Jodi Morris, an Internationally Certified Aromatherapist and president of Aromatique, promotes a way to become involved with your health using the essential, aromatic oils found in shrubs, trees, herbs, grasses and flowers throughout the world for their supposed therapeutic effects when in contact with the skin or when the scent is inhaled.
Essential oils are extracted from various plant materials using different methods. The cost of an essential oil can vary depending upon the origin of the plant and the quantities of the plant material used.
For example, it takes eight million blossoms to produce slightly over two pounds of Jasmine essential oil. It takes over two hundred pounds of Lavender blossoms to produce seven pounds of essential oil. Essential oils and the raw materials used in their production originate from countries located all over the world.
Lavender, for example, may come from France or Croatia, while ginger may come from India, Jamaica or Vietnam. Each variation or origin of a plant causes it to contain properties unique to its homeland. The essential oil extracted from a eucalyptus plant in Australia may offer some different qualities from one that stems from Portugal.
"Oils do healing stuff for you," says Morris. "It's more than going to Wal-Mart and picking up a bottle of lotion because it says its lavender and vanilla. They actually do things for you."
Morris began her education in holistic healing as a massage therapy student at a school called Concord in San Bernadino, Calif. Extenuating circumstances pushed her to reevaluate her career plan and she began the study of aromatherapy. Morris worked with the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy in San Francisco, Calif., to learn the benefits of essential oils and how to combine them to increase their effectiveness through synergetic blending in order to earn her certification. With this certification Morris has the ability to take your personal needs and preferences into consideration when creating a blend.
"I actually started learning about aromatherapy in order to add it to my massage therapy practice, but after learning the possibilities that aromatherapy offered I decided that this was much more interesting and that there was a serious need in our community to have this service available to them," says Morris. "I had no idea of the capabilities of the essential oils. I didn't know that most oils are antibacterial, and antiseptic. Nor did I know that they can be a complementary and alternative medicine when used properly and in conjunction with a client's doctor. When I began to learn that there was much more to aromatherapy than just the scent I was really surprised and knew that I had to offer it to our community."
Morris, who moved to Southern Pines a year ago, works out of an office located in the Belvedere Hotel. Exotic scents waft out of her doorway and through the halls of the old building.
Inside her suite, a large desk is covered with tiny bottles containing various amounts of liquid. Each bottle is labeled with mysterious names like Geranium, Tea Tree, or Damask Rose. The scents fill the room with a euphoric feeling that creates a pungent sense of relaxation throughout Morris' office.
"Only genuine, authentic essential oils are therapeutic grade like the ones used here," says Morris. "I currently have almost 50 oils to offer my clients; however, I am forever adding to my collection."
Morris explains the distinction between therapeutic-grade essential oils and non-therapeutic grade oils by pinpointing which distillation the oil has come from.
"The product can be distilled many times, but with each distillation process the oil becomes weaker and weaker and less potent," says Morris. "A genuine essential oil should be taken from the first distillation. The first distillation is when it is the most pure."
Morris' point is quickly made through the inhalation of a store-bought, brand name product that has obviously come from a heavily distilled essential oil. She then offers her own pure, therapeutic grade oil of the same scent to inhale. There is an obvious distinction in the potency levels of the two products. The pure essential oil should work in ways completely unattainable by the over-distilled product.
"Each essential oil has therapeutic properties that can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or ingested," says Morris.
Aromatherapy uses pharmacological, physiological, and psychological ways that essential oils can interrelate with people's bodies. Pharmacological interaction affects the body chemically through the blood stream and reacts with elements such as enzymes and hormones. Physiological interaction is the way an essential oil affects a person by sedation or stimulation. Psychological interaction takes place in the mind.
"Lavender can be used as an antidepressant or as an antiseptic," says Morris. "Lavender can also be mixed with other essential oils to create a synergy that enhances the properties to treat depression, for example. Essential oils can be used to assist in the treatment of a myriad of symptoms including, but not limited to, stress, tiredness, asthma, dry skin, headaches, insomnia and inflammation from arthritis."
Morris provides a service to those who choose to use essential oils. She is currently working on patenting the "Scentsational Experience."
Clients are given an information sheet that is personalized with their unique likes and dislikes, allergies, and any other relevant information in order for Morris to learn more about each individual client. Clients then take the time to inhale each essential oil, and record their favorites on their information sheet. When the scents become overpowering and start seeming alike, a brandy snifter of coffee grounds is available to smell in order to cleanse the client's palette.
Once all the oils are inhaled, three are chosen as the client's favorites. Morris then blends a combination of the three essential oils into either a body lotion, massage lotion, massage oil, or diffuser oil. Clients can then confer with Morris on the healing properties each of the chosen essential oils their blend can offer. Clients can either create a blend that will rid them of aches and pains, or they may just want a new fragrance, or a combination of both.
"The patch of mucous membranes at the top of your nasal passages are really brain cells telling you what your body needs though scents," says Morris. "So, you actually have a pretty smart nose."
Morris not only offers clients the chance to create their own essential oil blend, but also has a selection of products that she has already blended and tested for different symptoms.
A "stress reduction" blend of lavender, Roman chamomile, and geranium is available to clients who may feel that they are under pressure. Lavender and geranium act as antidepressants, while Roman chamomile acts as a nerve sedative. A combination of the three oils is said to be a relaxing combination.
A "sensual blend" contains ylang ylang, sandalwood, and bergamot.
"Bergamot warms and tones the heart both physically and metaphorically," says Morris. "Ylang ylang and sandalwood are both aphrodisiacs. This blend smells wonderfully woodsy with floral overtones. It makes for a wonderful massage."
Clients who are suffering from arthritis may want to pay a particular interest to Morris' "joyful joints" blend. It contains eucalyptus and rosemary, which are both analgesics and anti-inflammatories.
Morris' "breathe easy" blend helps those suffering from a cold or bronchitis and who may be having difficulty breathing. This combination of peppermint, lemon, and eucalyptus is said to heal the lungs and open blocked airways.
"Here in the Pinehurst and Southern Pines area we see lots of people walking around in pain with tendonitis from playing golf," says Morris. "Of course we know that tendonitis doesn't affect only golfers, it can affect tennis players and just about anyone. We have come up with an amazing blend of lavender, German chamomile and geranium, which knocks out the pain and discomfort in no time. This blend is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory dream. German chamomile and lavender help with nerves. Many have been singing its praises while being able to continue with their game."
Morris also offers a blend of peppermint and bergamot for inhalation in order to combat afternoon drowsiness, and a lavender and peppermint blend that can be rubbed into the temples for relief of frequent headaches.
Morris' headache relief blend has been tested by Southern Pines residents.
"I had a headache that just wouldn't go away," says Leon Lassiter from the Southern Pines Post Office. "This headache was a crying shame. No matter what I took for it, it wouldn't go away. She gave me the bottle and told me to rub it into the sides of my forehead. This has been three or four months ago, and I still carry it in my pocket. Within 20 minutes my headache was gone. People have come in through here in line with headaches. I have pulled out my little bottle and let them use it. It's supposed to be good for 50 to 60 uses. I give them a card for her store. That's the only time I give out cards for people is when I believe in the product. It works. It really, really works."
"Aromatherapy has been proven time after time, over many, many years," says Morris. "Trying something new can only lead to new experiences and knowledge. Give aromatherapy a try, see if it works for you. You may be surprised."
Morris is working on a project to get local businesses in Southern Pines to work together by having them each create their own custom body lotion. Eve Avery, The Powder Room and The Joy of Art are among the businesses already participating in Morris's project. Morris is hoping to start a scavenger hunt involving these, and many other local businesses, in which consumers can shop around town seeking out her products as well as browse the aisles of the participating shops. Patrons who participate in the "Scentsational Scavenger Hunt" will receive two dollars off of their own personal consultation with Morris.
"This way we could work together and try to help each other," said Morris. "The blend would be theirs and nobody else's. It would be a fun way to support each other, kind of like a treasure hunt."
Morris is currently taking appointments for personal consultations. Morris will also present the "Scentsational Experience" at workshops and parties such as baby showers, bachelorette, retirement, or birthday parties.
She is currently participating in a Relay For Life fundraiser. A portion of each sale will benefit this project.
For more information go to www.aromatiquetherapy.com or contact Morris at Aromatique, 120 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 31, Southern Pines or call 910-995-0344.
Martha Tyree, a recent graduate from Appalachian State University, is an intern for The Pilot.
