Autumn brings wonderful color to the outdoors. Trees are aglow with brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow and gold. Homes in the neighborhood are festively decorated with Indian corn, straw bales and brilliant pumpkins. The colors of autumn are bright and energizing in terms of color therapy. Red, yellow and orange tend to stimulate the body and the senses. Apples and cider, falling leaves and brisk autumn air are things to enjoy this time of year. The chilly mornings of fall remind us that soon we will be spending more time indoors. It’s a good time to examine our nesting places to determine whether or not they are happy and healing in nature. Home, the place where the heart is, should be a place where you unwind, de-stress, uplift and feel healthy. Home is the place where we retreat and find solace. This is where we charge our batteries (so to speak). A healthy home is where we can gather with friends and loved ones to share love, joy and laughter. These are the kind of feelings that make well in mind, body and spirit. Take a look around and remember that what you look at, what you listen to and even what aromas linger can effect how you feel.

It’s amazing to me how images around us can effect our emotions. Pleasant sights, like a lovely picture or a beautiful view from a window, make us feel good. You don’t have to spend a fortune on artwork to experience art therapy. I have found interesting pictures at thrift stores for a fraction of the cost of gallery prices. Many libraries have an art lending program where you can borrow beautiful works to hang in your home. Call your local public library for more information. Aquariums have been shown to reduce blood pressure in many studies. Watching the colorful fish swim around the tank is much like meditation. It’s a peaceful and calming experience. Feng Shui experts tell us that clutter in the home is terrible for the Chi (movement of “good” energy around the building). When you walk into a room, do you see a lot of stuff everywhere? Simplicity is key in this interesting and effective method of interior design. Realizing that clutter was blocking the chi in my home, I recently donated a whole lot of items to charity. My house has a much better energy feel to it.

Things that we hear can lull us into relaxation or make us feel energized. The sound of running water can help soothe jangled nerves whereas the sound of John Phillip Souza’s classical marching music eases the process of housecleaning and physical activity. Background sound for gatherings in your home is a must. Depending on what you choose, music can assist your prayer group in contemplation or make your party guests want to “boogey down.”

Aromatherapy in the home can have a profound positive effect on us. Doesn’t the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven just make your mouth water? The scents of lavender and ylang ylang essentials oils give us a feeling of peace and tranquility. Citrus scents like orange, lemon and grapefruit are uplifting to the emotions. Earthy scents like sandalwood, vetiver and patchouli are comforting and grounding. What do you smell when you walk into your abode? Do guests comment on how lovely your home smells? Aromas can certainly create a pleasant mood and an ambiance of cheer where you live. Here are some tips.

Candles are a wonderful way to add soft light and lovely aroma to a room. Some candles, however are made of toxic petroleum by-products and artificial scents that do more harm than good to the home environment. Look for vegetable wax based candles made with 100 percent pure essential oils for natural, wholesome aromatherapy. Most of the commercial room-scenting systems available are made of artificial scents. I find it more pleasant and less expensive to make my own 100 percent essential oil products for the home. There are thousands of books available with recipes for potpourris, room sprays and diffuser oil blends. You can also create your own signature house blend. Try the essential oil combination below. It can be placed on bulb rings, added to unscented potpourri or diffused into the air by a variety of gadgets. You can also make a room spray with this blend by adding 1 ml or one-quarter teaspoon of the essential oil blend to 4 ounces of spring water in a spray bottle. Shake well prior to spraying around a room. When house cleaning, I put a couple of drops of this blend onto the vacuum cleaner bag. The lovely uplifting scent fills my rooms as I clean. The closet in which I store the vacuum cleaner smells great too. You can also make sachets for the closet to keep it smelling fresh. This fall be sure to include the power of scent in yours to make it a happy, healing home. Love, Light and Blessings.

Happy Healing Home Scent.

50 drops lemon essential oil
(refreshing and uplifting)

25 drops ylang ylang essential oil
(sweet, slightly euphoric)

20 drops lavender essential oil
(relaxing and peaceful)

6 drops patchouli essential oil
(grounding and centering). Add a few
more drops for an earthier scent.

Combine the above essential oils in a 1/8 ounce glass bottle and shake well. This recipe makes 1/16 of an ounce of highly concentrated essential oil blend to be used in diffusers, bulb rings, cotton balls, potpourri, etc. It should not be placed on the skin without diluting (25 drops per one ounce of unscented oil or lotion) since it can irritate the skin. Always wash your hands thoroughly after working with pure essential oils to avoid eye and skin irritation.

Karen Stokes is a Holistic Nurse and Herbalist. She can be reached at (248) 651-8636 or via email at newwisdom1@aol.com.