Essential Oils Healing or Hype?

 

 

Essential Oils 

Healing or Hype? 

 

My first encounter with essential oils was about 10 years ago when I got a professional massage. I remember how relaxed I felt as I inhaled the soothing aromas while the masseuse worked the tension out of my body. I came from that experience feeling relaxed but rejuvenated at the same time. I wondered if what I was feeling was more from the effects of the essential oils or the combination of both the aromatherapy and the massage. Needless to say, I was intrigued.

If you’re anything like me, I’m a huge proponent of self-care. As part of my routine, I loved to burn scented candles or use my favorite oils in an oil burner. At the time I didn’t get into the many benefits and ways essential oils could enhance my life.

My quest began with buying diffusers for home and office. I started researching the benefits these healing oils have in our bodies, minds, and emotions. I also learned more about the uses of essential oils in natural cleaning products and air fresheners. As I gathered more information, I started experimenting with different oils to see if my findings were true. I’m not a holistic health expert, but from my experiences with applications of these healing oils, it's encouraging me to work toward becoming a certified essential oils specialist.

Does this spark your interest? If so, I welcome you to come along with me as we explore what essential oils are, the uses, history and the many benefits of essential oils.

 

Aromatic Oils the Treasure from the Pressure

 

Essential oils are fat soluble concentrated compounds extracted from plants, roots, seeds, flowers, and bark. In their pre-extraction state, these oils serve to protect the plant from insects as a built-in pesticide and from the ravages of the environment. Documented evidence has shown that from ancient civilizations, essential oils were an integral part of everyday life. They were used in religious ceremonies, embalming, perfumes, medicines, food preparation and for bathing. 

Today these oils are used in body oils, soaps, candles and for various health and beauty aids. Holistic health care practitioners also use essential oils in an application called aromatherapy. This is a combination of ancient art and science to benefit the spirit, soul, and body. These extractions can be used both through inhalation and topically to bring harmony and healing.

 

Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

 Breathing In Relief

 

Inhaling the essence of these natural oils can penetrate the blood brain barrier and enter the limbic system where they can interact with your brain chemicals to balance emotions, memories, and hormones. 

Methods of inhalation include: the diffuser method, applying the oils on a cotton ball and breathing in the vapors, using them in a vaporizer or humidifier. Although essential oils are not fully accepted in the medical community, there are some psychotherapists that use these oils as a part of their relaxation techniques and for its mood boosting properties.

There have been human experiments and studies that have shown that lavender has been beneficial in increasing relaxation in patients who have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

 

 

 

 

 

Fortifies the Immune System

If you are feeling under the weather, try using essential oils as a complement to over the counter or prescription medications. You may also use these oils alone as preventative care to maintain your wellness goals. They have potent anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. These aromatic oils are excellent for boosting your immunity by combatting pathogens and defending against free radical damage.

 Digestive Support

 

Essential oils are a good aid if you are having digestive issues. They relieve stomach upset, indigestion, and in some cases, IBS. They also stimulate the digestive tract to promote better breakdown of foods and enhance elimination. Peppermint and Ginger are excellent for this purpose.

 

 Brain Function and Health

If you need more mental clarity, plant-based oils can increase your focus, memory, and learning ability. Studies have shown that in individuals with dementia, essential oils have been used to promote a sedative effect.

 Stress and Anxiety 

 Life has it’s share of stress and triggers. In order to alleviate some of the tension from life’s circumstances, start a simple self-care routine and add some soothing essential oils to your regimen. Try diffusing oils like lavender, bergamot, or eucalyptus to relax and bring a calming effect.

 

 

Rubbing It In
Using Essential Oils for Pain Relief 

 If you are dealing with joint or muscle pain, you will be surprised at the results essential oils will bring. I’ve tried frankincense on my knees and I was shocked at how much better they felt. Ginger essential oil extracted from the spicy ginger root is also excellent in relieving muscle soreness and menstrual cramps.

Rosemary is one of my favorites because it’s an anti-inflammatory and eases pain.

Eucalyptus is another champ when it comes to pain relief and relieving muscle spasms

Other oils you may want to try are, Turmeric, Tea Tree and Myrrh. Side note: If you are going to use these oils as a rub, be sure to use them with a carrier oil such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil to avoid skin irritation and burning.

 

Skin and Hair Benefits

If you have itchy skin or scalp, Tea Tree and Peppermint oils are excellent remedies. Just combine a few drops of this potent oils with a carrier oil and apply daily. Another suggestion may be to combine tea tree and eucalyptus with coconut oil or vitamin e oil to improve skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. Because of the anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties these oils possess, they can also aid in wound healing and will improve the appearance of your skin.

To alleviate pain and inflammation from skin wounds, try these healing oils:

Lavender – soothes itching from bites and pain from cuts and scrapes

Rosemary – is also good for skin care. It kills germs and promotes healthy cells

 

Enhances Relaxation and Sleep

Unfortunately, in our modern-day grind, sleep has become less of a priority. Whether we realize it or not, poor quality sleep and rest will affect our immunity cause brain fog, and declining health.

If you are having issues with good sleep hygiene, try the sedative effects of lavender, chamomile, or bergamot oils. I love to combine lavender and eucalyptus in my diffuser at night. They bring a soothing, relaxing feeling that eases you into a restful sleep.

 

 

          

 

Aromatherapy: A Journey Through an Oily History

  

A Biblical Account

 

During Biblical times, essential oils were a vital part of daily living. In Exodus 30:34-38 Moses was instructed by God to use hyssop, cinnamon, clove, myrrh, cassia, spikenard, frankincense, galbanum, olive oil and other spices for anointing oil and incense in the Tabernacle. These oils were used by the priests and the congregation in their participation of worship and sacrifice. These oils were also used as medicinal purposes, cooking and as a form of currency.  And we also know the Biblical account of the Three Wise Men (Magi) that worship the Lord Jesus by bringing him gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

From Biblical times and throughout the ages the practice of using essential oils to provide a good quality of life has been proven and documented. Let’s do some more exploring of historical accounts.

 

Egypt

Known for its art, worship, and proficiency in mathematics and science, the ancient Egyptians used essential oils in religious and war ceremonies. Going back from 2000 BC, they also used the purest oils for bathing, beauty treatments and embalming. Some of the priests during that time were also physicians who used tinctures, balms, and powders as medicinal treatments.

 

 

 

 

  

Greece

 

In historical accounts, the ancient Grecians were known for studying, extracting, and using plants and their oils for medicine. The Greek physician, Hippocrates studied and documented the affects of the essence of plants as promoting healing. He was also known for using fumigation in the city of Athens to ward off the deadly effects of the plague. Another known Greek physician is Galen. He was reported for using essential oils to treat injured soldiers. He has an impeccable record for not losing anyone under his care.

 

India

India is known for Ayurvedic Health. This practice entails using natural herbal and oil treatments to promote holistic health. Ancient physicians known as Vedas were some of the first to use aromatherapy. They were known to have prescribed oils such as coriander, cinnamon, sandalwood, spikenard, and myrrh. Massage therapy using essential oils was a common practice to promote healing as well.  This method has been used for around 5000 years and is still widely used today.

 

Rome

The Romans valued Essential Oils for their healing benefits and enhancing their natural beauty. The ancient Romans used plant oils in their baths and as therapeutic massage therapy. Dioscorides, a famous Greek physician for the Roman army, wrote a 5-volume thesis promoting herbal medicine. They valued natural oils as a part of their daily lifestyle in worship, food preparation, and medical treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

China

 

The earliest record of China’s use of essential oils dates back to early 2697 BCE. Holistic medicine from herbs and plants was and is still a mainstay of Eastern culture. Shennong, the Chinese ruler, also known as the father of Chinese medicine, used his genius to document the oldest medical text, called Shennong’s Herbal, which dates around 2200 BC. He took it upon himself to consume herbs to test the potency and the safety of the compounds to use as medicine. Another contributor to aromatherapy and herbal medicine is the Yellow Emperor, Huong Ti. He is recorded to have written a book on internal medicine that is still used as a reference for Eastern medicine today.

 

Europe

 

During the Middle Ages, the use of aromatic oils and herbs was considered taboo. The Catholic Church condemned the use of herbal treatments and oils deeming them as inappropriate. There were some who were either excommunicated or executed for their aromatherapy practices. Monks of that era risked their lives in order to continue their study and practice of herbal medicine.

In 1910, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, known as the father of aromatherapy and a cosmetic chemist, severely burned his hands and arms in an accidental explosion. Using quick thinking, he submerged his arms into a vat of lavender oil which resulted in stopping the progression of chemical burns on his skin. The oil sped up the healing process with little to no scarring or infection.

 

 

  

Going through these different accounts of how essential oils have benefitted our world, it’s amazing how the discoveries and practices of past ages are still making an impact in holistic medicine and aromatherapy today. So if you are ready to start your aromatic journey see my next post on the 9 essential oils to start your wellness journey.