DECEMBER 18, 2010 JASMINE FROST- NOT TOGETHER BUT BOTH RELAXING

" The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost

Does anyone still read a book ? Do teachers still teach literature ? Did you ever read any literature by Robert Frost ?
I loved reading as a child and teenager, and I still love reading today. While I was conducting medical residency interviews at the hospital this morning, I always ask the potential medical student/soon to be doctor this - " What is the last non medical book you have read ? " Some might think it is an odd question since I am interviewing about a position in the medical residency program. I do not think so. I want to find out the diversity of the student. I feel candidates or rather most people should be well-rounded. To be a doctor, medical intellect is required, but so to me so is a knowledge of literature, art, and music, as well as other interests of the candidate. One student answered she just finished Wuthering Heights. I was impressed. What is the last book you have read ? Entertainment Weekly, or the Enquirer does not count !
I have always loved Robert Frost. Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England . It was depicting real life in the early twentieth century. He personal life was full of grief and loss. Perhaps the quote above is how he lived his life. Always headstrong and the way out is through the problem. In 1885 when Frost was 11, his father died of tuberculosis, leaving the family with just eight dollars. Frost's mother died of cancer in 1900. In 1920, Frost had to commit his younger sister Jeanie to a mental hospital, where she died nine years later. There is a strong family history of mental illness int he Frost family. Out of six children, only two survived longer than he did. As a father he buried four children. One son, Carol committed suicide at age 38. Perhaps that is the basis of one of his most famous poems, The Road Not Taken.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

This particular poem if read more than once should put many thoughts in your consciousness. Did you travel the road less traveled ? Did that diverging road make a difference in your life?


Since the beginning of time man has used scented products in bathing, massaging religious ceremonies and well as personal grooming for hair and skin. Physicians int he 10th century learned to distill oils from plants and thus we have Aromatherapy. This particular field has made an enormous leap into the consciousness of mainstream allopathic medicine as well as the mainstream consumer market. It does depend where you shop. It is a booming business of greater than $300 million, and I could see easily quadruple in the next ten years. Essential oils can be extracted from a variety of plants, including and not limited to citrus fruits, herbs, spices and shrubs. Most people think these oils can sedate and relax. This is true. I have used some that refresh and even stimulate my body. These oils have healing powers when used correctly. The definition of an essential oils are natural volatile substances that evaporate easily releasing aroma into the air. The easy method to fragrance a room is by means of a vaporizer or oil burner. There are 3 important things everyone should know about essential oils.
1. Never take the essential oil INTERNALLY
2. Always use the oil DILUTED
3. Do not use the same oil a lot : ROTATE

THE USES OF ESSENTIAL OILS:
 Air freshening
 Bathing | Amount of essential oils to use in bath
 Compresses
 Foot and hand baths
 Hair care | Amount of essential oils to use in shampoo
 Jacuzzis
 Massage | Amount of essential oils to use in massage blend
 Saunas
 Showers
 Sitz bath
 Skin care | Amount of essential oils to use in creams
 Steam inhalations
 Vaporization


Most know the tree oils better than any other category. The tree oils consist of the popular, Eucalptus, Cedarwood, Tea tree, Pine and Sandalwood.
The herb and spice oils are Peppermint, Nutmeg, Ginger, Clary Sage and Majoram.
The shrub and vine oils are the popular Lavendar, Juniper, Geranium, Rose and Rosemary. I prefer Jasmine oil as it can lift the mood as well as relax.
Jasmine oil is extracted from Jasminum officinale Although expensive, Jasmine essential oil does more than just smelling exquisite - it deeply relaxes, lifts depression and boost confidence. It has been used to ease childbirth, helps with sexual problems, sooths coughing and tones and improves skin elasticity.

The self-esteem task for today is to get a massage by a therapist who uses essential oils.

Until tomorrow...