Plant wisdom can help us gain balance in an unbalanced world.  Planting, growing, seeing, smelling, eating and even inhaling and touching their essence makes us stronger, healthier and more balanced.

The minute Merri and I reach the Blue Ridge, we get out and dig and plant.   Sunflowers are planted first.

The sunflowers are simply for beauty.  We love their looks and their brilliant sunshine color that touches our souls.

We plant our beans and peas close to the house so our two hounds can easily remind rabbits and raccoons to stay clear.

And of course there is the food.  We can know that dinner has not been GMO’d, sprayed, picked early or packed with poison preservatives.  Plus the food just tastes better when it’s personally planted, grown and picked.  This year we planted peas, beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash of many types, plus we have blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples and grapes.

There is the exercise and change of pace.  Plants provide a counter balance to whatever else we do.  Getting in the earth, hauling, stooping, squatting, hoeing and digging all help mitigate the sedentary nature of sitting behind a computer screen.

Also there is the miracle of connecting with nature and contemplating the reality of intelligence.  How in the heck does this seed know how to become this plant?

ginseng pods.

Some of our advanced ginseng.

We can never ask and contemplate enough questions like that!

However, plants can help us maintain balance in even more ways.

A recent article entitled “The Deep-Rooted Intelligence of Plants”  (1) by John Douillard at www.lifespa.com shares an insight about another important benefit we gain from plants.  John wrote that scientific evidence is emerging showing how plants know more than we think!

He explains that  research at the University of Western Australia reveals that plants can actually learn, change their behavior and remember.  Plants can shift into protective or competitive states and create chemical warfare as a defensive maneuver.  Plants can produce chemicals that stop them from being eaten.  They even communicate their knowledge with other plants.  One experiment showed that damaged sage brush plants put out signals that they were under attack.  This signal potentially alerted all of the sage brush plants in the area, triggering them to emit over 100 defense chemicals to protect from further attack. These defense chemicals warded off insects for an entire growing season.

Other studies have shown that when attacked, plants can “cry for help” by producing volatiles and chemical signals attracting carnivorous predators of the attacking herbivores.  What’s more, it has been scientifically shown that sound waves elicit changes on the plant’s molecular and physiological levels, affecting the plant’s gene expression.

The important implication is that when we eat plants, genes from the plant are transferred to us through a process called horizontal-gene transfer.  This is a transfer of intelligence that affects our microbes and our health.

John’s article ends with:  “So, next time you accidentally touch the petal of a gardenia and it turns brown, or notice how a vine climbs its way up an arbor towards the sunlight, tune into the secret life of plants and their many intricacies and idiosyncrasies. Plants, when left to do their thing, naturally help us do our thing better.  The nature of plants is a primary contributor to the nature of us.”

Wherever we go, Merri and I carry the intelligence of plants with us in the form of essential oils.  We use a pack of essential oils that our friend, Candace Newman, created called the “Good Medicine Tin”.

(Click on image to enlarge)

The fastest way to get chemicals into the bloodstream is through the skin and lungs.  Since each plant has a  form of intelligence, we can use each’s oil to deliver balancing information to our body.  Lavender for example knows how to be calm.  Whenever I find myself angry, I quickly put some lavender on my wrist and under my nose.  Orange works in the same way when I am feeling anxious.

These quick balances help me remain steady and stop any destructive emotions from getting out of hand.

Candace shares the following ideas about her five oil Good Medicine Tin.

True Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of pure and genuine essential oils. Nature provides us with these highly concentrated, volatile liquids in the form of extractions from certain parts of plants and trees. In order to receive the real benefits of the essential oils, it is important to use high quality essential oils. The two main attributes of Aromatherapy are the instant ability to relieve stress, and the ability to support the immune system. This is due to the nose-brain connection and skin absorption properties.

Since the beginning of human interaction with plants, essential oils have helped protect our physical, mental and emotional health; assist us through transitions of all kinds; and celebrate the joys of life with us. They were among the origins of medicine due to their naturally powerful chemical constituents, as well as the origins of perfume due to their pure aromas.

Essential oils are a microcosm of holistic medicine. The liquid affects the physical body with its natural chemistry of medicinal properties, such as antibacterial and antiviral, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, warming or cooling, and stimulating or calming.  The profound aroma shifts the mental and emotional state, as it connects through the olfactory nerves into the limbic system, the emotional seat of the brain. This is why smell is a language of thoughts, memories and emotions. The way we feel shifts instantaneously and corresponding brain chemistry is created. This new “biochemical messenger” is sent to cells throughout the body.

There are well over 400 essential oils. Five of the top ones that can positively affect our life on a daily basis are: Lavender, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Orange.  See the color chart for some of the main properties of each essential oil.

Here are some simple ways to comfort to the body, calm the emotions, and soothe the mind. Use essential oils in their pure state for inhalations, in base oil for rubbing on the skin, and in a mist form for a breath of fresh air … to bring balance into your life and increase your whole sense of well-being.

1.  Keep a bottle of pure essential oil in your pocket, purse or on your desk. Take 5 to 7 deep breaths periodically to clear your head and emotions. Put one drop in your palm, rub hands together, cup nose, close eyes and breathe deeply. Peppermint will lift you up; Lavender will calm you down.

2.  Put 1-2 drops of the appropriate essential oil on a cotton ball. Keep it in a pocket close to your lungs. Lavender and Orange are for stress relief; Eucalyptus is the # 1 Oil of Respiration. Lavender and Peppermint are top oils for headache relief.

3.  Put pure essential oils in your healthy liquid soap (1 to 2 drops per ounce) for the bath and shower. Tea Tree is among the top immune boosting oils.

4.  Keep a diffuser in your home and office, to cleanse the air with pure essential oils for you, your family and friends. Travel with one for your hotel room. Choose the aromas you love for this.

5.  Take several essential oil baths per week. Baths are an ancient healing art of Good Medicine, a great immune booster and tension reliever.  Fill your tub with water and get in first. Then make a Palm Blend by pouring base oil like Organic Golden Jojoba into the palm of your hand. Add 1 to 2 drops of pure essential oils. Rub hands together and apply the blend to your nose, temples, neck, chest and belly. Put a wet warm wash cloth over your chest. Close your eyes, reflect and enjoy the quiet time. Combine Lavender with one of the other oils of your choice.

6.  Make a Palm Blend as in #5 for simple self massage. Rub your hands together and cup your nose. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Then apply some of the blend to your nose, and gently rub the temples, and back of neck.

7.  Make a steam tent for respiratory or sinus difficulties. Add 2 to 4 drops of pure essential oils into the water. Eucalyptus, Tea Tree or Peppermint are good choices. Stay in the steam tent 20 minutes for maximum benefit. Add 1 drop of oil every 5 minutes if needed. Wonderful for your skin too.

8.  Use a Lavender Mist as often as you like to wash away the stress and lift the spirits. Add 1 drop of essential oil per 1-2 ounces of water. Make big circles around your head and face and closely mist the back of your neck. Shake each time before use; essential oils do not mix with water. Good in the car too!

9.  For sweet sleep at night choose Lavender, the #1 Balancer for the central nervous system. Put 1-2 drops on your pillow or on a cotton ball to tuck in your pillow. Lavender Mist your face and pillow. Make a Palm Blend (see #5) with Jojoba and 1 drop of Lavender. Apply the blend to your nose, temples, and back of neck. Do slow and gentle belly rubs for sweet dreams.

10.  Take a moment to create your personal way to use essential oils that brings you comfort and peace. Choose the oil whose aroma really makes you feel good. This can be a different one at different times of day. Make your personal way something you can easily do daily to help you balance the stresses of life. In a quiet setting, breathe deeply. The aromas of pure essential oils speak to that silent part of you that knows what you really need. This is great self-care for handling the mental and emotional stresses in a world full of complexity and noise. Take charge and empower yourself with Nature’s most precious liquids.

Safety Note: Use straight essential oils for inhalation and diffusion. Mix them in a base oil or lotion to apply to the skin. Do not massage the pure oils directly into the skin or take them internally. Due to their concentration, they can burn and irritate the skin. Keep away from eyes and children.

Candace

Natural Medicine comes in numerous forms and frequencies.  When Merri and I studied with Ecuador shamans we found that they view all medicines as frequencies, simply presented in different ways.

I have this beautiful wooden box sitting on my desk.

The idea behind this box was presented to me by an Andean shaman and it contains health balancing secrets.

There are seven stones and seven essential oils each aimed at balancing a specific energy center in my body.

A lot of powerful medicine comes from plants.  Aspirin is based upon White Willow. Acetyldigoxin is based upon Foxglove (Digitalis lanata).  There are hundreds if not thousands of other examples.

I use these oils to remain balanced and in good health… but when in situations that goe beyond the norm… such as extreme cold or during long distance travel… I use more specific oils.

During cold spells or if I have a cold or flu, I using the Ear Nose and Throat oil formulated by Candace Newman.

This formula uses pure essential oils of Lavender, Tea Tree, Thyme, Ravintsara, Blue Chamomile and Clove.  This stimultes the body and Ravintsara is Cinnamomun camphora from Madagascar… excellent for infections. These oils are mixed in a base of pure fractionated coconut oil and organic golden jojoba oil.

Candace developed this formula in 1995 for a neighbor with ear aches.  It has gone on to be great aid for children’s ear infections, sinus issues, colds & flu, sore throats, and healthier airplane travel.

At this time of the year Merri and I apply the formula to a small piece of a cotton ball and keep it in our ears for a good night’s sleep, or if we feel a cold trying to establish itself.

This formula is also great protection for long distance travel and Candace includes it in her Healthy Travel Essential Oil pack.

This pack has:

* Lavender-Peppermint Mist

* Pure Lavender Essential Oil for balancing the central nervous system and for the stress and nerves of travel.

* Pure Peppermint Essential Oil for motion sickness, jet lag, digestion, and sinus & head relief.

* Ear, Nose and Throat Oil to apply to the nose, ears, sinus areas, throat, chest or neck.  A few drops on a piece of cotton for your ears on planes helps relieve the stress of flying.

See full details on  Ear, Nose and Throat Oil.

See full details Essential Oil Travel Pack.

Powerful medicine comes from plants and the essential oil contains the greatest power of the plant.

Gary

Learn how to use color, music and essential oil to be smarter in business and investing.

Multi Currency Value Investing Seminar

This message looks at Ecuador swine flu and the Brazilian Multi currency sandwich.

The Ecuador swine flu comes…

second when we see how this weaver and Ecuador’s natural ways can help avoid swine flu.

First, the Brazil multicurrency sandwich.

Investors interested in Ecuador may also be interested in other Latin investments. Those who would like to take risk now, (I am not ready to do this), a US dollar Brazilian real multi currency sandwich makes sense for three reasons.

The first reason is the interest rate differential commonly called positive carry.

You can borrow US dollars at Jyske Bank now for 3.375%.

Brazilian bonds pay 10%.

If you invest $100,000 in Brazilian bonds, you earn $10,000 a year income.  Use those bonds as collateral to borrow $100,000.  Invest this US dollar loan in more Brazilian bonds. Your interest cost is $3,375, your income $10,000.

This increases your total income to $16,625 a year or 16.625% per annum.

Let’s look at what this means on a five year basis. Assume for a moment that you held a Brazilian bond sandwich ($100,000 invested and $100,000 borrowed) for the next five years. You earn 15% per annum to begin.

Let’s assume that the Brazilian real appreciate 10%  versus the US dollar and that the bonds appreciate 1o%. The bonds become worth $240,000. You pay off the loan of $100,000 and have $140,000 plus the $83,125 of interest you have gained over five years.  That is a total return of $123,000 of income and gain returned on $100,000 invested or 24.6%  per annum return.

There are two more reasons why this investment may now make sense.

Learn them and the reason I am not increasing my position in Brazilian bonds in these volatile times (I have these bonds in my portfolio already) yet as a multi currency subscriber.  I posted a message with full details plus including a way to cash in on this distortion through any US stock broker.

Learn how to be a multi currency subscriber here.

Ecuador Swine Flu

One great thing about Ecuador is the balance of the shamanic wisdom.   I do not think the shamans of Ecuador are very concerned about swine flu.  The ancient knowledge flows with nature’s way and uses nature in every aspect of life balancing out problems of this sort.

Nature and balance are in every part of the ancient ways.  Here for example the weaver pictured earlier shows how yarn is naturally dyed.  A plant creates green.

A herb is used for red orange and…

a beetle that lives on cactus creates a natural purple dye, cochineal-in history very rare, very special.

In places like Cotacachi balanced shamanic knowledge is incorporated in daily life. Here a shaman leads a ceremony in the village plaza.

The ceremonies attract…

thousands of participants from the area because this wisdom is still in use.

Even Ma attends!

This appears to not be the case at Ecuador’s national level so this Andean nation’s reaction to Swine Flu was abrupt.

When swine flu first appeared, Ecuador declared a national emergency on swine flu… even though there was not have a single case of swine flu reported there.

In late April Ecuador barred foreigners who have been in Mexico from arriving in Ecuador on commercial flights as a precaution against swine flu.  Ecuador also suspended charter flights to and from Mexico to prevent the spread of the virus.   Visitors arriving in Ecuador who have been in Mexico are currently not allowed into Ecuador, although Ecuadorians are allowed to return home, but are closely monitored for flu symptoms.

Now new Ecuador swine flu events have taken place. If you are traveling to Ecuador from the US, I expect for now you’ll be wearing a mask on your flight.

Learn why when you read our entire Ecuador swine flu update as an Ecuador Living subscriber. See details here.

Here is one tip that can help avoid the swine flu anywhere that I believe is more along the lines of Ecuadorian shamanic wisdom.

An Ecuador Living subscriber reader sent me this note.

GARY, HERE’S A TIP THAT CAN SAVE YOU FROM VIRALS OF ALL SORTS:  TAKE A CLEAN COTTON HANKERCHIEF AND PUT ABOUT 6 DROPS OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF HYSSOPS, CLOVE AND ROSEMARY.  ESSENTIAL OILS ARE VERY POTENT ANTI BIOTIC AND ANTI VIRAL/FUNGAL.   EUROPEAN ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH IS QUITE CONCLUSIVE ABOUT THIS. MUCH LOVE AND GOOD HEALTH.

This matched up with what Merri and I have learned from Ecuadorian shamans, but I asked our friend Candace Newman, the expert on essential oils, to confirm this.  Here is her reply.

Gary, more and more the health community is definitely acknowledging the antibacterial and antiviral properties of essential oils…. because they are SOOOO needed.

The three below are certainly good ones…there are many.

Some other top ones include: Eucalytpus, Peppermint, Ravintsara, Tea Tree,
Oregano and Thyme.

Keeping a little bottle of the pure essential oil in your pocket as an inhaler is a good idea, and using any combination of these in a mist for misting your face, hands, and air around you is another good idea.

Putting some of these in a room diffuser for the bedroom or office room helps too. It is best to dilute them in a good base oil for rubbing into large areas of the skin like a chest or neck rub. Some of these oils are strong skin irritants. Take care, Candace.

You can the following essential oils  from Candace Newman below.

Tea Tree 10 ml

Peppermint 10 ml

Eucalyptus 10 ml

Lavender 10 ml

Lemon 10 ml

Whether due to shamanic wisdom or Ecuador’s strict restrictions Ecuador swine flu does not look like it will go far.

Gary

Join us at an upcoming Ecuador or North Carolina conference or tour.

June 12-14 Shamanic Mingo Tour

June 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

June 18-21 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

July 4-8  Ecuador Export Tour

July 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

July 10-13 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

July 24-26 IBEZ North Carolina

Sept. 17-21 Ecuador Spanish Course

Sept. 23-24 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Sept. 25-28 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

Oct. 9-11 IBEZ North Carolina

Oct. 21-24 Ecuador Import Export Expedition

Nov. 6-8 IBEZ Ecuador

Nov. 9-10 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Nov. 11-14 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

Attend any two Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$949 for one.  $1,349 for two.

Attend any three Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$1,199 for one.  $1,799 for two.

Ecuador shamans are not all that aware of the impact of seasons on health.

Candace Newman is an expert in essential oils has spend considerable time with us and the shamans and yatchaks in Ecuador. Here she is at the indigenous market checking spices and oils.

In Ecuador there are not seasons as we know it.  Once an Ecuador shaman visited Merri and me in North Carolina during the winter. This was his first trip out of Ecuador and when he saw the trees, his eyes really opened. “They are all dead!” he exclaimed in horror. “No, just asleep” I told him.

Slowly he understood.

However, the shamans are very aware of differences in altitude, dryness and wetness and what these differences can mean to health.

Ecuador has this all when it comes to lifestyles, mountains, valleys, deserts and rain forests.  The biodiversity in Ecuador equals a range from the Arctic Circle to the Equator.

Here is Candace with our daughter, Francesca, a Taita Yatchak and friends at Machu Pichu.

So Ecuador shamans know about wetness and the dark side of weather we know as spring. The dark side to this time of rapid growth is an upswing in suicides.

Here is Candace at Lake Titicaca (dry) and…

Here she is at our Hacienda Rosaspamba…

a damp cloud forest.

Lifestyles in each place require different foods, spices and oils.

Despite popular myths that suicides are highest in the winter, particularly around the holidays, statistics show that suicides are highest in Spring.

“In one study of suicide in 28 countries, suicide deaths were lowest in winter and highest in spring. They reached a peak in May in the Northern Hemisphere.

“But the researchers found that the peak existed only in temperate climates — places with distinct seasonal changes in weather. The link was strongest in agricultural societies and weakest in urban areas.”

Spring depression is not such a problem in Ecuador because there is little seasonal change. Here I am with Ma in the dead of winter!   Yet there are rainy seasons and there are places where is is continually damp and spring like.

Extra depression in spring or continually damp places is not surprising.

Ancient  disciplines of health view good health as  a balance between three physical elements “air and motion”,  “material and physical”  and “digestion and fire”…air, water and fire.

These disciplines also view the seasons as an important factor in this air, water and fire balance.

Winter is dry and brittle and aggravates air.  Summer is hot and increases fire.

Spring is wet and increases depression.

Our farm is beautiful in spring….but wet!

Imbalances in these elements affect emotions.   Excessive anxiety suggests an air imbalance. Too much anger means too much fire.

Too much water creates depression.

Fortunately the wisdom of the ancients also tells us what to do to maintain balance in the face of seasonal change.

Here are three balancing tips for spring.

Tip #1: Categorize foods into six categories, sweet, salt, bitter, astringent, sour and pungent.

Each category either pacifies or aggravates an element.  For example sour and pungent aggravates fire (the digestive element) which is sensitive to heat. Sweet and bitter on the other hand pacify air.

So during the depressive days of spring take additional care to live and eat in a way that stops a buildup of water.   Pungent and astringent flavors help resist  water imbalances.

During this sluggish time our bodies need to be stimulated and warmed up. Light, dry, warm foods reduce water. Use minimal amounts of fats and oils. Sweeten foods with honey, but never cook or bake with it. Grains such as barley, buckwheat, and rye are the best during this time, as are light, dry fruits, such as apples and cranberries. Low or nonfat milk is good, but minimize cultured dairy products. Eat more spices and herbs but be cautious with salt. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds and all beans, with the exception of the soybean, are excellent.

Tip #2: Exercise more.  Yoga and walking (best after meals) can especially be helpful at this time.

Tip #3: Use water reducing essential oils such as lemon oil.

A scientific study on this oil says:

“Lemon oil vapor causes an anti-stress effect via modulating the 5-HT and DA activities in mice”

This was written by Migiwa Komiyaa, and Takashi Takeuchib, graduates of the  School of Veterinary Science  at Yamaguchi University in Japan.

The abstract of the article says:

“We examined the anti-stress action of the essential oils of lavender, rose, and lemon using an elevated plus-maze task (EPM), a forced swimming task (FST), and an open field task (OFT) in mice. Lemon oil had the strongest anti-stress effect in all three behavioral tasks.  Moreover, the lemon oil significantly accelerated the metabolic turnover of DA in the hippocampus and of 5-HT in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. These results suggest that lemon oil possesses anxiolytic, antidepressant-like effects via the suppression of DA activity related to enhanced 5-HTnergic neurons.”

In short, one’s mood may be improved simply by using lemon oil.

Upon reading this, I immediately contacted our friend Candace Newman and asked her to tell us more. Candace  wrote:

Lemon Essential Oil – Citrus limonum

Sometimes I call Lemon the “Good Morning Oil”. It is bright and uplifting like the sun. What a great essential oil for springtime and summer…cooling and refreshing. There are hundreds of essential oils, and I place Lemon in the top ten for its ability to help us feel better and be balanced in so many ways. Its clean, clear scent helps relieve fatigue and mental overload. It is uplifting to the mental and physical state, so it can also help with depression.

Lemon is stimulating and energizing and helps move the rivers in the body. It is great to use when we feel fatigued, congested, and slow. This is one of the best oils for improving circulation, and can relieve aches and pains. Lemon’s clean “cut-to the quick aroma” is good for concentration and focus. Inhaling directly from the bottle of pure essential oil, can assist in coffee and cigarette withdrawal. It has been known to help with addictions.

In Aromatherapy it is well-known for its antiseptic, anti-rheumatic, anti-gout, and anti-arthritic qualities. It serves as a tonic for the nervous system, promotes a healthy immune system, and simply lifts the spirit with its cheerful aroma which can also help with depression.

How to Use: Use it straight for inhalation and in a diffuser. Combine it with a base oil (like Jojoba) to rub on your skin. A palm-full of base oil and 1-2 drops of Lemon is a good start….or add this palm-full to your bath after you get in the water. Lemon oil straight on the skin can irritate and burn. Lemon is photo-sensitive, so should not be used directly on the skin prior to sun exposure. Dark brown spots may occur. Enjoy the freshness of this joyful oil!

Candace offers exquisite pure Lemon Essential Oil from Italy
10 ml (1/3 oz) is $11.95.

You can order this lemon oil from Candace here.

Until next message, may your spring be successful and bright.

Gary

Learn more Ecuador shaman health tips on our Shamanic Mingo Tour.

June 12-14 Shamanic Mingo Tour

June 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

June 18-21 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

Attend any two Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$949 for one.  $1,349 for two.

Attend any three Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$1,199 for one.  $1,799 for two.

Other 2009 Ecuador Courses & Tour

July 4-8  Ecuador Export Tour

July 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

July 10-13 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

July 24-26 IBEZ North Carolina

Sept. 17-21 Ecuador Spanish Course

Sept. 23-24 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Sept. 25-28 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

Oct. 9-11 IBEZ North Carolina

Oct. 21-24 Ecuador Import Export Expedition

Nov. 6-8 IBEZ Ecuador

Nov. 9-10 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Nov. 11-14 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

Attend any two Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$949 for one.  $1,349 for two.

Attend any three Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$1,199 for one.  $1,799 for two.

Ecuador shamans use essential oils in their healing ceremonies and in many other ways.  

While living in Ecuador with the shamans, Merri, I and our friend Candace Newman learned many additions to existing healing techniques with essential oils.

Here is Candace with a Taita Yatchak, our daughter Francesca and friends at Machu Pichu.

Essential oils offer many health balancing features and can be delivered though breath, the skin, the soles of our feet and the palms of our hands.

Ecuador shamanic healing wisdom, uses essential oils and the palms of our hands because our hearts extend to others through our palms.

Ecuador shamans hold the hands in high regard as the instruments for giving and receiving….which they view as a scared act. In Ecuadorian agriculture for example the elders are given the sacred honor of planting the seeds. Special bags (shigras) are woven from the threads of the Cabuya  (Agave or Century Plant).

Here I am with an Ecuador shaman next to a Cabuya.

These long leaves are then scrapped by a master.

Until the pulp is removed and all that is left are fibers.

This is the raw material of the shigra.

This fiber is then hand died and woven into these colorful bags.

The bags are worn over the heart in the seed spreading ceremony… not around the waist where it would seem easiest to cast the seeds.  The seed must be given from the heart and the hands.  Shigras have been part of women’s daily life since Pre-Columbian times. Archeologists have found similar bags that are 1000 years old! Why have they withstood the test of time?  Because they are part of the sacred giving of life.

In and out. This is life… the law of action and reaction.  We cannot have one without the other and most of this process takes place through the hands…. and this means giving and taking from the heart.

Once a Taita Yatcak (the highest of shamans) in Ecuador explained that banks were places of great energy.  When we receive money, he told us, we should always receive it with the left hand… the hand of receiving.  When we give money… always with the right…. subtle but powerful energy!  From the subtle, we are formed.

Candace writes about the palms of our hands:

Healing Palms with Essential Oils in Ecuador

In developing our Touch With Oils® work over the last 17 years of private appointments, retreat work and Hospice, I noticed that the most comfortable and familiar place for one to be touched is the hands. Feet and face can be uncomfortable and invasive for some people. Shaking hands is an acceptable way to greet people, and a way of extending a welcome. So we are already used to touching with our hands. They are also easy to get to!

The palms of our hands, like the soles of our feet, are a highly absorptive part of our body. These are excellent pathways for the benefits of essential oils to enter our systems. The two most common places for reflexology are hands and feet. We reach into the core of our body through our palms, just like the soles of our feet. The fingers have reflex points for head, sinus, and face tension. An overall gentle hand massage can balance the autonomic nervous system and change the way we feel in minutes. It’s also a wonderful tool to have for helping others.

One day during my month’s stay at Rosaspamba, the Ecuador Shaman said one of his apprentices was in bed with a stomach ache and would I help him…..so out come the palms of my hands to the rescue.  I made a little puddle of Jojoba oil in my palm and added 2 drops of pure Peppermint essential oil.  I applied a little to his nose first to get the “Peppermint Medicine” into his system (through the biochemistry of the nose-brain connection)…and then did a slow gentle belly rub.

Later as I sat on the steps of the little “cabin”,  looking out over the tops of the Andes mountain range,

Candace at our hacienda, Rosaspamba.

I noticed  a place in the mountains that looks just like the palm of a hand open towards the sky. Just an awesome sight, as if the mountains were making an offering to us as we rest in their sanctuary of nature. I have always said “God’s grandest cathedral is Nature….in all her majestic garb”.

Candace’s view.

There was another time in the hotel in Quito where a Palm Blend of Jojoba and a drop of Peppermint helped another person in the group with belly rubs due to an upset stomach. Then after a long day in the van visiting areas outside Quito, another traveler was feeling queasy and a little hypoglycemic due to lack of food. This time I put 1 drop of pure Peppermint straight in her palm, had her rub her palms together, cup her nose, close her eyes and breathe deeply.  Essential oils are so strong,  the effects from this palm cupping is immediate.

All we need to do is show up with the palms of our hands….and a little bit of oil.  Peppermint is a necessary for traveling.

Easy and immediate things to do: (1) For inhalation and a quick response, put 2 drops of pure essential oil in one palm, rub palms together, cup nose, close eyes, and breathe deeply. Use Lavender to help with stress, anxiety, panic. It works like smelling salts, with the added benefit of a lovely aroma.

Rub your palms together and apply the blend to the nose, temples and back of neck.  This is enough to affect the way your feel right away. You can also do this in the bath or for a massage.

PEPPERMINT, the oil of digestion is a general tonic, refreshing and invigorating, calm, vitality, traditional medicine in British Herbal
Pharmacopoeiais antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiviral.

Common uses:  Use Peppermint for nausea, motion sickness and sinus-headaches. Stomachaches – blend 1 drop with base oil in palm, apply to nose and massage abdomen clockwise.  Headaches – inhale from bottle, blend with base oil and massage neck, head and shoulders. Sinus, cold, flu – inhale from bottle, steam tent, bath, blend with base oil and massage nose, neck and chest. Eucalyptus and Tea Tree can be added. Motion sickness – inhale from bottle. General fatigue – inhale from bottle, combine with base oil for bath and massage.

Order PEPPERMINT essential oil from Candace here.

LAVENDER, the balancer, is the most versatile and useful essential oil creates a general state of well being from the Latin word “lavare” which means  “to wash.”

Lavender is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, calmative, sedative,  regulates nervous system, helps high blood pressure and blood sugar levels relieves stress, fatigue, and depression

Common uses:  Burns, cuts, bites – apply one drop straight as pain demands.
Headaches, stress, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia – inhale, bath, massage. Aches and pains – compress, bath, massage.  Motion sickness – inhale, apply to nose with base oil, can add Peppermint too.  Palm blend for massage – pour base oil in palm, add 1 drop Lavender. Apply to nose first, then body.

Order Lavender essential oil from Candace here.

Tea Tree Oil, the #1 first aid oil, is the traditional medicine in Australia and is warming and stimulating.

Tea Tree Oil is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Common uses:  Cuts, stings, bites, cold sores – 1 drop straight as pain demands. Acne – 1 drop straight, use sparingly and cautiously. Athletes foot, nail bed fungus – 1 drop straight, or add to foot bath, or massage by adding 1 drop to base oil in palm. Colds, flu – inhale, bath, massage, steam tent – for extra strength add Eucalyptus and Peppermint. Palm blend for massage and chest rub – pour base oil in palm, add 1 drop Tea Tree. Apply to nose first, then body.

Order Tea Tree essential oil from Candace here.

EUCALYPTUS, the oil of respiration, is warming and stimulating,
helping to move the rivers of the body invigorating and strengthening

Eucalyptus is antibacterial, antiviral stimulates fluid circulation, expectorant, mucolytic.

Common uses: Colds, flu, bronchitis – inhale from bottle, steam tent, baths, for massage add 1 drop to base oil in palm and apply to nose and use as chest rub. Before bed put 1 drop straight Eucalyptus on soles of each foot and put on socks. Sinus infection – inhale from bottle, steam tent, combine with base oil and apply to and in nose, massage head and sinus areas. Add Peppermint too. Joint aches and pains – combine with base oil and rub areas. Can add Lavender too.

Order EUCALYPTUS essential oil from Candace here.

ORANGE, the natural tranquilizer promotes a feeling of well being
sweet and warming, makes one smile.  Always combine with base oil
before applying to skin

Orange is antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-anxiety and harmonizing to the body and mind.

Common uses:  Anxiety, depression, nervous conditions – inhale from the bottle, combine 1 drop in base oil in palm and apply to nose and massage neck, abdomen, low back.  Children (wonderfully calming at bedtime, also combined with Lavender) – pour base oil into palm of hand, add 1 drop Orange (or 1 drop Orange and 1 drop Lavender), apply a little to nose and massage abdomen, feet, hands, or back.

Order ORANGE  essential oil from Candace here.

FRANKINCENSE , the oil of protection, is strengthening, protecting, slows and deepens the breathing process, a traditional medicine in Egypt, India, China.

Frankincense is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, sedative, tonic.

Common use:   Skin care, immune system, anxiety, nervous tension and mental concentration. Inhale straight from bottle, put 1-2 drops on cotton ball or
use in diffuser. Mix in base oil to apply to skin.  Apply blend to nose, temples and back of neck.

Order FRANKINCENSE essential oil from Candace here.

GERANIUM, the Yin Balancing Oil  soothes nervous tension and nerve pain nourishes mature, congested or bruised skin, nurtures entire system.

Geranium is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic, astringent, tonic, supports adrenal cortex.

Common Use: Use for nervous tension, neuralgia, shingles, stress, anxiety, menopausal imbalances, and circulation. Inhale straight from bottle, put 1-2
drops on cotton ball or use in diffuser. Mix in base oil to apply to skin. Apply blend to nose, temples and back of neck.

Order GERANIUM essential oil from Candace here.

JASMINE,  a Sensual Oil promotes feeling of optimism, confidence, euphoria and is native to China, India and West Asia.

Jasmine is an antiseptic, antidepressant, aprodisiac, sedative and tonic

Common uses:  Lift the spirits, for stress, apathy, lethary, depression,
nervous exhaustion, frigidity, overwhelm. Inhale straight from bottle, put 1-2 drops on cotton ball or a dab on the wrists. Mix with base oil for massage.
Apply blend to nose, temples, back of neck.

Order JASMINE essential oil from Candace here.

LEMON, the Good Morning Oil is energizing, refreshing, awakening
uplifting to mental and physical state.

Lemon is antiseptic, vasoconstrictor, tonic, anti-rheumatic do not apply directly on skin, sensitive to sun exposure

Common Uses: Use for fatigue, concentration and immune system. Helpful with coffee/cigarette withdrawal. Good in diffuser to cleanse air. Inhale straight from bottle, put 1-2 drops on cotton ball or use in diffuser. Mix in base oil to apply to skin. Apply blend to nose, temples and back of neck.

Order LEMON essential oil from Candace here.

ROSE OTTO, oil of the heart is  nurturing, calming, cooling, regulating promotes an overall sense of well being and peace

Rose otto is antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, sedative and tonic.

Common uses:  For the sheer joy that true Rose oil brings to your heart and spirit. Good for nervous tension, stress, grief, overwhelm, impotence and skin care.  Inhale straight from bottle, put 1-2 drops on cotton ball, or dab on wrists. Mix in base oil to use for massage. Apply the blend to nose, temples, back  of neck and heart.

Order ROSE OTTO essential oil from Candace here.

SANDALWOOD, the yang balancing oil, warms, soothes frazzled nerves antidepressant, sedative traditional medicine in India.

Sandalwood is antiseptic (urinary & pulmonary), antispasmodic, helps tighten connective tissue.

Common uses:  For nervous tension, depression, stress, insomnia, dry skin, and urinary or respiratory infections. Inhale straight from bottle, put 1-2  drops on cotton ball or use in diffuser. Mix in base oil to apply to skin. Apply blend to nose, temples and back of neck.

Order SANDALWOOD essential oil from Candace here.

This can be done with any essential oil that is right for the moment. Some oils like citrus can be irritating when applied directly to the skin. If in doubt, use one drop. Less can be more in this case. (2) For skin application, make a Palm Blend which is written up in The Good Medicine Tin® Guide Booklet: add 10-15 drops of Organic Golden Jojoba to your palm and add 1-2 drops of essential oil. .(3) Another option for skin application and massage is to use a blend already made up like our OLA Seven Massage Blends and Self Care Blends.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Using pure high-grade essential oils can prevent allergic reactions while the medicinal properties help  protect your health.

Several oils can irritate the skin if applied full strength-peppermint, orange, lemon especially.  Always combine with base oil before applying to skin.

Until next message, may everything essential good be coming to you.

Gary

Join us in Cotacachi or the coast for our June shamanic tour.

June 12-14 Shamanic Mingo Tour
June 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
June 18-21 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

On the real estate tours you’ll see property available nowhere else because sellers come to us first since we charge no commissions.  Here is new building for sale in Cotacachi we’ll view. Two units, fully furnished…

One units has this iew upstairs.

The downstairs unit this patio.

Asking price for both units furnished.. $62,500.

One our coastal tour we’ll learn about this land for sale… with a family of monkeys on 24 acres for $100,000 asking.

Attend any two Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$949 for one. $1,349 for two

Attend any three Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$1,199 for one. $1,799 for two

We have great social times n our tours as well.  Delegates love sharing with one another. Here is one of our groups dancing one night in the courtyard of Meson de las Flores.

Future 2009 Ecuador courses:

Get our web based course FREE if you join us in Ecuador this March or June.

This new course entitled “Tangled Webs We Weave – How to Have Your Own Internet Business” is available at $299.

This is a bargain. Merri and I have been traveling and doing international business for 41 years. We have had a web based business for over ten years. You can share everything we have learned for just $299.

However if you sign up for any three of our in person courses below, you can have The Tangled Web course free.

Enroll here $299

July 3-6 Ecuador Import Export Expedition
July 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
July 10-13 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

July 24-26 IBEZ North Carolina

Sept. 17-21 Ecuador Spanish Course
Sept. 23-24 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Sept. 25-28 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

Oct. 9-11 IBEZ North Carolina

Oct. 21-24 Ecuador Import Export Expedition

Nov. 6-8 IBEZ Ecuador
Nov. 9-10 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Nov. 11-14 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour

Our Cotacachi courses are conducted at this Cotacachi Museum next to our hotel Meson de las Flores.

Here are three Ecuador travel tips.

Lan airlines just announced special low cost round trip, Miami-Quito winter 2009 fares, as low as $496…including tax.

American Airlines immediately dropped their fare to match this.

Ecuador travel tip #1 is watch for this fare war to continue. On December 7th 2008, Aerogal starts a new Miami-Guayaquil service.  Previously when a new flight was added by Aerogal, American Airlines really slashed fares.  Keep your eyes peeled for some super Ecuador air fare deals.

Ecuador travel tip #2 is to drink Canella (cinnamon) panella (unrefined cane sugar) tea when in Quito and at other high Andean altitudes. This is a shamanic tip we share with all our visitors who visit us.  This tea helps combat altitude problems.

Ecuador travel tip #3 on another way to fight high altitudes comes from Candace Newman. Merri and I have traveled in Ecuador with Candace and shamans. She always traveled with Frankincense and even taught the shamans a few lessons about ways to use essential oils during Ecuador travel.

Normally Candace shares a story about Ecuador and essential oils in the later part of the month.  I asked her to contribute early this month.  We always give our children essential oils at Christmas so I wanted readers you who feel the same way to have a chance to order essential oils as Christmas gifts.

Here we are with Candace at our North Carolina farm where we brought an Ecuador shaman, Indian pundit and Native North American healer together for a purification ceremony.

One other reason for this message is that many of you are traveling to Ecuador for or after the holidays.  Some will find the toilets in Ecuador below standards they are used to.  Part of Candace’s note below is worth reading when she writes:

When traveling from town to town in Ecuador and Peru, using the “bathrooms” along the way are always part of the adventure. One of my favorite things to do was to put a drop of Frankincense in my palm and rub my hands together as a wash. Then cup my nose and breathe deeply.

Essential oils are anti fungal…anti bacterial…and anti viral so this makes great sanitary sense.

Here I am with our son Jake practicing an Andean purification rite…yes the white stuff is snow…though there are easier ways.

Here Merri and I hike in the winter sun into a sacred valley near Cotacachi.

For a purification ceremony here.

We’ll have ceremonies in this valley on our Beyond Logic Course February 9-10-11, 2009

and our Ecuador Shamanic Mingo June 13-14-15 2009

Merri and I finish a purification ceremony with this yatchak in Latacunga.

Here is one of our groups at a shamanic ceremony at Inkapirka outside of Cuenca.

Read how Frankincense can also help with the high altitudes you’ll encounter in the Andes in Candace’s entire message below.

Traveling with Frankincense

by Candace Newman

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) is known as one of the most important religious and spiritual oils and aromatic incenses in history. It also has historical medicinal value. Franc is from the medieval French meaning pure and fine. Incensium is Latin for to smoke.  Some of the medicinal uses include skin care and repair, respiratory, rheumatism, digestive and nervous issues. In Aromatherapy it is noted for skin care, relaxation, exhaustion and nervous tension. It is a small tree native to the Middle East, North Africa, and South Arabia. The oleo gum resin is collected by making incisions in the bark. The liquid solidifies into orange-brown resin. The resin is collected and steam distilled to produce the essential oil. In many countries, it is an inherited right to farm the trees. Few plants have such a rich history with deep meaning through centuries and civilizations.

The main reason I travel with Frankincense is because its role of protection and strength really resonate with my soul … to the point of feeling like every trip is a pilgrimage. We come home a little different than when we left…. since there is always at least one gem of wisdom to acquire and apply to our life. Historically, it was known and used to protect from disease, and guard the spirit. When I’m tired and feeling weak….I feel the strength is has for me.

Madame Micheline Arcier of London, my most prized teacher of essential oils (who passed away in 2006 on the day we closed our shop in Naples, Florida to move to Colorado) told me she always traveled with Frankincense.

When traveling from town to town in Ecuador and Peru, using the “bathrooms” along the way are always part of the adventure. One of my favorite things to do was to put a drop of Frankincense in my palm and rub my hands together as a wash. Then cup my nose and breathe deeply.

In the hotel after the train ride from Cusco to the high mountain town below Machu Picchu in Peru, I put a drop of Frankincense on the four corners of my bed. This felt like good protection and strength for the high altitude and the climb. It was also an act of gratitude for the whole process.

In several places on these trips, I put 1-2 drops on a cotton ball for my night stand as a personal diffuser.

My husband, John, and I spent a year in Saudi Arabia, and the ancient sense and scents of Frankincense was very evident there. The knowledge that is was precious cargo carried along the secret trade routes, and its connection to the sacred gifts of “Frankincense, Myrrh, and Gold” was quite mystical. It feels good to travel with Frankincense as one of your companions.

Four Simple Ways to Honor and Enhance your Traveling Adventures with Frankincense:

# 1.  To create a sanctuary-environment in your room, put several drops of pure essential oil in a room diffuser, or put 1-2 drops on a cotton ball for the corner of your bed.

#2.    During a quiet time of reflection, put 1-2 drops of oil in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, cup your nose, close your eyes and breathe deeply. This is excellent to do before a session of Yoga, Tai Chi, or prayer. If you are outside, add a drop to the sacred ground you are standing on and give thanks.

#3.    If you want to rub some on your temples or heart…make a Palm Blend by putting a little base oil (like olive oil, jojoba, or the local indigenous oil) in the palm of your hand and add 1-2 drops of this soulful essential oil.

#4.    You can make a mist with this if you add 2 drops to an ounce of purified water and shake well. Mist your space, pillow, bed, or head and face when needed.

If you don’t have Lavender with you, you can use pure Frankincense to dab on a cut. If you don’t have Eucalyptus with you for respiratory issues, use Frankincense. It is also a good choice to use in a room diffuser.

In the spiritual arena, Frankincense is known to deepen the breath, promote a peaceful balanced state, and help us slow down, as well as assisting the body in prayer and meditation. It’s known to heal the physical body from disease and wounds. One of the reasons to use Frankincense is for strength and protection and setting the spirit free.

You may purchase a bottle of Frankincense pure essential oil (Boswellia carteri from Somalia) at this link to Candace’s website.

Order Frankincense 10ml here $43.45

Here I am at a shamanic ceremony in the Amazon.

Here we are with Dr. Jay Glaser and Dr. Joe Spano at a shamanic ceremony at the Rumicucho Inca pyramids outside Quito.

Until next message, may all your travels be good!

Gary

Join us in Ecuador this winter.

Jan. 16-21 Ecuador Spanish Course

Jan. 22-23 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Jan. 24-27 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Feb. 9-11 Beyond Logic-Shamanic Mingo

Feb. 13-15 International Business & Investing Made EZ

Feb. 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

March 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

March 10-15 Ecuador Export Expedition

March 16-19 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Better still join us all year in Ecuador! See our entire schedule of 26 courses, tours, mingos and expeditions we’ll conduct in 2009.

The course fee includes meeting at Quito airport (day before the course)…transportation (by group bus) to Cotacachi and back to Quito. Course fee does not include air are. accommodations, food or individual transportation.

Some years ago I began understanding the importance of vision beyond sight.

We began taking groups to Ecuador to meet shamans and discovered a special group of leaders called Abuelos (old ones) in the Andes that had been given a 500 year prophesy (handed down generation after generation) that a time would come when the Eagle of the North would fly together with the Condor of the South. When this happened a great new equilibrium would be given to mankind. This was a message of how to balance the heart and the mind.

Because of work we had done in Ecuador to help the indigenous in this country, a special healer called a Taita Yatchak (father of fathers) told us he was touched because our gifts filled a prophesy which had been given to him years ago, one he believed would never happen.

He explained there was sacred valley in the Llanganatis Corridor of the Andes where only shamans had been allowed and no westerner or outsider had ever been. The old ones were protectors of this valley and kept it carefully guarded. But part of this prophesy was that when the time was right, he would take a westerner to open this valley to the rest of the world. He said our gifts were the signal that Merri and I should go into the valley.

This was to be the first time these protectors had ever taken an outsider into the valley. So we arranged to hike in with six friends including two who are medical doctors studying longevity.

The Llanganatis corridor in the Andes is rich in legend. History suggests that vast amounts of Inca gold were buried here in 1533. The conquistador, Pizarro, was holding the Inca King, Atahualpa, for a ransom of gold. Atahualpa’s general Rumiñahui, was with 750 tons of gold to arrange his release. However, Pizarro reneged on the deal and killed Atahualpa. Hearing of the execution, Rumiñahui is supposed to have buried the gold in the Llanganates. Though eventually captured and tortured, he never revealed the secret of the treasure, so the story goes.

Yet what Merri and I gained in that valley was more valuable than gold! We learned about true vision!

We began hiking at about 10,500 feet, tramping through deep Alpine marsh for six hours as we ascended to 14,000 feet. Here is Merri and me with Dr. Jay Glaser in the Llanganatis.

This is where the Taita Yatchak gave us our first lesson on vision.

As you can see the cliffs are pretty steep. Nevertheless, the Taita Yatchak told us to look ahead, then close our eyes…but keep walking.

“You know where to go. Learn to trust yourself and this knowing,” he said.

The lesson we learned from developing this trust in our inner vision has helped us not only build a highly successful business but to live a life without undue stress.

Feeling confident during turmoil. Having vision to see what change will bring. These are assets truly worth more than gold.

Try this each day and you will be amazed at how it builds confidence. Find a quiet (SAFE) space. Look ahead. Then close your eyes and walk there.

Improving our vision, broadening our horizons, increasing our well being and adaptability are vital to our future. You may also wish to attend the Intuition Course we are sponsoring here at the farm this August.

One of those who joined us many times with the Taita Yatchak was Candace Newman. Here she is with a group and the Taita Yatchak at our North Carolina farm. She even rode and hiked with our daughter, Francesca, with the Taita Yatchak to Machu Picchu.

I am pleased to add that Candace has been able to incorporate the considerable knowledge she gained into her essential oil healing.

This captured my attention when Candace introduced a DVD Touch With Oils® Hand Massage.

I took my entire family to attend this course with Candace some years ago and we all loved it. It is an aromatherapy treatment based on the synergistic powers of touch and smell with pure essential oil blends. Follow along with Candace and learn this hand massage for family and friends. This gentle, rhythmic touch serves to balance the autonomic nervous system, promote lymphatic drainage, and give the body and mind a deep and quiet rest. It is a universal language of compassion and love.

Healing with the hands has been a global tradition ranging through literally ever culture.

Healing with the hands has been documented in numerous scientific studies to:

* Relieve or decrease pain
* Accelerate post-operative recovery
* Relieve symptoms of chemotherapy
* Reduce depression
* Decrease anxiety
* Improved mood
* Decrease stress
* Improved mobility after surgery
* Reduce effects of trauma
* Enhance immune system
* Help overcome addictions

Because of such studies and effective results healing with the hands is used in hospitals across the United States.

Healing with essential oils is a historic medicinal therapy. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and any other ancient cultures used essential oils to heal.

Modern medicine is using essential oils more often as well. The idea of healing through aromatherapy is often credited to a French chemist who was badly burned in a chemical explosion. He stuck his arm into a nearby vat of lavender. The pain stopped immediately, and he had no blistering or scarring. This led him to focus on the medicinal effects of essential oils.

Today European doctors and health systems consider essential oils as
effective, reimbursable treatments that are integrated with other forms of medicine.

So imagine combining enhancing health with touch and essential oils.

Merri and I use this continually so when we discovered that Candace now has this course on DVD I wanted to write about it right away.

She has combined the Touch with Oils Course on DVD with her Comfort Care Pak and calls it the Dynamic Duo. Dynamic it is!

The comfort Pac contains four essential oil blends:

* Lavender Mist – contains pure essential oil of Lavender in a base of purified water, aloe and vegetable glycerin. Make big circular clouds of this aromatic delight around the head and face anytime … for a breath of fresh air, sense of comfort and a calm spirit.

* Rejuvenation Face Gel – her proprietary formula of pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Patchouli, Frankincense, Geranium, Rose otto; in her aloe and Organic Golden Jojoba base. These ancient oils are for calming the spirit and soothing the skin.

* Pure Lavender Essential Oil – Inhale from the bottle. Put 2-3 “taps” on a cotton ball. Tuck in a pillow or pocket. This is the #1 Oil of Balance for the central nervous system. It is the river of peace.

* OLA Four Blend – Lavender and Rose otto in Organic Golden Jojoba is our gentlest formula … Rose is the Oil of the Heart. Apply some to your nose, temples, and back of neck. It is perfect for a gentle hand massage and is great in your bath.

The DVD shows you how to use your hands and the oils to enhance health.

Candace is taking 10% off the $69.95 price for the month of June for Garyascott.com subscribers.

You can order the Dynamic Duo (the course on DVD and Comfort Cate Pak) from Candace for $62.95 during this June offer.

Until next message, may your vision and health bring you more than gold.

Gary

You can still make to our June 16 -17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
http://
and June 19-21 Ecuador Shaman Tour

See dates for our Autumn Ecuador courses and tours:

Sept 17-21 Coastal-Quito Real Estate Tour

Sept 23-27 Super Thinking + Spanish Course

Sept 28-29 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Oct 3-5 International Investing and Business Made EZ North Carolina

Oct 14-18 Ecuador Import Export Course

Nov 7-9 International Investing and Business Made EZ Ecuador

Nov 10-11 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

November 12-16 Coastal Tour

See discounts for attending more than one course.

The next few years will be filled with problems and this creates unprecedented opportunity for those who embrace change.

The key assets required are open mindedness, flexibility, imagination, energy, broad horizons, perseverance, vitality and faith in oneself.

We also need to be comfortable and enjoy what we are doing.

Pleasure is one of Western cultures’ least appreciated success tools.

The sensation we call pleasure  changes our brain chemistry in less than a second. Neuroscientist, Candace Pert, has proven that this emotional response creates corresponding brain chemistry that has receptor sites on cells throughout the body. Cells create tissue.

So, angry emotion…angry tissue. Stressed emotions…stressed tissue. Happy emotions…courtesy of pleasure…happy….healthier cells.

So I know if I force myself to run on a treadmill every day inside a square box of a room (no pleasure for me), it will not do as much good as hiking in nature’s glory like this.

Hiking the Blue ridge with Merri and our daughter Francesca.

Bike riding the Virginia Creeper Trail (17 minutes from our farm) with Merri and our daughter Eleanor.

Being in nature fill me with pleasure and wonder.

I can lift dumbells all day long in a gym, but that’s just not fun for me.

Yet I can jump in my pickup and attack these overgrown woods with this six pounds.

Boys toys!

Turn these woods on our farm

into this.

This does more for my strength than any weight lifting..not to mention my overall health.  Plus I gain a feeling of accomplishment.  We need to pursue our passions to protect our bodies and good health!

Then to see what the future holds and have the wherewithal to profit from it, we have to protect our minds and hearts by ignoring as much bad news that floods the media as we can.

Then we have to immunize ourselves from the sentiments and instabilities of the establishment that we cannot miss.

All of this requires good health and constant touch with reality.

This is why each month we write an article about an essential oil.  They can be the vaccine that protects us from the daily, useless rubbish and trash that the media slams us with. For example I recently learned that an Austrian kept his daughter hidden and pregnant in a basement for decades.

What possible good did that knowledge bring? How much did I gain from the time spent learning this?  What damage did the disgust and profound sadness for this girl do to my health?

How does such knowledge make us better, happier, healthier, more balanced  people ready to deal with the challenges of our evolving world?

Essential oils can provide the remedy that brings us back to a pleasurable balance.

Essential oils are refined purity…each revealing some honest aspect of nature…the beauty of the rose…bite of lemon…or the sweetness of jasmine.  Whatever the oil…pure essentials are reality refined.   When we inhale their truth or absorb it though our skin, their natural sincerity and pure strength communicate some frankness at the deepest levels of our existence.

Essential oils balance us and help maintain or return our health to us with a candid power that we cannot express in words or understand with our minds…but we know instantly with our heat and soul.

What is the greatest gift? Even the three wise men took Baby Jesus essential oils. That was no accident.

Essential oils can bring pleasure in one whiff!

This pleasure supports a healthy immune system (due to its natural chemistry, most essential oils are anti-bacterial and anti fungal) from a physiological response via the nose-brain connection. The aromatic molecules travel up the nose, connect to the olfactory nerves, and have a direct path to the emotional part of the brain. This creates a positive emotion which communicates with every cell in the body via neurotransmitters in a flash.

This is why Merri and I use essential oils every day, the day through. We massage our feet every morning with essential oil…rose to open the heart…

This is also why each month I include a message about an essential oil offered by our friend of over thirty years, Candace Newman.

This month Candace writes:

As John and I celebrate the 16th year of our company we are delighted to introduce our new OLA Comfort Care Pak, specifically designed to bring comfort into the world.
At these challenging times, essential oils are among the easiest things to use and are less expensive than most medicines. They are ancient medicine coming back into their own. Aromatherapy is a self-empowering tool. It helps us through transitions, and puts a sense of control back in our lives.
This comfort pak is for all of us! Each formula has a story behind it and the pak is dedicated to all of you who use this to comfort yourselves and loved ones. It is time for comfort … and therapeutic-grade essential oils know how to provide it!

The comfort Pac contains:

* Lavender Mist – contains pure essential oil of Lavender in a base of purified water, aloe and vegetable glycerin. Make big circular clouds of this aromatic delight around the head and face anytime … for a breath of fresh air, sense of comfort and a calm spirit.

* Rejuvenation Face Gel – our proprietary formula of pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Patchouli, Frankincense, Geranium, Rose otto; in our aloe and Organic Golden Jojoba base. These ancient oils are for calming the spirit and soothing the skin.

* Pure Lavender Essential Oil – Inhale from the bottle. Put 2-3 “taps” on a cotton ball. Tuck in a pillow or pocket. This is the #1 Oil of Balance for the central nervous system. It is the river of peace.

* OLA Four Blend – Lavender and Rose otto in Organic Golden Jojoba is our gentlest formula … Rose is the Oil of the Heart. Apply some to your nose, temples, and back of neck. It is perfect for a gentle hand massage and is great in your bath.

Sincerely, Candace Newman

Candace is taking 10% off the $39.95 price for the month of June for Garyascott.com subscribers and all of us can also take 10% off all purchases from June 1 to 14.

You can order the LA Comfort Pac from Candace for $35.95 during this June offer

Gary

P.S.  Another way to adapt to change is to connect our logical minds with our intuition.

This is also why in August we are sponsoring an intuition course and adding sessions on how to be healthy through natural exercise and nutrition.

Join us at the intuition course

Enjoy the beauty and nature at our farm.