HYDROSOLS - MASTER CLASS with Suzanne Catty - Continued -
Day Two started with questions and then moved on to some discussion of specific protocols utilizing hydrosols and essential oils. This was in my view the best part of the course as a practitioner and I wish we had been able to spend a little more time on this. There was information on the different aspects of a protocol, the importance of these being customized to suit each client and their lifestyle etc., which I think brings up a crucial point that is so often overlooked. If the protocol is impractical, a nuisance, or too time consuming then we as practitioners should expect that the results will not be as efficient as a simpler more manageable protocol for the simple reason that not as many clients will follow the protocol in the manner in which it was meant to be implemented.
We also addressed the use of hydrosols with children and animals, including dilutions, suitable choices along with suggestions for specific complaints.
Quality was the next topic for discussion, which in my opinion can never be discussed too much. We had a few local distillers present so it was here that they got some very helpful tips and pointers regarding monitoring the water as it comes off the still to achieve the best quality. She also pointed out that whether you are a retail consumer or a retail business owner it is important that wherever your hydrosols come from the distiller should not be keeping more than 50% of the run as anything more than this simply waters down the therapeutic hydrosol. This creates a larger volume for resale for the distiller and a lesser grade hydrosol for you the consumer. Sterility of all equipment used during and after distillation and in the bottling process were cited as being the number one cause of diminished shelf life and early bloom in hydrosols.
We then began the age-old debate of Plastic vs. Glass, which I believe ended up as a tie game with no overtime in sight to settle the score. Plastic is very desirable to the mail order consumer as glass adds extra weight and thus more expense to the shipment. Glass also increases the chance of breakage and more carriers (like UPS) will not insure a package, which contains glass bottles. Plastics of course are ideal for shipping however they are not the best medium in which to store hydrosols. Once they arrive at the final destination one should transfer it to a dark, sterile glass container which adds yet another chance for contamination during the bottling process.
Preservatives in hydrosols were touched on briefly and simply put if you are using the hydrosols on your skin, do you really want it full of drying alcohol? Or if you are using it internally, do you really want alcohol, vitamin E, grapeseed extract or rosemary extract in it? The answer to both of these questions is probably no in most cases. Hydrosols generally have a shelf life of between 12 - 24 months so my advice is buy small quantities, keep them refrigerated, and use them up in a timely manner. This way you have avoided the need for preservatives in your hydrosols.
The afternoon of Day Two was all about the energetics, and personalities of the hydrosols. Dowsing was utilized to express the energetic nature of the hydrosols and we discussed the emotional and spiritual attributes. Suzanne talked about hydrosols for correcting energy imbalances in the chakra system through chakra mapping as her selected method. We covered clearing negative and unwanted energy in rooms and auras by using hydrosols as a sort of energetic �germ buster� by misting the auric field and using the mists to wipe down surfaces like massage tables etc. As well hydrosols for distance healing, how to incorporate them into energy practices like Reiki, etc. was covered. We discussed the emotional attributes of the hydrosols and what some of them mean for your emotional well-being. Suggestions were given for things like dealing with anxiety, stress, self-love, etc. Suzanne then brought out some amazing hydrosols that previously had been unavailable on the market with the exception of synthetic or man made (water with essential oils added) versions. Absolutely outstanding!
If you have a desire to learn more about these wonderful but previously overlooked gifts, I would strongly recommend planning to attend this class with Suzanne and if there isn�t one coming up nearby, consider sponsoring one. It is very reasonably priced, packed with useful, relevant, and easy to understand information that you won�t find anywhere else. You will get the opportunity to experience hydrosols which you are unfamiliar with and perhaps expand your own collection of aromatic waters. Suzanne and her staff are first class in assisting you in any way to ensure a fantastic experience for you and your �classmates�. This class is a great way to spend your weekend and increase your knowledge about �The Next Aromatherapy� of Hydrosols.
Jennifer Gerlitz is an aromatherapist & Reiki practitioner who owns and operates Scentsability Aromatherapy www.scentsability.com . Jennifer is been invited to lecture at the University of Calgary�s Continuing Education Alternative Health Seminar, Calgary Health Expo & and teach workshops Students� Association of Mount Royal College�s Stress Fitness Week. Jennifer can be contacted at [email protected]