Jean-Martin Charcot might have said it with a straight face, but the idea still makes me smile. If symptoms are really cries from suffering organs, then your stomach is apparently very dramatic, your head prefers to shout during meetings, and your back waits until bedtime to file its complaint. The body, it turns out, is not subtle at all. It doesn’t send polite memos or gentle reminders. It bangs on the door, raises its voice, and insists on being heard until you finally stop, listen, and maybe give it a glass of water, a stretch, or a decent night’s sleep.
Every morning before work, I leave early to avoid rush hour traffic. I leave my house at 6:50 a.m. and drive to downtown Salt Lake. I get to the parking garage and drive in circles to reach the seventh floor. I park, then climb down seven flights of stairs, refusing to take the elevator.
I walk from the parking garage over to City Creek Shopping Center through a tunnel. I walk past the food court, then step onto the escalator, listening to its steady hum echo through the empty space as it carries me upward.
From there, I walk back and forth across a sky bridge that links two separate sections of City Creek divided by Main Street. I see a few people out walking their dogs or walking with friends before work. There are many apartments nearby, some even just above the shopping center.
This is a peaceful place to walk as I start my day. I love window shopping and love the vibe before shops open and the fast-paced life begins. During the holiday season, the displays glow quietly, untouched by crowds or noise.
As I was walking past the window displays, I noticed a monster emerging from the shadows, for a moment, almost quietly saying, “I am here, but I will not hurt you. I am here to keep the shopping mall safe.” I took a picture, wanting to show people what was hiding at the mall.
I remembered being afraid of the dark as a child, running outside to take out the trash, seeing the moon and wind play tricks on autumn leaves. I would run back inside just in time, certain something was chasing me.
Years later, I see the moon and lights once again playing tricks with my vision. This time, I know I am safe, surrounded by the beautiful illusions of the guardians of the mall, once feared watching quietly as the day begins to stir.
Geranium essential oil is known for its ability to bring balance, both emotionally and physically. Its soft floral aroma has a naturally calming effect, making it helpful during moments of stress or emotional tension. Diffusing a few drops can create a peaceful atmosphere while also freshening the air. Geranium has also been traditionally used for skin concerns, where it is valued for supporting the appearance of clear, healthy-looking skin when properly diluted and applied.
Beyond emotional and skin support, geranium is a practical oil for everyday use. It works as a gentle hair conditioner for both dry and oily hair, helping hair feel nourished without feeling heavy when added to shampoo or conditioner. Geranium is also commonly used as a natural insect repellent. When diluted with fractionated coconut oil and applied to areas like wrists and ankles, it can help keep insects away while outdoors, making it a versatile oil for both self-care and time spent in nature.
In Matthew 23, Jesus is speaking publicly in Jerusalem during the final week before His arrest. He is addressing the crowds and His disciples, but His words are aimed directly at the religious leaders of the time—the scribes and Pharisees. These men were highly respected for their knowledge of the Law of Moses and for their strict outward obedience. They were known for carefully following detailed religious rules, especially those that could be seen and measured, such as fasting, public prayer, and tithing even the smallest household herbs.
The specific mention of mint, anise, and cumin reflects how far this attention to detail had gone. These were common garden spices, inexpensive and small, yet the Pharisees meticulously counted and tithed them to demonstrate obedience. While this practice was not wrong in itself, Jesus pointed out that their focus on minor regulations had come at the expense of far more important responsibilities—justice toward others, mercy for those in need, and faithfulness of heart. In other words, they were keeping the letter of the law while neglecting its spirit.
Jesus’ rebuke was not a rejection of discipline or obedience, but a call for balance and integrity. He acknowledged that careful practices had their place, but insisted they should never replace compassion, fairness, and genuine devotion. Matthew 23:23 exposes a deeper problem: religious performance without transformed character. It serves as a warning that devotion measured only by outward acts can miss the very heart of what God desires.
Cilantro carries wisdom from kitchens long ago, A green, bright note that helps the body flow. It settles the stomach, clears what weighs you down, A quiet cleanser wearing nature’s crown.
A single drop, a toothpick’s gentle trace, Turns simple meals into a brighter place. Too much can shout, but just a hint will sing, Small touches do a powerful thing.
After a feast that lingered just too long, Cilantro steps in, calm and strong. Mixed with water, steady and light, It helps digestion find its rhythm right.
Tucked in a veggie cap, simple and clean, It supports release, restores the in-between. Letting the body gently let go, Of what it carried longer than it should know.
In the diffuser, fresh and green, Paired with lime, crisp and keen. An herbal breeze fills open air, Clearing the mind with mindful care.
Cilantro reminds us, soft but true, That healing often comes in what we chew. Ancient, humble, quietly wise, A leafy ally in fragrant disguise.
Do you want to expand your health options?
Try using natural essential oils.
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Leonard Fish
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Gardenia essential oil comes from the beautifully fragrant flowers of the Gardenia jasminoides plant, an evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. Known for its creamy white blossoms and rich, floral aroma, gardenia has long been associated with balance, beauty, and quiet elegance. When the flowers bloom, their petals form a gentle spiral, a pattern often linked with harmony and calm, which mirrors the emotional effect many people experience when using this oil.
In skincare routines, gardenia essential oil is often used to support a healthy-looking complexion and help the skin feel soft and nourished. Gently massaging a small, well-diluted amount into the skin before applying lotions or serums can enhance moisture retention and leave the skin feeling refreshed. Its luxurious scent also adds a spa-like element to daily self-care, turning an ordinary routine into a calming ritual.
Gardenia essential oil is equally valued for emotional and aromatic use. When blended with a carrier oil for massage, it creates an uplifting and soothing experience that helps the body relax while the mind feels gently energized. Applied to pulse points, its aroma can support a positive, centered mood throughout the day. Diffused into the air, gardenia’s rich floral scent promotes feelings of peace and tranquility, making it a wonderful choice for quiet evenings, meditation, or moments when emotional balance is needed.
Green Mandarin brings a soft, happy brightness to these blends that feels joyful without being overstimulating. Joyful Balance is gently uplifting and emotionally steady, with green mandarin smoothing the florals and resins into a calm, optimistic mood. Fresh Start leans clean and energizing, where its sweet citrus keeps peppermint and eucalyptus feeling refreshing instead of sharp. Quiet Sunset is especially soothing, blending green mandarin’s warmth with chamomile and woods for a peaceful, end-of-day exhale. And Gentle Joy lives up to its name, using green mandarin as a tender emotional lift that feels comforting, balanced, and easy to breathe into.
I love this one because it sneaks wisdom in through the back door. A child’s heart is open, unguarded, and honest, and that’s exactly how good essential oils should meet us. No tricks, no shortcuts, nothing hidden. For children, oils like lavender, frankincense, Roman chamomile, and wild orange are often the best starting places because they are gentle, calming, and supportive without being overwhelming. And a child’s will? That quiet, stubborn strength that keeps going even when tired or unsure. The best oils carry that same steady resolve. They don’t overpower. They support, protect, and show up consistently, reminding us that real strength is gentle, real purity is simple, and both work best when they’re trusted rather than forced.
Robert Tisserand is one of the most influential figures in modern aromatherapy, especially in the English-speaking world. With more than fifty years of experience, he helped introduce aromatherapy at a time when reliable information was scarce. His early work laid the foundation for aromatherapy to be taken seriously as a structured practice rather than a fringe or mystical tradition.
Tisserand first gained wide recognition with The Art of Aromatherapy in 1977, one of the earliest comprehensive English texts on the subject. The book brought together traditional uses, emerging science, and practical guidance, making aromatherapy accessible to practitioners and the public alike. For many, it served as a gateway into understanding essential oils beyond simple fragrance or folklore.
As the field grew, Tisserand shifted his focus toward safety, chemistry, and evidence-based practice. He became known for emphasizing proper dilution, contraindications, and toxicological limits, challenging unsafe or exaggerated claims. This approach helped protect users and practitioners while raising professional standards, even when it meant confronting popular but risky trends within the aromatherapy community.
His most authoritative contribution is Essential Oil Safety, co-authored with Rodney Young. This reference work is considered the gold standard for professionals, educators, and clinicians worldwide. It compiles research on dermal limits, drug interactions, phytotoxicity, and internal use, offering clear guidelines rooted in scientific data rather than opinion or marketing language.
Through the Tisserand Institute, he continues to educate professionals globally with courses, research articles, and safety resources. His influence is quiet but structural, shaping how aromatherapy is taught, regulated, and practiced. While not universally popular with casual users, Tisserand’s legacy rests on credibility, rigor, and a long-term commitment to making aromatherapy safer and more trustworthy.
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