Aromatherapy for Grief & Lung Health
It is not uncommon for me to meet five to six people weekly that say that they are experiencing some type of respiratory concern. One of the first questions that I ask them is if they have been exposed to some form of environmental toxins such as pesticides, fertilizer, mold, automobile fumes, etc. Approximately two or three of them fall into this category but the other seven to eight need further assistance.
Grief Assessment
My next question to these individuals is if they are grieving over something or someone. A few of them agree that this could be the trigger of their respiratory concerns, but a couple of the others haven’t realized any immediate grief event that they can think of.
Now, we begin to dig a little deeper and investigate if this is the anniversary date of a death or loss that they have experienced in their life. After some thought, the majority of them share that it indeed is the anniversary of a loss. Wow! This is so powerful and brings me to the significance emotions play on our bodies. Grief, for example, manifests itself in the lungs thus presenting what may appear to be a respiratory ailment.
I also assess if they have a cough, and if so, what kind of cough it is – wet or dry cough. A wet cough means they may be weepy or grieving out loud, sobbing (even if in a closed room). A dry cough tells me they are holding it in.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach to Grief
Grief is one of the seven TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) emotions that exhibit changes within our bodies. It is also a passion of mine to research and discover ways to unleash this harbored grief and help people heal themselves of chronic and reoccurring respiratory concerns. Especially those individuals that tell me they get a respiratory ailment such as bronchitis or pneumonia at the same time every year.
The first step I have learned is to recognize the life changing event that triggers the compromised respiratory response. Then, a person must accept the event and allow themselves to deal with the event through expressing and working through their emotions.
If one can recognize the trigger, they can prepare a program to manage and balance it. For example, if the event occurs in January, start working on balancing the body in the fall season previous to the specific trigger date as fall is the metal season which is the element of the lung. This preparation will help you to strengthen, build and move stagnate emotions from the lungs in advance of the anniversary date to defend against developing a respiratory concern.
The emotion of grief is significant of the lungs, which is a yang organ. Its balancing organ or yin organ is the large intestine. According to Chinese medicine, in order to balance the lung, you must work on the large intestine. Although large intestine health has been proven time and time again, as evidenced in several JAMA publications, Dr. Hugo Rodier, Hippocrates, etc., there is more to this concept than is realized.
The intestines are the root to all health manifestations. It is our “second brain”. In order to allow for proper and efficient functioning of the human body, the large intestine must be provided an optimal environment and supplied with adequate nutrients and fuel or energy. It needs to be cleansed of any toxins and debris wit healthy bowel movements daily. And…it needs love. When all three of these things are happening, the lungs can help you manage and navigate through your grief.
It is also equally important to support the kidneys during this time. The kidneys are responsible for providing the energy necessary for optimal body functioning while the lungs are responsible for dispersing the energy and the large intestines is responsible for providing the transport system to allow this exchange of energy to occur.
Aromatherapy & Herbals for Grief
Smell is the strongest of our five senses that affects the lungs. Hence, aromatherapy is an essential and vital part to any lung regimen. Aromatherapy has an amazing and immediate effect on emotions and encourages balance among them. It elicits a response within 1-3 seconds, helping move stagnate and stuck emotions disabling them from manifesting into physical ailments in their respective organs. If you look at what emotions are, they are e-motion or energy in motion. They are intended for us to experience for a brief time, then let them go and move on.
In my experience, Cinnamomum camphora has been the most beneficial and profound essential oil to use when managing and shifting emotions of grief. It’s pleasant, camphoraceous yet sweet and uplifting scent offers comfort to the grieving lungs (no pun intended) and helps dispel “old”, lingering grief. It encourages healthy function of the lungs and stimulates the movement via the lymphatic system of this deep seeded grief. This movement of stagnation is necessary for one to overcome grief enhanced ailments. It is also important to note here that adding lymphatic drainage herbs to a health program will facilitate this process and deliver more effective results.
My top lung & grief supporting essential oils
Here are my suggestions for aromatherapy for grief & lung health –
Ravintsara, Cinnamomum camphora
Frankincense, Boswellia carterii
Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus
Pine, Pinus sylvestris
Elemi, Canarium luzonicum
Rose, Rosa damascena
Bergamot, Citrus bergamia
My top herbal remedies to support lungs and grief:
Licorice root (not with high blood pressure)
Elecampane
Adaptogens (astragulus, ashwaganda, schizandra, rhodiola)
Thyme
Grief Support Nasal Atomizer
On the unscented scent wick of the nasal atomizer, add the follow 100% pure essential oil drops.
- 5 drops Bergamot, Citrus bergamia
- 5 drops Ravintsara, Cinnamomum camphora
- 3 drops Frankincense, Boswellia carterii
- 3 drops Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus
- 2 drops Rose, Rosa damascena
- Smell it several times a day to nurture and support your heart and lungs during times of grief.
JennScents Grief Supporting Products
References:
JennScents Holistic Aromatherapy Comprehensive Guide, 2018
JennScents Aromaversity Mind-Body Health Certification Course
The Seven Emotions of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Their Homeopathicity – Author: Berno, William A.
Want to feel more confident in using essential oils safely to take care your family & others?
Looking to expand your knowledge and skills using essential oils?
Want to add aromatherapy to your client services to enrich your niche?
Or start a new career path in aromatherapy?
Glad you are here.
The JennScents Aromaversity has 3 training programs to meet you where you are, and help you grow to where you want to be.
Check out our Aromatherapy Certifications here.
When you are connected to your passion and lead with purpose, everything is possible.
You just need the right education, mentor, and tools to get you there.
Come see us at the Aromaversity to see how we can make your dreams come true, doing something you love.
