Essential Oils

Why Use Essential Oils?

Did you know that your nose can identify thousands of aromas and is 10,000 more times precise than in our sense of taste? So how can this help in making us feel better?

 
The fact is we have millions of smell receptors in our nose and the scent goes straight to the olfactory bulb-which is a tiny cluster in the brain. This pea-size cluster sorts out signals and then relays them to the limbic system (which is the part of the brain that also works our emotions, motivation and behavior). Because of their close proximity, the neurological controls for these behaviors often become entangled, accounting for things such as a certain scent being associated with a memory. 

This ability for a scent to bring a mind and body reaction is something that can be used to improve our mental and physical health.  
"When we are exposed to an aroma, the molecules are exposed to our olfactory epithelium, our nasal receptors. The transmission of this signal from the exposure of the fragrance molecule to our brain leads to interpretation of the scent in our brain centers, which involve memory, sensory perception, general processing center, and to a gland in our brain that mediates chemical secretion into our blood and other parts of our brain, just to name a few effects. With such intricacy of neuro-processing involved in our body’s interpretation of a fragrance, it’s no wonder that many patients eventually become staunch supporters of using aromatherapy to help them with a variety of daily health concerns." - Julie Chen, M.D

• Research shows that when inhaled, the oils activate your brain's hypothalmus, which controls hormones, energy and drive.

• Different essential oils trigger different responses in the brain which, in turn, direct your nervous system to chill out or spring into action.

Essential oils are so named because that's what they are - essential to the plant they sustain. Thus, the oils are incredibly potent. One drop of the oil equals many teaspoons of the herb in it's dried form. For example, one drop of peppermint oil can equal more than 25 cups of peppermint tea. The oils can be up to 70 times more potent than in their dried form. It's no surprise then, that one drop can stop the itching of a bug bite!

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How Are Essential Oils Used?

Essential oils can be used in a few different ways:

• Applied topically to the skin.
• Inhaled.
• Diffused in a diffuser.
• Ingested.

Though oils are relatively safe, there are some that cause phototoxicity (become irritants with exposure to sunlight). 

"Essential oils may be applied on the skin (dermal application), inhaled, diffused or taken internally. Each of these methods have safety issues which need to be considered. The potential safety concerns with dermal application will be discussed below. With regard to inhalation, inhalation, from a safety standpoint, presents a very low level of risk to most people. Even in a relatively small closed room, and assuming 100% evaporation, the concentration of any essential oil (or component thereof) is unlikely to reach a dangerous level, either from aromatherapy massage, or from essential oil vaporization.

Tisserand and Balacs further point out that “the only likely risk would be from prolonged exposure (perhaps 1 hour or more) to relatively high levels of essential oil vapor which could lead to headaches, vertigo, nausea and lethargy”.  For more information see their website: National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy  

The oils can also be used for a variety of household products; cleaners, shampoos, laundry detergents, to name a few. All without toxic chemicals and they smell wonderful, too! Check here for recipes.

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Overview of Benefits of EOs (essential oils)

 So what are some of the outstanding benefits of EOs? Here is a sampling:

• Lemon: Helps concentration, has calming properties. (It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties.)
• Lavender: Soothes nerves, controls emotional stress. Can relieve headaches, migraines and help with depression.
• Jasmine: Calms nerves, uplifts and revitalizes energy.
• Rosemary: Fights headaches, exhaustion and mental fatigue. A bonus: Helps improve memory retention. Used topically, it can relieve muscle tension.
• Cinnamon: Fights mental fatigue, improves concentration and focus.
• Peppermint: Clears the mind, promotes clear thinking.