Around the beginning of November it is olive picking session in Tuscany. The trees in the groves are laden down with green and black olives, which have grown by absorbed the sunshine of the Italian summer and the early autumn rain. The green olives are the unripe fruit and black fully ripened, with the flavours of the green and black varying. For a good quality Tuscan olive oil you need a blend of both, in addition to a mix of four local varieties of olives.

Olive picking is very labour intensive, once the dew has dried in the morning an individual tree has a net laid down for the olives to fall on to. The lower branches are picked from the ground and then ladders brought in for the more difficult to reach. Each tree has its own individuality and sometimes climbing the trees to the topmost, thinnest branches is more efficient, and a fun picking technique. This tree hopping brought to mind, the scene of jumping through the bamboo in the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (Crouching Panda, Hidden Olive!). With this repetitive process you can see that the mind can wander into realms of its imagination.

The olives are picked by hand or with a small hand held rake to sweep down the branches, causing the olives to fall onto the net. Sometimes the olives are satisfyingly clustered on the branches and a whole little heap can be pulled off in one sweep, at other times it is painstaking as each olive is individually plucked. Once the whole tree has been picked the net is lifted from one side to roll the olives into a pile, which is then transferred into a crate. The process is then repeated with the next tree.

In the evening our hands and arms were dry, rough and a little scratched and of course the best antidote to the condition proved to be a couple of applications of last years deeply nourishing Bellaspetto olive oil, leaving our hands smooth and plump again; like curing like. This made me realise that olive oil was such an important ingredient in a thick hand cream and that I really wanted to make a big batch once the oil was extracted.

Over a week and a half the trees were slowly picked, with the help of family and local people and large lunches of soup, bread, cheese and salad with evenings of socialising and drinking the ruby red Chianti, the local Tuscan wine. The continued practice of small-scale olive farming still honours the traditions and the people that have lived and worked in that beautiful land. With the empty trees brought the quality of a released burden, the yearly cycle being completed brought a sense of quiet and rest into the misty groves.

The olives are stored in the workshop to wait a time to be crushed in a local cooperative mill. If there are over 100 kilograms of olives the mill processes the oil as an individual batch and you can watch as the olives turn to golden green oil, satisfyingly wholesome, deliciously fresh and spicy ready to use and to store for the coming year.

Packed simply so you are paying for the essential oil not the image.  These essential oils were originally sourced for our students to use, so the quality is not comprised but the price remains affordable.  They are now available to all.

To order your quality, organic and ethically essential oils from the Welsh School of Aromatherapy email, write or phone to order, leaving your name and delivery address.  

Please add £2 to the total of your order for post & packaging in UK.

Payment by cheque please.

        Size  Essential oil          Genus                           Origin                              Price £

• 5ml Basil                               Ocimum basilicum          Egyptian organic leaf                              4.80
• 5ml Bergamot                       Citrus bergamia              Italian organic peel                                4.70
• 5ml Black pepper                  Piper nigrum                   Indonesian organic dried berries   5.80
• 5ml Roman Chamomile   Chamaemelum nobile     English organic flowers                  5.60
• 5ml Cardamom                     Elettaria cardamomum   Madagascan organic seeds             5.50
• 5ml Cedarwood-Himalayan Cedrus deodara              Indian wild wood                            2.80
• 5ml Cinnamon                     Cinnamomum zeylanicum Madagascan organic leaves          6.00
• 5ml Citronella                      Cymbopogon nardus        Indonesian organic grass           3.40
• 5ml Clary sage                             Salvia sclarea                       French organic flowers                5.50
• 5ml Clove Bud extra            Eugenia caryophyllus      Madagascan organic flower bud  3.80
• 5ml Cajeput                         Melaleuca leucadendron     Chinese organic leaves & buds      3.00
• 5ml Coriander                     Coriandrum sativum           Hungarian organic seeds                 6.00
• 5ml Cypress                        Cupressus sempervirens     French organic leaves & cones        4.10
• 5ml Eucalyptus                   Eucalyptus globulus             Spanish organic leaves                     3.20
• 5ml Eucalyptus lemon       Eucalyptus citriodora          Australian wild leaves & twigs  3.25
• 5ml Fennel                          Foeniculum vulgare              Hungarian organic seeds                   3.60
• 5ml Frankincense               Boswellia carterii                  Somalian organic tree gum           4.90
• 10ml Geranium                   Pelargonium x asperum       Egyptian organic leaves                 6.50
• 5ml Ginger                          Zingiber officinalis               Madagascan organic root                   6.00
• 5ml Grapefruit                    Citrus paradisi                      Argentinean organic peel                  4.40
• 2ml Jasmine absolute    Jasminium grandiflorum     Indian pure absolute flowers     9.50
• 5ml Juniper                        Juniperus communis              French organic berries                     6.00
• 5ml Lavendin                     Lavendula x intermedia          French organic flowers                  2.75
• 10ml Lavender                  Lavendula officinalis            French organic flowers                      4.40
• 10ml Lavender                 Lavendula officinalis             Bulgarian flowers                                2.60
• 5ml Lemon                        Citrus limonum                      Italian organic peel                                 2.00
• 5ml Lemongrass           Cymbopogon citratus             Nepalese organic grass                     3.50
• 5ml Lime                       Citrus aurantifolia                  Organic peel                                               3.80
• 5ml Mandarin               Citrus reticulata                      Italian organic peel                                 2.60
• 5ml Marjoram (sweet)Origanum marjorana    Moroccan organic leaves & flowers      5.00
• 5ml May chang            Litsea cubeba                           Vietnamese organic fruit                      3.60
• 2ml Melissa                 Melissa officinalis                     South African organic whole plant   14.00
• 5ml Myrrh                   Commiphora myrrha                 Somalian wild resin                               5.50
• 5ml Niaouli                Melaleuca viridiflora                   Australian organic leaves                  3.50
• 2ml Neroli                  Citrus aurantium                       Moroccan organic orange flowers    15.50
• 5ml Orange               Citrus aurantium                        Argentinean organic peel                       1.80
• 5ml Palmarosa          Cymbopogon martinii                Madagascan organic grass               4.80
• 5ml Patchouli            Pogostemon cablin                      Madagascan organic leaves              3.20
• 5ml Peppermint        Mentha x piperita                      Indian organic leaves and flowers   2.80
• 5ml Petitgrain          Citrus aurantium                     Paraguay organic orange-tree leaves 4.50
• 5ml Pine                    Pinus sylvestris                          Hungarian wild needles                            2.00
• 2ml Rose absolute    Rosa damascena               Bulgarian organic flowers                            9.50
• 5ml Rosemary (camphor) Rosmarinus officinalis French organic whole plant            2.40
• 5ml Spanish sage           Salvia lavandulaefolia               Spanish organic leaves                 3.90
• 5ml Australian Sandalwood Santalum caledonicum   New Caledonian wild wood     11.15
• 5ml Spearmint                      Mentha viridis            Egyptian organic flowering tops             5.60
• 10ml Tea treeMelaleuca alternifolia Australian Yarrabah Aboriginal plantation leaves4.25
• 5ml Thyme (linalol)                Thymus vulgaris               French organic flowers                  6.70
• 5ml Vetiver                          Vetiveria zizanoides              Madagascan organic roots               5.30
• 5ml Ylang ylang extra        Cananga odorata                  Madagascan organic flowers     6.40

To see it online and for other interesting articles and information go to: http://www.positivehealth.com/issue-view.php?issueid=148

Check this website for new day or weekend courses, such as our Aromatherapy Taster Course including all enlightening essentials needed to start using aromatherapy safely and effectively, or the De-stress with Aromatherapy Weekend that includes relaxation and an individual aromatherapy treatment from a graduate of this school, as well as great advice on how to holistically reduce stress in your life. Deep and rewarding ‘Reiki Attunement’ days are also offered.

Day courses cost a very reasonable £45 per person, weekends prices vary.

Arrange a course & attend for free!

If you wish to arrange for a course in your area and you find at least 5 other people to attend, you can have your place for free!

Any suggestions?

For short courses you would like to see provided, such as for carer’s, pregnancy, children or other special areas, do get in touch and we will see what we can do.

WITH AROMATHERAPY PRACTITIONER LINDSAY WOODMAN,  BA hons., LLSA., MIFA.,REIKI MASTER

Lindsay is based in Gwynedd, North Wales. For Aromatherapy or Reiki treatments get in touch with Lindsay through the contact page of this website.  

She trained as an Holistic Aromatherapist with the London School of Aromatherapy, where she gained an Holistic Aromatherapy Diploma, with honours, in 1996. She is fully insured and a member of the International Federation of Aromatherapists.

She has great experience through running her own peripatetic practice, since 1996. Currently is the Principal of the Welsh School of Aromatherapy and also teaches aromatherapy with Coleg Harlech WEA. Specialist in aromatherapy for pregnancy and childbirth. Has worked as a complimentary therapist for Gwynedd Hospice at Home and has also set up a natural body products business.

 She is also a Reiki Master, which she incorporates into her aromatherapy work.

 THE PRACTICE OF AROMATHERAPY IS:

 - the art and science of using essential oils with their wonderful aromas, through absorption through the skin.    Essential oils have many qualities that are active within body, mind and spirit.

 - effective and  relaxing through massage, as well as aromatic baths, inhalation, compress and vaporisation.

 - working safely with the individual. Lindsay will take a consultation with you to create your own personal treatment plan.

 - helping a  return from illness into balance.  Muscular pain and tension, depression, anxiety, chronic stress, high or low blood pressure, hormone imbalance, chronic fatigue and skin disorders are all examples which aromatherapy can help.

A series of 8 weekend retreats. Practical, empowering, revealing, nurturing, freeing and healing. Find your own unique path and renew your own sacred relationship with Life, Earth and Spirit.
Activities will include walking, meditation, visualization, regression, craftwork, written work, private or group ritual … even a little cookery!
WHERE: The vibrant energies and raw grandeur of Llyn Crafnant are positively tangible. We will enjoy the isolated privacy of this stunningly beautiful valley in the comfort of a traditionally built or lovingly restored cottage.
WHEN: There will be a total of 8 weekend retreats throughout the 12 month period from October 2008—September 2009. They will individually stand-alone but also inter-relate with each other, so it is advisable to try and attend all gatherings to receive the maximum benefit from them.
DATES: 11th-12th October, 29th-30th November, 17th-18th January, 7th-8th March
Dates for the rest of the weekend retreats are yet to be confirmed.
COSTS: 1.30 PM Saturday — 4.30 PM Sunday. £80 inclusive — no hidden extras. £10 extra to stay Sunday night.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Gillian Monks
Phone: 01286 881 786
Email: gillian@acorntherapies.com

Gillian is a Welsh School of Aromatherapy Graduate and a member of the International Federation of Aromatherapists.

Ancient Healing Ways

At Ancient Healing Ways Pippa Bondy offers nature-based courses that call upon the healing practices and ceremonies of ancient spiritual traditions.
Website and contact www.ancienthealingways.co.uk

Alexander Technique

Pip is also a wonderful Alexander Technique practitioner and for this aspect of her work see her new website www.pipbondy.com

I would like to thank them for the pleasure of teaching such a wonderful group of what are excellent fledging therapists. Already without exception they all have work planned as self-employed holistic aromatherapists in their own new businesses or integrating the therapy into an already established business, also gaining employment within mental-health and care of the elderly. I send warmest thoughts to them for their future lives. Look out world here they come!

I shared a marquee with my daughter’s nutrition stand that was representing Aberystwyth University, which was good as many people came to try the free healthy foods. I had made information posters with photographs and people came to smell the different aromas on smelling strips, which were a great success. While the children went to do competitions on the nutrition stall their parents came to chat with me and were really interest. Although many people had heard of aromatherapy not many knew much about it.

I explaining the oils and their uses and told them about the Holistic Aromatherapy Diploma that is run by our Welsh School of Aromatherapy. Between speaking I also completed three hand massages. Interestingly one receiver of the massage loved the smell of fennel essential oil, and while I massaged her hands with a blend containing fennel she told me that she had been ill the night before with nausea and wind pain. She was amazed when I told her that these conditions are helped by the use of fennel.

To sum up the whole day, it was a very worthwhile experience and I will be there next year, having already having been asked, as our contribution was very much appreciated.

Lindsay Woodman, Tutor and Principal of the Welsh School of Aromatherapy will be running a beginners Aromatherapy for Home Use Course through Coleg Harlech WEA, which will be accredited as an Open College Network Level 1. It will act as a good, informative and fun introduction for anyone that may be interested in completing the Diploma at a later date, or alternately an enjoyable few hours learning to use the lovely essential oils safely at home.  The class is very ‘hands-on’, covering the uses of essential oils, health and safety and doing simple and non-evasive massage, also making body oils and even your own perfume as well as other activities.

For more information and to book a place phone:

Coleg Harlech Short Course Department on 01766 781 937 or visit their website www.harlech.ac.uk  It is possible that you may be able to do the course for free.   

The Welsh School of Aromatherapy will be represented by Lindsay Woodman, the Principal and a practicing Aromatherapist, also Carol Harvey a student  who is about to graduate and will be working in the Barmouth area as a Holistic Aromatherapist from August 2008.  There will be information about the school and you can talk to our representatives about Aromatherapy Treatment, The Diploma Course and other Aromatherapy Courses in the area. There will be also many other stalls and other activities of interest on a wide range of health topics.   See you there!