Essentials of the Tao

The use of essential oils dates back thousands of years.

Their use has been recorded in Egyptian hieroglyphics, Greek, Roman, Persian, and Chinese history. These oils have been used for spiritual practice, funerary, healing, anointing Kings, Queens and Pharos, and perfumery purposes. Chinese medicine has been using plants and the essences of these healing substances for several thousand years. This field of knowledge contains the most detailed information of plant essences in the world. Thousands of years of observation, classification, and documentation has revealed how they affect the body, mind, and Spirit of the individuals who use them. I’ve been using essential oils in my Oriental medicine practice for over 40 years. As I, my friends, family, and patients have aged, my attention has been drawn to issues surrounding caregiving and Spiritual care for the living and dying. In the last few years, I have been drawn to the work of a “Death Doula” to help others through the dying process and to help myself and others be as Spiritually conscious as possible through this final stage of life. A Doula is one who helps people through transitions, either birth or death. I choose to help others with the dying part of life, hence the name “Death Doula”.

Doulas learn many tools to help one through transitions. I have created Essential Oil blends, based on Chinese medicine concept, as tools for assisting the conscious living and dying processes of my clients. I am now making these blends available to anyone who needs them as they journey along the path of life.

It is my belief that our individual Spirits comes from a common Source, call it God, Heaven, the Tao or whatever we choose, and that we will return to that Source when we die. My preferred name for this Source comes from Ancient Chinese Philosophy and is known as Tao. Roughly speaking, Tao means “the path of creation in constant unfoldment”. I believe that we are capable of awakening to our Spirit at any time during our Earthly sojourn. After all, human beings are born whole and our body, mind and Spirit are different aspects of this wholeness. They perform different functions for us but are all part of the wholeness of our being. Life on earth creates the illusion that these parts are separate from each other which leads to the belief of fragmentation and disintegration of wholeness. This, in turn, leads to suffering, signs, symptoms and dis-ease. The work of a lifetime is to re-integrate these parts, recognize wholeness, and become what has been called by the ancient Taoists, a True Human Being. These Blends are formulated to assist in this awakening. Also, when we move toward wholeness in our own lives, we help heal each other along the way. Click on the Blends below and learn more about these Essentials of the Tao oil Blends, their properties and uses. May you walk in beauty and smell great while on your stroll!

How to use these blends:

These blends are made from the highest quality Essential oils available. I use organically grown or wildcrafted sources as much as possible. These blends are pure and a little goes a long way. A couple of drops per application is sufficient to create the intended effect. If the oils are applied via massage techniques, 2 to 3 drops can be mixed into a teaspoon of good carrier oil quite safely. Suggested carrier oils are Jojoba, Coconut, Apricot and Almond. These are readily available and should be certified organic and non-GMO. Jojoba oil has many beneficial properties, and it is my favorite carrier oil. Another wonderful way of using these oils is in a diffuser. Adding 2 to 3 drops to the diffuser water will give a low level, long-term application of these oils and has excellent benefits.

SPIRIT

$31.00

5ml. pure Essential Oil Blend

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DELIGHT

$34.00

5ml. pure Essential Oil Blend

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TRANSITIONS

$32.00

5ml. pure Essential Oil Blend

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GRIEF RELIEF

$34.00

5ml. pure Essential Oil Blend

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SPIRIT

$12.00

10 ml pure Essential Oil pre-blended with Jojoba oil

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DELIGHT

$12.00

10 ml pure Essential Oil pre-blended with Jojoba oil

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TRANSITIONS

$12.00

10 ml pure Essential Oil pre-blended with Jojoba oil

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GRIEF RELIEF

$12.00

10 ml pure Essential Oil pre-blended with Jojoba oil

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THE KIT

$40.00

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THE DOULA AND CAREGIVER ESSENTIAL OIL KIT

In my work as a Doctor of Oriental medicine and an end-of-life care specialist, also known as a Death Doula, I have seen most if not all the emotions arise as one goes through the dying process. Family members, friends and caregivers go through these emotions as well. The most common emotional struggles as death draws near revolve around fear, grief, denial, and regret. There are others at times that show up, but those 4 are the “Biggies”. No one ever goes through them in a set order, but they arise randomly with or without stimulus or triggers. Over the years of helping people through this process, I have come to look for the gentlest, simplest, and most powerful approaches to helping families and caregivers through the end-of-life transition and beyond, and the emotions surrounding that. My favorite tools are Essential Oil Blends.

Essential Oils Kit

The “Kit” with carrying case is made for your convenience. I have discounted the price to make it easier to afford all the Blends at once. Each blend is also sold separately elsewhere on this Webpage if replacements are needed. Blessings and thanks for the work that you do!

Transitions

Traditional Uses:

  1. Helps smooth all transitions in life
  2. Especially useful when someone is going through the dying process
  3. Reduces fear and anxiety
  4. Opens one to love and beauty that is accessible in the present moment.

Application:

This blend can be applied to wrists and ankles, outer ears, the third eye and crown chakra. It can be put on palms, hands rubbed together and inhaled deeply. Can be applied to the area along the outer borders of the sternum. This is where the ribs attach to the breastbone and is along the Kidney meridian in Chinese medicine.

Two or three drops can be applied directly to the skin as indicated. Some people are overly sensitive to Essential oils, and it may be best to dilute them with a good carrier oil (jojoba or coconut oil) before applying. A few drops in a diffuser is also effective.

About: The acupuncture points along the outer breastbone (sternum) help reconnect the Spirit back to the Source (Tao). When one dies, the Spirit must travel the path homeward (back to the Tao) and applying this blend along these points facilitates this process. However, one does not have to wait until dying to practice this “Return to Tao”. When one consciously reconnects Spirit with Source while alive, one lives a life where Individual Destiny is in alignment with Heavenly Destiny. According to Taoism, that is the ultimate purpose of a human life. By using this oil blend, a deeper awareness of the pathway between Tao and the manifest world becomes more familiar and this makes all transitions and transformations easier, especially the big one, the Return to Tao at the time of death. The oils in this blend help one relax more deeply into one’s True Nature and be present to the immediacy of the moment. This present moment is the Tao in constant unfoldment. There is truly nowhere else that we can be. Our minds pull us to memories of the past or imagined futures, but those thoughts are still happening “right now”. When we relax into this moment and consciously reconnect to the ever-unfolding present moment, we have much greater ease in life. This, of course, applies to the dying process as well. This blend “oils the hinges” of the gate that allows awareness of Tao into our consciousness. The sooner in life we begin to cultivate this pathway, the easier our life becomes. However, this path can be cultivated even up to our last breath.

Functions: (the affects on the body/mind/Spirit)
Rectifies (strengthens and benefits) the brain: Holy Basil, Marjoram
Calms, Frees and Arouses the Spirit: Clary Sage, Frankincense, Marjoram, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Spikenard
Fortifies the Instinct: Clary Sage, Cypress, Marjoram, Myrrh, Myrtle
Fortifies the Will, the Psycho/Emotional aspect of the Water Element: Bay
Normalizes Perspective: Frankincense, Myrtle
Normalizes Intention: Frankincense, Marjoram, Myrrh, Sandalwood

Ingredients: Clary Sage, Holy Basil, Cypress, Bay, Frankincense, Marjoram, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Myrtle, Spikenard

The oils are blended according to Chinese medicine principals, in specific proportions, to create the most powerful effect possible.

Grief Relief

Traditional Uses:

  1. Helps one through the Grieving process
  2. Comforts the Heart
  3. Creates space for Emotional healing

Application:

This blend can be applied to the chest over the lungs. There is an acupuncture point on the forearm, about 3 inches up from the wrist that helps one process grief. It is located on the bone on the thumb side of the arm. This point is on the Large Intestine meridian and is numbered Large Intestine 6. The point is usually sore if one presses around in the area. The oil can be applied in the general area and the specific point will be activated, even if you can’t find the exact spot. The Chinese name is “Pianli” and may be translated as “great ditch”. It helps overwhelming grief flow into an emotional holding space (the ditch) until we can process it as we are able. The blend can be applied to that area as often as needed. The blend can be applied to the ears, the throat, and palms of hands. Apply a few drops to palms, rub hands together, breathe deeply, feel space opening up within.

Two or three drops can be applied directly to the skin as indicated. Some people are overly sensitive to Essential oils, and it may be best to dilute them with a good carrier oil (jojoba or coconut oil) before applying. A few drops in a diffuser is also effective.

About the blend: When one encounters great loss which causes deep grieving, often there is a feeling of emotional suffocation. It is common to feel trapped and feel as though one cannot breathe. We need space. Many of the oils in this blend fall under the prevue of the Metal Element, but all 5 Elements are included in this blend. The Metal Element, among other things, is associated with the Lungs, Large Intestines, grief, and the ability to create space for healing to occur. The Metal Element is also in charge of helping one sort out and keep those things (emotions and experiences) that are useful and letting go of that which we no longer need (the pain around the experience). The Fire Element oils help our Heart stay open and tender through the grieving process. The Earth Element oils help us stay grounded and connected to Faith that the Tao is holding “all of this” in harmony (no matter how we may feel now). The Wood Element oils help bring a higher Perspective to the situation and the Water Element oils help us be open to the Mystery of new beginnings that are forever unfolding.

Functions: (the affects on the body/mind/Spirit)
Calms, Frees and Arouses the Spirit:  Myrrh, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Melissa, Bergamot, Hyssop, Rosemary
Normalizes Perspective: Tangerine, Melissa, Cypress, Myrrh, Myrtle
Strengthens Instinct: Tangerine, Bergamot, Hyssop, Cypress
Normalizes Intention: Myrrh, Sandalwood, Rosemary
Strengthens memory: Rosemary

Ingredients: Hyssop, Myrtle, Bergamot, Melissa, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Cypress, Tangerine, Rosemary

The oils are blended according to Chinese medicine principals, in specific proportions, to create the most powerful effect possible.

Spirit

Traditional Uses:

  1. Lifts the Spirit
  2. Allows the qualities of the Heart (compassion, Love, Presence) to spontaneously arise
  3. Aids in meditation
  4. Allows spiritual expansion while staying grounded
  5. Helps with worldly difficulties that hinder Spiritual certainty including nervous agitation, over thinking, worry, depression, sense of foreboding, emotional shock, grief, and anger

Application: Apply to throat, third eye, crown chakra, inner wrists and along the edges of the sternum. Apply to palms, rub hands together and inhale deeply. Can be worn as perfume or cologne.

Two or three drops can be applied directly to the skin as indicated. Some people are very sensitive to Essential oils, and it may be best to dilute them with a good carrier oil (jojoba or coconut oil) before applying. A few drops in a diffuser is also effective.

About the Blend: This blend uses some of the most potent oils for opening the Heart and allowing the Spirit within the Heart to express itself.  Ancient spiritual cultures believe that at the time of conception, Heaven (Source, Tao, God) imparts an individual Spirit into the forming embryo which takes up residence in the Heart.  This Spirit maintains a connection to Heaven and holds within it the Divine Destiny and the seeds of Love that each human is born with.  Spirit looks outward into the world of creation and develops relationships with the world and others in it so that we may manifest our Destiny into the world.  Since most of us are never taught to look inside and follow our Spirit back to its original Source, we end up getting lost in the world and our own sense of peace, our relationships with others, and our relationships with the world suffer.  In a sense, the Spirit becomes trapped and clouded over from untrue beliefs, trauma, disappointments, and other difficulties of the world.  We lose our childlike innocence and our awareness of our personal Heavenly Destiny. Eventually, stagnation and blockages build up as we forget our True Source even more. All the oils in this blend have a very powerful effect on calming the Spirit in the Heart, reopening the Heart, assisting in Spirit’s return to the Heart, and allowing Spirit to flow freely once again between Heaven and Earth.  This process is led by Rose oil and assisted by the other oils in the blend. Holy basil has an even higher function here of reconnecting the awakened Spirit back to the Source. Rose oil and the others restore the integrity of the Spirit in the Heart and Holy Basil pulls the Spirit up to Heaven. Patchouli helps us stay grounded so we can do the work of returning to Spirit in the here and now. Melissa adds the benefit of moving the energy (Qi, Prana) that flows through the Body/Mind so that stagnation does not reoccur.   This is one of the most powerful blends I know of for assisting in deep spiritual growth and meditation.  This blend effects all 5 Elements and all the Chakras for a very balanced formula.

Functions: (the affects on the Body/mind/Spirit)
Calms, Frees and Arouses Spirit- Melissa, Rose, Rosemary, Spikenard, Patchouli
Normalizes Perspective- Melissa, Roman Chamomile
Normalizes Intention and Strengthens the intellect: Rosemary, Patchouli
Strengthens brain function- Holy Basil
Moves the Qi - Melissa

Ingredients: Rose, Holy Basil, Melissa, Patchouli, Spikenard, Rosemary, Roman Chamomile

The oils are blended according to Chinese medicine principals, in specific proportions, to create the most powerful effect possible.

Delight

Traditional Uses:

  1. When you are feeling down and need an emotional lift
  2. When you are feeling good and want to feel better
  3. To provide an instant boost of happiness

Application:

Place a few drops in the palms and rub them together. Deeply inhale the aroma a few times while being mindful of this moment. Just smell and let go. Can also be applied to the inner wrists, 3rd eye, behind the ears, and over the Heart.

Two or three drops can be applied directly to the skin as indicated. Some people are overly sensitive to Essential oils, and it may be best to dilute them with a good carrier oil (jojoba or coconut oil) before applying. A few drops in a diffuser is also effective.

About the blend: This blend has strong notes of Rose and Sweet orange to immediately lift the Spirit and lighten the mood. Orange makes one almost instantly happy. The presence of Vanilla brings one into a grounded mind state by generating feelings of peace, caring (happy memories) and security. The heavenly scent of Blue Tansey rounds out this formula by opening the Heart and helping one gain Insight and Perspective into the present moment. What a Delight! Warm summer day and meadows of wildflowers. If you notice, the fragrance changes every few minutes as the oils both absorb inward and evaporate outward. This mimics the ever-changing moment that we all experience in life. What a delight!

Functions: (the affects on the body/mind/Spirit)
Calms, Frees and Arouses Spirit: Rose, Orange, Vanilla, Blue Tansy
Normalizes Perspective: Orange, Vanilla, Blue Tansy
Moves the Qi: Orange

Ingredients: Orange, Rose, Vanilla, Blue Tansy

The oils are blended according to Chinese medicine principals, in specific proportions, to create the most powerful effect possible.