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Unlike our conventional calendar, which observes four seasonal shifts, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) observes five seasons, with late Summer being the fifth. Each season brings its own energy, wisdom, and rhythms in alignment with nature. These transitions of our earth help us tap into what our body needs most. At the same time, they impact and align with the makeup of our precious plants and essential oils.

On this week’s episode of the Essential Oil Revolution, Rachel Jackson, CYI, LMT, Certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, joins us to discuss aromatherapy in season according to these five elements. Rachel is a certified medicinal aromatherapist, licensed massage therapist, certified yoga instructor, yogic lifestyle coach, lecturer, teacher, and inspirational guide. Her distinctive blend of yoga philosophy, the five elements, Chinese Medicine principles, and aromatherapy allows her clients to experience a deeper form of healing that integrates her specialties with their soul journey.  Within her consultations and workshops, she synthesizes her impressive training in plants, healing methods, spirituality, intellect, and rare and unique therapies with high quality, food grade medicinal essential oils.

Rachel’s unique approach to how she merges the art and science of aromatherapy is truly insightful. This is displayed by a post on her Facebook page in April 2024:

Nature’s aromas are poetic… our sense of smell unlocks inner wisdom waiting to be discovered… creativity, intuition, healing…What aromas wake you up to yourself in this way?

For me there is a beauty and an art to nature’s aromas that I find I am endlessly captivated by. Like gazing out over a garden at sunset and watching the play of light and color; the aromas of nature affect me in this same meditative way…

I once had a yoga teacher, Tanya Zaloumis, that used to describe the Sanskrit word “Drishti” as “the gaze of wonder”. She would have us close our eyes and imagine something beautiful and awe-inspiring, like a rainbow or a blue heron taking flight, and as we opened our eyes with this attitude and feeling of wonder, everything about that asana (posture) was enlivened by pure wonder. And there is a way in which aromas seem to have this “drishti” effect as well –

… the effect is that nature’s scents cause our whole world to seemingly slow down and our senses heighten to presence and wonder. This is one of the reasons I love incorporating aromatherapy into my yoga and meditation practice! This is also why I am passionate about teaching aromatherapy as an art that will forever deepen our relationship with nature and with our true self.

From that excerpt, I’m sure you know understand why I was so honored to speak with Rachel and have her share her knowledge with us!

During the interview, Rachel teaches us ways to use aromatherapy throughout the seasons of life to enhance intentional living practices, self-care, and vibrant wellbeing by tending to the different aspects of ourselves. Below is a summary of this amazing episode.

Be sure to tune in and listen so you can go deep with us and gain new insight into a whole new application and approach with aromatherapy and essential oils!

What You Will Learn:

• An introduction to Rachel and her poem on forming a relationship to aromatherapy (0 min)
• Rachel’s bio (2.30 min)
• Rachel’s healing journey into aromatherapy: (5.40 min)
  • Rachel was drawn to aromatherapy as a teenager. Her dad gave her an aromatherapy book. She used this reference to make “potions” to help her study, focus, and empower herself.
  • When Rachel was in massage school, she was introduced to aromatherapy as a path.
  • She was also exposed to aromatherapy being integrated into her yoga training. There she experienced how scents can anchor one into their practice and the present moment.
• What is the meaning of “Yam”? (11 min)
  • Yam is the seed sound for the heart chakra, which corresponds to its nervous system plexus.
  • It is also a convenient acronym for yoga, aromatherapy, and massage/meditation, which are Rachel’s main healing modalities.
• How Eastern and Western medicine are starting to “speak the same language” (13 min)
• The philosophy surrounding the Wisdom of the Earth Training (17 min)
• How aromatherapy can be dynamic, like nature, and how essential oils shift based on these environmental factors which relates to our healing: (19 min)
  • These changes in the makeup of essential oils are known as chemotypes. They determine what predominate compounds will be present in them.
• How Rachel’s training in yin yoga and massage spurred her interest in combining Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Aromatherapy (28 min)
• The connection between the seasons, five elements, and personal growth: (32 min)
  • In TCM there are five seasons – winter, spring, summer, late summer, and fall.
  • Winter relates to the water element. It is represented in nature as the seed of the plant. This is a time of going inward and self-reflection.
  • Spring relates to the wood element. This is represented as the sprout of a plant or the new growth of a tree. This is a time of growth and stability.
  • Summer relates to the fire element. It is a time of blossoming, expansion, and attracting what we need for supporting our heart’s purpose.
  • Late summer relates to the earth element. This is the true harvest season when we are “grounding-in” what is nourishing and sustainable to our lives.
  • Autumn relates to the metal element. It is represented by the leaves of the plant. During this time, we are tuning into our “energetic immune system” and sixth sense.
• What “spirits” of each organ system represent: (40 min)
  • Each yin organ houses a spirit. This is the psychological function of each system. For example, the kidneys hold fear, and the liver holds anger.
• How emotions are signals to the body and how this relates to the five elements and the spirits: (41 min)
  • We can use emotions as messengers. Anger can indicate something is off or our needs are not being met. This can be a signal to go within and be guided. This will lead us to our next action, or, to remain in stillness and have compassion for ourselves and acceptance of the situation.
• How to incorporate aromatherapy into the five elements, focusing on spring: (45 min)
  • In spring there is a lot of influence from the environment and the liver is overwhelmed.
  • Using essential oils can support our immune health and help the body to deal with these influences, such as excess pollen.
  • Oils that balance histamine include inula, Helichrysum Gymnocephelum, and blue tansy.
• What essential oil Rachel keeps in her emergency kit (48 min)
• The difference between Helichrysum Gymnocephelum and Helichrysum Italicum: (50 min)
  • Helichrysum Gymnocephelum supports the lungs and respiratory tract.
  • Helichrysum Italicum is more supportive for the skin and wounds.
• The season lavender oil is associated with and the importance of applying it with intention: (53 min)
  • Lavender oil is most often related to the spring and the liver.
  • The liver likes harmonious flow. It is a massive filter that helps with moving blood and qi. It can get stagnant in the springtime. Lavender can support this movement and clear liver heat.
  • When we use oils with intention, it offers another layer of healing and self-trust.
• The importance of our kidneys in TCM and its relationship to chronic disease: (59 min)
  • Our kidneys hold our Jing, our vital force, and our essential nature. They nourish all other organs.
• What essential oil can nourish the kidney’s Jing: (1 hr. 3 min)
  • Vetiver can be grounding and help one sleep. Insomnia is a sign of deficient kidney energy.
• How yoga and essential oils combine therapeutically: (1 hr. 5 min)
  • Essential oils can help yogis ground, remember their intentions during their practice, and create a memory-based association of calmness and oneness when one is triggered off the matt.
• What is Yoga Nidra and how Rachel combines it with essential oils: (1 hr. 7 min)
  • Yoga Nidra translates to “sleep with awareness.”
  • It helps one get into a state of intention.
  • Combined with aromatherapy, it can be more powerful.
• The purpose of meditation and how Yoga Nidra helps one accomplish this (1 hr. 14 min)
• Rachel’s “Aromatherapy Hacks” for Springtime and the practice of Jala Neti Cleanse (1 hr. 15 min)
• The importance of cleaning out our noses for our health (1 hr. 17 min)
• Using essential oils on a budget (1 hr. 20 min)
• Where to find Rachel and closing thoughts (1 hr. 21 min)

Listen to the full episode to get all the details.

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Links to Learn More about Rachel Jackson, Certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, CYI, LMT:

• Website: @yamhealingarts
• FB: @yamhealingarts
• IG: @yamhealingarts
• YouTube: @yamhealingarts
• Yoga Nidra Videos

Additional Resources by Rachel Jackson, Certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, CYI, LMT:

• Video: Aromatherapy for Social Anxiety Video
• Jala Neti Cleanse – YouTube instructional video
• Yam Healing Arts Store
• Wisdom of the Earth Essential Oils
• Rachel’s Aromatherapy in Season’s Workshops
• Highlighted Resources linkt.ree @yamhealingarts

“Aromatherapy Hacks” for Springtime Allergies by Rachel Jackson, Certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, CYI, LMT:

~ Diffuse at night: Eucalyptus, Rosemary & Peppermint (about 3 drops each in a 500mL diffuser)

~ Apply 1 drop Helichrysum Gymnocephelum or Inula (high in sesquiterpenes) under the nose to help with acute allergies and to support healthy histamine balance.

~ Oil up!

Oil your body after a shower while the skin is still damp.

Put oil in the sinuses, especially after Jala Neti Cleanse. (YouTube instructional video.)

Sesame oil is good in a pinch for nasal oil to offer the mucous membranes added protective barrier. You can use an ayurvedic nasya oil or create an aromatic nasya for added therapeutic properties.

Below is a gentle nasya oil Rachel formulated for histamine support, improving mucous membrane healing, and a healthy inflammatory response. It is also grounding and can also be supportive for ear ringing:

• 1oz dropper bottle:
• 15 drops Cumin *Black
• 10 drops Eucalyptus *Blue Mallee
• 5 drops Helichrysum *Italicum (Morocco)
• 5 drops Helichrysum *Gymnocephelum
• 5 drops Myrrh
• Fill the remainder of the bottle with organic, unrefined sesame oil (just to the center of the curve at the top of the bottle to leave room for the dropper top)
• Shake lovingly and apply 1-3 drops in the sinuses 1-3x daily.
• Label and date your product and use within a year for optimal therapeutic benefits.

Additional Resources from the Show:

• Molecules of Emotion

Links to Learn More About My Offerings and Education on Essential Oils:

• My Essential Oils Community Membership
• My Resource Page
• My CEU Course for Practitioners on the Clinical Use of Essential Oils

Bio of Rachel Jackson, Certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, CYI, LMT:

Rachel Jackson is an incredible and unique blend of a certified medicinal aromatherapist, licensed massage therapist, certified yoga instructor, yogic lifestyle coach, lecturer, educator, and inspirational guide. She received her level 1 and level 2 certifications in the Art of Medicinal Aromatherapy at Wisdom of the Earth, training in the use of essential oils according to Traditional Chinese Medicine with David Crow. Rachel graduated from the Northern Arizona Massage Therapy Institute, specializing in Traditional Thai massage, Shiatsu, and Reflexology. In addition, she received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from the ashram of the 7 Centers Yoga School in Sedona, AZ. She also has practiced the Vinyasa yoga of the Jivamukti Lineage and Yin Meridian Meditation as instructed by Tonya Zaloumis.

Rachel’s passion for learning went deep in each of her various areas of training. During her yoga teacher training, she gained background in Kundalini yoga, Hatha Yoga, and the Shatkarmas (yogic cleanses) through the lineage of Swami Satyananda Saraswati. She also studied the basics of Ayurveda for supporting the yogic lifestyle, the application of Yoga Sutras according to Patanjali with Rama Jyoti Vernon (Co-founder of Yoga Journal), and Therapeutic approaches to yoga with Sraddhasagra Hartung. She incorporates all these trainings in her main teaching styles of Yin Meridian Meditation, Yoga Nidra Meditation, Slow Flow Vinyasa, and a Therapeutic Approach to Hatha Yoga for a healthy spine.

Similarly to her in-depth studies in yoga, her massage training resulted in more expertise. This led to her mastering ten different modalities of massage and bodywork. She often supplements these other techniques (such as myofascial release, craniosacral, tui na, cupping and moxibustion) into her work based on her client’s individual needs.

As a Certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, she offers specialty aromatherapy classes, aromatherapy consultations, and teaches the Wisdom of the Earth Level 1 Training in The Art of Aromatherapy based out of her and her husband’s YAM Healing Arts center. Rachel combines her gifts of intellect and spiritual pursuits with her calming, centered, healing presence to educate and empower her students on their educational and wellness journey. In her personalized aromatherapy consultations, she synthesizes her impressive training in plants, healing methods, and rare and unique therapies with high quality, food grade medicinal essential oils. She also provides immersive workshops and classes which incorporates the use of gentle asana, stillness, breath, and awareness to invite the body to release unresolved emotions and restrictions stored within the tissues. These educational opportunities are supplemented with aromatherapy recommendations to enhance the experience while supporting seasonal wellness.

Rachel’s distinctive blend of yoga philosophy, the five elements, Chinese Medicine principles, and aromatherapy allow her clients to experience a deeper form of healing that integrates her specialties with their soul journey. Whether it be through yoga, massage, aromatherapy, or a combination, Rachel’s passion is to support each unique individual that she works with to remain deeply rooted in their true nature and align with their Dharmic Self & Dharmic Life. You can find Rachel at @yamhealingarts.com.