Health Care and Essential Oils

Complementary alternative medicine has been offered by health care providers and holistic practitioners as an answer to help resolve certain maladies that people want as options to be treated versus traditional medicine. One of those methodologies is the use of essential oils. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their health, cosmetic, and emotionally uplifting properties. Primarily extracted through careful steam distillation, but also through cold pressing, the purest essential oils are far more powerful and effective than dry herbs, delivering quick and effective results.

According to www.YoungLiving.com, while some essential oils may uplift the spirits, others may empower you to release negative thoughts and habits. Essential oils can be your key to a more fulfilling and balanced emotional life. Modern lifestyles don’t always create optimal conditions for physical wellness. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and an overabundance of environmental toxins can leave the body unbalanced and diminish energy levels. From cleansing and weight management to supporting every system of the body, essential oils and essential oil-infused supplements can provide the targeted solutions you need to restore balance and feel your best.

Incense and essential oils from plants have always played an important part in religious and spiritual ceremonies, helping participants to transcend the trivial and connect with something larger than themselves. Research shows that the pure constituents in these oils stimulate olfactory receptors and activate regions in the brain’s limbic system associated with memory, emotion, and state of mind. For more detailed information on essential oils, visit this website: http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/guide/about.

Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile aromatic compounds. Although they are fat soluble, they do not include fatty lipids or acids found in vegetable and animal oils. Essential oils are very clean, almost crisp, to the touch and are immediately absorbed by the skin. Pure, unadulterated essential oils are translucent and range in color from crystal clear to deep blue, according to this website: http://www.doterra.com/us/essentialDefinition.php.

In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and being beautifully fragrant to people, essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Modern scientific study and trends toward more holistic approaches to wellness are driving a revival and new discovery of essential oil health applications.

According to www.DoTerra.com, topical application of essential oils can have immediate, localized benefit to the target area. They have restorative and calming properties and can be used effectively with massage and beauty therapy. They are also natural disinfectants. The chemical structure of essential oils also allows them to be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin for internal benefit throughout the body.

Essential oils can also be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. Some essential oils have powerful antioxidant properties while others help support healthy inflammatory response in cells. Many essential oils are generally regarded as being safe for dietary use, but some oils should not be taken internally. Do not use any essential oil product internally that does not have the appropriate dietary supplement facts on its label.

Using essential oils can be both profoundly simple and life changing at the same time. Working with someone who has used essential oils before will help first-time users have a more beneficial and enjoyable experience. A large amount of information is readily available for those desiring to increase their knowledge of essential oil applications.

(Be sure to use only 100 percent pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions. Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, apply any vegetable oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, to the affected area. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor's care.)

According to www.CrunchyBetty.com, here are the top 7 essential oils to consider when you want to start using them in your personal care products or homemade cleaning supplies:

·         Peppermint (good for lip balms, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)

·         Rosemary (good for hair preparations, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)

·         Sweet orange (good for all skin types and very soothing in room sprays for children)

·         Rose geranium (good for all skin types, creating perfumes, and for use in homemade moisturizers)

·         Tea tree (great for healing, getting rid of dandruff, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)

·         Lavender (great for all skin types, for relaxation, hair preparations, and cleaning products)

·         Lemon (great for lifting moods, cleaning preparations, and sparingly in toners and products for oily skin)

All of these essential oils also happen to be some of the least expensive and easiest to find. Here are some references for learning more about how to safely and effectively use essential oils in skincare, aromatherapy, and cleaning products: 

·         Aromaweb.com is the best source for all things aromatherapy on the internet

·         Wavelengths Natural Health has an abundance of information on essential oil profiles and aromatherapy

·         All of the essential oil profiles on Mountain Rose Herbs.com contain descriptions, usage, and precautions

·         The book Aromatherapy: Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate, and Heal contains an incredible amount of level-headed knowledge and recipes using essential oils

·         The Essential Oils Book by Colleen K. Dodt is small, but chock full of great info

·         And The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy is one last book to look for when learning more (and for more great recipes)

According to this website: http://www.crunchybetty.com/21-things-you-should-know-about-essential-oils, there is much more detailed information on essential oils, including 21 Things You Should Know About Using Essential Oils.

Essential oils have many affects on the human body, most of which are very therapeutic when used in correct application. It also makes sense to talk with your family physician about the use of essential oils, especially if you have certain health or medical conditions that may be affected by their use. Most individuals are not adversely affected, but it always makes sense to research what is best for you.

Until next time.