What do you get when you combine the elements of aromatherapy with the tenets of shiatsu? You get BuddhaNose, an amazing line of essential oil-based balms, sprays, and salts that ease menstrual cramps, fight the infections that cause colds and flu, and promote peace and tranquility. BuddhaNose is the creation of Amy Galper, an aromatherapist and shiatsu practitioner.

Galper’s Immune Booster spray has gotten me through the last two winters. It’s like a protective cloud of clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus (three of the main ingredients) was surrounding me at all times.

BuddhaNose products are featured in stores across the country and they even made an appearance at the 2005 Grammy Awards, but Galper still had time to answer a few questions for LIME:

ML: There are so many ways to define aromatherapy. How do you explain how it works?

AG: Essential oils are plant extracts, and aromatherapy is basically just another form of herbal medicine. I prefer to call “aromatherapy” aromatic plant medicine, for that reason. How it works: the chemical components of an essential oil can affect our physiology, just like any drug. When it is applied to the skin and absorbed, it is then incorporated into the blood stream to help support all sorts of common conditions, like headaches, muscle cramping, stomach aches, etc. Plus, the aroma of the oil affects our mind/body through our sense of smell. The olfactory part of our brain is very powerful and can connect us very deeply with our true self.

ML: How do you compare aromatherapy to other alternative modalities?

AG: I think aromatic plant medicine/aromatherapy is a great support to other modalities, and can be used in combination with them. Essential oils are great to use during massage, during acupuncture, all body work, but also with other practices like homeopathy and herbs.

ML: BuddhaNose products combine the energetic dynamics of shiatsu with the essential oils of aromatic plants. How do the two function together?

AG: To me essential oils have very strong energetic properties and deeply affect the mind/body experience. In fact, I see the essential oil of a plant as its life essence, its “chi.” Shiatsu is about energy and moving and connecting with chi. By combining the two, the experience of chi can be a little more intensified.