Application Tips

We recommend applying Wise Men generously in the mornings and evenings just before bed. You can apply it again throughout the day just for extra measure. You could never apply too much because the ingredients are natural and non-toxic, so if it's working for you, then soak in it! Stan would apply Wise Men several times per day to his reflex points on his hands and feet, the auricular body points. The oils begin interacting with the skin shortly after application supporting the surrounding tissue and providing a soothing effect where you need it most.

Here are Stan's recommended application tips:

SOLID OR LIQUID?

Wise Men is very temperature sensitive. It often melts and reforms on a hot delivery truck so the form can be unusual sometimes. It could be liquefied. It could be solid as a rock. There could be an air bubble underneath the surface. Don't be concerned. This is because Wise Men is unrefined, organic, and basically as minimally processed as possible. In either form Wise Men performs the same. If it's solid, to apply it you may prefer to melt it a bit first. Or you can shave a bit off the top and then it will immediately melt like butter in your hand. If you store it in a sunny window or near a heater it will soften to a balm like consistency. If it's liquefied, to apply it, it's best to store it at room temperature. You could refrigerate it for 30 minutes to harden it quickly.

SMELL FIRST! The sense of smell has a unique connection to the brain. Aroma signals from essential oils travel through the olfactory system to areas linked with the limbic system, which helps regulate emotion, memory, and stress response.¹ Because stress can heighten discomfort, the calming aroma of frankincense and myrrh may help support relaxation and positively influence the perception of pain during use. You may place a fingertip of balm into the palms of your hands, cup them around your nose, and inhale. Ummm .....

MASSAGE! By using massage when applying Wise Men you can greatly enhance the benefits. Studies show applying a massage with pain-relieving topical creams can result in a greater decrease in discomfort. When Wise Men is applied with massage, local circulation is increased to the area, and relaxation of the surrounding tissue is enhanced. Additionally, massage stimulates sensory receptors in the skin, which can help calm the perception of discomfort by competing with pain signals.

Many natural aromatic compounds found in frankincense and myrrh—such as terpenes including α-pinene, limonene, and related constituents—are lipophilic, meaning they blend readily with oils and the skin’s natural lipid barrier.² Gentle rubbing and movement can help spread these compounds evenly across the skin and may support their interaction with the outer skin layers. This is one reason many people experience better results when combining Wise Men with consistent massage. Note: Special reflexology foot massagers are also available and can be helpful.

Anyone wishing to study medicine must master the art of massage. - Hippocrates

FOOT, HAND, EAR APPLICATION –Why do we apply Wise Men to these special areas? This is one of the most effective ways to apply the oils because these areas are easy to access and respond well to consistent massage. The feet, hands and ears also have dense nerve endings and are commonly used in reflexology practices. There are 800 pores per square inch on the foot!⁵ The feet, hands and ears also have places corresponding to all parts of the body. These places are called reflexology points. By massaging these reflexology points, you will actually be treating the corresponding area of the body by triggering the release of endorphins.

If you study different books or charts about reflexology of foot, hand or ear zoning, you will see variations between the location of corresponding organs and parts of the body on the feet.⁶ Don’t be overly concerned about pinpointing these zones. Simply work all over the foot or hand and focus on the points that appear sore or tender. It’s not necessary to locate any exact point. The body will adjust.

Reflexology Zones

YOGA! Practicing yoga or stretching after applying Wise Men can greatly enhance the benefits, particularly when treating nerve disorders like sciatica or postherpetic neuralgia. How does it work? Similar to a good massage, yoga and stretching can help improve circulation, reduce tension, and support the nervous system. Gentle movement may help calm irritated nerves and improve overall comfort, especially in conditions like sciatica or nerve sensitivity. It can also promote relaxation and help support healthier movement patterns over time. Additionally, yoga practice can help you become stronger and more mindful of how you move. Yoga connects all the joints through posture and can correct improper spine mechanics; it turns out everything is connected to everything else.

SOURCES

1 Herz RS. Aromatherapy facts and fictions: a scientific analysis of olfactory effects on mood, physiology and behavior. Int J Neurosci. 2009. PMID: 19954881

2 Aqil M, Ahad A, Sultana Y, Ali A. Status of terpenes as skin penetration enhancers. Drug Discovery Today. 2007;12(23-24):1061-1067. PMID: 18061886 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18061886/

3 Massage therapy plus topical analgesic is more effective than massage alone for hand arthritis pain, National Library of Medicine, Dec 2013, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25042302/
4 Foot Reflexology: Recent Research Trends and Prospects National Library of Medicine, Dec 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9819031/

5 Smith, C, Machado-Moreira, C, Plant, G, Hodder, S, Havenith, G, & Taylor, N. (2013). Design data for footwear: Sweating distribution on the human foot. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 25(1), 43-58.

6 Foot Reflexology: Recent Research Trends and Prospects
National Library of Medicine, Dec 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9819031/