| This is an essential oils article that should have been | | | | essential oils. What you can do is to offer him your |
| written long ago! Why? Because when it comes to | | | | EDR on loan, so that the two of you can use this |
| precautions, the elderly are in a special category. | | | | information to make the best decision possible. If you |
| They deserve to know these precautions so that | | | | decide to use essential oils, your doctor's knowing |
| they too may enjoy the myriad benefits of essential | | | | about it can enable him to better monitor the results. |
| oils. Here are 7 tips for getting started as safely as | | | | 7. Sometimes you're on your own! |
| possible. | | | | When you consider these facts, you'll understand |
| 1. Less is better. | | | | why.a. Most scientific studies, whether it is with |
| As the body ages, many of its processes work | | | | prescription drugs or essential oils, have not targeted |
| differently than they did at a younger age. Some of | | | | the elderly as a population group.b. Most of the |
| these processes may work faster and some may | | | | scientific studies on essential oils have been done |
| work more slowly, so when it comes to essential oils, | | | | outside the United States, though the EDR contains |
| it is smart to start with only 1 drop, not 6! | | | | references to many of them.c. It is almost certain |
| 2. Use only pure, therapeutic grade essential oils. | | | | that there have been no scientific studies made with |
| Essential oils that meet this standard are more potent | | | | people of your specific age who are taking the same |
| than lesser qualities - an oil of lesser quality may | | | | prescription drugs you are taking and at the same |
| contain synthetic chemicals or impurities. Therapeutic | | | | dosage levels. The same is true for essential oils, so |
| grade essential oils are used by a number of hospitals | | | | whether it is prescription medications or essential oils, |
| and doctors all over the world. | | | | you and your doctor make the best decision you |
| 3. Caution with grapefruit essential oil. | | | | can, based on the knowledge that is available to you |
| If any of the prescription drugs you are taking come | | | | at the time.d. The benefits of prescription drugs are |
| with instructions to avoid grapefruit while taking that | | | | published in scientific journals and some of this |
| drug, please do not use grapefruit essential oil or any | | | | education is passed on to the doctors by |
| blend containing it. | | | | pharmaceutical representatives. The benefits of |
| 4. Consult the Essential Oils Desk Reference for | | | | essential oils are also published in scientific journals, |
| cautions. | | | | but the benefits are passed along primarily by word |
| Many of the elderly are taking multiple prescription | | | | of mouth or through emails and online chat groups. |
| drugs, including blood thinners. Essential oils such as | | | | Bonus Tip: Be Open to the Benefits! |
| balsam fir, cinnamon bark, clary sage, clove, and | | | | I apologize for giving so many cautions, when what |
| more have anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties, | | | | people want is benefits. But in knowing the cautions, |
| which is why the EDR is essential for both doctor | | | | you can now probably relax better and enjoy getting |
| and patient in working with the elderly. | | | | acquainted with the essential oils. For example, you |
| 5. Consult the Essential Oils Desk Reference for | | | | may be using a certain oil or combination of oils for |
| benefits. | | | | some physical issue, and almost not notice how |
| The possible benefits of using essential oils may be | | | | peaceful or happy it makes you feel. With other oils, |
| greater than you thought! I know people into their | | | | you may notice clearer thinking or more energy. |
| 80s and 90s who consult with the EDR in choosing | | | | Bonus Tip #2: Label the Tops of Your Essential Oil |
| which oils to use and how to use them. | | | | Bottles |
| 6. Talk with your doctor. | | | | You can use a magic market or label maker and you |
| If you live in the United States, do not expect your | | | | can ask your baby boomer children to do this for |
| doctor to be knowledgeable about therapeutic grade | | | | you. |