1. Anxiety: California Poppy is a popular herb to use for anxiety. However, any calming herb will help - even mild chamomile, a popular children's herb.

2. Anger: Anger is usually situated in the liver, so any herb that helps to heal the liver would help heal anger. These herbs include dandelion, artichoke leaf, and milk thistle.

3. Grief: Sadness and grief usually attack the lungs. For this reason, lung strengthening herbs such as mullein, osha or elecampane are used to combat grief.

4. Fear: Excessive fear can weaken the kidneys and reduce vital energy. Herbs to help the kidneys are eluthero ginseng and rehamannia.

5. Depression: Depression may eventually set in after a person experiences some of the stronger emotions listed above. At this point, herbs such as St. John's Wort, rosemary and lavender are helpful (Hobbs).

Flower Essences

Gary Mason defines flower essences as the "life-force energy released from flowers in the peak of their bloom" (Mason). However, unlike pretty blooms, flower essences have no scent at all and should not be confused with aromatherapy or essential oils. 

Through methods pioneered by Dr. Edward Bach in England during the 1930's, the energy of flowers can be released into water. This "mother tincture" is usually then preserved with brandy to prevent bacterial growth and diluted to a "stock" level (Mason). Many people administer the flower essences by putting a few drops of the "mother tincture" under their tongue. However, Muslims can use the alternate method of placing a drop of the tincture on pulse points in the same way that perfume is worn. Mason states, "You can even make a spray by mixing an essence in water and putting it in a mister bottle so that you can spray yourself, your room, or your environment. Misting is a great way to give essences to children." 

Flower essences penetrate directly into the emotional being of a person and start to heal immediately. Essences often help a person not only to heal, but also to replace the destructive and powerful emotion they may be having with a more positive and balanced one. Some flower essences that can be used are:

1. To reduce anxiety, use the flower essences of Elm, Chicory and Larch. 
2. To quell anger, use Impatiens and Holly. 
3. To suppress the desire to blame, use Baby Blue Eyes. 
4. To mend a broken heart, use Honeysuckle, Holly. 
5. To instill more calm use Lavender, Vervain, Star of Bethlehem, Mimulus and Larch. 
6. For more compassion, use Holly and Heather. 
7. For more confidence, use Hornbeam, Larch, Aspen, and Mimulus. 
8. To alleviate confusion, use White Chestnut, Wild Rose, and Gentian. 
9. To instill courage, use Gentian, Aspen, Rock Rose, Mimulus and Larch. 
10. For depression and despair, use Mustard, Gentian, Elm, Gorse, and Hornbeam. 
11. To alleviate fear, use Red Chestnut, Aspen, Mimulus, Gray Spider Flower, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose and Larch. 
12. To allow forgiveness, use Beech and Holly (Desy).

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the process of using essential oils (concentrated aromatic plant extracts collected through a process of steam distillation) to heal the body or the emotions (Blue Corp). It can be used in conjunction with any of the other therapies mentioned here. Often times, using more than one therapy stimulates a quicker healing response. 

Aromatherapy can be administered in many ways; however, the method one uses is often chosen out of necessity. Muslims who want to effect the emotions of those around them to create a better community spirit can wear an essential oil as a perfume or disperse it in the air at a gathering - an ideal way of benefiting more than one person. 

For personal use, oils can be used in the bath or in a massage. Remember to always dilute essential oils and to use them in small amounts. Five to ten drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil or fifteen drops in a diffuser are ideal. 

1. To calm an angry person, use Chamomile, Jasmine, Marjoram, Palma Rosa, Rosemary, or Ylang-Ylang.

2. To calm an anxious person or crowd, use Chamomile, Lavender, Orange, Neroli and Sandalwood.

3. To help people overcome fear, use Cedarwood, Fennel, Ginger, Patchouli, Sandalwood and/or Thyme.

4. To help people deal with grief, use Bergamot, Jasmine, Marjoram, Neroli and Rose.

5. For someone in shock, use the oils of Lavender, Neroli, Rose or Tea Tree.

6. To calm tension, use the oils of Chamomile, Clary, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Rose, or Orange.

Color Therapy

During times of trauma, it often helps to surround oneself and one's children with colors that heal. Fortunately, for Muslims, the two main colors for healing emotions are the ones most often found in mosques - green and blue. 

For a Muslim woman, wearing one of the following colors could possibly have a subtle effect on how people view you as a person. These colors assist in healing the emotions and calming the nervous system:

1. Green: Green is the color of harmony and balance. It heals the heart and nerves and stimulates growth of all kind - in tissues and in emotions. 

2. Blue: Blue is the color of truth, serenity and harmony and helps to soothe the mind. Blue is good for calming, reconstructing and building. However, too much blue can make one sorrowful.

3. Indigo: Indigo is the higher aspect of blue so it has all the healing power of blue in a "higher dosage".

4. Purple: Purple is a color that helps one connect to their spiritual self and gain strength through prayer and meditation (Brown).

You can also enjoy green by spending time in nature or by lighting a green candle. You can enjoy blue by sitting by the sea, wearing a blue scarf or drinking tea out of a blue cup. 


Sources:

Blue Corp Industries, Inc. "Aromatherapy."

Brown, Misty. "Healing with Color."

Desy, Lila. "Holistic Healing." About.com.

Hobbs, Christopher. "Herbs for Psychological Imbalances." Healthy.net. 2001.

Mason, Gary. "Unusual Ways to Administer Flower Essences."

Price, Shirley. "Aromatherapy and Your Emotions." USA: Thorson's Publishing. 2000.