Blending with the parts

Last week, we were introduced to the concept of affinity between plant parts and human parts and systems.  This week, we'll create plant blends based on the parts.  

When blending by plant part, we can include just one part - like leaves, or we can include multiple parts - like roots, stems and flowers.  The body systems we're trying to support  (to bring into balance) will determine the plant parts we choose.  We can also make blends that contain every part of a plant.

One Plant Part
Leaves for Respiratory Congestion:  Medium - Essential Oils
Diffuser blend, inhaler blend, steam blend, or topical application:
Geranium 
Peppermint  
Ravintsara 

Here, we have essential oils distilled from leaves.  Geranium works on respiratory infections and will protect the skin/mucous membranes from the harshness of the Peppermint and Ravintsara.  Peppermint with its menthol, and Ravintsara with 1,8-cineole will reduce swelling and open the airways.  (This blend is appropriate for ages 10 and older.)

These oils could be added to a carrier oil mix of Castor Oil, Tamanu Oil, and Andiroba Oil to use on the chest and throat.  While the carriers add the part of seeds to the blend, they are chosen for therapeutic properties as well -- including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral.  Castor oil will improve absorption of the entire blend.

Multiple Plant Parts
Resin, stems/wood, flowers, and seeds for circulation and blood pressure: 
Medium - Essential & Carrier Oils
Chest Rub 
Cedarwood -- wood
Frankincense -- resin
Myrrh -- resin
Ylang Ylang -- flowers
Hemp Seed Oil -- seeds
Optional:  cocoa butter, shea butter, and/or a wax if you prefer this to be a solid rub.

Resins and stems correspond to circulation - both blood and lymph.  The flowers  correspond to the heart and circulation.  All of the essential oils in this blend stimulate circulation and lower blood pressure.  Hemp Seed oil reduces inflammation which may also help with increasing circulation.  It may also help lower cholesterol.  

 All plant parts:  Medium - Herbs
Whole Body Anti-inflammatory Herbal Tea (also a good tea if you're sick!)
cardamom -- seeds  - warming, drying, pungent, sweet, bitter
Ginger -- root - warming, drying. pungent
Cinnamon -- bark/stem - neutral/warming, drying, spicy, sweet
peppermint -- leaves - cooling & warming, drying, pungent
lavender -- flowers - warming, neutral, pungent, bitter
elderberries -- fruit - cooling, drying, sour

Each herb in this tea blend is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, and antiviral.   Notice the additional notes include more than the plant parts.  Every herb has properties that warm you up or cool you down and those that moisten your tissues or dry you out.  Of the five flavors, this blend includes all but salty.  This is also intentional and will have an impact on the person drinking the tea.
So this is a good tea for someone with arthritis who usually feels cold and damp.  It is also an excellent tea to drink in the case of illness when chills and wet, boggy conditions are present.   We can use a 'whole plant' approach to address  'whole body' conditions like arthritis or illness.  (We can also use this approach to address 'single issues'.)

Now that we've looked at using plant parts to formulate blends you're ready to experiment with this on your own!  Try some simple blends at first, then get more adventurous!  (Please remember to check for any safety considerations first.) Have fun, and let me know what you come up with!