxiety at bay. Aloe is also well-known as a treatment for minor cuts, itches, and burns, so grab a piece if you have a slight accident at home and rub some on.
Energy Work With Lunar Herbs
The Moon is traditionally associated in healing and metaphysical practices with several flowers and plants, specifically herbs. Many of these herbs are silver, grey, or pale blue, as well as green, much like the Full Moon itself. Many of these plants are also associated with water, or grow near it.
There are several ways to use herbs in your practice, such as ingesting it in teas or other edible formats, and burning it as incense to purifying ourselves and our living spaces.
During the peak of the moon cycle when it is at its strongest during the Full Moon, is a powerful time to reflect on our emotions, the subconscious, healing, and parts of the body associated with water (blood, digestive system, reproductive system). We can enhance this powerful lunar energy by drinking an appropriate herbal tea, or burning an incense blend consisting of lunar herbs.
Different herbs are associated with the different energies of the lunar cycle. If you are working through some difficult emotional baggage, try lavender, wild rose, lotus, poppy, or kava-kava.
Since the Moon encourages healthy consumption of water and moisturizing, herbs like aloe vera, coconut, chickweed, or marshmallow and aniseed roots act as both natural refreshers and soothers. They are excellent to ensure healthy water absorption, and gels made from aloe are well-known as natural moisturizers.
If you wish to deepen your levels of compassion and understanding during a moon cycle, try mugwort, wormwood, or passionflower. Many of these herbs are edible and delicious. Just be sure to double check first, before adding them to your salad or your teapot!
Practical Ways To Cleanse And Protect Your Energy
We often blame other people or circumstances for feeling tired, burdened, overwhelmed, or depressed, while in truth it is due to our own choices and actions.
When we do not take care to maintain a raised energy vibration, lower or ‘dense’ energies begin to affect us in a negative way. It typically manifests as general physical and emotional exhaustion, or feeling drained. There may also be recurring episodes of ‘bad luck.’
How do we cause this lowered energy frequency? The main cause is negative thoughts and limiting, false beliefs. Our daily reality experience is the result of our thoughts and beliefs. We are personally responsible for the vibes we exchange with our surroundings and the rest of the world.
No matter what belief system or religion you subscribe to, energy protection is always necessary. Every day we are exposed to etheric energies imbued with despair, conflict, hatred, and anger, but nothing can get into our energy field if we do not allow it to enter. So, always protect yourself and shield your energy.
True spiritual protection and energy shielding is however never about fear, insecurity, or paranoia, nor is it about focusing on the negative. On the contrary, it is a way to keep our lives open to the blessings available to us every day. By protecting our energy, we make sure that we are open to every good thing that moves around us and to every soul that wants to vibrate in a key of joy with us.
There are many spiritual and metaphysical practices for achieving and maintaining energetic security and a raised vibration, such as prayer, meditation, visualization, cleansing rituals, and invoking guides, saints, or a particular deity. The following practices are also useful to incorporate in your everyday lifestyle.
Healing With Herbs
The past two years I have turned increasingly to herbs for natural healing. A good friend told me about herbs and how they help her family and I begin to do research. Soon I started taking herbs and have had excellent results.
Herbal medicine has gone from alternative to mainstream. The proper use of many common herbs (some of which can be easily grown at home) can help keep you healthy. Try herbal infusions in teas, lotions and soaps to see what works best for you.
You may not know the many uses for these common herbs and plant extracts, so I have compiled a list of those I often use in my personal life:
Ginger – known as the ‘universal medicine’ in Ayurvedic tradition for its many uses, including anti-nausea and motion sickness, digestive aid, and circulatory aid. It can be consumed in powder or fresh form.
Basil – has a spicy scent which can be used to revive faintness. It is also useful for an overactive thyroid, improving one’s concentration, and as an antioxidant packed with Vitamins A and C.
Curry – like ginger it is a popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Some of its uses include pain relief, ‘brain power’ to help ward off Alzheimer’s disease, and antioxidant. It also has been shown to improve skin tone.
Peppermint – thought to be the world’s oldest herbal remedy. It is used to combat nausea and vomiting, increase mental stimulation, and boost energy levels. It can also be used as a mild analgesic.
Parsley – in addition to being a popular food garnish it helps prevent gall bladder infections and kidney stones. It’s also loaded with antioxidant and deodorizing properties.
Essential Oils For Energy Work
Essential oils can be a powerful resource when used in energy work and related spiritual and metaphysical practices.
Grounding. Using Sandalwood, Patchouli, and Frankincense oils, for example, can help keep us grounded while meditating or doing energy work. You can use just one, or you can mix them, then simply diffuse the oil according to your preference.
Romance. To attract love and romance combine 2 parts Rose or Rose Otto with 1 part Lavender, Honeysuckle, or Ylang Ylang. Use in a diffuser or as a perfume oil on pulse points on your body. The Rose oil makes us feel more desirable, the Lavender, Honeysuckle or Ylang Ylang gives us confidence.
Memory. Using Rosemary, Peppermint, Lemon Grass, and Ginger in any combination will help with studying and memory retention. Dabbing a small amount on your third eye will enhance your ability to recall information later too.
Depression. For mild depression use 2 drops each Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Geranium and Sandalwood in any diffuser. Clary Sage helps promote the feel-good hormones, Ylang Ylang helps with anxiety, Geranium helps clear the debris in our heads and Sandalwood helps keep us grounded.
Energy. To recharge or refuel your energy, mix 12 drops Lavender, 6 drops Peppermint, 4 drops Pine, one drop Cinnamon essential oil. You can mix this in 1 cup of bath salts and enjoy a relaxing bath, or use in an oil diffuser, or both.
Practical Guidelines For Aromatherapy – Part 3
Aromatherapy and essential oils are often used in spiritual and metaphysical practices, but it can also enhance our health and well-being in many ways, including relaxation, relieving tension, calming the mind improving concentration, and increasing mental clarity.
Below are five practical ways to use your favorite essential oils in your home, as well as personal health and beauty.
CANDLES
Any essential oil can be used in a candle to infuse your home, or any space where energy needs to be shifted, cleansed, or recalibrated.
Candle-making is an art and a fun craft for the entire family. You can use molds, tall fireproof glasses, dixie cups. Just be sure to add the oil while melting the wax, not after the candle has been poured, I learned this the hard way!
SOAPS AND LOTIONS
Soap making is also an art and especially useful in gift-making around the holidays. Making a personalized gift of soap, lotion or candles is inexpensive and always treasured instead of commercial retail products. Soaps can be either in liquid form, or a bar form (or any shape you can think of).
Practical Guidelines For Aromatherapy – Part 2
Aromatherapy and essential oils are often used in spiritual and metaphysical practices, but it can also enhance our health and well-being in many ways, including relaxation, relieving tension, calming the mind improving concentration, and increasing mental clarity.
Below are three of my favorite essential oils and the best ways to use them.
PEPPERMINT
I use peppermint oil regularly. It has a crisp, clean scent that is both energizing and soothing. It evaporates rapidly and has an intense aroma. Peppermint is one of the essential oils commonly used for gastric issues and in muscle rubs. I used it for morning sickness and my mother put a few drops on a cotton ball pinned to her collar to help with nausea caused by chemotherapy.
It’s expectorant and decongestant properties make it excellent with upper respiratory ailments, colds, chronic bronchitis, sinus headaches, and seasonal allergies. Diffuse it in an oil diffuser, put 10 drops in a bathtub (4 for children), or make an alcohol plaster.
If you choose to use a tea light diffuser, be sure to put water in with the oil, or the oil will burn, and smell unpleasant. When using an oil diffuser start with 4 or 5 drops, then adjust as desired.
You will need a dish towel, or another rag that will fit around your person’s neck, rolled to fit, 2 or 3 inches wide. Pour 2 or 3 caps full of rubbing alcohol on a 2 to 3 inch square, put 3 or 4 drops of peppermint on the alcohol, place the square on the throat and pin to keep in place. The alcohol will help the oil evaporate evenly through the night.
