Therapeutic Support for the Body and Spirit
Essential oils are highly aromatic and volatile plant constituents that are most often extracted by steam distillation. The distillation process makes them potent, which means that you need only a small amount to have the desired effect. Herbs contain many other types of active ingredients besides essential oils; therefore, the actions of essential oils may vary somewhat from the actions of herbal medicines made from the whole plant. It takes a great deal of plant material to extract small amounts of essential oils, and that’s one reason they are so costly.
Essential oils resemble vegetable oils in the fact that they are not water soluble; however, they are distinct from vegetable oils in that they are made up of esters and have a high evaporation rate, especially when exposed to heat. Therefore, they are sometimes referred to as “volatile oils.”
For the purposes of this book, we are focused on using essential oils to balance the five elements of Chinese medicine (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal) and thus stimulate healthy qi flow, yin-yang balance, emotional balance, and normalized physical function in an effort to help opioid users through the period of withdrawal and recovery. To that end, the profiles in this section will detail which acupressure points you can apply each essential oil to in order to target the stimulation of a particular element and/or organ system. There are, of course, many other ways to use essential oils, particularly in aromatherapy, but we’ll leave that discussion for another book.
Carrier oils are vegetable and nut oils used to dilute essential oils. Most essential oils are too concentrated to be applied undiluted, or neat, to the skin. Unless otherwise indicated, they should be diluted in a carrier oil at a concentration of about 6 to 10 percent. (That’s roughly 1 to 2 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.) Here are a few carrier oils to consider:
| element | Essential Oils to Activate This Element | |
|---|---|---|
|
Water |
basil cedar cinnamon leaf clary sage clove fennel geranium |
ginger lavender marjoram nutmeg rosemary thyme |
|
Wood |
anise seed citrus (qing pi) clary sage fennel frankincense |
ho wood lavender marjoram rosemary |
|
Fire |
cinnamon leaf clary sage cypress frankincense geranium |
ginger ho wood lavender marjoram rosemary |
|
Earth |
anise seed basil cinnamon leaf citrus (qing pi and chen pi) clary sage clove coriander cypress eucalyptus |
fennel frankincense geranium ginger ho wood marjoram nutmeg rosemary |
|
Metal |
anise seed basil cedar cinnamon leaf citrus (chen pi) clary sage |
cypress eucalyptus ginger nutmeg thyme |
The essential oils listed below are those that I would consider most beneficial for people who are in the stages of withdrawal and recovery from opioid use. The profiles note which elements each essential oil can reinforce and the indications for their use.
All of the acupuncture points mentioned in these profiles can be found in the illustrated guide beginning.
Botanical name: Pimpinella anisum
Elemental associations: Wood, Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Nature: warm, sweet, spicy, drying
To reinforce Wood: Soothes the Liver and breaks up qi stagnation that results in restlessness, frustration, emotional upset, and stress. Liver qi stagnation, if left untreated, turns to Liver heat, which can result in insomnia. Can be diluted and applied topically over the ribs/liver. Apply to acupoints LV 2 and LV 3.
To reinforce Earth: Helps calm spasms that result in relentless hiccups (often seen with opioid withdrawal) and resolves nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting of clear fluids. Can be rubbed on the abdomen for indigestion such as spasms, pain, and stomach upset. Apply to acupoints SP 3, SP 9, ST 36, and CV 12.
To reinforce Metal: Used to reinforce Lung qi and tonify qi in cases of deficiency due to stress and overwork. Also dries respiratory phlegm and stops persistent spasmodic coughing seen in opioid cessation. Can be diluted and applied topically over the chest and upper back. Apply to acupoints LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9.
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Elemental associations: Water, Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Nature: warm, sweet, spicy, drying
To reinforce Water: Sweet basil impacts the adrenal cortex and the brain, enhancing cognition and aiding with exhaustion and muddled thinking following opioid use. Reinforces Kidney qi and Kidney yang, thus restoring vitality after chronic exhaustion results in adrenal fatigue and/or nervous depression. Use as a Kidney yang tonic with chronic lower back pain and achiness of the knees. Apply to the lower back over the kidneys for Kidney yang deficiency. Apply to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, and CV 6.
To reinforce Earth: Applied to the stomach to address indigestion, poor digestion of meats and fats, and abdominal distention. Best used for these conditions when applying heat to the abdomen improves the stomach upset or pain. Used for nausea and poor appetite related to opioid withdrawal. Apply to acupoints SP 3, ST 36, and CV 12.
To reinforce Metal: Breaks up feelings of chest tightness (lungs) and wheezing. Dries phlegm and expectorates phlegm from the lungs; this may result in more coughing, which can be undesirable after stopping opioids. Fresh juice extracted from basil leaves is more effective at stopping coughs than the essential oil is. Can be applied topically over the chest and upper back. Apply to acupoints LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9.
Botanical name: Cedrus deodara
Elemental associations: Water, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Bladder, Lungs
Nature: cool, spicy
To reinforce Water: Drains damp heat in the pelvic area, which would include painful burning urination or vaginal discharge with foul odor. Apply directly to abdomen and to acupoints BL 62 and SI 3.
To reinforce Metal: Improves breathing and opens the chest. Can be applied topically over the chest and upper back for improved breathing. Apply along the Lung channel for pain and swelling, especially in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. Apply to acupoints LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9.
Botanical name: Cinnamomum cassia
Elemental associations: Water, Fire, Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Bladder, Heart, Lungs
Nature: hot, spicy, sweet
To reinforce Water: Anchors and stimulates the movement of yang; anchors the yang to prevent dispersion; for Kidney yang deficiency, coldness, and adrenal exhaustion. Apply to the lower back over the kidneys and at acupoints KI 3 and CV 6.
To reinforce Fire: Used to break up stagnation in the chest due to cold and resulting in sharp pain, palpitations, and poor circulation. Apply to extremities to improve blood circulation. Apply directly over the chest and at acupoints HT 7, PER 6, and PER 7.
To reinforce Earth: Because cinnamon is hot, it can work to resolve pain syndromes related to cold and internal dampness. Apply to the abdomen for stomach pain and upset relieved by warmth. Apply over areas of muscle and joint pain that are improved with the application of warmth, because cinnamon acts as an anti-inflammatory. 105 For feelings of pain with heaviness, apply to acupoint SP 9.
To reinforce Metal: Used to relieve pain along the Lung channel due to cold or damp, especially shoulder pain. Apply directly to the channel and at acupoints LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9.
Botanical name: Salvia sclarea
Elemental associations: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Liver, Heart, Kidneys
Nature: warm/neutral, spicy, sweet
To reinforce Water: Addresses Kidney qi and Yin deficiency with symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, hot flashes, afternoon sweats, and night sweats. Apply to acupoint KI 3.
To reinforce Wood: Soothes the Liver, subdues Liver heat resulting in internal wind, thus subduing spasms such as the leg spasms seen during opioid detox. Apply to muscles affected by spasms, along the ribs, and at acupoints LV 2, LV 3, GB 34, and GB 41.
To reinforce Fire: Calms the shen when there is insomnia, emotional tension, and headaches. Has a calming effect on the mind, but revives poor cognition. Restores clarity following chronic stress resulting in exhaustion, as is experienced after opioid cessation. Apply to acupoints HT 7, PER 6, and PER 7.
To reinforce Earth: Used for stomach upset due to nervous tension. Apply to acupoints SP 3, SP 6, and ST 36.
To reinforce Metal: Opens the chest during withdrawal for those with shortness of breath and the feeling of chest/lung compression experienced during withdrawal and in the months thereafter. Apply over the upper chest and upper back and at acupoints KI 6, LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9.
Botanical name: Eugenia caryophyllata
Elemental associations: Water, Earth
Correlating organ systems: Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach
Nature: warm, spicy
To reinforce Water: Used to reinforce the Kidney yang seen with symptoms of coldness in the body or legs and hands, weakness of legs or knees, chronic lower back pain, or adrenal exhaustion. Improves cognition after a long period of depletion and fatigue. Apply to the lower back over the kidneys and at acupoints KI 3 and CV 6.
To reinforce Earth: Warms the middle in cases of vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain/spasms, and lack of appetite due to cold. Use topically for pain as an anti-inflammatory 106 or in pain conditions that improve with heat. Apply directly onto the abdomen and at acupoints SP 3, SP 6, and ST 36.
Botanical name: Coriandrum sativum
Elemental associations: Earth
Correlating organ systems: Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Nature: warm, sweet, spicy
To reinforce Earth: Reinforces Spleen qi with deficient indications such as lack of appetite, loose stools, poor digestion, and nausea. Dispels internal dampness and pain syndromes due to dampness impeding qi flow in the channels with a feeling of heavy limbs. Used to calm stomach upset, cramping, and spasms. Helpful when a prolonged period of neglect results in deficiency, depression, slow cognition, and foggy brain. Use topically for pain related to dampness. Apply directly onto the abdomen and at acupoints SP 3, SP 6, SP 9, and ST 36.
Botanical name: Cupressus sempervirens
Elemental associations: Fire, Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Spleen, Lungs
Nature: slightly cool, dry, spicy, sweet
To reinforce Fire: Stimulates blood circulation. Apply directly to limbs, hands, and feet.
To reinforce Earth: Breaks up lymph fluid congestion. Dries dampness. Assists with nausea. Apply over lymph-rich areas and to acupoints PER 6, SP 3, SP 6, and SP 9.
To reinforce Metal: Soothes spasmatic coughing, clears Lung phlegm and infections, and addresses asthma with difficulty inhaling. Astringes the skin and promotes tissue healing; removes toxic heat of the skin, as seen with red rashes and boils originating from blood heat. Apply to inflamed skin, to the upper chest over the lungs, and to acupoints KI 6, LU 5, LU 7, LU 9, and LI 11.
Botanical name: Eucalyptus globulus
Elemental associations: Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Spleen, Lungs
Nature: warm, spicy
To reinforce Earth: Applied to painful, swollen joints and muscles that worsen in damp weather. Apply over affected areas.
To reinforce Metal: Clears phlegm from the respiratory system, including sinuses and lungs. Apply over affected areas.
Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare
Elemental associations: Water, Wood, Earth
Correlating organ systems: Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Nature: warm, spicy, sweet
To reinforce Water: Warms the Kidneys and tonifies Kidney qi. Reinforces the Bladder qi in cases of incontinence or frequent urinary tract infections. Apply to the lower back over the kidneys and to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, BL 60, BL 62, and LU 7.
To reinforce Wood: Apply along the Liver channel in cases of pain that improves with warmth. Apply to acupoints LV 2, LV 3, and GB 34.
To reinforce Earth: Promotes digestion and absorption of nutrients. Resolves phlegm and coughing that produces clear or white phlegm. Warms the Stomach for those with stomach upset, abdominal pain, poor digestion of meats and fats, nausea, or vomiting that is resolved when warmth is applied over the stomach. Apply to the abdomen and at acupoints SP 3, SP 6, SP 9, and ST 36. For coughs, apply over the upper chest and upper back and to acupoints KI 6 and LU 7.
Botanical name: Boswellia carterii
Elemental associations: Wood, Fire, Earth
Correlating organ systems: Liver, Heart, Spleen
Nature: warm, spicy
To reinforce Wood: Used as an ingredient in remedies to treat pain from internal wind with spasms. Enhances the Liver’s ability to promote the free flow of qi throughout the body and opens the diaphragm for better breathing. Apply to areas of pain and to acupoints LV 2, LV 3, GB 34, GB 41, and LI 4.
To reinforce Fire: Promotes blood flow and breaking up blood and qi stagnation associated with pain and swelling. Calms the shen when emotional upset and sleep disturbances are present. Apply to the chest to ease Heart blood congestion and sharp pain. (But of course you should call 911 if you suspect a heart attack.) Apply to areas of pain and to acupoints LV 3, HT 7, and LI 4.
To reinforce Earth: Used as a remedy for “damp bi” (bi simply means pain), or internal dampness restricting the flow of blood and qi and resulting in pain. Enhances the Spleen’s ability to regenerate flesh for wounds and scars. Apply to skin or areas of pain and to acupoints LV 3, LI 4, SP 3, SP 6, and SP 9.
Botanical name: Pelargonium graveolens
Elemental associations: Water, Fire, Earth
Correlating organ systems: Kidneys, Heart, Conception Vessel
Nature: cool, sweet
To reinforce Water: Addresses Kidney yin deficiency with symptoms such as night sweats and night terrors during withdrawal and long-term adrenal fatigue. Also used for trouble taking a deep breath following cessation of opioid use. Apply to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, HT 7, LU 7, and CV 6.
To reinforce Fire: Calms the shen with emotional disturbances and sleep issues. Helps to circulate blood and qi to relieve pain, spasms, and inflammation. Apply over areas of pain and to acupoints HT 7, HT 8, PER 6, PER 7, SP 4, ST 36, and CV 6.
To reinforce Earth: Used to help even out blood-sugar levels after opioid use. Apply over areas of dense lymph nodes to help with detoxification during opioid withdrawal. Apply to acupoints SP 3, SP 6, ST 36, and CV 12.
Botanical name: Zingiber officinale
Elemental associations: Water, Fire, Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Nature: hot, spicy
Note: For this application, look for ginger essential oil that was extracted from the dried root, rather than the fresh root.
To reinforce Water: Rescues devastated yang with indications of prolonged feeling of coldness throughout the body. Apply to the lower back over the kidneys and to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, LU 7, and CV 6.
To reinforce Fire: Invigorates blood, warms the channels, and increases circulation. For any pain that improves with the application of heat, but especially muscular pain that worsens with damp weather and/or cold weather. Apply to limbs and/or over areas of pain and to acupoints LV 3, ST 36, and LI 4.
To reinforce Earth: For those with nausea, vomiting of clear fluids, a thirst for warm drinks, and cold limbs. Use for indigestion and stomach upset that is improved with heat. Revives Spleen yang with indications of loose stools and poor appetite, and wei qi (immunity) for recovering addicts who have had prolonged nutritional deficiencies. Apply to the abdomen and at acupoints KI 3, SP 3, SP 6, SP 9, ST 36, and CV 6.
To reinforce Metal: Used to restore Lung yang with indications of chronic runny nose and/or slight coughs with clear, white, or foamy sputum. For pale asthmatics and fully depleted opioid survivors who have trouble breathing. Apply to the upper chest and back over the lungs and to acupoints KI 6, LU 5, LU 7, LU 9, and CV 6.
Botanical name: Cinnamomum camphora (ho-shu variety, not to be confused with white camphor)
Elemental associations: Wood, Fire, Earth
Correlating organ systems: Liver, Heart, Spleen
Nature: warm, floral, sweet, pungent
To reinforce Wood: Soothes the Liver and treats Liver qi rising, resulting in headaches and migraines. Supports the Liver in its ability to circulate qi freely throughout the body thus helping to relieve muscle and joint pain due to qi stagnation as well as muscle spasms due to internal wind. Apply to acupoints LV 2, LV 3, GB 34, GB 41, and LI 4.
To reinforce Fire: Calms the shen when nervous tension and exhaustive nervous depression are present. Helps to reestablish emotional warmth following interpersonal divisions due to opioid use. Apply to acupoints KI 3, HT 7, PER 7, LU 9, and CV 6.
To reinforce Earth: Assists the Spleen function of regenerating flesh as it is applied to cuts for speedy healing and scar reduction. Has rejuvenating and restorative qi tonic-type actions. Apply directly to skin and/or to acupoints SP 3, SP 6, ST 36, and CV 6.
Botanical name: Lavandula spp.
Elemental associations: Water, Wood, Fire
Correlating organ systems: Kidney, Liver, Heart
Nature: cool, bit dry
To reinforce Water: Helps to calm anxiety. Apply to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, and HT 5.
To reinforce Wood: Breaks up Liver qi stagnation with indications of agitation, depression, and headaches. Apply to acupoints LV 2, LV 3, GB 34, and GB 41. Combine with ho wood essential oil and apply to acupoint GB 1 for headaches at the temples.
To reinforce Fire: Calms the shen with emotional upset and sleep disturbances. Calms heart palpitations and promotes blood circulation. Restores calm focus in those who have suffered cognitive impairment due to opioid use. Apply to acupoints HT 7, HT 8, PER 6, PER 7, and PER 8.
Botanical name: Citrus reticulata
Elemental associations: green peel — Wood, Earth mature peel — Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: green peel — Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach mature peel — Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Nature: bitter, spicy, warm
Note: The essential oil derived from the green peel (qing pi) and that derived from the mature peel (chen pi) have different indications for use.
To reinforce Wood: Breaks up Liver qi stagnation with indications such as headaches, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), anger, frustration, and aggression. Apply directly over the liver at the lower portion of the ribs and at acupoints LV 2 and LV 3.
To reinforce Earth: Used to break up accumulations and stagnation of undigested food. Resolves dampness. Apply directly to the abdomen and at acupoints SP 3, SP 6, SP 9, and ST 36.
To reinforce Earth: Improves the function of the Spleen, including absorption of nutrients from food. Resolves internal dampness associated with Spleen qi deficiency. Apply anywhere along the Spleen channel to break up stagnation resulting in pain. Apply directly on the abdomen and at acupoints SP 3, SP 6, SP 9, and ST 36.
To reinforce Metal: Resolves phlegm in the lungs and sinuses. Breaks up qi stagnation along the Lung channel resulting in pain. Apply anywhere along the Lung channel for pain. Apply directly on chest over the lungs and at acupoints SP 9, LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9.
Botanical name: Origanum majorana
Elemental associations: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth
Correlating organ systems: Kidneys, Liver, Heart, Spleen
Nature: cool, pungent, sweet, a bit drying
To reinforce Water: Reinforces Kidney yin and jing, and is used to heal brain function and improve memory and cognition for those who have been using opioids for an extended period. Apply to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, and CV 6.
To reinforce Wood: Soothes the Liver and quenches Liver fire with agitation and aggressiveness. Descends Liver fire rising that results in headaches and migraines. Resolves internal wind due to Liver fire that results in twitches and spasms (experienced commonly during detox), but addresses most any condition with muscle spasms. Works as an uplifting remedy for nervous exhaustion. Apply directly to spasmotic areas and to acupoints LV 2, LV 3, GB 34, GB 40, GB 41, and LI 4.
To reinforce Fire: Calms the shen when emotional nervousness, upset, frustration, and sleep disturbances with vivid dreams are present. Strengthens the Heart and encourages the circulation of Heart qi and blood. Apply to acupoints HT 7, HT 8, PER 7, and PER 8.
To reinforce Earth: Calms digestive upset and acid reflux. Resolves internal dampness resulting in pain syndromes, especially in swollen red joints that worsen in damp conditions; hot, humid climates; and periods of rain. Apply at sites of pain and at acupoints SP 3, SP 6, SP 9, ST 36, and CV 12.
Botanical name: Myristica fragrans
Elemental associations: Water, Earth, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Nature: Warm, spicy
To reinforce Water: Apply to lower back over kidneys. In cases of yang deficiency, apply at acupoints KI 3 and CV 6.
To reinforce Earth: Used to treat diarrhea and abdominal pain and distention that improves when heat is applied. Apply to the lower abdomen. For pain in the extremities due to internal dampness blocking the free flow of qi and blood with feelings of heaviness, apply directly to the extremities and/or joints. Also apply to acupoints SP 3, SP 9, ST 36, and CV 12.
To reinforce Metal: Apply to the chest and to acupoints LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9 for chronic coughing. For pain along the Large Intestine channel of the hand, arms, elbow, and shoulder, apply directly to these areas and at acupoint LI 4.
Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Elemental associations: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth
Correlating organ systems: Kidney, Liver, Heart, Spleen
Nature: warm spicy, sweet, dry
To reinforce Water: Used to reinforce the adrenal cortex. Also used to improve memory, concentration, and cognition. Apply to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, HT 7, and CV 6.
To reinforce Wood: Restores the nervous system and calms emotional nervous tension, headaches, and migraines. Relieves joint pain, and spasms in the muscles. Apply directly to areas of pain and at acupoints LV 2, LV 3, and GB 41.
To reinforce Fire: Serves as a heart tonic and a blood circulation tonic. Apply to limbs to increase circulation and to acupoints HT 7 and PER 7.
To reinforce Earth: Used to treat chronic diarrhea with mucus in the stools. Apply to acupoints SP 3, SP 6, SP 9, and ST 36.
Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris
Elemental associations: Water, Metal
Correlating organ systems: Kidneys, Lungs
Nature: warm, spicy, sweet, drying
To reinforce Water: Improves memory, concentration, and cognition in cases of brain function decline. Reinforces adrenal cortex for fatigue due to adrenal exhaustion. Apply to acupoints KI 3, KI 6, and LU 7.
To reinforce Metal: Used to treat coughs with phlegm. Apply over the upper chest and upper back and to acupoints LU 5, LU 7, and LU 9.
Flower essences are made by infusing water with fresh flowers in sunlight. You can make them yourself at home (you can find instructions online and in various books on herbal medicine), but most people buy them.
Like acupuncture, flower essences are a subtle energy medicine, but they work on an even higher vibrational level than herbs and essential oils. In fact, you can use flower essences to enhance the effects of other botanical remedies and natural healing modalities. You can apply them to specific acupoints, like essential oils, or you can spritz them over your body or in your environment. In general, flower essences are used therapeutically to clear deep emotional issues and support mind-body wellness. They strengthen our abilities to work through personal challenges and overcome obstacles that block us from living life to our fullest potential — and that is why they are so wonderful as remedies to facilitate recovery from opioid dependency.
One 2017 study suggested that people with anxiety and depression consume a disproportionate share of prescription painkillers like opioids. In the early stages of the U.S. opioid epidemic, authorities routinely stated that addiction to prescription opioids begins with some physical ailment that causes pain for which an opioid is prescribed. This narrative rarely considered the mental health of such patients. It now is understood that people suffering from depression and other mental health disorders are more susceptible to opioid-induced euphoria and can become dependent on the drugs more quickly. 107 Flower essences can play an important role in clearing emotional pain for people who are struggling with opioid dependence, including those with mental health disorders.
Flower essences were discovered in the 1930s by Edward Bach, an English homeopathic doctor, and therefore they are sometimes called Bach flower remedies. The flower essences listed here are those I would consider most beneficial for people who are in the stages of withdrawal and recovery from opioid use.
The flower essence agrimony benefits the Fire element and allows the Pericardium, or Heart protector, to heal from life’s emotional insults. The Pericardium is said to function as a gate that, when open, allows us to accept joy and love. Agrimony helps those who try to hide their negative emotions behind the Pericardium and who only feel happiness when intoxicated. It also helps to release inner tensions and is used with anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Bach noted that those who would benefit from the remedy “often take alcohol or drugs in excess, to stimulate themselves and help themselves bear their trials with cheerfulness.” 108 Agrimony aids those who are tortured by unpleasant memories and emotions that have been suppressed behind drug use and have resurfaced with the discontinuation of opioids.
The flower essence of cherry plum allows us to reconnect to our true karmic path and bolsters our ability to follow our own inner guidance. This remedy allows us to let go and accept higher guidance. Cherry plum can help resolve the fear of losing control that sometimes accompanies addiction, and it helps us face extreme hardship with equanimity. This remedy can aid those experiencing extreme dark emotions, such as thoughts of suicide or believing they are about to lose their mind.
Chestnut bud flower essence helps us break the cycle of making the wrong choice over and over again. It can help people with opioid addiction avoid repeating the bad decisions that keep them stuck in the cycle of addiction. Chestnut bud also helps us develop skills of observation and listening, allowing us to gain life lessons from others’ mistakes and examples rather than having to learn only from personal experience. It can help us recognize patterns of behavior that lead to poor outcomes. This ability to understand cause and effect better allows those in recovery to avoid the environmental triggers that lead to cravings and opioid use.
Dr. Bach called walnut flower essence the “breaker of spells” for its ability to dissolve the bonds that hold us to past events and to past addictive behaviors. 109 It allows for a transition away from the influence of others and their opinions so that those in recovery are able to return to their true path. Walnut also helps protect us against outside influences and the impact of life’s inevitable changes, such as moving, changing jobs, or losing a loved one.
Wild rose flower essence restores the shen (spirit) and restores a love of life and sense of purpose following a long struggle resulting in exhaustion. Wild rose restores to us a vision for a better life while allowing us to discard apathetic beliefs that things will never change.
Flower essences, when combined, have a synergistic effect. In other words, the combined remedy has a greater therapeutic effect than taking every essence individually. Spray the remedy on wrists, neck, and/or appropriate acupoints described on the following pages.
Ingredients
Preparation
Pour the water and brandy into a 2-ounce glass bottle with a spritzer top and shake to mix. Add the flower essences. Shake the bottle for 30 seconds. Shake again before each application.
Certain acupuncture/acupressure points have profound impacts on shen. These points work to restore harmony on a psycho-emotional level. Since flower essences operate on that same vibrational level and interact with shen, they can have a powerful effect when applied to those points.
To ease withdrawal and facilitate recovery from opioids, I recommend applying all of the flower essences listed previously as a blend from a spritzer bottle (see here). The acupoints that are most beneficial for use with flower essences are listed below, and they all happen to fall on the wrists, chest, and abdomen. With a few spritzes from the bottle, you can thus quickly and easily apply healing flower essences to all of the points several times a day. If you have the time and inclination, you can then follow up with acupressure on the points (see chapter 3) to reinforce the flower essences’ energy.
I list the acupoints below with a translation of their original ancient Chinese names, because the names often coincide with the intention of the points’ application.
All of these points can be found in the illustated guide.
TCM name: Spirit Deficiency
Location: At the center of the belly button.
Drug use dulls shen (spirit), leading to a disconnection from your true self. This point reestablishes communication between the body and the spirit, thus grounding the mind. It can be especially helpful in cases of mental instability.
TCM name: Vital Correspondence
Location: 0.5 cun on either side of the belly button.
This point is a link between shen and jing (essence), opening the way for shen to be nourished and linked to our ancestral qi and karmic path.
TCM names: Through the Valley and Dark Gate
Location: KI 20 is found on the upper abdomen, 5 cun above the center of the belly button and 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline; KI 21 is also on the upper abdomen, 6 cun above the center of the belly button and 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
KI 20 and KI 21 are paired acupoints that allow transformational passage through the darkness and negativity of depression into the light of self-actualization and peace of mind.
TCM name: Central Altar
Location: On the anterior median line of the chest, at the level of the fourth intercostal space (the space between the ribs); for men, this is at the midpoint between the two nipples.
CV 17 is indicated with any Fire element imbalance. It calms shen disturbances such as emotional upset. Used to reestablish one’s rightful placement between heaven and earth, allowing for a sense of belonging.
TCM name: Floral Covering
Location: On the anterior median line of the chest, at the level of the first intercostal space.
Allows one to bloom into full fruition, bursting into the sunlight of recovery.
TCM name: Walking the Corridor
Location: On the chest, in the depression in the fifth intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Assists in the progressive walk away from fear and the emergence at a place of peace and joy.
TCM name: Spirit Seal
Location: On the chest, in the depression in the fourth intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Like the seal on an envelope, the Spirit Seal is a personal mark of identity. This acupoint fosters the ability to emerge from the despair of addiction and rediscover one’s true self.
TCM name: Spirit Ruins or Spirit Burial Ground
Location: On the chest, in the depression in the third intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Allows one to escape from the darkness of a tomb of despair and depression, and to emerge into a bright light of happiness and self-fulfillment.
TCM name: Spirit Storehouse
Location: On the chest, in the depression in the second intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
We are born with ancestral jing that is stored in the Kidneys. When chronic opioid use exhausts our jing, we become fearful and fall into despair. This point helps us reestablish our access to the Water element, replenishing the original essence so that we can proceed fearlessly into recovery.
TCM name: Flourishing Center or Lively Center
Location: On the chest, in the depression in the first intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
This point is used to allow the qi of the chest to circulate smoothly. This is where the Heart resides; it is the center of the emotions. With the smooth flow of qi to the Heart, the shen brightly shines through and restores a lively childlike joy to life. With the Fire element in balance, the emotions are normalized and we can flourish.
Location: On the chest, in the depression on the lower border of the clavicle, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
The highest spirit point, and the last point on the Kidney channel, this is the point of arrival. The qi of the Kidney energetic stream flows to this point. Here is the palace or mansion of all our highest faculties, which have been conferred on us by the Kidney energetic system.
TCM name: Inner Passage
Location: On the palm side of the forearm, 2 cun above the crease of the wrist between the tendons of the palmaris longus muscle and the flexor carpi radialis muscle.
The Pericardium is the door to the Heart; it opens to allow love in, and closes to keep emotional hurts out. When damaged, it can remain stuck closed. The Heart is the only organ that is assigned another organ for its protection. This is because the Heart houses the emotions, and damage to the Heart creates mental disorders and emotional chaos. This point is used to allow us to acknowledge the damage that opioid use has created, while healing the Pericardium. It allows for us to open our Heart and reunite with loved ones following the destruction of personal relationships due to opioid dependency.
TCM name: Great Mound
Location: On the palm side of the crease of the wrist dividing the arm from the hand between the tendons of the palmaris longus muscle and the flexor carpi radialis muscle.
A mound is a pile of earth, and acupoint PER 7 is the Earth point on a Fire element channel. It is used to ground our emotions after flying high on euphoria-inducing opioids. This euphoric condition can be compared to mania, which in TCM is a hyper-yang state with Heart fire. PER 7 clears heat from the Heart and calms the extreme emotional outbursts seen during withdrawal of opioids.
Location: On the inside of the wrist, on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, 1 cun above the crease of the wrist.
In TCM, the Heart is said to house the mind and serve as the seat of emotions. This point allows us to break through any emotional blocks or bitterness to reestablish order, restoring emotions to their rightful mental state of warmth and peace. This is also an important point for repairing cognition following brain damage due to opioid use, further restoring us to our true self.
TCM name: Spirit Gate
Location: On the inside of the wrist, on radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, on the crease of the wrist.
This is the source acupoint for the Heart. It is a direct gateway to repairing the shen when emotional upset, insomnia, or poor cognition is present.
TCM name: Great Abyss
Location: On the crease of the wrist, below the thumb where the radial artery pulsates.
LU 9 is the source point of qi for the Metal element. It is used to establish healthy boundaries broken by abuse. This is an excellent point to stimulate when reestablishing self-dignity and integrity in the aftermath of the lying, stealing, and cheating associated with the abyss of addiction.