Why Everyone Should Experiment With Essential Oils
Like many people interested in natural health
, you may have heard about essential oils, but are you aware at the truly diverse and profound healing applications they have? Often the term "aromatherapy" is sort of a hazy concept of smells and good health, but the uses of essential oils go far beyond that. Did you know the same oils used in aromatherapy have been successfully used to treat serious staph infections? Have been shown again and again to eradicate candida infections? That they prevent the transmission of the herpes virus from cell to cell? That they even have anticancer and anti-tumorial action in laboratory experiments, prompting further investigation? How about a little deeper look into these oils for a little inspiration into learning more how you might use them for your own ultimate health and healing.
The term "aromatherapy" is very misleading. It implies "aroma" is always involved in the "therapy". But this is true only in the minority of the time! Aromatherapy is actually the entire branch of botanical and herbal medicine that utilizes the volatile natural chemical compounds extracted from plants for therapeutic use. And is so happens that these volatile aromatic compounds, the "essential oils", are very diverse in their makeup. Some are made up of hundreds of individual molecules -- and these molecules are very compatible with our own physiology. They are easily absorbed by our bodies, and remarkably have an incredible array of healing actions, just "solid" herbs and plant medicines would -- just in a very concentrated form.
Many leading aromatherapists believe the greatest health benefits from essential oils come from their anti-infectious nature. Their ability to prevent and cure infectious illness such as colds and flu caused by bacteria and viruses. This potential is supported by a very large body of data from the scientific community, with research noting efficacy against herpes simplex, the SARS virus, the MRSA "superbug", candida fungus, and a variety of infectious bacteria.
It's a simple thing just to use essential oils as a preventative measure. In laboratory research, oils have been shown not only to directly eradicate infectious microbes, but actually increase the ability of our immune system to fend off these invaders. Just by evaporating oils into your space, by use of a specially designed aromatherapy diffuser, on can gain these benefits in two ways: essential oil vapors have been shown to eradicate microbes on contact, and the vapors themselves provide protection to the respiratory system when inhaled. Other means of using oils for immune system support include massaging them into the feet -- which happen to be a particularly receptive part of the body for this practice -- or into the sternum and/or lymph nodes.
Along these lines are the antiseptic applications in aromatherapy. "Antiseptic" simply means an "antimicrobial" used on the skin's surface. The most simple application is the use of Tea Tree in place of products like Neosporin, alone or in a 50/50 blend with Lavender (this is choice for use with children). Tea Tree is a very broad spectrum antiseptic, and has a wide variety of uses. It's excellent for acne, used in a 5% concentration based either in a carrier oil like Grapeseed or Hazelnut, or aloe vera gel. Tea Tree is excellent for athlete's foot and other mild skin infections, as are Palmarosa, Geranium and many other essential oils. All these make great smelling, healthier choices than pharmaceutical preparations.
We've all seen fancy skin care products with ingredients which list "botanical extracts". Know what they're talking about? Yes, essential oils. Because of the molecular shape of the oils, they are very readily evaporated by the skin. So much so that a "carrier oil" is always recommended to slow this absorption down, and spread it over a larger area. The beauty here is that for very little money (relative to the crazy cost of high-end skin care) you can make a formula perfectly suited to your skin's needs. Eczema? Try German Chamomile in Tamanu. Sensitive skin with broken capillaries? Try Lavender, Helichrysum and Blue Tansy. Want help with reducing wrinkle appearance? Use the scientifically proven Rose hip seed, in conjunction with Lavender, Rosemary, Carrot Root, Frankincense and, well, this list really goes on. There are so many great oils for skin care, it's impossible to list them all here -- though it is really fun finding out which are perfect for you and how to put them together for that perfect personal recipe.
Seeking a new form of pain relief? You'll find an answer in aromatherapy. Wintergreen has long been used -- it's also known as "methyl scalicilate", which is really liquid aspirin. Yet there are many more effective choices. Spice oils like Ginger and Pepper have been researched for their anti-inflammatory activity, and are found in many blends to reduce pain and increase mobility for arthritic ant rheumatic conditions. And the single most effective ingredient of all is the little known Helichrysum. Though it's fast becoming popular for one reason: it works very well. This one oil manages to reduce inflammation, speed healing and alleviate pain all at the same time. It is often used in combination with the other oils mentioned for a wonderful synergistic effect.
The most advanced therapeutic activity is now being elucidated in laboratories around the world. A few essential oils with a long history of medicinal use are being researched for their anticancer activity, with very positive results. Frankincense has been shown to directly eradicate cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells of the same type unaffected. The oil has been tested with human cell lines from different organs, all showing the same positive results. Lemongrass, also with a long history of medicinal use, is also being examined. This area of research is so exciting, as the "fight against cancer" is not making leaps and bounds in the world of conventional medicine, and the world really needs readily available, effective alternatives that essential oils appear to have the potential to deliver.
This is just a quick look at what sort of healing actions the essential oils used in "aromatherapy" my hold for you and your family. They've been in use for a very long time as healing agents; until recently in France one used to go to a doctor and receive a prescription of an essential oil blend and treatment protocol! There are a great many wonderful texts to delve into the subject. Look for authors Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt and Anthony Battaglia if you'd like to see more on the scientific approach to using oils as medicine, Gabriel Mojay for a look at using them in relation to Chinese Medicine, and Valerie Worwood for day to day practical applications. You'll be glad you invited these concentrated healing wonders into your life.
by: Tracy Waters
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