As consumers, we are truly embracing the natural health movement. We've taken a good hard look at our medical system, and realize there must be something better -- and it turns out that Nature has been offering it this entire time in the myriad forms of plant medicine. Using plants and herbs for healing has been happening the whole during the whole of human civilization. Researchers have now even discovered animals in the wild eating particular plants to cure their ills. We are now seeing an explosion of interest in "aroma medicine", the use of pure and natural essential oils as powerful healing tools. And these tools are readily available to you and your family to improve your health and wellbeing.
The body of scientific research regarding the healing actions of essential oils has grown vastly over the last 20 years. A search on Pub Med, an on-line database of the US National Library of Medicine, for "essential oil" returns 8808 results as of April 10th, 2009. The very first listing describes the anti-dementia (Alzheimer's) effects of Lemon essential oil! The diversity of actual medical applications of essential oils is truly incredible -- more diverse than just the plants themselves, as many essential oils have multiple applications. The inhalation of lemon has been shown to improve mood, improve mental accuracy and even act as an antimicrobial, perfect for general household cleaning.
A few other very notable scientific results: Clove essential oil has the highest ORAC value (an assay of anti-oxidant activity) of any plant material ever tested, with a figure of over 100,000 -- most "superfoods" are in the 5,000 to 20,000 range. Many, many studies have confirmed the stress-reducing effects of essential oils: Lavender repeatedly shows a calming effect, it helps folks sleep as well as the most prevalent prescription sedative drugs, and actually lessens animal aggression. In case you don't care for Lavender, Sandalwood has these same effects with a more earthy aroma. The simple inhalation -- what many of us might really think of when we hear the term "aromatherapy" -- of Lavender and Rosemary essential oils results in lower Cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increased quenching of oxidative radicals by our own body's defense systems. The complimentary effects are amazing: just the scent of these natural aromatics reduce physical markers of stress AND increase the action of the body's anti-aging protection mechanism.
At this point you may be saying: that's all well and good, but where's the REAL medicine? You've heard about MRSA -- the "Superbug" bacteria running rampant in the world's hospitals, becoming a real epidemic? MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Methicillin is an antibiotic that is supposed to kill these bacteria, but they've evolved so that they're no longer affected. Guess what: a combination of Tea Tree and Geranium essential oils plus Grapefruit Seed extract outperforms our greatest laboratory achievements in the modern production of antibiotics. Now, of course, the final test results are being withheld so that the researchers can patent the formula, but you can read through the data yourself -- Google does us a giant favor that way -- and see that this medicine is already available if you're willing to blend a few oils for yourself. (It is VERY important you get the help of a knowledgeable practitioner; there are many many oils, and many therapeutic protocols. Like any medicine, it is crucial to precisely match the protocol with the condition for the greatest healing efficacy).
And for the really big one: essential oils are showing great promise in the treatment of many cancers. Frankincense and Lemongrass are just two of the oils that have been shown anti-tumorial, and Sandalwood has been show to specifically prevent skin cancers from UVB radiation exposure. Searching for "Frankincense tumor" gives a first result of: "Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity". The conclusion states: "Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability..." There are many more results like this, with a variety of oils and a variety of cancer cell lines. This is a very exiting time for natural medicine, as a combination of new extraction techniques, and faster turn around times in research facilities made lead to new, life saving protocols in the very near future (and it's important that we as members of the world community keep voicing our opinions, and making these changes in our available medical treatments -- it's not only good for us, it's good for the world as well, as the production of natural medicines takes SO much less energy than their pharmaceutical "equivalents").
Essential oils offer so much more than these treatments, too! So much concentrated wellness is available to the average family taking part in the aromatherapy lifestyle. Tea Tree and Lavender (mix them 50/50 and keep a small bottle available) is perhaps the most potent antibacterial, nicest smelling and gently soothing formula for all the cuts and scrapes of childhood. Helichrysum italicum essential oil has profound healing and pain relieving effects on bumps, bruises, twists, sprains and all muscular sore spots -- and it works fast. Lavender and Helichrysum are excellent for burns; use a couple drops "neat" next time you may (God forbid!) touch a hot stove and you'll be extolling the virtues of essential oils in no time. Kids getting unruly? A belly or back rub with Roman Chamomile or Mandarin (2% in Hazelnut oil) does the trick. Try 1% Vanilla for the toddlers. You can create blends specifically for the needs of your skin to dramatically improve eczema symptoms, reduce wrinkles, make scars slowly fade, eliminate acne and athlete's foot, and just bring a fantastic glow to your face. So many great smelling medicines from so many plants!
Sure, this can sound a little overwhelming...where, really, to start when you're new to it all? Well, that's the trick: just get started. Anyone in your family not sleeping well? Rub a drop of lavender on each foot at bedtime for a few nights and see what happens. Someone with athlete's foot or other similar rashes? Mix 30 drops of Tea Tree and 30 drops of Palmarosa into a fluid ounce of Jojoba oil and massage into the area a couple times a day. Just get a simple diffuser, some Black Spruce essential oil and make your house smell like the middle of the forest. Dab a drop of Rose, Amber, Jasmine or Sandalwood oil to your wrist, rub them together and smell like heaven. It's that easy. And these simple ideas get you ready for when you might need to tap into the serious medicine available here. Essential oils won't be foreign anymore, and you'll start to trust their real medicinal value. Also, there are tons of great books, and very qualified teachers. Open your eyes and heart to the world of Aroma Medicine, and you'll be sure to find your way. - 14130
The body of scientific research regarding the healing actions of essential oils has grown vastly over the last 20 years. A search on Pub Med, an on-line database of the US National Library of Medicine, for "essential oil" returns 8808 results as of April 10th, 2009. The very first listing describes the anti-dementia (Alzheimer's) effects of Lemon essential oil! The diversity of actual medical applications of essential oils is truly incredible -- more diverse than just the plants themselves, as many essential oils have multiple applications. The inhalation of lemon has been shown to improve mood, improve mental accuracy and even act as an antimicrobial, perfect for general household cleaning.
A few other very notable scientific results: Clove essential oil has the highest ORAC value (an assay of anti-oxidant activity) of any plant material ever tested, with a figure of over 100,000 -- most "superfoods" are in the 5,000 to 20,000 range. Many, many studies have confirmed the stress-reducing effects of essential oils: Lavender repeatedly shows a calming effect, it helps folks sleep as well as the most prevalent prescription sedative drugs, and actually lessens animal aggression. In case you don't care for Lavender, Sandalwood has these same effects with a more earthy aroma. The simple inhalation -- what many of us might really think of when we hear the term "aromatherapy" -- of Lavender and Rosemary essential oils results in lower Cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increased quenching of oxidative radicals by our own body's defense systems. The complimentary effects are amazing: just the scent of these natural aromatics reduce physical markers of stress AND increase the action of the body's anti-aging protection mechanism.
At this point you may be saying: that's all well and good, but where's the REAL medicine? You've heard about MRSA -- the "Superbug" bacteria running rampant in the world's hospitals, becoming a real epidemic? MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Methicillin is an antibiotic that is supposed to kill these bacteria, but they've evolved so that they're no longer affected. Guess what: a combination of Tea Tree and Geranium essential oils plus Grapefruit Seed extract outperforms our greatest laboratory achievements in the modern production of antibiotics. Now, of course, the final test results are being withheld so that the researchers can patent the formula, but you can read through the data yourself -- Google does us a giant favor that way -- and see that this medicine is already available if you're willing to blend a few oils for yourself. (It is VERY important you get the help of a knowledgeable practitioner; there are many many oils, and many therapeutic protocols. Like any medicine, it is crucial to precisely match the protocol with the condition for the greatest healing efficacy).
And for the really big one: essential oils are showing great promise in the treatment of many cancers. Frankincense and Lemongrass are just two of the oils that have been shown anti-tumorial, and Sandalwood has been show to specifically prevent skin cancers from UVB radiation exposure. Searching for "Frankincense tumor" gives a first result of: "Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity". The conclusion states: "Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability..." There are many more results like this, with a variety of oils and a variety of cancer cell lines. This is a very exiting time for natural medicine, as a combination of new extraction techniques, and faster turn around times in research facilities made lead to new, life saving protocols in the very near future (and it's important that we as members of the world community keep voicing our opinions, and making these changes in our available medical treatments -- it's not only good for us, it's good for the world as well, as the production of natural medicines takes SO much less energy than their pharmaceutical "equivalents").
Essential oils offer so much more than these treatments, too! So much concentrated wellness is available to the average family taking part in the aromatherapy lifestyle. Tea Tree and Lavender (mix them 50/50 and keep a small bottle available) is perhaps the most potent antibacterial, nicest smelling and gently soothing formula for all the cuts and scrapes of childhood. Helichrysum italicum essential oil has profound healing and pain relieving effects on bumps, bruises, twists, sprains and all muscular sore spots -- and it works fast. Lavender and Helichrysum are excellent for burns; use a couple drops "neat" next time you may (God forbid!) touch a hot stove and you'll be extolling the virtues of essential oils in no time. Kids getting unruly? A belly or back rub with Roman Chamomile or Mandarin (2% in Hazelnut oil) does the trick. Try 1% Vanilla for the toddlers. You can create blends specifically for the needs of your skin to dramatically improve eczema symptoms, reduce wrinkles, make scars slowly fade, eliminate acne and athlete's foot, and just bring a fantastic glow to your face. So many great smelling medicines from so many plants!
Sure, this can sound a little overwhelming...where, really, to start when you're new to it all? Well, that's the trick: just get started. Anyone in your family not sleeping well? Rub a drop of lavender on each foot at bedtime for a few nights and see what happens. Someone with athlete's foot or other similar rashes? Mix 30 drops of Tea Tree and 30 drops of Palmarosa into a fluid ounce of Jojoba oil and massage into the area a couple times a day. Just get a simple diffuser, some Black Spruce essential oil and make your house smell like the middle of the forest. Dab a drop of Rose, Amber, Jasmine or Sandalwood oil to your wrist, rub them together and smell like heaven. It's that easy. And these simple ideas get you ready for when you might need to tap into the serious medicine available here. Essential oils won't be foreign anymore, and you'll start to trust their real medicinal value. Also, there are tons of great books, and very qualified teachers. Open your eyes and heart to the world of Aroma Medicine, and you'll be sure to find your way. - 14130
About the Author:
The author the owner of Ananda Aromatherapy online, found at www.anandaapothecary.com. Find more resources are available on aromatherapy & essential oils through the website.
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