Feeling empathic to the surrounding world and the ability to read people's emotions and understand their processes is a wonderful gift, but one that might come with a price tag. We may be good listeners, understand people on a deeper level and are reliable detectors for dishonesty and incongruency. But simultaneously, gifted & neurodivergent empaths feel quickly overwhelmed by "people-y" energy in crowded spaces, they experience the mental strain of taking on others’ emotions and risk burnout without adequate boundaries.
What exactly is an empath, you might ask? In brief, emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people's emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling. We can subdivide empathy in cognitive empathy (understanding another’s thought processes and emotions) and affective empathy (feeling what another feels). And I often stretch my description of being an empath a little to include intuition.
The gifted & neurodiverse individual's understanding of intense empathic and intuitive experiences may go together with varying degrees of heightened complexity in emotional, sensual and sensory processing abilities. For them especially, it’s important to learn how to protect their own psyche and separate themselves from the outside world so that they can breathe, stay embodied, and sovereignly experience their own emotions. Therapy, coaching and support-groups can be really helpful when we learn to navigate our complex empath abilities and boundaries.
And herbs can come in helpful ways too! Particularly those with cleansing and protective qualities, like Lavender and Rosemary. Lavender use has been documented for over 2500 years. Its name derives from the Latin verb lavare - to wash. In ancient Egypt, Lavender was often used to cleanse body and spirit. Medicinally, Lavender is a nervine, a nervous system relaxant. The inhalation can assist in calming and alleviating stress.
Rosemary too was well known to ancient practitioners. It has been used since the time of the early Greeks and Romans. Roman priests used rosemary in religious ceremonies, and many cultures considered it a herb to use as protection from evil spirits and witches. In England, it was burned in the homes of those who had died from illness, and placed on coffins before the grave was filled with dirt. (And it is told that the Eau de Cologne that Napoleon Bonaparte used was made with rosemary.)
I personally use the Rosemary-Lavender combo as a cleansing and protection spray before and after client work. For travelling and being in crowded or challenging environments I use my home-made hand sanitiser. The following recipes are easy to make and are fun to prepare with children. They love to have their own protection spray when a nightmare wakes them up. Or to spray a bit under the bed before they go to sleep, just in case...
I commute with the tube. Rushhour is very hard on my sensory system. The Rosemary and Lavender hand sanitiser is always with me to bring in some calm and protection while I travel the city. – Rose C., London
Here's what you need:
Vodka
a few drops organic rosemary essential oil
a few drops organic lavender essential oil
pure aloe vera gel
Let's get started:
Spray: Fill Vodka into a spray bottle. Add a few drops of your rosemary and lavender oil. Do not exceed 20 drops per every 60 ml. You can add some rosemary sprigs and fresh lavender if you have them in your garden. Use your spray when ever you feel the need to clean a room.
Hand sanitiser: Fill a cream box with aloe vera gel and stir in a few drops of your rosemary and lavender oil. Do not exceed 20 drops per every 60 ml. I take about 10/60ml because I am sensitive to essential oils. If you tend to dry skin, you can leave the Vodka out and simply mix some essential oil into your aloe vera gel.
The information on this site is for informational purposes only. The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. The statements made on this website / blog / shop have not been evaluated by any Swiss or international authorisation and supervisory authority for drugs and medical products.
Do not use herbal products of any kind on children, if you are nursing, pregnant, taking medications or undergoing treatment for any medical condition without first consulting your health care professional.