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Aromatherapy:  Nutmeg Essential Oil Report

Written by:  Maria Ayala

Botanical Name:  Myristica Fragans

Family:  Myristicaceae

Native to:  The island of Run, East Indies.  Currently is cultivated in Indonesia, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka.

Part of Plant Used:  Seed.  Essential oil of mace is made from the red husk (Aril) from around the nutmeg seed, but mostly used in flavoring food and drinks.

Extraction Method:  Steam distillation.

Color of oil:  Clear to pale yellow.

Consistency:  Thin.

Odor:  Light, warm, sweet, spicy aroma.

 Precautions:  Use in moderation.  Avoid with analgesic drugs such as pethidine.  Oral doses of nutmeg oil should be avoided with pethidine.  East Indian Nutmeg Essential oil may have carcinogenic effects of safrole and methyl eugenol.  The maximum topical dilution of 2.25% is recommended for East Indian Nutmeg Essential Oil.

An ingredient of Nutmeg Essential Oil, Myristicin has been shown to be an MAO inhibitor.  According to about.com, an MAO Inhibitor is an anti-depressant.

Added Warnings:  According to Aromaweb.com, if used in large amounts, Nutmeg essential oil can cause toxic symptoms such as nausea, and even tachycardia. 

Brief  History:  Nutmeg grew wild in the East Indies . Spice traders made fortunes in the 17^th century by importing Nutmeg to Europe where it did not grow. 

It was used in Europe medicinally to treat the common cold, digestive problems, and even dysentery and the plague. 

It is used in Ayurvedic Medicine for digestive spasms, joint pains, and as an aphrodisiac.  It is an extremely powerful expectorant, antidiarrheal, analgesic,and anti-inflammatory aide.  It suppresses the production of prostaglandins. 

These chemicals are produced in the body as part of the inflammatory response. 

It is particularly helpful for acute inflammation in muscle injuries,arthritis, and overworked muscles, as it shows an extremely powerful analgesic effect.  Nutmeg essential oil is very effective.  There is nothing mild about it.

 Other Possible Uses:  According to aromaweb.com, other possible uses for Nutmeg essential oil are in treating constipation, fatigue, nausea, neuralgia,poor circulation, and slow digestion. 

In Ayurvedic Medicine Nutmeg essential oil would also be used for people with a Kapha imbalance.  Kapha means, controlling structure in Sanskrit.  It is one of the three doshas in Ayurvedic Medicine.  Kapha people, are usually heavier set, and have a slower metabolism. 

 Other sources:  Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners, page 107

Author:  Ingrid Martin

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Ethical Dilemma:  Confidentiality

Using the C.L.I.C.K. Model for Problem Solving

Written by:  Maria Ayala

 There is a woman I know who is famous in her field as a writer and performer.  Everyone in my social circle knows who she is.

 Her partner is also famous, as a singer/songwriter.

 For the purposes of this assignment, I will pretend that she and her partner have become my new massage clients. 

Lyndsey, has carpal tunnel syndrome.  I have recommended in the past that she also see a massage therapist, alongside her acupuncturist. So herein, lays the ethical dilemma of confidentiality.

Do I tell anyone I just gave Lyndsey and her girlfriend a massage?  Who do I tell, if I decide to tell someone?  Do I keep this information all to myself? 

I will use the C.L.I.C.K Model of problem solving for this confidentiality ethical dilemma.  The first step is:  Consequence.

Is there a consequence to the behavior I am about to carry out?  Yes.  People in and out of our circles could find out details of Lindsey’s’ massage treatments that would have otherwise been kept private. The ethical consequence is that the therapeutic bond of trust would immediately be shattered.  Not to mention that fact that gossip would begin, and spread faster than anyone could ever hope to contain. 

The second step is:  Legal.  Is the behavior legal or illegal?  Breaking confidentiality completely breaks HIPPA and my own code of ethics.  It would definitely be an illegal act. 

The third step is:  Image.  What would my image be after breaking my new clients’ confidentiality?  What would my clients’ image be in the public eye?  I would definitely not want details of myself as a therapist, or Lyndsey as a client, to be published in Curve Magazine.

The fourth step is:  Culture.  Would this behavior support, or damage the culture at large? 

My massage profession, as a whole would greatly suffer ethical and moral damage if I were to break the confidentiality of my new clients. 

 Secondarily, the culture that Lyndsey and I share, as lesbians, would also suffer great damage.  Society at large would see us under very suspicious circumstances, and this in turn, would set our communities back:  In terms of the good image we now enjoy thanks to people like Ellen Degeneres, who have been role models for our entire community.  

It would also not help all the legal ground our community has covered in the court systems, in terms of valuing the rights we have as citizens. 

The last step is:  Knot.  Does this situation, dilemma, behavior, cause a knot in my stomach?  (As I think about the dilemma, or carry it out?)  Confidentiality is sacred.  Especially when the person expects it from you; when you are in a position of power, or authority, confidentiality is not only expected, it is the law.

I would not dream of putting myself in a position of violating this confidentiality. It would not be the kind thing to do as a person, nor would it be a smart thing to do as a business woman.  Breaking confidentiality would violate my clients' trust, and would bust my bank account.  It is not sound business at all. 

Yes, I would be tempted to tell a friend.  But I would not tell any of the girls.  I could tell one of my guy friends, who are clueless about their identity. I could also choose not to tell anyone at all, and just know thath I worked on two really awesome women.  For now, I do not have to face this situation, but I will let all of you know when I get there!

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Massage and Weightloss

Written by:  Maria Ayala              

Can receiving regular massage help people loose weight?According to an article written by Scott Haywood on ezinearticles.com, “Research shows that massage can have a positive effect on your muscle-building capabilities and fitness levels, which in turn increases your capacity to control or loose weight.”

This article goes on to state that massage improves circulation, providing more oxygen and blood to muscles, giving each muscle better access to the valuable nutrition in that blood and oxygenation.  Range of motion is also improved with massage.  When range of motion is improved, muscles are better able to exert more energy, and therefore, burn more calories, than if the muscles natural movements were restricted.  Haywood goes on to state that, “According to some research studies, massage is thought to be able to burst the fat capsule in subcutaneous tissue so that the fat exudes and becomes absorbed.”

Massagetechnique.blogspot.com agrees with Haywood’s findings. 

But celebrities are trying something different.  In an effort to get in on the fat burning action, they are trying colonic massage to lose weight according to the website femalefirst.co.uk.  This website offers instructions on how to give yourself a colonic massage.

There is a specific massage called Udvartana that ayurveda.org calls the Herbal Weight loss and obesity massage.  Basically, Udvartana is an herbal paste/powder that is applied all over the body and deeply massaged with specific movements by two therapists for one hour every day.

If you are interested in finding out more about their yoga practices, and nature walks, then I suggest you visit ayurveda.org.

I can state, that it is my opinion and has been my experience that massage, along with exercise, and proper nutrition does aid in weight loss, and weight control.  I have been a student at Mueller College for close to 2 years now.  I have been able to maintain my weight, and not gain any, throughout these past two years. 

I have been receiving regular massage, since I began school.  I also walk, six days a week or more, drink lots of water, and manage my stress by relaxing with music, going out with friends, or chatting on the phone.

However, not everyone holds my opinion.  I decided to contact a few places to discuss what they are doing in regards to massage and weight loss.  I contacted Curves gyms for women, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Hungry-girl.com, and a weight loss clinic that advertizes on television.

Below are the responses I received from them:

Hello Maria

This is only a weight loss clinic. We do not do any massage therapy for our clients. The only thing we offer here are weight loss programs. Hope this helps you out!

Thanks,

Allyson

My Weight Doctor

Thank you for your interest in Jenny Craig, we'll be in touch soon.
A copy of your question or comment is below.

(I have not heard back from them.)

Hi!

Thanks for sending a question to Hungry Girl.  Due to the volume of emails we receive, Hungry Girl cannot answer your questions personally.  She does, however, respond to two new questions each Wednesday.  Keep an eye out to see if she answers yours.

Have a great day!

The Hungry Girl Team

Dear Ms.Ayala,

Thank you for contacting Curves International. Each franchise is
independently owned and operated. We do not endorse any specific
exercise or nutrition products other than the strength training
equipment and Curves products approved by Curves International.

Sincerely,


Elizabeth Fields
Curves International Inc.,
Member Comments

What does this all mean?  The companies with cookie-cutter formulas for weight loss, are not that eager in venturing out into the alternative health field just yet.  It might take a few more years, for major health clinics, or weight loss companies to get on the band wagon of massage as an effective weight loss tool.  In the meantime, I will keep doing massage, receiving massage, and watching my weight.

New Article

Lesbian DVD's Out Right Now

And Movies of Interest

As the nights get nippier, don't forget to cuddle up with marshmallows, your favorite scented lotion, and the new DVD's coming out this fall!

The L word season 5 is available at wolfevideo.com

It is 12 episodes, 658 minutes long, and for $49.95, it will surely entertain, and help you forget that it might be raining on Halloween!

It is available on Tuesday, October 28, 2008.

Pre-order your copy today.

DVD's on Sale:

Four Minutes, the highly acclaimed German film, winner of more than 20 awards, is on sale for $19.95 on wolfevideo.com. 

It is 112 minutes long, and sure to entertain anyone wanting to polish their Kuchen skills!

Butch Jamie, by director Michelle Ehlen, is a comedy of an out of work butch lesbian actress.  (Not my favorite kind of butch!)

It is on sale for $17.96, and available on November 18, 2008.

It is 84 minutes long, and is the winner of three awards; including the Long Island G&L Film Festival.  The Lesbian News says it is, "Filled with playful wit and satirical insights."

Are you in the mood for a quickie or two?  Then you need to watch She Likes Girls 3:  The Lesbian Shorts DVD Series, on sale for $19.95 and available on December 2, 2008, on wolfevideo.com.

It is 92 minutes long and features 8 lesbian short films.

Eight quick ones should do the trick for the long cold winter ahead!

At the Hillcrest Cinemas and

La Jolla Village Theaters Right Now:

 If you feel like going out before taking off your mask this Halloween, then you should watch these films:

Religulous

This film stars Bill Maher, polical mad man of the western hemisphere as he travels around the world interviewing people about God and religion.  Directed by Larry Charles (Who directed the Sasha Cohen comedy Borat.)

 The Duchess

The Duchess of Devonshire, Georgina Spencer, gambles, and drinks her way and seduces anyone in her path, except one man:  Her husband.  (Much like Princes Diana who was her direct descendent.) 

The Duchess is played by Keira Knightly.  A must see film, even when you are not on your period!

Now Playing at the La Jolla Village Cinemas:

The Secret Life of Bees, based on Sue Monk Kidd's best selling novel, set in South Carolina in 1964.  Starring Dakota Fanning, (she is now 14, almost time for her Quinceanera), Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and more. 

Happy Go Lucky

Sally Hawkins plays Poppy, a very free spirited school teacher, who sees the world as half full--or does she?  Join her in her incredible journey as she encounters distractions, protractions, contractions, but no jack o'lanterns, only to find her archetypal nemesis.

Is the glass really half full after all, or did you drop the lemonade?

New Article

Ethical Dilema

Advice Giving Continued...

That being said, I am in an awkward spot.  What should I do when giving advice to my friend?  Should I tell her to disregard whatever

her doctor has said, even though it is in writing, and perfectly legal to use Marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state of California?  (Keeping in mind, of course, the fact that medicinal Marijuana is not federally permissible.)

Identifying the problem is the first step in dilemma resolution according to the Six Step Resolution Model.  The use of Marijuana for

medicinal purposes is the issue at hand.  Since medicinal Marijuana is allowed in California, my only other issue would be, (for the purposes

of this assignment) the moral dilemma that this poses for myself.  I was brought up catholic and I do not believe in doing drugs. 

Personally, I rarely drink; only once every three months.  I don’t even consume caffeine on a regular basis.  I believe caffeine to be stimulant.  (This part is completely accurate for me!)

Identifying potential issues involved would be the second step for problem solving.  If I were to give my friend the advice to stop using

Marijuana all at once, how would this affect her?  Would her pain return?  Would her level of functioning suffer? 

 It is my responsibility to make my clients aware of any dangerous activities or substances which could adversely affect their health, in any way,  but is this reason enough for me to tell her that she should stop smoking the herb? 

Isn’t it my friend’s right to live a pain free life?  And isn’t it her right to find an adequate pain reducer, if she has already tried everything

including conventional medicine, and cupuncture? 

Would I still feel compelled to give her my own personal opinion, even after I realize that in the end, it is her decision, her health, her

body, not mine? 

The third step is to review all applicable laws.  Technically my friend is not violating the law, nor will I if I choose not to say anything, for or against the issue.  Federal law does not yet recognize the medicinal use of Marijuana, but state law still allows it. 

Legally, there are no major issues here, to explore. 

The fourth step is to evaluate potential courses of action.  This also means, thinking about the possible consequences of inaction, meaning, doing, or saying nothing in regards to the matter at hand. 

Potentially, I have a friend to loose, and possibly a client, if I insist that smoking Marijuana, even for medicinal purposes is morally wrong. 

This is a possible consequence to myself and my friend if I bring this up with her.  I will not feel good about myself as her friend or Massage Therapist, if I act in a self-righteous or narrow-minded way. 

If anything I would only succeed in further isolating my friend who has suffered from chronic pain for too long. 

The fifth step in problem solving is to obtain consultation.  I would need to consider how inaction or action might impact my profession

at large, or how others in the community might view me as a result. 

Is this issue big enough for me to feel compelled to obtain advice with another professional?  My answer is no.

 The last component of this problem solving model is to determine the best course of action.  This also means, taking the time to consider

 who else needs to know about the problem. 

Does the police need to know, an outside professional, or perhaps another family member or friend?  I believe it is not necessary to receive outside help. 

Since I don’t wish to break my clients’ confidentiality, I do not think it necessary to consult another professional.  And, as long as this issue stays with myself, my friend, and her doctor,  it need not concern anyone else in the community. 

If the issue stays safe, and confidential, then no one outside of our circle can hold an opinion, for or against my friend, her doctor, or

myself as a massage therapist, or HHP student. 

New Article

Ethics of Touch:  Active Listening

Ethical Dilemma:  Dual Relationships

Written by:  Maria Ayala

Last Sunday evening, I was doing some writing assignments at my friends’ house, when her girlfriend posed this question for me:  What would you do if you had a client you were attracted to? 

 I did not hesitate to answer the question right away.  We had already discussed this topic in class last week; so I felt confident in my answer.

 “It depends,” I told her.  “If I am attracted to her, and the attraction is only one-sided, my dilemma is actually easier to deal with.  I can use that energy and re-direct it into the massage, and therefore convert the energy into healing, or therapeutic energy, not

 awkward or inappropriate energy.” 

My friend Alice nodded in congruence with my response.  But Claudia stood quiet.  Perhaps amazed that I had already thought about this possible situation cropping up.

 “But,” I continued, “If the attraction is mutual, and if a woman were to ask for my number after the massage, that would put me in a different dilemma.”

“What would you do?” Claudia asked.  “I would tell her that I do not date clients; and that if I were to go out with her, I would have to refer her to another massage therapist,” I replied with confidence.

Claudias' girlfriend, confronted a similar situation.  My friend asked some psychotherapists for advice one day, and some insight into her life.  They informed her that they could not offer any advice (or be her therapist), because they advertise at her company.  They are already clients of hers, and therefore cannot have a dual relationship with her. 

If I were to date a client, the consequences would be grave.  My actions would not only affect me as a person and a therapist, but also the client receiving massage.  It would be illegal for me to use my power differential to my advantage.  Not to mention that it would be immoral for me to take advantage of someone who was somehow depending on me to be a caretaker or health care provider, at some capacity. 

As the therapist, I would have great influence over what happens to

the client while in session, and at the end of a massage treatment as well.  This is what makes the power differential unequal with that of the client, leaving me with the position of most power, in this therapist-client relationship. 

My image would be tarnished.  I would be seen by everyone as the therapist that uses her massage practice as a dating service. 

Also, the massage culture at large would greatly suffer.  We would be seen as scam artists, or worse yet, as prostitutes. 

I would feel uneasy, awkward, and possibly confused within a dual relationship.  If the relationship dynamics change, misunderstandings would ensue. 

Dual relationships in themselves are the breading ground of misunderstandings. 

I am so glad that I had a chance to think about how I would handle situations such as these. 

I have not only found solutions for myself as a person, and a therapist, but I was also able to show my friends what I know, and impress them in the process. 

New Article

Ethical Dilemma:  Advice Giving

Problem Resolved using the

Six Step Resolution Model 

My friend of six years came to me for a massage.  She knows I was in school at Mueller, and is familiar with my training at another school also.  She still has back pain from her car accident, six years ago, sometime after we met.  She has been to acupuncturists, and medical doctors, but nothing has worked. 

She has not yet seen a chiropractor, but she

 does not express any interest in receiving chiropractic work for the time being. 

She has decided that she will try medical marijuana in order to treatthe chronic pain she experiences.  I did not ask her if this was a last resort, but after all these years of treating her chronic pain, but finding no permanent solution, I deduced that Marijuana was in fact her last option available. 

She sought the counsel of a medical doctor, and written permission in order to obtain and use Marijuana for medicinal purposes. For the purposes of this assignment, I will argue that I don’t believe in any medicinal benefits of Marijuana, and that I believe the use of Marijuana to be immoral.

 That being said, I am in an awkward spot.  What should I do when giving advice to my friend?  Should I tell her to disregard whatever her doctor has said, even though it is in writing, and perfectly legal to use Marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state of California?

 (Keeping in mind, of course, the fact that medicinal Marijuana is not federally permissible.)

Identifying the problem is the first step in dilemma resolution according to the Six  Step Resolution Model.  The use of Marijuana for medicinal purposes is the issue at hand.  Since medicinal Marijuana is allowed in California, my only other issue would be, (for the purposes of this assignment) the moral dilemma that this poses for myself.  I was brought up catholic and I do not believe in doing drugs. 

Personally, I rarely drink; only once every three months.  I don’t even consume caffeine on a regular basis.  I believe caffeine to be stimulant. (This part is completely accurate for me!)

 Identifying potential issues involved would be the second step for problem solving.  If I were to give my friend the advice to stop using

 Marijuana all at once, how would this affect her?  Would her pain return?  Would her level of functioning suffer?  It is my responsibility to make my clients aware of any dangerous activities or substances which could adversely affect their health, in any way,  but is this reason enough for me to tell her that she should stop smoking the herb? 

Isn’t it my friend’s right to live a pain free life?  And isn’t it her right to find an adequate pain reducer, if she has already tried everything including conventional medicine, and acupuncture? 

 Would I still feel compelled to give her my own personal opinion,

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