Essential Oils (EOs)

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oil is created by photosynthesis in small cavities in the cellular structure of plants, either in the roots, petals, seeds or peel (as in citrus oils). EO is an aromatic, volatile liquid composed of small oil-like molecules - a complicated combination of 100-400 of the plant's chemical compounds. EOs can be very expensive, since vast quantities of the plant source are distilled or cold-pressed to produce a small amount of oil. For instance, approximately 200 pounds of petals (~60,000 fresh roses) are required to produce 1 ounce of rose essential oil. i.e. ~30 roses for one single drop of EO.

Great for Babies / Invalids / Elderly -no nasty tasting medicine or capsules /tablets to swallow!

Used Historically - Physicians and priests used oils for thousands of years. The bible contains 188 references to oils, such as frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, hyssop, and spikenard (costly oil used by Mary to anoint Jesus'feet at the last supper), which were used for anointing and healing the sick. Frankincense and myrrh, presents from kings brought to Christ's birth, are now known as highly effective immune system boosters. In bible times they were so valued that they were actually used as money. Well preserved oils were found in the alabaster jars in King Tut's tomb.

It is important to note that these oils are not the same as the steam-distilled oils we use today. According to Dr. Robert Pappas, (a renowned expert on essential oilswhose educational/informationalsite www.essentialoils.org has the world's largest online database on their chemistry and uses) maintains that"Aromatic products used during these ancient times would have been of a crude solvent extracted from nature using fats and pressed oils and the like and would not have been very concentrated (not to mention that extracted products yield very different chemistry than distilled products) and therefore their use cannot really be related to how we should use the steam distilled essential oils of today".

EOs must be extracted correctly to be beneficial -through steam distillation, at low pressure and temperature and for a minimum of 1-2 hours. No chemicals added. Unfortunately, many EOs are no more than perfumes.

Properties of therapeutic quality EOs:

Penetrate cell membranes

Travel through the blood and tissues delivering oxygen and nutrients into the cells

Stimulate nerves

Stimulate the regeneration of tissue

Help the cells resonate at proper frequencies -increasing the vibration of the entire body.

Defeat diseases, bacteria, fungi and viruses - EOs are anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-microbial, anti-tumoral, anti-oxidant, anti-parasitic, anti-viral and antiseptic.

Stimulate Immune System - EOs detoxify cells, affecting every cell within 20 minutes of use.

Promote oxygenation in our bodies - A major benefit of EOs is in their ability to oxygenate our typically oxygen-deprived bodies. Disease cannot live in an oxygenated environment.

By-pass the digestive system - Beneficial for people with poor digestion/assimilation.

Cross the blood brain barrier - EOs contain sesquiterpenes having the ability to pass the blood brain barrier. This enables them to be effective in the treatment of brain related diseases, such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons,MS and brain cancer.

Contain antimicrobial hydroperoxides

Can be inhaled, or topically applied to the skin - In aromatherapy, an inhaled EO fragrance is sensed by millions of olfactory receptor cells lining the inside of the nose. These cells trigger electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb, which transmits the impulses to the gustatory center (where the sensation of taste is perceived), the amygdala (where emotional memories are stored) and other parts of the limbic system of the brain, which control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance - all in less than a second!

Which essential oil to use for a specific problem?

Link to a good site naming oils to use for specific problems

Some useful essential oils

Tea-Tree e.o.

Lavender e.o.

Wild oregano e.o.

Frankincense N/A