Simple Guide to ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential Oils are “the highly concentrated version of the natural oils in plants” according to Emma at TheYoungLivingBlog.com.
Plants, including everything from the roots to the leaves, flowers, and buds, are distilled, usually through a steam process. The end product is a highly concentrated “essence” of the original plant in an oil form. The essential oil will have the fragrance of the plant as well as any properties, especially the healing properties of the species from which it is derived.
From chamomile, essential oil to treat skin conditions to black pepper essential oil for lowering cholesterol, the list of essential oils as well as what they treat is long and extensive.
How Do I Obtain These Benefits?
There are several applications. The first is through aromatherapy. Putting just a few drops into an oil diffuser, you can enjoy the benefits through the day and night.
A second method is by mixing the oil with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, and applying it to the skin. Since these oils are very strong, it is best if they are not used topically straight from the bottle. Follow the directions for use that come with the oil.
You can also add a few drops of oil to your bath. Alternately, soaking a towel in water that has essential oils added and using the towel as a hot or cold compress is the favored application for some users.
Oils can be applied behind the ears, on the temples, the wrists, and even on the top of your head and the soles of your feet. Again, be cautious when applying directly to the skin.
Essential oils can also be used internally. They add bold flavor as well as added health benefits. Be sure to choose oils that have been specially designed for cooking.
Safety precautions:
Go slowly; add a drop or two at a time. You can always add more.
Always read label directions for each oil.
Do not use in eyes, ears, nose, or any area with sensitive skin.
Do not apply to a baby’s skin unless you have followed the manufacturer’s directions for doing so.
A Little History
Egyptians are thought to have been the first civilization to recognize the medicinal qualities of essential oils. They used them in religious ceremonies as well as in beauty products. Even the embalming process, which we know they mastered through the discovery of well-preserved mummies, used essential oils to help keep the body from decay.
Around the same time, the Chinese were using essential oils, and this practice became part of Ayurvedic, the ancient Indian medicinal practice. The Greeks and Romans were not far behind, and although their use faded during the Dark Ages, essential oils made a comeback during the Renaissance.
Today we attribute the term “aromatherapy” to a French chemist and perfumer, Rene Maurice Gattefosse. The story goes that he badly burned his hand in a lab accident. Grabbing the closest concoction, he dribbled pure, undiluted lavender oil across the reddened tissue and experienced immediate relief from pain. His hand healed quickly and without a scar. He became, of course, a believer.
Today we value the use of essential oils as an important component of alternative, holistic practices for wellness.
A Few Fun Facts
The Three Wise Men
Most of us know the Christian story (Gospel of Matthew) of the three Magi who brought gifts for the newborn Jesus. You may even remember the names of the three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the most precious treasures of the time. But did you know that myrrh is actually essential oil? These men came to honor the coming of Christ and brought the precious metal, gold, a perfume called frankincense (think incense as in aromatherapy) and myrrh. They knew thousands of years ago what we are just re-discovering now!
Today many companies sell Three Wise Men Essential Oils, branded and sold as a formula that promises to “promote feelings of reverence and spiritual awareness” and “protect from negative emotions.”
The Four Thieves
Another common blend sold by Essential Oil Companies is based on a legend that seems to have some truth to back it up.
During the 1200s through the early 1700s, Europe and Asia’s populations were decimated by the Bubonic Plague. In some cases, half the citizenry of towns and cities were wiped out by this terrible and seemingly-incurable affliction. The bodies piled up on the outskirts of villages across these regions. No one wanted more exposure than necessary and so the bodies were often left for days, then all at once buried in mass graves.
This made easy pickings for thieves, who robbed the corpses of jewelry, money, and even clothing and coveted boots. These men seemed immune to the plague, and officials wanted to know why.
In the city of Marseilles, four thieves were caught in the act and hauled to the local jail, where they were interrogated. Why, officials demanded to know, were they able to escape the terrible sickness that affected so many?
Finally one of the thieves confessed that they used a potion to protect themselves as they carried out their crime.
In 1991, a historian, businessman, and essential oils advocate researched the story. Donald Gary Young of Utah concluded,
“I must tell you that I have read 17 different versions of the Thieves story.” Some claimed that there were four thieves, others as many as 40. Another variation: some claim the story took place in the 15th century while others have placed it in the 1700s. Young noticed, however, that four ingredients were repeated throughout the accounts: clove, cinnamon, rosemary, and lemon.
Today several essential oil companies sell their own versions of Thieves Oil based on the legend.
We cannot discount the knowledge of our ancestors. Whether it was written down in a book, passed down through families, or simply part of an old legend, Essential Oils are finally being recognized as an important part of wellness and healthy living.
As with any new regimen or product, check with your health care provider before adding to your daily routine.
Although all essential oils are not created equal, keep in mind that there is no agency that regulates these products. If you read “therapeutic grade” or “certified pure therapeutic grade” you should know that these are marketing terms created by the manufacturer. Shop for oils from companies that are open about where and how their plants are grown, harvested, and tested.
Clove—good for pain relief, reduces inflammation, helps with nausea, freshens breath, clears acne
Eucalyptus—helps with decongestion, used topically for pain, helps with mental clarity; also an excellent insect repellent
Frankincense—mood enhancer, stress remover, anti-inflammatory, helps fade scars and heal wounds, reduces itching and swelling from insect bites
Bergamot—mood balancer, heals skin, helps break up chest congestion, reduces fever
Lavender—calming, sleep-inducing, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial
Tea Tree Oil—helps keep skin, hair, and nails healthy
Cypress—Astringent, antispasmodic, treats respiratory complains, helps with menstrual pain, helps with muscle pain
