The Raindrop Technique
Healing with Essential Oils: Ancient Art and Modern Science

The Raindrop Technique is a relaxing and revitalizing therapy that uses a sequence of nine immune-enhancing essential oils. The oils are dropped like rain from a height of about 6 inches onto the spine and then lightly massaged in using various hand-to-body techniques. These gentle massage techniques are designed to stimulate the spinal nerves and disperse the oils throughout the nervous system and the entire body. A session lasts about an hour, and people often leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and energized.

When I first heard about the Raindrop Technique, I thought that it sounded a little strange and I was unsure about its therapeutic benefit. However, I had a friend who was a Doctor of Oriental Medicine who practiced acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine as well as the Raindrop Technique. This was someone whom I knew well and respected, and so I knew that there must be some real benefit to this therapy. It was through him that I experienced my first Raindrop treatment and also my professional training in the technique. I have gone on to learn about the history of essential oil healing as well as the science behind this therapy and I have seen the real benefits and changes it has made in the lives of numerous people. My first experience with experiencing a Raindrop Treatment is a perfect example of it’s benefit. I was scheduled to be leaving on a 20 hour airplane journey to Australia and I had come down with a cold and a severe sinus infection. My flight was leaving in under 36 hours and I was dreading appending the trip stuck on a plane with a sinus infection. I went in for my first Raindrop treatment and left that day feeling much better. I awoke the next morning feeling 75% improved and by the time the flight was scheduled to leave I was almost completely back to myself again. From my experience this was a great improvement, and although Raindrop doesn’t always work so dramatically, I believe it is a great example of it’s healing capacity.

A session begins with the application of essential oils to the feet along with the use of reflexology techniques. Next the oils are applied to the shoulders using light massage. The “Raindrop” portion follows as the oils are lightly dropped like rain along the spine. Each oil is applied in a specific order and a variety of different massage techniques are employed in order to stimulate the nerves and muscles along the spine to increase the absorption of the oils. At the end of this application a warm compress is applied along the spine and some gentle stretching exercised are performed. The compress will then be left on for 10 more additional minutes in order to maximize absorption. The session will end with a gentle massage of the temples and back of the head. As an acupuncturist I have also added some of my own “tricks of the trade” to enhance the treatment. Depending on your condition different oils are applied to specific acupoints, magnets may be used to stimulate other points and Tuina (Chinese Bodywork) may be incorporated.

I have been using the Raindrop Technique with patients for a number of years and have found it to be beneficial for many conditions. For those in generally good health I often recommend it as a relaxing and detoxifying treatment that is best done a couple of time per year, generally with the change of seasons, as part of a health maintenance program. Also, because of the immune enhancing nature of the therapy it is great to use at the beginning of the flu season and as a therapy of “first attack” when you notice that you might be getting a cold. Beyond this I have seen Raindrop be an effective therapy for people dealing with many chronic illnesses, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
Fibromyalgia, Anxiety and Depression and a variety of other pain and fatigue related syndromes.

There is a long history of using essential oils for healing in a variety of cultures including China, Greece, Egypt and Rome among others. Currently, the science behind the healing properties of essential oils is being explained. Essential oils have been found to be antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal, high in antioxidants, oxygenating at a cellular level and they also have the ability to pass through the blood brain barrier. These qualities come from the chemical structure of the oils. Some are phenylpropanoids that have a wide variety of functions, including defense against microbial attack, or other sources of injury; as structural components of cell walls; as protection from ultraviolet light; as pigments; and as signaling molecules. Others are monoterpenes that have been shown to have anticancer effects and to be helpful for alleviating the symptoms of colds and flus. This list goes on and on, but needless to say the oils have a proven therapeutic effect.

Below are links to a number of research studies that have been done investigating the therapeutic benefits of essential oils:

In vitro antibacterial activity of some plant essential oils

Lemon oil vapor causes an anti-stress effect via modulating the 5-HT and DA activities in mice

Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy

The main oils used in The Raindrop Technique are:

VALOR® (Blended Oil)
Effects the limbic system and balances the body structurally and energetically. Valor® contains oils of Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy and Frankincense in an Almond Oil base.

OREGANO
One of the most powerful antimicrobial essential oils. Research at Weber State University demonstrated 99% kill rate against in vitro colonies of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

THYME
Antiseptic, immune enhancing, supportive of body's natural defenses. Thyme has been used to combat the bacteria that causes anthrax.

BASIL
Can be relaxing to both voluntary muscles and to the involuntary muscles as well. Voluntary muscles include all of the motor muscles of the arms, legs, back, abdomen, neck, and face. Mentally energizing and invigorating. Use for tension headaches.

WINTERGREEN
Supports joints and skeletal structure. Composition is more than 80% methyl salicylate which has a cortisone-like effect in that it may stimulate the body's own production of natural cortisone which has none of the untoward side-effects of synthetic cortisone. Also has analgesic properties inasmuch as its chemical structure is similar to that of aspirin.

MARJORAM
Relaxing to the involuntary muscles and to the voluntary muscles as well. Involuntary muscles include the heart, diaphragm, digestive tract, and reproductive organs. Soothing to nerves. Used for migraines. Antiseptic and antimicrobial.

CYPRESS
Antimicrobial. Supportive of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Stimulates the body's natural white corpuscle production and may assist in restoring proper cellular programming to restore health and maintain wellness.

PEPPERMINT
Supports digestive system, respiratory system, and nervous system. Has been used for headaches. Research has shown that inhaling peppermint improves concentration and mental retention. Detoxing to the liver. A synergestic oil that supports and improves the beneficial actions of the other oils.

AROMA SIEZ® MUSCLE RELAXING BLEND
Contains oils of Basil, Marjoram, Lavender, Peppermint, and Cypress. Calming, relaxing and relieves tension. Relaxes muscles, including tight muscles, muscle spasms, muscle seizures, and charley horses.

I am excited to be able to offer Raindrop here at FirstHealth as I feel that it fits in well with our Integrative philosophy offering you another modality that may be appropriate as part of your healing program. The Raindrop technique is not a therapy that needs to be done on a weekly basis, and for this reason it integrates quite well with many of the other therapies we offer here at FirstHealth. An example may be someone dealing with chronic colds and or allergies. A Raindrop treatment may be a good idea at the beginning of the flu or allergy season followed up with regular acupuncture treatments to help them through the season. Another example would be someone dealing with Chronic Fatigue or recovering from a chronic illness. A Raindrop treatment is a good way to boost the immune system and detoxify the body, and this could then be followed up with a number of other therapies at FirstHealth including acupuncture, nutritional counseling or massage therapy and energy work. Although the Raindrop Technique is not a cure all or quick fix it is one of the many powerful tools that we have here at FirstHealth that can help restore balance in the body and result in good health.

If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about the benefits of the Raindrop Technique and would like to speak with me about your condition before making an appointment, please feel free to call me here at FirstHealth. I will also be offering an introductory lecture on healing with essential oils that will be here at FirstHealth on January 22, 2008 at 7:00 PM. If you would like to attend please call the front desk at (978) 474-9994 to register. I look forward to seeing you there!

- Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.