Benefit Of DIY Natural Homemade Gifts

BY Keoi Magill, ACHS Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy

We all have much to gain by making our own homemade natural gifts. Anyone can run into a store and buy something off the shelf. But, when you put the time, thought, and energy into making gifts for those you love, the receiver knows that they are special to you.

By using natural materials you are also promoting a green lifestyle. Giving gifts that are natural to friends who have not experienced the benefits of organic products can be quite the eye opener. You will be introducing an eco-friendly lifestyle to someone who may be inexperienced. Plus, typically it costs more to purchase something already made, so you will save money as well.

Making DIY natural gifts can reduce stress. With all the hustle and bustle that life throws at us, spending the time doing something creative can be a form of meditation, calming and exhilarating you all at the same time. It can remove the worry about duplicating something your loved ones already have: your gift is original and one of a kind.

Handmade gifts can be problem solvers and time savers, especially for those on our holiday list who we never know what to give. No more wandering around trying to find that just-right gift. As long as we follow good manufacturing practices, quality assurance is guaranteed when we make natural gifts. We know that our gifts are toxic free and will not harm the environment or our family and friends.

In the truest spirit of the holiday season, there is nothing that we can do that is more rewarding than to make do-it-yourself homemade natural gifts.

For a free holiday recipe book, download the Apothecary Shoppe Holiday Recipe Guide HERE.

It's a Great Day to Quit … American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout

Thursday is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, an "event" encouraging smokers to quit that day (or to at least make a plan for quitting that day).

It has been said that the easiest way to quit smoking is not to start. But if you, or someone you care about, have become addicted to smoking, read on (please feel free to forward this email, too).

Quitting is not easy. But making the decision to quit is the first step towards living a healthier life. The next step is to stay smoke-free and there are many support tools available. For a holistic option consider black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil.

Studies suggest inhaling black pepper essential oil may help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The vapor released when black pepper essential oil is diffused is thought to help dispel anxious feelings associated with quitting smoking.*

If you or a loved one want to quit smoking, make this your day! The Cancer Society's website lists several health benefits accrued over time, including decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of coronary heart disease. Read the full list of benefits here.

For more information about natural stop-smoking supports, you may be interested in Conquer Tobacco Naturally. In his book, Dr. Edward Blomgren, an ACHS graduate, details alternative strategies to help smokers quit in 12 weeks or less.

To access the American Cancer Society Guide to Quitting Smoking (and their Cigarette Cost Calculator, which is an eyeopener!), click here.

From natural health supporters to another, congratulations on all the small, everyday choices you make to live healthy! Take care!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Re-Coloring Black Friday with Aromatherapy

BY Keoi Magill, ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy Graduate

On Black Friday, we have less than a month until the presents will be unwrapped. With all the gifts to be purchased, parties to plan, cards to write and holiday cooking, we just don’t seem to have time to spend taking care of ourselves. You can dial down your holiday stress and achieve balance with aromatherapy. Here are a few simple and easy ways to sail through the holiday season.

Before you go out shopping put a few drops of lavender oil Lavendula angustifolia, on a cotton ball. Just breathe in the calming aroma whenever you need it. Another way is to add the lavender to 4 oz of distilled water and spray yourself with a fine mist. It will help reduce your stress and alleviate irritability.

Add a drop or two of peppermint oil Mentha piperita, to your favorite body lotion and rub it into your feet. It will help invigorate and refresh your tired feet and help with exhaustion.

Make a blend of bergamot Citrus bergamia, peppermint Mentha piperita, and cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and diffuse on a lamp ring or ceramic diffuser throughout your home before a party. Not only will it help reduce your anxiety and nervousness, it smells festive and inviting.

When you are wrapping presents or writing out your holiday cards, diffuse or use a cotton ball with a few drops of rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis and neroli Citrus aurantium var. amara. These two oils are great together for mental clarity and to help ward off depression.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be black when you can open your crayon box of essential oils and in minutes color yourself balanced.

To learn more about aromatherapy and essential oils, download your free copy of "History of Aromatherapy" HERE.

*This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or cure. See you primary care physician before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

A Tribute to Servicemembers, Veterans and Military Families

This Veterans Day, our servicemembers, veterans, and military families are in our thoughts. If you or a loved one are affiliated with the military, we want to say thank you for your service to our country. Your commitment to protecting the health and safety of our nation is sincerely appreciated.

Part of our mission at ACHS is to help active duty servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses get the training they need for a successful civilian career in holistic health. In fact, ACHS was recently named a Military Friendly School by GI Jobs magazine for the second year in a row. We’re very proud of this award and the services we’re able to offer servicemembers, and are dedicated to continuing to expand our services.

If you know someone who is passionate about holistic health and is a servicemember, veteran or spouse, tell them to email our Military Education Coordinator Tracey Miller for more information about benefits available through ACHS. Call (800) 487-8839 or email just send an email to admissions@achs.edu.

On behalf of the ACHS family, thank you for all you do!

November is American Diabetes Month: Cinnamon May Help Regulate Blood Glucose

For those who follow us on Twitter (ACHSedu), you already know that November is American Diabetes Month. Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Month raises awareness for diabetes prevention and the new Stop Diabetes movement. How will you help stop diabetes?

As part of your diabetes education, check out the recent study in the Diabetic Medicine journal exploring the potential use of cinnamon in regulating blood glucose and blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. Who knew of of the oldest traditional plants used for digestive troubles (and for culinary and flavoring purposes), may also help with type 2 diabetes!

The October study "Glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure-lowering effect of cinnamon in multi-ethnic Type 2 diabetic patients in the UK: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial" tested 58 patients with type 2 diabetes and concluded that: "The intake of 2 g of cinnamon for 12 weeks showed reduction in HbA1c levels, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure within patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. These results indicate that cinnamon should be considered in addition to standard therapy to regulate blood glucose and blood pressure levels to treat patients with type 2 diabetes."

READ more about the Diabetic Medicine study HERE.

* This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.

Meet Robin Barnette, ACHS 2011 DETC Outstanding Graduate

Robin Barnette, ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy program graduate, has been named a 2011 Outstanding Graduate by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The DETC is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as an accrediting body, and conducts the “Outstanding Graduate” program annually. Students are selected for their academic record, and the level and quality of their contribution to society and their chosen profession(s).

Robin says, “Find your passion, follow your dreams.” She had experienced the healing benefits of essential oils first-hand, so pursuing a Certificate in Aromatherapy from ACHS was a natural extension of her passion to share the healing benefits of essential oils with others.

As an aromatherapist, Robin is now successfully educating clients one-on-one and in workshops about how to achieve optimal health naturally by incorporating good lifestyle choices and essential oils. She also regularly publishes articles dedicated to educating and sharing the wonderful healing benefits of therapeutic essential oils.

Robin is the owner of Aromachick, Healing Botanicals for the Body, Mind, and Sprit. She also offers Aroma-Yoga for Healing workshops in Calabasas, California, where she combines the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy with the healing benefits of yoga.

“Earning my Certificate in Aromatherapy from ACHS was a life changing experience,” Robin says. “ACHS helped me find my passion and follow my dreams!”

To connect with Robin, post a message for her on ACHS Facebook HERE: http://facebook.com/ACHSedu

You can also catch Robin on YouTube! Watch her video about ACHS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00mVvjvvA2E&feature=email

Noha Hashem of AREEj Aromatherapy on ACHS and Building a Successful Business

“Our lifestyle is stressful, full of ups and downs, challenges and problems to be solved. Using essential oils can help humans to relax and may help to make our lives better, so why not?,” asks Noha Hashem, graduate of the ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy and owner of AREEj Aromatherapy.

“To be honest,” Noha continues, “six years ago I had no idea about the word aromatherapy, until I started to search the net, then I found out the amazing benefits of essential oils on the mind, like for example, lavender can help you relax and sleep or basil oil can help in concentra- tion. [...] This new knowledge inspired [me] to start learning more about aromatherapy. Through research I found out that the ACHS college in Oregon, USA, is the right place to learn about aromatherapy, so I joined it and it open to me a whole new world that I didn’t know about. At this point the vision was quite clear that we want eventually to have an aromatherapy finished product line for the direct consumer to benefit from these amazing natural oils.”

AREEj Aromatherapy, based in the Egyptian delta, is part of the Hashem Brothers family partnership, which specializes in the production of essential oils and aromatic products. AREEj Aromatherapy uses naturally-derived and certified organic plant ingredients in their aromatherapy products. “Traceability and quality,” the company’s website says, “are the pillars of our business, which allow us to introduce the cosmetic market to Egyptian aromatherapy products from the source.”

READ the full-length article about AREEj Aromatherapy and ACHS aromatherapy graduate Noha Hashem, HERE: http://www.achs.edu/newsletter.aspx?id=7

Study-Abroad Programs and Travel Dates for Summer School in Greece 2011

We're excited to announce our study-abroad programs and travel dates for summer school in Greece 2011 and would like to invite you to join us!

May 27 to June 2, 2011: Watercolor Journaling in Greece with Jacqueline Newbold. Read more about Jacqueline and her watercolor journaling online at: http://newboldart.com/Travels.htm

Jacqueline is a successful artist and teacher who leads successful study abroad programs to Provence. I am thrilled that Jacqueline will be offering her wonderful class for the first time in Greece. We will learn how to journal our Mediterranean Herb and Essential oils, and our Aromatic Journey to Chios programs.

June 4 to 9, 2011: Mediterranean Herbs and Essential oils in Greece with ACHS President and Wellness Expert Dorene Petersen, Guerilla Distiller Robert Seidel and guest lecturer Aromatherapist Mindy Green (Also an ACHS Advisory Board Member). We are privileged to have Robert Seidel and Mindy Green join us for this program.

June 11 to 16, 2011: Aromatic Journey to Chios--Explore Mastic Production with
Dorene Petersen and Robert Seidel. If you enjoy adventure, history and are fascinated in the potential of mastic essential oil don't miss this one!

Invest in yourself and stay for all three! Program details will be announced shortly. For priority enrollment, please contact ACHS admissions to be placed on the waiting list. We had many students contact us about doing summer school in 2011, so these programs will fill quickly! Call (800) 487-8839 or email admissions@achs.edu