Rethink- October 17, 2007
October -National Breast Cancer awareness month

Irene Spedaliere usually comes out smelling like a rose — literally. The Streetsville businesswoman owns Mohani Bay, an aromatherapy store and custom blending bar that offers her customers a wide range of body washes, soaps, shampoos and scrubs made from pure essential oils extracted from plants and known for their healing properties.

An aromatherapist with a pharmaceutical background, Spedaliere recently came up with a novel way to contribute to breast cancer research. She concocted a blend of essential oils to make shampoos and conditioners, body washes and scrubs, all in support of Rethink a Toronto-based breast cancer support group. October is national breast cancer awareness month.

The products made from that blend, also named Rethink, are available only until the end of October. Proceeds from sales go towards breast cancer research. Spedaliere said she took four blends along with some 40 essential oils to be tested by women at Rethink, and asked them to select one. She tweaked the formula a little. The final blend, chosen by the women, most of whom have been touched by cancer, was a winner. “It so happens, the blend they chose contained sweet orange and tangerine, both of which are good for the lymphatic system,”

Spedaliere said. “A lot of breast cancer patients have lymphedema, which is swelling of the lymph nodes, and these oils help with that. The blend they selected also had lavender, which is a natural anti-depressant, along with cinnamon and clove, which aid circulation and are antiseptic, so it all works well together."

“I want to promote natural, healthy living for everyone,” she added.

Spedaliere said "aromatherapy can help combat both physical and mental conditions to alleviate stress."

Having spent most of her career as a pharmacy technician at Toronto's Bayview Clinic, Spedaliere saw first-hand the effects of cancer on women.

written by: Radhika Panjwani
The Mississauga News