Have you heard a lot recently about essential oils? It seems that the buzz words are popping up all over the place but what in the world are they really?
I have to say my curiosity was peaked about a year ago. I am into natural and holistic solutions. I will say that first and foremost. I prefer to try natural solutions before running to the doctor for medications. My husband…not so much. He is part of the medical field and I was raised with a medical mindset. However, for me, I often have side effects from over the counter medications (I cannot take any kind of cold medications without feeling like my heart is going to race right out of my chest) I have had an anaphylactic reaction to antibiotics before, and for the most part I am the odd ball who would get every side effect mentioned on a pill bottle label. My solution? I try to eat whole foods, without too many indulgences in processed or boxed foods. I try to live a pretty healthy lifestyle (I do not drink, smoke, or use any drugs). And, I use natural remedies as my first line of defense, therefore reserving a doctor’s office visit for things I just cannot get a handle on with natural remedies (happening less and less often).
There, I put it out there, so if there was a continuum of those who are completely all natural to a fault and those who are completely medication driven to a fault I would fall somewhere just left of center leaning towards the natural side.
So, when I kept hearing about Essential oils and how wonderful they were, I was curious, but skeptical. This led me to the health food store and then to a class or two on learning the basics of Essential Oils.
What exactly is an essential Oil? It is basically found in the roots, flowers, stems, seeds and sometimes bark of plants. What it is…the natural oil of the plant. These oils are distinctive of the plant (think about walking by a rose or pine tree and the powerful aroma you encounter) These oils provide the plants with a line of defense against diseases and predators and are also involved in pollination of the plant. It is kind of a misnomer, when you think oil you think greasy or oily, but Essential oils are very crisp and clean and are absorbed by the skin almost instantaneously. Oils that are pure and uncut have a very crisp smell and range in color from a dark blue (think flowers) to crystal clear.
A perfect home example…take a citrus fruit (lime, lemon or orange) and bend the peel (not the fruit) until you see little sprays of oils…that is essential oil. Essential Oils are not new they have been around since God created the earth. They were used in ancient Biblical times as trade materials, medicinal compounds, and often used in religious ceremonies.
After going to the classes I mentioned and having a close friend who began using Essential Oils to treat her Lyme disease I wanted to try for myself (see is believing right?) I started off with Health Food Store grade Lavender Oil. Here is my post about that from the summer. I have learned a lot since then and I no longer go to the health food store to buy my essential oils (truth be told the reason the oils are cheaper there is because they are often cut with less than desirable ingredients...that is why they read: do not ingest, for aromatic use only). Often times they will cause skin sensitivities as well.
I now use Essential oils all the time. I was able to rid myself of a mastitis infection (I caught it just as I was moving from a clogged milk duct into mastitis) via natural remedies including the use of Frankincense and Oregano oils. I think that may have helped hubby become more of a believer as well- he saw what happened in a 24 hour period...first hand.
I have used Essential oils to calm bee stings, care for kitchen burns, provide immune support, aid in ear infections, relieve stomach aches (gas, bloating, constipation), aid in cradle cap, help treat excema, aid in sleep, clear congested airways, rid headaches, obliterate warts and so many other areas.
I am not indiscriminate in my use as I do understand that these are VERY powerful compounds. Care and caution should be used for young children and infants with dilution of carrier oils. I am definately convinced that there is something to be said for natural remedies, and for me at least, Essential Oils are an amazing part of a holistic, natural option. This has become so much a truth that I decided to become a distributor for what I found to be the best essential oil company.
If you are curious to know more, let me know with a comment. I don't profess to know everything, but I am learning and have a family of 7 so I do have lots of occasion to try things out!
I have to say my curiosity was peaked about a year ago. I am into natural and holistic solutions. I will say that first and foremost. I prefer to try natural solutions before running to the doctor for medications. My husband…not so much. He is part of the medical field and I was raised with a medical mindset. However, for me, I often have side effects from over the counter medications (I cannot take any kind of cold medications without feeling like my heart is going to race right out of my chest) I have had an anaphylactic reaction to antibiotics before, and for the most part I am the odd ball who would get every side effect mentioned on a pill bottle label. My solution? I try to eat whole foods, without too many indulgences in processed or boxed foods. I try to live a pretty healthy lifestyle (I do not drink, smoke, or use any drugs). And, I use natural remedies as my first line of defense, therefore reserving a doctor’s office visit for things I just cannot get a handle on with natural remedies (happening less and less often).
There, I put it out there, so if there was a continuum of those who are completely all natural to a fault and those who are completely medication driven to a fault I would fall somewhere just left of center leaning towards the natural side.
So, when I kept hearing about Essential oils and how wonderful they were, I was curious, but skeptical. This led me to the health food store and then to a class or two on learning the basics of Essential Oils.
What exactly is an essential Oil? It is basically found in the roots, flowers, stems, seeds and sometimes bark of plants. What it is…the natural oil of the plant. These oils are distinctive of the plant (think about walking by a rose or pine tree and the powerful aroma you encounter) These oils provide the plants with a line of defense against diseases and predators and are also involved in pollination of the plant. It is kind of a misnomer, when you think oil you think greasy or oily, but Essential oils are very crisp and clean and are absorbed by the skin almost instantaneously. Oils that are pure and uncut have a very crisp smell and range in color from a dark blue (think flowers) to crystal clear.
A perfect home example…take a citrus fruit (lime, lemon or orange) and bend the peel (not the fruit) until you see little sprays of oils…that is essential oil. Essential Oils are not new they have been around since God created the earth. They were used in ancient Biblical times as trade materials, medicinal compounds, and often used in religious ceremonies.
After going to the classes I mentioned and having a close friend who began using Essential Oils to treat her Lyme disease I wanted to try for myself (see is believing right?) I started off with Health Food Store grade Lavender Oil. Here is my post about that from the summer. I have learned a lot since then and I no longer go to the health food store to buy my essential oils (truth be told the reason the oils are cheaper there is because they are often cut with less than desirable ingredients...that is why they read: do not ingest, for aromatic use only). Often times they will cause skin sensitivities as well.
I now use Essential oils all the time. I was able to rid myself of a mastitis infection (I caught it just as I was moving from a clogged milk duct into mastitis) via natural remedies including the use of Frankincense and Oregano oils. I think that may have helped hubby become more of a believer as well- he saw what happened in a 24 hour period...first hand.
I have used Essential oils to calm bee stings, care for kitchen burns, provide immune support, aid in ear infections, relieve stomach aches (gas, bloating, constipation), aid in cradle cap, help treat excema, aid in sleep, clear congested airways, rid headaches, obliterate warts and so many other areas.
I am not indiscriminate in my use as I do understand that these are VERY powerful compounds. Care and caution should be used for young children and infants with dilution of carrier oils. I am definately convinced that there is something to be said for natural remedies, and for me at least, Essential Oils are an amazing part of a holistic, natural option. This has become so much a truth that I decided to become a distributor for what I found to be the best essential oil company.
If you are curious to know more, let me know with a comment. I don't profess to know everything, but I am learning and have a family of 7 so I do have lots of occasion to try things out!
