Need Relief? Try Reflexology with Essential Oils

By Caryn Gehlmann

It makes sense that reflexology and aromatherapy work hand in hand to promote health and well-being. I’ve had the privilege of working in partnership with many reflexologists over the years. I really admire the work Holly Anderson of www.Firmlyplantedreflexology.com and I was thrilled to interview her this month on how she combines reflexology with essential oils to help her clients. She gives great advice on how she uses essential oils in her practice, plus household cleaning and taking care of pets!

Tell us about your background and expertise.

I am a Washington State Licensed Reflexologist. I earned my license at Seattle Reflexology and Massage and I have been practicing 7 years. I have nearly 600 hours of education. So many of our instructors are Reflexologists from Denmark, Europe, the UK, Spain, Africa and all over the United States. Our international instructors come to us from countries where reflexology is the number one complementary alternative medicine, even over massage!

When were you initially introduced to essential oils?

I believe I was introduced to oils by my daughter’s godmother. She taught me a lot about natural health care, oils, herbs and nutrition. Since then, I have taken many classes and participated in many webinars on essential oil use, safety and blending.

What are the benefits of combining reflexology with essential oils?

Reflexology works because we have microcosm maps on our hands, feet and ears that mirror our entire body. Reflexology affects every muscle, tissue, organ and system of our bodies. With my clients permission, I use oils to affect their systems, cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal and urinary. The addition of essential oils assist in the body’s healing by providing relaxation, pain relief, settling upset digestion, and more.

Which essential oils (or blends) have you found most helpful for reflexology?

Lavender French or e3’s Meditate blend are my go-to blends for relaxation, nervousness, and anxiety. I use these essential oils with clients with MS, Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia etc. My sinus essential oil recipe is a combination of Lemon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, sometimes Rosemary, for sinus/allergies. e3’s Muscle Soothe is my choice for relief of muscular and skeletal pain. e3’s Protection is great for colds and flus. My Ginger/Lemon recipe for lymphatic work. My office mates and I love creating new blends for the diffuser in our lobby one of our favs is a citrus or citrus blend with Bergamot! That is just a ray of sunshine!! This is just a few of my secrets for assisting my clients with the work they desire for their good health journey.

Which essential oils (or blends) do you personally enjoy using?

I use essential oils at home with my pets and natural house cleaning. My 100 lb lap lab, Jak, recently sprained his front right ankle. I used Lavender French in the diffuser when I was away from home and also 3-5 drops on the corner of his bed. I do believe he healed well because he was able to be down, relaxed, and off his foot and ankle as much as possible.

I love e3’s Protection for cleaning my home! I use it in all my sinks, countertops, on my mop, and when rinsing the cat box!! I just love Protection’s clean refreshing aroma from the combination of Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Rosemary. I think it is the Cinnamon Leaf that makes Protection especially crisp and refreshing.

Do you have any safety recommendations when using essential oils?

I ask my clients to always use a carrier oil or lotion, always! I do not talk to my clients about ingesting oils simply because I do not feel qualified enough yet about sharing ingesting.

We love how Holly combines reflexology with essential oils. You might have noticed that Holly enjoys making her own essential oils blends. Would you like to learn how to make your own special blends? For tips and recipes grab a copy of our downloadable free ebook, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy.