Traditional feng shui views the kitchen as the source of all good fortune.  You cook, you store nourishment, you eat, you gather… all in kitchens!  Awesome aromatherapist Christine Sparks from AromaConnect was lovely enough to write us the ultimate kitchen aromatherapy guide that will change the way you forever look at citrus fruit while your kitchen sparkles and prosperity flows in! 

Awaken the Positive Ch’i in Your Kitchen!

Tiny or huge, your kitchen is probably the heart of your home, and one of it’s most widely used areas. It might be a warm wonderful place were friends and family come together to share time and delicious healthy meals. Or, maybe it’s your afternoon get-away spot to just relax with a fragrant cup of jasmine green tea. No matter how your kitchen is used, your mind & body relates directly to the ch’i in it (ch’i = life force, energy, dynamism, the vibe, if you will!)and you want it to be a fresh and positive space. Aromatherapy is an easy vibrant solution to brightening up that energy flow.

If you’re new to Aromatherapy, it’s the holistic art and science of using essential oils–a plant’s essence–to help restore harmony and balance. There are hundreds of amazing essential oils available, and each individual type not only awards us with heavenly aromas, but by Nature’s blessing can also be antibacterial, antidepressant, antiviral and antifungal. They are easy to use and so powerful that an environment can begin to change within minutes of their use.

Citrus essential oils are a fabulous way to help ‘shake up’ the flow of stagnant ch’i in your kitchen. This delightful group of essential oils contains some of the most uplifting and euphoric essences in aromatherapy. You’ll want to use only 100% pure essential oils, preferably organic or wild-harvested, because they have the high vibrational ch’i needed for energy clearing. So, when purchasing, check the botanical name to make sure it’s not a ‘fragrance’ oil; many suppliers have analysis sheets available if you have questions.

Following are two lists: Choose oils from List A with the aromatic qualities you like. Use them individually or use a small dark bottle and create a blend. Next, choose a suggested use from List B, and try your oils. As you experiment you can expand your lovely citrus ch’i by adding other uplifting essences such as rosemary, lavender, marjoram, basil, ginger, eucalyptus, juniper berry, peppermint and spearmint. And you’ll find many more blend recipes on the internet and in essential oil books.

Aromatherapy that creates good chi in the kitchen is the Feng Shui way to health, wealth, prosperity, happiness and joy. Try it, and revel in the new energy!

LIST A- THE CITRUS OILS:

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): Joyous, Uplifting, Motivating. Chakra Stimulation: 2nd(Spleen), 3rd(Solar Plexus), 4th(Heart)

Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi): Purifying, Reviving, Euphoric. Chakra Stimulation: 3rd(Solar Plexus), 4th(Heart), 5th(Throat), 6th(3rd Eye)

Lemon (Citrus limonum): Cleansing, Enlivening, Clarifying. Chakra Stimulation: 3rd(Solar Plexus), 5th(Throat)

Lime (Citrus aurantifoli): Renewing, Cleansing, Refreshing. Chakra Stimulation: 3rd(Solar Plexus), 5th(Throat)

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata): Calming, Balancing, Warming. Chakra Stimulation: 2nd(Spleen)

Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara): Uplifting, Expansive, Grounding. Chakra Stimulation: 2nd(Spleen), 3rd(Solar Plexus), 4th(Heart)

Orange, Blood (Citrus sinensis spp.): Warming, Joyous, Grounding. Chakra Stimulation: 2nd(Spleen)

Orange, Sweet (Citrus sinensis): Warming, Cheerful, Lighthearted. Chakra Stimulation: 2nd(Spleen)

Tangerine (Citrus reticulata): Optimizing, Circulating, Comforting. Chakra Stimulation: 2nd(Spleen)

And few tips: Essential oils are very concentrated and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets. When making your blends it’s a good idea to: wear protective glasses and gloves, pour in a ventilated area, and label/date your blends. Citrus oils especially, tend to lose their quality after a year, so store them out of bright light. Also citrus oils can be phototoxic on skin, so avoid sunlight and tanning booths when using them. Lastly, rotate the oils you use–they each offer a beautiful gift and you’ll want to enjoy them all!

List B- DECIDE HOW TO USE YOUR OIL OF CHOICE:

Air Diffusion:

• Air Spritzers–Using a clean spray bottle, add 4 to 6 drops of essential oil for every 8oz of distilled water. Cap and shake bottle vigorously, then spritz high so that the spray disperses as it falls. Don’t spray directly on people or furniture.
• Herb Bowl–Fill a bowl with some dried herbs, add 1 or 2 drops of essential oil, stir to mix and enjoy.
• Light Bulb Ring–Place the ring open side up on the top of a cold lightbulb. Add a couple drops of oil, turn on the light and enjoy.
• Tea Light Diffuser–Pour water into the bowl of the diffuser, add a couple drops of oil, light the candle and enjoy. Remember to keep it out of the reach of children and pets, as well as an eye on the candle.
• Plug In Essential Oil Diffusers–There are several brands available. Easy to use–simply follow the products directions, and enjoy.
• Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser–You may have already experienced one of these at a high-end spa. They can be quite expensive, but it is the very best way to diffuse those precious oils. They disperse the oils using a cooling mist.

Household Cleaning:

• Dishwashing liquid–Using a fragrance free dishing washing liquid, pour 2 tsp into your closed sink. Add a drop or two of essential oil, mix it together quickly then fill your sink with water and wash away.
• Floor or Surface Cleaner–Add 10 drops of essential oil to 20 oz of water. You can make this up in a spray bottle, or a bucket if you’re cleaning the floor.
• Soft Scrubbing Cleanse–I make my own natural scrub whenever I need it. Simply take a cup of baking soda, add 3 or 4 drops, stir it around, then add enough water to make a paste, don some rubber gloves and scrub away. I’ve also used the inside of citrus peels like a sponge!

Cook or Bake Something using Citrus Zest:

Mmmm! Here’s what’s so neat about this idea. All the Citrus essential oils on List A above (except Neroli) come from cold-pressing the fruit rinds. So, when you zest a fruit skin you’re ‘technically’ making and using your own fresh essential oils!

& For further reading:

Feng Shui and Health the Anatomy of a Home, by Nancy SantoPietro

Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, by Gabriel Mojay

The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood

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Christine Sparks is a Certified Aromatherapist, Cook, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother who loves using and sharing information about essential oils. She is founder and facilitator of the aromatherapy social networking website, AromaConnect.com. http://www.aromaconnect.com.

& she wanted to be sure you read this Disclaimer: Information published on this post is for educational/informational purposes, and has not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor is it intended to substitute consultation with qualified health care practitioners regarding any emotional, physical, or psychological disease or condition. If you are taking medication, pregnant, nursing or unsure of any condition, check with your healthcare provider prior to using essential oils.