Thursday, March 6, 2008

What Essentials Oils Are And Are Not

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SO HOW EXACTLY DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK?

Well, the short answer to this question is that essential oils, affecting the most primitive parts of the brain controlling mood and hormone production, assist the body in producing the correct ratio of bio-chemicals necessary to heal the body, create elevated moods, and eliminate harmful toxins from the body.

So, in essence essential oils simply assist the body in doing what it does naturally…eliminate toxins and disease, and repair, rebuild, and restore its systems…which lead to optimum health.

As far as being anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic, anti-fungal, and anti-biotic…essential oils have been clinically proven to eliminate harmful pathogens because of their unique ability to “smother” bacteria, virus, fungus, and other harmful pathogens.

See, this is really key because many people these days are developing “anti-biotic resistance” meaning that the strains of viruses and bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals.

But many ‘super germs’ never develop a resistance to essential oils because these incredible plant essences actually “smother” or “suffocate” bacteria!

In her article…”The Wonder Oils” published in The Herbalist, Author and Senior Editor of Vegetarian Times Norine Dworkin cites that Tea Tree alone has been clinically proven to kill the dreaded Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, so prevalent in hospitals…as published in the 1995 Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

In addition she writes, “A 1990 study by Lederle Laboratories and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital found that a 5% tea tree oil gel was AS effective as benzyl peroxide in treating acne, with less drying, stinging, and redness.”

Even more compelling, a study published in the Journal of Family Practice (June 1994) found that “pure tea tree oil relieved nail fungus as effectively as clortrimazole, a topical anti-fungal drug.”

But get this…A 1985 study at the University of Paris showed that 21 of 28 women, who were given tea tree oil suppositories to combat Candida albicans (common ‘yeast’ infection) showed complete recovery after one month of use!

Other Power Oils like Oregano are being closely researched these days.

According to a study done by the Anadolu University in Turkey…”topical applications of oregano oil worked better than ibuprofen and nearly as well as morphine for controlling chronic pain…applied to gums, fights plaque and gingivitis.”

And Author Cass Ingram (The Cure is in the Cupboard: How to use Oregano for Better Health, 1997) says “I’ve never seen anything reduce inflammation or swelling for burns so quickly…for sunburn it’s a total life saver.”

As you can see, the medical community is fast beginning to catch on to and prove through clinical research what aroma therapists, alternative healers and seekers have known
for years:

Essential oils when properly used are one of the most powerful substances on the planet for restoring, healing, and bringing balance to the body, mind, and spirit…Period!

But let’s talk for a minute about…

WHAT AROMATHERAPY IS NOT…

There is so much mis-information floating around the internet and perpetuated by the “commercial marketing machine”. The average person who hears the word ‘Aromatherapy’ would no doubt have some confusion regarding the actual definition of the word.

And its no surprise considering how many large commercial Giants have jumped on the aromatherapy bandwagon by referring to their plug-ins, room sprays, and even candles as being “aromatherapy”.

Not Even Close!

The authentic definition of Aromatherapy is: The application and use of plant based essential oils to heal, tend, beautify, and restore the body, mind, and spirit.

In fact, a much more appropriate title for the use of essential oils would be “Essential Oil Therapy”…except that probably wouldn’t be as much fun as the word Aromatherapy would it?

The reason essential oil application got the name Aromatherapy was largely because the volatile plant chemicals and compounds found in essential oils, that are so therapeutic for the body and mind, almost always have a naturally pleasant scent and since the quickest way of absorbing essential oils into the body is through the nose…

…well, you can imagine why it would come to be known as “Aroma-Therapy”!

Unfortunately, many people are mis-informed about what Aromatherapy actually means due to the sheer frequency with which the word is so freely used in the media.

It really urks me that so many companies have simply slapped the label of “Aromatherapy” on their products when in fact most of these commercial products are laden with petroleum based chemicals.

In fact, most have nothing to do with essential oil based aromatherapy whatsoever!

Yet, a large majority of the population has this idea that anything that “smells good” must be aromatherapy! Not So!

Only the application and use of therapeutic grade essential oils truly deserves the title Aromatherapy.

So the next time you are shopping for candles, room sprays, body mists, bath oils, etc…just remember…

…there is no such thing as “peach” or “blueberry” essential oil! (Although I’m sure some of the larger commercial manufacturers would love for you to believe that.)

And even though a candle may have the name…”Green Tea and Lavender” doesn’t mean it has anything to do essential oils. In fact, you have to get really good at reading labels because so many commercial products will use the name Lavender Fields, or Orange Blossom, or Herbal Blend…when in reality the scent in the product is mostly synthetic.

Okay, so now that I’ve gotten off my soap-box (sorry if I seem a little aggressive about this issue…it’s just that it really bugs me when the Big Commercial Machine tries to pull the wool over the publics eyes just to sell more merchandise!)

But let’s move on shall we!

In this article we will be exploring the quickest, easiest, and most convenient ways of:

1) Categorizing Essential Oils Using the Quick Mind-Map Method!
2) Creating Your Own Unique Essential Oil and Perfume Blends!
3) Easy Tricks For Turning Ordinary Household and Body Care Products into Aromatherapy Items!

So, without further ado, let’s jump in!

*Bibliography:

1) David Flegel , MS, “Do Scents Make Health Sense?”,
WebMD Medical News, Jan. 7, 2002


“Five minute tricks to quickly mastering the therapeutic, mood elevating use of essential oil aromatherapy!”

Break through the confusion and overwhelm of choosing essential oils by learning the “quick category” method!

Mind Map your way to aromatherapy success with a “free association” game!

I love to share information that empowers other people.
I have a God-given talent for finding secret-shortcuts that eliminate hassle and aggravation!

Let’s face it, you would much rather live your life than spend endless hours trying to implement a process that’s supposed to make your life more pleasant in the first place!

So, Lets Get Started Now!

Ever wish you could quickly condense volumes worth of essential oil knowledge into a quick, fun, easy to use method of categorizing essential oils so that you always know which ones to use and why?

One of the most intimidating things about learning to use essential oil aromatherapy is the downright dizzying array of lists, cross-references, Latin names, origins, uses, applications, safety information:

Which oils do what?
How do I use them?
· What should I avoid?
· How do I make sure this is safe for my family?
· Where do I buy essential oils that are high quality?

Admit it…

When you first became curious about essential oils and aromatherapy you no doubt had a mixture of excitement and sheer overwhelm?

There’s so much information to learn, how on earth can I wrap my brain around this extensive science …right?

Well, it’s your lucky day!

Because I’m going to show you a magnificent shortcut past all the confusion so you can begin identifying and mastering the use of essential oils quickly!

After all, most people aren’t trying to use essential oils to detox the liver or heal psoriasis, that’s for the pros to do…

You just want an easy way of using essential oils to make your daily experience happier, healthier, and smelling like a heavenly garden!

So, for the sake of using essential oils in your daily life to elevate your mood, freshen and cleanse your environment, and beautify your skin and hair… I’ve discovered an easy method to shortcut past the confusion. In a nutshell, all essential oils can be easily broken down into 5 major “mood” categories:

Citruses (& Citrus ‘types’)
Florals & Herbals
Woods & Roots
Mints & Menthols
Spices


One of the best ways that I’ve discovered of understanding and categorizing essential oils is to create a simple “Mind Map” through “Free Association”

All that means is fitting all essential oils into 5 easy categories, understanding the properties of each category.

“Trust your nose…it “knows’ a lot more than you think!”

Why?

Because our sense of smell is directly connected to one of the oldest parts of our developed brain and is also one of our keenest senses!

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