| Essential oils are one of nature's great gifts. As the | | | | essential oils can be the anointing of the third eye or |
| use of natural medicines grows, aromatherapy and | | | | temples with Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedarwood, |
| essential oils can play a vital part - here's a primer on | | | | Sandalwood or a combination of these mind-centering |
| pure essential oils, their history and production, and | | | | aromatics. |
| highlights of thier therapeutic uses. As the interest in | | | | Modern use of essential oils in natural health, wellness |
| aromatherapy grows for those interested in | | | | and fitness programs began with the discovery of |
| alternative health, wellness, and fitness, many folks | | | | Lavender's healing properties by a French scientist in |
| ask "what are essential oils" and "how do they differ | | | | the middle of the last century. Lavender was found |
| from other oils like olive oil, coconut and the like"? | | | | to have effective healing properties for skin wounds, |
| This brief primer should help clarify the matter, and | | | | strong anti-inflammatory properties, and wonderful |
| get you started in the wonderful world of | | | | calming effects when inhaled. Further research has |
| aromatherapy. Essential oils are concentrated volatile | | | | confirmed superior efficacy of essential oils for a |
| aromatic compounds produced by plants - these are | | | | broad range of physiological conditions. The most |
| the easily evaporated essences that give plants their | | | | promising use of essential oils is in the treatment of |
| wonderful scents, more akin to an alcohol than what | | | | infectious illness. Most essential oils display antibacterial |
| we commonly think of as an oil. | | | | effects, some also with strong antiviral properties as |
| Each of these complex precious liquids is extracted | | | | well. They can be used to fight infectious illness, or |
| from a particular plant species. Each plant species | | | | support the immune system to prevent the onset of |
| originates in certain regions of the world, with | | | | illness in the first place. It does take a qualified |
| particular environmental conditions and neighboring | | | | practitioner, or a significantly strong knowledge to |
| fauna and flora. The result is a very diverse library of | | | | choose the right oil for each condition, however. |
| aromatic compounds, with some essential oils being | | | | Some oils are particularly effective in treating certain |
| made up of more than one hundred distinct organic | | | | illnesses and not others; these 'other' illnesses will |
| chemicals. Pure essential oils are distilled from oil sacs | | | | have their own best essential oil (or combination of) |
| found in most structures of plants - the leaves, | | | | for treatment. |
| roots, flowers and more. Almost all essential oils are | | | | Beyond infectious illness, certain essential oils have |
| made up of several, sometimes hundreds of various | | | | strong anti-inflammatory properties, other oils can |
| molecular compounds. The combination and ratios of | | | | stimulate the regeneration of tissues, others can help |
| these compounds give each oil it's particular aromatic | | | | cleanse and purify the body, and still others can |
| and medicinal properties. | | | | reduce muscular and joint pain while increasing |
| Essential oils are not just a by-product of plant | | | | circulation. As you can see, essential oils can play a |
| growth; plants use these oils in a manner similar to | | | | significant role an any natural health, wellness and/or |
| those prescribed in medical aromatherapy: to fight | | | | fitness program - the important part is proper |
| infections from microbes, fungi and viruses; to | | | | education of the user. |
| protect themselves from animal invaders; and some | | | | The three primary modes of using essential oils are |
| suspect they may be used for chemical | | | | the following: Topical application (most often diluted in |
| communication between plants of the same species. | | | | a carrier oil such as Almond oil, Hazelnut, Olive or |
| While essential oils come from the plant world, they | | | | other 'fatty acid') most often for muscular aches and |
| are particularly suited to use in natural health, wellness | | | | pains and support for skin conditions and |
| and fitness programs as their chemistry is remarkably | | | | rejuvenation. Inhalation is commonly used for the |
| compatible with our own; they are easily absorbed | | | | psychological effects of oils - the olfactory sense |
| into our bodies, even at the cellular level. | | | | organs being directly tied to the brain's emotional |
| Producing essential oils of the highest grades is truly | | | | centers. Inhalation is also successfully employed for |
| an art form. It takes a delicate balance of time, | | | | sinus and bronchial congestion along with other |
| temperature and pressure during the distillation | | | | breathing ailments. In certain cases, ingestion is |
| process to ensure the most complete range of | | | | prescribed - capsules of peppermint essential oil have |
| molecular components is extracted. The finer oils will | | | | been shown effective in scientific studies on the |
| have the most wonderful aromatic bouquets for this | | | | symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a debilitating |
| reason - they contain a breadth of compounds when | | | | condition thought to be the result of rampant |
| inhaled together give an oil a brilliant aroma. Relatively | | | | bacterial grown in the intestines. |
| few essential oils are produced in this manner - many | | | | The list of the proven efficacy of essential oils |
| are destined for large manufacturing processes, and | | | | continues to grow. There are many good texts |
| will not have the same aromas and therapeutic | | | | available to education yourself, and a growing number |
| effects of the highest grade oils. Medicinal and spiritual | | | | of professional practitioners in the field. If you'd like |
| use of essential oils dates back thousands of years. | | | | to incorporate essential oils in your own health and |
| Oils were used by the ancient Egyptians along with | | | | wellness program, a little research surrounding your |
| many other ancient cultures. Hundreds of references | | | | own needs will lead you in the right direction. Essential |
| to their healing properties in the Christian Bible, along | | | | oils are powerful medicine - be safe, understand what |
| with anointing for spiritual growth and insight. | | | | you're doing, and you'll likely find aromatherapy can |
| Frankincense resin continues to be used in the | | | | support your own personal needs in a fun and |
| Catholic church today during mass as a purifying and | | | | pleasantly aromatic way. |
| uplifting aromatic incense - a similar application of | | | | |