About Essential Oils

Nature’s Source for Health, Healing, Vitality and Longevity!

Since ancient times, and as near as we can tell, from the beginning of recorded history the plant kingdom has provided rare and powerful extracts and essences that have long been prized for their beauty enhancing, medicinal, spiritual, aromatic and therapeutic value.

Aromatic plants, essences and oils have been used for ages in ceremony, religious observances, beauty care, food preparation and preservation, as incense, and for perfumes. Aromatic plants have also been the basis for herbal and botanical medicines and remedies for thousands of years. In fact, they’re the root of today’s pharmaceuticals.

The earliest essential oils usage evidence occurs in the period of 3000-2500 B.C.

It’s common for Egyptians to be given credit as the first culture to use aromatic extracts for beauty care, culinary uses, spiritual and physical wellbeing. But it is believed that essential oil-like extracts were also being used in China and India at nearly the same time. Depending on who is citing historical evidence, you can also find references to Ayurvedic uses of essential oils in India much earlier.

Historically Proven

Essential oils have not only stood the test of time, they have proven their efficacy and effectiveness on every level. Tradition and historical records provide proven insights and understanding of how essential oils were used in the past, and how they can benefit our lives today. Happily, with the renewed interest in essential oils, and resurgence in their use, there are many, many new clinical studies and publications documenting the efficacy and benefits.

Aromatherapy is now becoming a powerful bridge between cultures, modalities and health care professionals.

How Do Essential Oils Work?

Whether inhaled, applied topically or diffused, these biologically complex molecules can have a profound effect on your body. Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy, in which they are inhaled through various methods. Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed.

The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways. When applied to your skin, some plant chemicals are absorbed. It’s thought that certain application methods can improve absorption, such as applying with heat to different areas of the body. Inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which is a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long term memory.

Interestingly, the limbic system is heavily involved in forming memories. This can partly explain why familiar smells can trigger memories or emotions. The limbic system also plays a role in controlling several unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. As such, many practitioner’s claim that essential oils can exert a physical effect on your body.

How Can Essential Oils Be Used?

Today, Essential Oils are enjoying a renaissance in natural and alternative medicine. The most common way to use essential oils is to inhale them, both for their amazing scent and their therapeutic properties. But they can also be used in diffusers and humidifiers, as well as diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the skin. Essential oils have a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic properties. Their antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties make them a useful product in your medicine chest. They have also been shown to promote healthy sleep, relieve headaches, and alleviate pain. In addition, essential oils can improve skin conditions, help treat the common cold, and encourage healthy digestion.

While more research is needed, essential oils have a wealth of proven health benefits. They’re an affordable, versatile, and convenient way to improve your health and quality of life. Use them to relieve pain and cramping, improve respiratory health, and heal skin conditions. They also relieve congestion, promote healthy sleep patterns, and boost your mood.

Precautions for Using Essential Oils

The potency and potential risks of essential oils require that you use them with care. Do not take essential orals internally. Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed.

People who should not use essential oils without a doctor’s recommendation include:

older adults
children under 12yrs.
women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Also, make sure to consider pets in the environment. Some essential oils can be dangerous for pets. Talk to a doctor before using essential oils if you take any medications or have health concerns, including high blood pressure, low immunity or epilepsy.