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Hello dear friends!

I’m excited to share with you this week’s clinical tip! It is a powerful one! Today, we are going to explore the integration of mind-body–spirit medicine using a specific essential oil!

Let me explain.

Mind-Body-Spirit and Essential Oils

Last week, I ran across a beautiful exercise incorporating yarrow essential oil. It was adapted from the 1970’s book by Phyllis Chrystal. It is called “Cutting the Ties that Bind” and it was shared by Cathy Skipper and Florian Birkmayer, MD.

The reason this process is a trifecta of healing is because it is based on how essential oils work holistically. Specifically, it integrates yarrow oil into a self-care practice for more nourishing social connections. As a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor, I have seen time and time again how my clients’ relationships, including to themselves, can literally be the main factor that makes a protocol work or keeps them stuck. This is why I was so attracted to this method. Thankfully, Cathy graciously granted me permission to distribute it to my audience.

Before I explain this technique, let me introduce you to the creators. I believe it’s super important for those who study essential oils and aromatherapy to be aware of our mentors and our history. This is so we can honor our roots and be educated at a much deeper level. So, let me tell you a bit more about this dynamic couple. They are world-renowned in aromatherapy.

Mentors in Holistic Aromatherapy

Cathy holds a B.Ed. Hons. in Speech and Drama from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London, an Herbalist Degree at Ecole Lyonnaise de Plantes Medicinales, has four-years of training in advanced kinesiology, and is a CTA Certified Coach. Dr. Birkmayer holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology at Princeton University. He received his medical doctorate from Columbia University which inspired him to become an addiction psychiatrist. He then completed his Psychiatry Residency at the University of New Mexico, is Board-certified in Psychiatry, is ASAM-certified in Addiction Medicine, and he is a Certified Life Coach (CLCI).

This mission of Cathy and Dr. Birkmayer is stated on their AromaGnosis website which reads:

• We help you:
  • Create a solid inner foundation for your whole psyche.
  • Build a relationship with your Shadow that will liberate your creative energy.
  • Have a vision for your future that will continue to nourish you.

Merging Holism and Medicine

Cathy and Dr. Birkmayer’s work can be summarized as an integration of holistic and spiritual medicine. I believe it is parament for us to embrace what is emerging in traditional science as we stay grounded in holism. In fact studies have validated how beneficial spirituality and inner work is for promoting and restoring physical and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, many have become disconnected from their true nature and inner strength.

This separation of spirituality and our psyche at the sole embracement of conventional medicine has come at a cost. When we disconnect from ourselves, our purpose, and soul wisdom, we lose confidence and connection to our essence. As a result, we are always seeking answers outside of ourselves to validate us. Our bodies and mind respond to our fractionated self with dis-ease.

This brings us to the exercise, “Cutting the Ties That Bind.” It is meant to release enmeshment in relationships by recentering us back into our own guidance. At the same time, it integrates the physical and mind-body-spirit properties of yarrow essential oil.

So, let’s start exploring this merger first at the physical level of the essential oil. Next, we will move onto this soulful practice.

Yarrow Essential Oil

On the physical level, yarrow oil has many beneficial properties and contains a unique blend of constituents that influence a wide range of body systems. These compounds support cellular health, act as antioxidants, are antimicrobial, and have inflammatory modulating properties. They include:

• limonene (a cyclic monoterpene) which has evidence for enhancing cellular repair, being anti-proliferation of certain cell lines, supporting metabolism, balancing cholesterol, and enhancing breast health and overall wellness.
• a-and b-pinene (monoterpenes) which can support our defense and repair system and provide stress-relieving effects.
  • Limonene and the pinenes are both phytoncides (aromatic molecules derived from trees). They are calming and improve overall health.
  • The impact of these compounds has been demonstrated in several studies regarding the benefits of “forest bathing.” Results have indicated improvements in measurements of immune markers (white blood cells) and the stress hormone, cortisol.
• 1-8 cineol (an oxide) which is a constituent that dominants the makeup of many eucalyptus oils and is found in a specific rosemary chemotype. It is known for supporting respiratory health and is linked to enhancing cognitive function and memory.
• chamazulene (a sesquiterpene) which is a compound found in chamomile species and has been shown to be anti-inflammatory in vitro studies. It has also been reported to decrease the production of oxidative stressors (via suppressing iNOS) that can cause cellular and biological havoc in the body. These actions may explain its pain-relieving properties. Furthermore, chamazulene is the compound that is credited for promoting skin health. It is the component that tends to give certain essential oils their blue hue.
• beta-caryophyllene which is a terpene (sesquiterpene) and is a dietary cannabinoid that is most often associated with copaiba and black pepper. This compound interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), an underappreciated regulator of a variety of biochemical processes and major functions of the body. One small study found that inhalation of beta-caryophyllene increased alpha and theta waves on a brain EEG. This helped to demonstrate its relaxing, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety effects.

On an emotional level, yarrow oil is known to be for the wounded healer. In alignment with this, I had my own intuitive experience with yarrow oil that expanded my confidence in trusting my inner nudge in clinical practice. Cathy and Dr. Birkmayer state that yarrow essential oil supports one in achieving healthy personal space and maintaining strong, yet flexible boundaries.

You can learn more about yarrow and its many benefits on my podcast from the Essential Oil Revolution here.

Now onto the exercise.

Cutting the Ties That Bind- A Soulful Exercise for Healthy Relationships and Boundaries

Below are some email excerpts, as shared by Cathy and Dr. Birkmayer, that explain this process:

Many relationships are tainted and out of balance because the unconscious boundaries between the people involved are not clear. Often unhealthy relationship patterns are installed in our unconscious from a very early age. Parents who ask their children to carry their unfulfilled lives or shadow aspects is a big one. This often begins a pattern that carries on with other people throughout our lives.

Healing and developing emotional and energetic health often involve working on redefining boundaries in relationships. On a basic level, this means knowing and defining what is yours and what isn’t, which means taking responsibility for your own actions, emotions and energy and not taking responsibility for those aspects of others.

Practitioners too often need to be aware of boundaries so as not to take on their client’s energies or ask their clients to carry theirs. This is the true path of the wounded healer.  

Most of the problems with unclear boundaries are unconscious, which means that we are unaware of them. They are patterns of behavior and energetic deals running in the background of our psyches but having a tremendous effect on our vitality and life force. Yarrow, combined with the cutting the ties that bind exercise can sever and free us from these unconscious binds.

We have worked in this way with yarrow for many years now and witnessed in our own lives and the lives of our clients the power and speed with which yarrow gets to work. It feels so good and liberating to be free of unhealthy energetic deals and to be consciously aware of the choices we make when entering into relationships with others.

Here are the instructions for the ‘Cutting the ties that bind’ exercise:

(This exercise is based on Phyllis Krystal’s “Cutting the Ties that Bind.” )

Put a small drop of yarrow essential oil in the palm of your hands and rub them together. Direct the aromatic molecules around your aura when doing this exercise.

1. Take two pieces of paper and draw a circle on each with a yellow or golden felt tip pen or marker that symbolizes light.
2. Put your name in one circle and the name of the other person in the second circle.
3. Tune into the soul of the person you are doing the exercise with and let them know that you are doing this in order to benefit your relationship and so that you can take responsibility for your own shadow rather than making them carry it. You’re doing this for the benefit of all involved.
4. If a child is doing it regarding a parent, they can tune into the soul of the parent and let them know that you can no longer carry what is not yours and you are doing this exercise in order to put things back in their rightful place.
5. Put the two pieces of paper on an altar space or somewhere where they can stay and not be disturbed for up to a couple of weeks. The two pieces of paper can touch on one side at the beginning.
6. Every time you think about this, as you are going through your day, you visualize yourself and the other person in their own circle with light defining it. As you visualize this you say, “What belongs to you, you keep. What belongs to me, I keep.”
7. Whilst you say the words, visualize yourself doing whatever you need to do to separate the enmeshment, e.g. put the person back in their circle, and cut any energetic ties you feel between you and the person.
8. You will repeat this multiple times per day. If possible, every time you think about the person. At the end of every day move the circle slightly further apart.
9. After some days, it can be up to two weeks or more, you will feel that the work has been done. When you are sure about this, tune into the circles and move them away from each other for the last time.
10. You can then compost or burn the circles separately. (Don’t mix even the ashes.)

Now, I know this may sound a bit woo-woo, but here’s the scientific explanation for this procedure. This exercise is an application of psychoaromatherapy. It creates new neural pathways (neuroplasticity) and forms new memory reconsolidation patterns.

To be specific, by utilizing intention, visualization, and aroma in this way, one can help to “rewire” the brain association and memories of an unhealthy relationship pattern. At the same time, one is also “rewriting” neural networks by practicing new behaviors and attitudes toward another.

Sound familiar? It should, if you’ve been tuning into my clinical tips.

Neuroscience, psychoaromatherapy, and essential oils form the foundation of the work of Dr. Perkus and his Aroma Freedom Technique.

So, there you go.

Now you know more about yarrow essential oil and have a technique which can enhance your mind-body-spirit and help you stay within your truth in relationships.

I am super interested in those who chose to try this process and share their experience.

All the links to resources are provided below.

Resources:

• Website: @aromagnosis
• YouTube: AromaGnosis
• The Many Benefits of Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) Essential Oil (Ep. 399)
• Five Things You Should Know About Essential Oils: Lessons Learned From Top Experts in Aromatherapy and Integrative Medicine (Ep. 408)
• Mind-Body Applications of Essential Oils: A Case Study of Anxiety (My article published in Townsend Letter)
• The Holy Oils of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Spikenard: Merging Spirituality, Religion, Health, and Modern Medicine
• Essential Oils to Support Heart Health and Enhance Connection
• The Aroma Freedom Revolution – Using Essential Oils to Rewire your Brain and Live the Life of Your Dreams with Dr. Ben Perkus, PhD (Ep. 380 of the Essential Oil Revolution)
• Boost Your Mood, Release Limiting Beliefs, and Enhance Motivation with Aromatic Techniques

*Transcript has been edited for grammar and ease of reading.