Auriculotherapy or “ear reflexology”
Is based on the Ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture. It is a therapeutic intervention which stimulates the ear to alleviate health conditions and emotional imbalances in the body. It helps identify hidden emotions that need to be handled by the person in order to release and be able to move forward. Did you know that in auriculotherapy there are different points in the ear that can be worked on that are associated with our body? These points are palpable and by using the internal organ points this can effect change; especially when certain organ points are used to treat specific emotion issues.
Organ Point with Associated Emotion & Essential Oil Use
Bladder: Current fear
Possible Essential Oil to Use: Lemon or Chamomile.
Kidney: Old Fear
Possible Essential Oil to Use: Geranium, Sage, Tea Tree.
Liver: Anger
Possible Essential Oil to Use: Peppermint, Frankincense or Myrrh.
Gallbladder: Frustration
Possible Essential Oil to Use: Sandalwood, Rosewood, Juniper, or Vetiver.
Stomach: Worry/Obsession
Possible Essential Oil to Use: Wintergreen, Cedarwood, or Cinnamon.
Lung: Grief
Possible Essential Oil to Use: Lemon, Orange, Rose, or Rosemary.
Heart: Panic
Possible Essential Oil to Use: Bergamot, Vetiver, Rose, or Jasmine.
Aromatherapy
Is also an ancient and natural complementary tool used in combination with other holistic therapies (it can also be used on its own) to promote physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. Due to the high energetic vibrations that essential oils contain, they adapt to the person's needs to be able to promote relaxation, space for self-reflection, and personal growth and development.
How can oils enhance a session?
Oils enhance a session because of the vibrational energy that oils hold. For anyone using essential oils it is very important to understand the basic components and properties of the plant/essential oil to be able to determine what oil to use and for what. The body will return to a natural state of equilibrium after it responds to the essential oil(s) being used. And how does this happen? It all comes down to the initial state of being of the person and the interaction between the essential oil and the person. Essential oils will break down blocks, work at a deep inner level so that there is an opportunity for the person to regain a better sense of self-awareness.
Using the oils directly (neat) on the ears as opposed to blending them in a carrier oil?
Always practice caution when using oils. The use of oils directly on the skin can cause different types of reactions. It would be best to use some sort of base oil like:
Almond oil
Apricot kernel oil
Peach kernel oil
Hazelnut oil
Grapeseed oil
Camellia oil
Macadamia
Coconut oil
Always follow the Aromatherapists precautions and recommendations.
To reduce any type of skin sensitivity it is recommended that you do the following:
Dermal Irritant -- limit 3-5 drops per oz of carrier oil
Dermal Sensitization -- Rotate out essential oils every 2 weeks.
Photosensitization -- Avoid direct sunlight and tanning booths for 24 hours when oil is applied topically.
Mucous membrane irritant-- Avoid adding these oils to a full body bath.
Is this a therapy that provides a benefit for YOU?
Yes, this type of therapy benefits anyone and also benefits people suffering from PTSD allowing symptoms to become more manageable; providing the person with tools that can help them identify triggers, understand them, and to experience them to be able to release any attachments to any emotions that may arise during, or after treatment.
How is this type of therapy beneficial to survivors of PTSD?
This type of therapy is of great benefit to survivors of PTSD because these tools offer ways for the person to be able to experience new methods of how to care for their emotional well-being. For example, emotions can be triggered through the sense of smell and with the use of aromatherapy a person can use this to their benefit to elicit memories about places where they have felt safe in the past.
This is a personal example of how emotions can be triggered through the sense of smell:
Every time that I smell the aroma of grounded coffee I am taken back in time to my Grandmother’s house, I was about 9 years old. She used to grind her own coffee; she had an old wood fire stove right in her kitchen which she used to make freshly made flour tortillas too. As I’m writing about this I have a smile on my face, my salivary glands are really working, I can taste the warm toasty tortillas, she used to dab butter on a tortilla and hand it to me to eat, I can smell the wood burning, the delicious, strong, wonderful aroma coming from the coffee. This is one of my favorite childhood memories.
Both therapies are of great benefit when used alone, and when used together the impact that it can make in a person's life is immense.