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Kelley's Custom Creams

Kelley Rico, Founder

2532 Santa Clara Avenue Alameda, CA 94501 phone: (510) 769-6781

The Power of Love

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Thursday, July 23, 2009

There has been a lot going on lately, on every level and plane of existence. Sometimes it just seems like too much. From a metaphysical standpoint, the recent solar eclipse provoked energy relating to integrating feminine and masculine energies. This can be seen as something as simple as resting when you're tired, or continuing on with a task when your attention wanders . It can be having your anger or sadness completely overtake you. These kinds of things are about paying attention to yourself and your process, and acting accordingly instead of just reacting to outside stimuli. I was reading Corinne Helene again recently, and something she said made sense to me at last. I am not a bible reader, but we are all familiar to a greater or lesser extent with the stories it tells, one of which is about the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah. This story is often used to instill fear in people, and to say that certain things are "bad". But really, what is it about? "...wholeness and salvation are possible...when masculine and feminine (characteristics/energies/qualities) stand together. It was not so in Sodom and Gomorrah. The feminine or love principle had been desecrated. It is the fall of the emotional nature that is symbolized by the destruction of the two wicked cities. (italics mine)".

On some level, this is a paramount consideration in physical dysfunction. In Jin Shin Jyutsu®, this principle can be seen in many of the energy points on the body, especially in the back around the shoulder blades. We lose our internal balance, our internal knowing that support is there. We lose the ability to breathe and take in sustenance. Our feelings are not truly felt , our emotional nature is not regarded, and we lose direction. Then, our backs hurt. Pretty soon our feet are out of whack, we have pain. Our little Sodom and Gomorrah knees and shoulders can't stand up to their tasks any more. Not because they are "bad", but because they are cut off from sustenance and awareness. Our busy-ness and stress filled schedules take us away from a calm center where we can reflect and regroup.

Energy and plant medicine can really, truly, help us in our progress through the many things we face every day. They can help you pause and reflect and regroup. Many herbs can help you build up a reserve of internal energies so that you don't burn out when you've got too much to do; nor do you keep pushing yourself relentlessly, either. I invite you to try these helpers in your own life! Thanks for reading.

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a Certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner.

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Pain and Injury Cream

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Friday, July 10, 2009

I have been told I give new meaning to "accident prone". This was the primary reason I made the Pain and Injury Cream a few years ago. Containing topical analgesics and ingredients to help the body release pain, it works on a variety of issues including arthritic pain, ligament tears, tendonitis of the patella, broken toes, sore necks, etc.

Now I can share my very own testimonial! Last week I tripped and fell on an uneven concrete surface, landing on one knee and palm of hand. Once I stood up and shook myself off, I determined there were no broken bones or anything of a very serious nature, but the knee was already swelling, red, on the way to a large area of bruising, and very sore indeed. As I limped home, in addition to feeling like a complete klutz, I found myself wondering if this was the time I had finally "really done it". I really couldn't afford to have a recuperation time of not being able to stand or walk right now.

For once I did what I tell others to do! I went in, cleaned and treated the wound on the knee, and applied Pain and Injury Cream all around the scrape and on top, sides and back of knee and down the leg. I put the cream on my hand and wrist as well, which was also red, swollen and sore. Going on with my day I proceeded to forget about the entire incident, with some limping and pain but nothing too much. The following morning when I got up, I had absolutely no pain, no swelling, a tiny bruise the one place I hadn't put the cream, no problem walking or standing. Really. I was amazed. This cream really works! You can read about the ingredients on my website, when you go to the shopping page, here. A little bit of this cream goes a long way, so it is definitely worth having on hand! We have special pricing offers for purchases of two creams, and I recommend having both the Pain and Injury and the Tendonitis cream on hand.

Continuing with the Pet Health updates, my distraught cat client has made an about face after a week of flower essences and is purring and playing with the new kitten instead of hissing and hiding. Her Human is very happy indeed. As discussed in yesterday's post, animals can most definitely benefit from working with flower essences, especially if you can be patient and give them the time to rebalance their energies.

Thank you for reading!

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a Certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner.

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Body and Soul

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Wednesday, July 08, 2009

First, an update on yesterday's post. Our girl had finished her last dosage bottle and seemed to be doing well. However, she hadn't truly stabilized and has had a recurrence of whining. What this tells me is that, indeed, there is a dissonance in her energy and the flowers resolve that imbalance while she is taking them. The progress doesn't "hold", however, which tells me that the imbalance, while amenable to resolution, is one that will take time to resolve and also that she may need some herbs to support her doggy nervous system and bring it up to speed, so to speak. It is the same thing with humans. It doesn't take overnight for something to develop and by the time we notice the issue, it can take quite some time to resolve it and bring body and soul back together. When resolution isn't immediate, we can become impatient and quit trying, which is not the most helpful approach.

Michael Jackson's untimely death made me think about these issues more deeply this week. As a public figure, the pressures on him were clearly enormous. That alone can create imbalance. Performing and all it entails disrupt sleep patterns, and can ultimately lead to very tragic results. At a minimum, the spirit and the body separate and physical discomfort and disharmony can result. Taking drugs to sleep or calm down is very common in these times. People resort to external things to bring harmony to their systems. In the end, these approaches will never truly work because the underlying issues are not addressed. The stresses and pains and problems of daily life can be more than we feel we can bear. In our quest to "feel better" and perhaps escape the pain we may do and overdo things that really do not serve us when we use them without being mindful of what their purpose is: A brief respite, not a complete resolution or substitute for resolution.

It takes attention and time to keep our bodies and our spirits in alignment. There aren't any quick fixes. Sometimes we have to experience a great deal of pain and unpleasantness before we reach a place of balance and harmony, no matter what we do. Perhaps this is simply the way it is, here, on earth. That being said, I still believe that a spirit of honesty and inquiry, combined with patience, can bring us to healing. Plants and energy medicine are powerful tools for all beings on this earth to use in their search for balance and unity of being. While none of us really knows where we're headed in life in the bigger scheme of things, we can pay attention and keep doing the small things that keep body and soul together. If we do that, we can ultimately see wholeness in ourselves and around us, and that is a light-filled experience. I intend to continue working with my be-furred client, not because I want to create a dependency on my work or cover up her distress with external products and things, but because I know that using the energy of life will eventually bring her to the best state in which she can be. This is true for all of us. We must never give up, and healing can be found in very small things. Whatever your thoughts are about "the meaning of life" or "religion" or "spirituality", it never hurts to commune with that thing we all recognize, that thing that is bigger than we can conceive and sometimes seems terrifyingly impersonal, but which in the end is full of love. One word for this is prayer. One of my favorites is: May all things work for the highest good of all beings. So, Bless You All!

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a Certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

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Helping Your Pets with Flower Essences: An Example

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Monday, July 06, 2009

I don't know about you, but I LOVE the Dog Whisperer. Watching those dogs perk up and have the light bulb go on over their heads is wonderful, to me, even though I know there is disagreement among veterinarians about Cesar Millan's practice. My impression is that his methods work spectacularly well for the adjustment projects that happen when the psychologies of people and dogs collide.

There can be other adjustment issues, however, that have to do solely with the animal's interior workings. Just as a person can have a stress or other problem that isn't generated by their interactions with their partners, so can animals. Animals are animals, and not humans, so of course their thought process is quite different. They still, however, have many emotions just as we do, like fear, grief, happiness, anger, joy, jealousy, love and affection, plus a sense of humor, and they have memories of events both positive and negative that affect functioning and behavior. These situations are where flower essences truly excel.

I have been working with an Australian Shepherd since October of 2008. This lovely girl presented initially with some daunting behaviors. No petting allowed, non-stop whining, some chewing issues: In short, things that were bringing the overall living situation to something of a boiling point. Nothing this dog's Human tried had worked up to the point where she contacted me. Being a long time dog owner familiar with Aussies, many remedies and approaches had been tried and I was something of a last resort.

Over the past months, with a sequence of five different customized flower essence mixtures plus one interlude of Five Flower Remedy, this dog has shown consistent, and finally quite marked, improvement. The flower essences were the only treatment the dog received during this period for these issues. She now only whines when there is an unexpected and unknown noise, and actually asks for petting and stomach rubs. The essences were given to the dog in milk instead of water, as she lives in a group of four dogs and needed this individual treatment so as to be sure of getting the proper dose. ( An important thing to note is that had the drops been placed in the communal water bowl, the other dogs would have experienced no effects from them. Flower essences are completely energetic remedies, so if an energy is not out of tune, the essence will not interact --or resonate--with it and thus have no effect.)

The Flowers can work wonders in situations such as this. Combined with patience and guidance from the Humans involved, everyone can rise to a much happier level of companionship and enjoyment. I have seen this happen with cats too, and even with parrots! As in any situation, nothing works all the time for every individual. The Flowers, however, do work more times than not. Since they are not invasive or chemical, or expensive, it is well worth your time to investigate treatment with them if your pet has behavioral issues that cause problems for them, your family, or your neighbors. Please do contact me if you have any questions!

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a Certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner.

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Poultices in Practice

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Recently I reacquainted myself with the use of poultices. A poultice is like a compress, containing plant or other material, which is placed over an affected area to heal. Poultices are simple and powerful things you can do for yourself in a variety of situations.

Some examples of basic herbal poultices are: Flaxseed, a classic poultice for drawing things out, be they splinters or pains. Onion poultices are great for chest congestion. A garlic poultice applied to the feet before sleep draws out toxins and helps recovery from viral and bacterial infections. Epsom salt poultices help pain and bruising. Leaves laid over bites and wounds can help draw out venom and germs: Dandelion leaves are usually generally available, for example, and work well- be sure they are clean and don't just slap them on if you've picked them next to a busy street, for example. Aloe vera leaves are another example of a plant you can apply to a wound for healing: Slit the leaf open to reveal the gelatinous innards, tape over wound. I had a redwood splinter in my foot and saw blood poisoning was beginning. I put the aloe leaf on in the early afternoon and by bedtime the infection had disappeared. Plaintain leaves have been mentioned in this blog before for bug bites.

Essential oils are magnificent in poultices as well. Applying the appropriate oil or oils to a cloth, laying it on a wound, sore spot, rash, or what have you, and doing it consistently, can really make a huge difference in length of injury and degree of healing. For some injuries, such as pricks from roses, one must be very attentive in order to avoid staph infections, and essential oils are perfect for that job.

Plants offer myriad ways to help yourself simply, without developing resistances, on the spot and inexpensively. If you have questions about poultices, or have an injury that won't heal, for example, or other chronic condition, they are worth investigating and I am always happy to address questions!

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a certified flower essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

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Rosemary, Body and Brain Function

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Friday, June 19, 2009

Rosemary is known as the herb of remembrance, after all, so I suppose that's a first clue to the tremendous supportive actions this plant has on the brain.

We think of rosemary as a culinary herb, of course, and it excels in that role. Besides tasting good, it has many helpful digestive aid properties, including reduction of cholesterol. It is also wonderful for concentration, and for varying blood pressure issues, dependent on dose. Baths with rosemary (oil or herb) are very restorative for tired muscles and minds, and as a venous decongestant, it can clear stuffy noses, help headaches, and relieve bruises. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, this little plant packs a lot of power in its deep green leaves.

Studies in the UK have shown that massaging a cream containing rosemary essential oil onto the legs improved concentration and memory function in Alzheimer's Patients (AROMATHERAPY, Price & Price). My own experience has shown this to be true for individuals with brain damage as well. Over a period of time, I have seen how a daily application of cream that includes rosemary oil has contributed to improved overall mental acuity for my client. Rosemary is also helpful in conjunction with other adrenal and brain function support herbs, working synergistically to improve mood and memory with schisandra and rhodiola.

Rosemary is a good friend to have! Many of my products contain rosemary, and if any of the above issues are of interest for you or someone you know, drop me an email. I'll be happy to help you.

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist, aromatherapist, and a certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

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Water

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Many people may be familiar with Masaru Emoto's work on the nature of water, MESSAGES FROM WATER. "The messages from water are telling us to look inside ourselves" which is the quote on the front of this book, hints at the shared heart of many things. Given that we ourselves are largely composed of water, it makes sense to look at it in a respectful and questioning way.

Water carries an energetic charge, and waters respond to waters accordingly. There are some lakes and rivers you just have to jump in to, some beaches where the ocean calls you to come in to it. In many healing traditions, liquid preparations are blessed by the healer, and this adds a harmonizing energy to the water that can be taken in by the patient. Baths are very helpful for this same reason: You are surrounded by water, and if it contains healing plants and aromas, it can become very therapeutic in addition to being cleansing. Going further, flower essences are the energetic patterns of flowers as absorbed by water. Each time you take a flower essence, then, you are adding a harmonizing energy to your body, and to the water in your body, which ultimately can balance your total energetic level and help you feel better. Water is a fantastic medium for many healing agents, carrying them and becoming imbued with their actions, producing an increased synergistic effect.

This has been brought to my attention quite strongly of late. We were recently vendors at an outdoor fair, and there was a good amount of dust flying around. I had (on a "whim") brought a spray bottle for myself to use, containing water, essential oils, and flower essences. As the dust began to build up and I began to sneeze and cough and rub my itching eyes, I remembered my spray bottle and started to use it, spraying around my table and directly on my face, probably every fifteen minutes or so. I found at the end of the day, to my amazement, that I was not experiencing any respiratory distress, my eyes weren't red, and I felt fine. I have allergies to almost everything, and spending a twelve hour day outdoors in dust would usually result in what I refer to as Total Personal Misery. I had none of that, and it was clearly the result of using water containing additional healing agents. My breathing was free and my eyes didn't itch. I gave another formula a try at home when my usual nightly congestion and cough started (we are surrounded by male trees and plants and thus: POLLEN), spraying my face a few times before going to bed, and once after lying down. No problems, free breathing and no coughing.

In addition to being hydrating and good for your skin, spray misters can be of invaluable assistance in a variety of situations. Helpful for panic attacks, headaches, improved concentration, as well as the infamous Hot Flash, they are simple, natural resources that are available to us all and can provide help beyond their modest appearance. I have many formulas for these misters, and am always happy to make special blends for specific needs. To inquire, just call or email!

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

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Basic Considerations

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Friday, June 12, 2009

We just had a wonderful trip north to a summer fair, which is why there hasn't been a blog for a few days.

While we were selling our creams by a lovely river watching two juvenile ospreys in a high up nest, I thought about some very basic things that are often overlooked when approaching personal health.

First, be true to yourself. Sounds trite, but it's true. If you are unhappy, eventually that emotion will entrench itself and create a richer environment for physical and mental discord. So: What do you really want to do? What really interests you? What are your limits? What are your strengths? Keeping yourself on a positive energetic level is hugely important, and it is easier to do on a daily basis than it is when disaster has struck and you've crashed one way or another. Herbs, essential oils and flower essences are big helpers in this endeavor.

Second, pay attention to what you eat. Research seems to be indicating ever more strongly that the key to helping many ailments is nutritional, and supplementing vitamins, minerals, hormones and neurotransmitters the body uses up or that get thrown out of balance due to illness, medications being taken, or other reasons is extremely important. Be aware of what the baseline situation for you is, and take action to support yourself accordingly, whether that be by taking supplements, eating yogurt, drinking more water, or whatever it might be. Cramps in your calves can indicate a need for more calcium, and more rest. Stomach issues can mean you need more serotonin, which the brain manufactures using tryptophan- a supplement you can easily find. With a little basic research you can figure out what you may be lacking. Or, you can contact your friendly herbalist here! Issues like brain injury or chronic illness, for example, can be daunting to cope with. But there is help available, and it is always possible to be the "best you can be" at any given point in time. It requires patience and attention, but provides tremendous rewards.

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

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Spices

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Almost every day it is possible to read the results of research showing how helpful the use of herbs and spices in your cooking can be to your health and overall functioning. It also appears that economic factors are leading people to cook and eat more meals at home. Now is a perfect time to incorporate spices into your life! Eating garlic is one simple example. Curcumin, which is a substance found in turmeric (an ingredient in curry powder), is another. Mint, basil, and thyme are all herbs with lots of body supporting components. Adding onion, which while not an herb is still healthy, boosts things all the way around while it helps your cholesterol levels too.

In India, Ayurvedic tradition balances the spice ingredients in a dish to promote digestion and overall health. Turmeric, mentioned above, is one spice that has balancing systemic effects as well as anti-tumor properties. Chilies promote circulation and fight germs. The same balancing concept can be found in many Asian cuisines, with ginger and camphoraceous spices (such as star anise) helping digestion, blood sugar, and circulation. Licorice root is also used, and has hormonal balancing properties as well as demulcent (soothing) actions on the digestive tract. Cinnamon is also an extremely healthy spice!

Many stomach and GI tract issues are related to low serotonin levels, as we have written about before. The brain manufactures serotonin using the amino acid tryptophan. Turkey is an example of a food containing tryptophan, and the well known Thanksgiving Post-Meal Sleepies are an example of the relaxing effects tryptophan can produce. Low serotonin is linked to mood disorders, PMS and menopausal symptoms, as well as headaches. An additional challenge in low serotonin situations is its distribution in the system. SSRI's, which are commonly prescribed anti-depressants, aid the movement of serotonin through the body by keeping it from sticking onto the same few areas (receptors) all the time.

Recent research using saffron has shown that it aids in metabolism of serotonin, and has positive effects on mood disorders, PMS, and digestion. To me this suggests that you really can help yourself maintain proper serotonin levels by using spices and herbs in your recipes. Enhancing your serotonin by supplementing your diet with tryptophan (after carefully reviewing any possible interactions with other medicines you may be taking!) and eating foods spiced with metabolism supporting ingredients can make a big difference in overall health and functioning. What you eat is really perfectly positioned to distribute healthy substances throughout your body, given that the majority of serotonin receptors are in the gut. Although this is simple and really pretty easy, it is not a new concept, after all. Curries are just one example. Saffron rice is another! Spice mixtures such as Five Spice contain many healthful ingredients, as does chile powder. If chilies aren't your thing, you don't have to use them. A simple marinade for chicken of yogurt, garlic and ginger can produce a digestion enhancing meal that everyone will like (really).

Any aspect of your life can be improved by using herbs; cooking can be medicinal as well as delicious. While it is certainly not a "magic bullet", expanding your spice repertoire can definitely help you feel better. I have lots of recipes!

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a certified Flower Essence and Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

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Insect Bites and Stings

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I am one of those individuals who every bug on earth wants to cozy up to. As a result of this, I have learned that herbs and essential oils are very helpful indeed when venturing out of doors. Energy medicine can also be useful: The liver energies of the body, for example, as well as large intestine, can contribute to the bite-worthiness of an individual, so it is worth contemplating a few sessions prior to a camping trip.

Some essential oils assist in repelling insects, such as catnip, thyme, bergamot, lavender, lemongrass and peppermint. I have found the most relief, however, in having something to apply immediately upon being bitten. One of the premier bug/mosquito bite remedies is, interestingly enough, a "weed" you probably either have in your garden or lawn, or can be found close to you. It is Plantain (Plantago lanceolata, or buckthorn plantain, and Plantago major, or broadleaf plantain). These grow almost everywhere in the U.S. and southern Canada, and are from six to twenty inches tall, with a flattened rosette of dark green leaves on the ground (narrow for buckthorn, wide for major), with tall wiry stems with flower spikes at the very top, tiny greenish white flowers. It may be considered a pest plant, but if you remove a leaf from the plant, chew it slightly, and stick the resulting mass on your bite, you will be astonished at the immediacy of relief. Jewelweed, or wild impatiens, is also an excellent bug bite remedy when mashed and applied to the skin. Lavender oil applied neat will draw the venom out of bites and promote healing, and lavender mixed with thyme is even more powerful although thyme oil should be used carefully when applied neat.

Unless you are very allergic, bee stings can be effectively dealt with using homeopathic remedies, either Apis or Ledum. It is always a good idea to have a supply of benadryl on hand as well, just in case.

I have also found that herbal soaps are good bug bite resources, and I make a few for that purpose. Just email me if you have any questions!

Kelley Rico is a trained herbalist and aromatherapist, and a certified Flower Essence and jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

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