Powerful Health Benefits of Essential Oils
An essential oil is an aromatic liquid that is distilled from various parts of the plant. Containing the true essence of the plant, they are very concentrated and 75 to 100 times more powerful than herbs.
The purpose of the essential oil is to keep the plant healthy. They do this by protecting the plant from insects and other herbivores, from bacteria, molds, fungi, and microorganisms. They also help the plant heal inflicted wounds. These unique characteristics make them highly beneficial to mankind.
Essential oils are able to affect both the mind and body. Their ability to affect people on so many different levels is an element unmatched by other healing arts.
The healing benefits of essential oils can be received in three ways. They may be used topically by applying them directly to the skin. Some oils have a caustic effect and dilution may be necessary. They may be used internally or diffused. Essential oils should never be used in the eyes or ears as these membranes are very delicate. Whether the oil is absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or ingested, once it is in the bloodstream, it works therapeutically, regardless of how low the dose.
Here are ways to put essential oils to work for you and your family for everyday health benefits:
Increase memory and stamina: Drink a glass of water with 2-3 drops of lemon, orange, or peppermint essential oil.
Boost immune system: Apply frankincense, oregano, or thyme to the bottom of the feet (3 to 4 drops) after a shower.
Protect against fungus, bacteria, and microbes: Turn on a diffuser in your home or office, using a blend that is protective against microbes.
Eliminate stomach upset: Take a drop or two of cinnamon bark oil in warm water and drink as a tea.
Stop headaches: Rub lavender oil on the temples, top of the head, and forehead; lie down 10 minutes and inhale deeply from the oil left on your hands.
Prevent motion sickness: Sprinkle a few drops of ginger or peppermint oil on a tissue and let your sick prone child inhale it during the car ride.
Study aid: To increase concentration and focus, experiment with diffusing one of these essential oils near the study area: lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, bergamot, or pine.
Insomnia: Place two drops of lavender oil on a tissue and tuck it underneath your pillow.
Cure canker sores: Place myrrh on the canker sore for quick healing.
Colds and cough: Rub an immune system blend on the chest, back and apply to the bottom of the feet.
Essential oils are non-greasy, yet, soft and soothing. They are nature’s perfect solution for the problems that chemicals, poor nutrition, and stress have added to our lives.
The safety and life changing effects of essential oils are dependent entirely on their purity and their quality. Generally speaking, essential oils that you find in department stores, and even health food stores, are of uncertain quality and are not appropriate for ingestion or healing. For best results, only pure and natural essential oils should be used.
Experiment and find your essential oils, the ones that make a real difference in your life. The whole idea behind aromatherapy is that it should be a pleasurable experience. There should be more than one oil that you can use for a particular condition, so you should be able to find one that you like.
Faye Durham is a former chemist and clinical research associate in the pharmaceutical industry. In her current career, she is a consultant and independent distributor, specializing in nutrition and aromatherapy. She can be reached through the website: http://www.youngliving.org/fdurham
Resource: Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide by D. Gary Young, ND, compiled by Essential Science Publishing, http://www.essentialscience.net or 1-800-336-6308.
Tags: aromatherapy, boost immune system, essential oils, headaches, insomnia, motion sickness, stomach upsetAyurvedic Essential Oils for a Healing from Inside
Ayurveda, the Indian stream of medical sciences, is considered to be gifted to people by God himself. Earlier restricted to the ancient scriptures, the science is now being researched upon to find cures to several ailments that afflict people. Ayurvedic essential oils are the pure essences of several herbs and plants that have been identified with medicinal qualities.
Ayurvedic treatment differs from the conventional cures in the sense that it aims at curing the sick rather than the sickness. It is considered that the person as a whole must be treated if one wants to find a potent cure of the sickness. The ayurvedic essential oils help a lot in healing the person from inside.
The herbs and plants used to prepare ayurvedic essential oils are mostly of Indian origin. The ancient scriptures have a mention of the qualities of each of the herb. Moreover, one can find the method of preparing the ayurvedic essential oils to keep the essence of herb intact.
The natural state of the body is considered at equilibrium. A healthy person enjoys equilibrium, wherein doshas, agni (digestive fire), dhatus (tissues), normal functioning of mala (waste products), cheerful state of atman (soul), sensory organs and mind are working well.
Doshas find a special mention in the ayurvedic studies. There are three types of doshas or faults within the body- vata, pitta, and kapha. When the functioning of these three doshas is impaired, then human body takes up diseases.
Vata is identified with the cosmic element of air and ether, which regulates all types of movements. The person with a vata nature is likely to be ill with diseases of the neurological system, particularly the motor functions. Elderly people are more likely to have vata disorders. For the correction of vata dosha, ayurvedic essential oils will be very helpful. The ayurvedic essential oils used will be moist, calming, and warm to successfully cure the disorder. Some of the important essential oils used to treat vata imbalances are bergamont, orange, sandalwood, turmeric, frankincence, vetivert, camphor oils etc. Essential oils clear blocked passages of the body. They are also beneficial to prevent dryness of skin and loss of water in the body tissues.
Another dosha is of the pitta type. Agni or heat forms the primary constituent of pitta. Maintaining body heat is the primary responsibility of pitta. Hence, Pitta is responsible for metabolic process in the organ and tissue systems, in addition to the cellular metabolism. One can identify persons of the pitta type by their sharpness, prompt action and their intellectual capacity. Diseases of the digestive and metabolic systems largely affect the pitta type people, which is visible more during the middle ages. Ayurvedic essential oils that help in treating pitta disorders must have a cooling effect to let excessive heat out of the body. The essential ayurvedic oil must be essentially dry. The ayurvedic essential oils that best suit this type of imbalances are sandalwood, jasmine, lavender, neroli, tea tree oils.
The last type of dosha is kapha. Kapha is made up of earth and water. The body form and structure, inclusive of fluids, fats, muscles, bones etc. come under kapha. Respiratory system is more prone to kapha imbalances, which results into phlegmatic disorders. Such disorders are mostly visible in the children who may complain of chest pain or problems in breathing. Ayurvedic essential oils help healing these disorders. The essential ayurvedic oils used to treat kapha disorders will be opposite to the ones used in pitta disorders. This is because kapha has cold qualities unlike pitta, which is concerned with heat. Therefore, the ayurvedic oils will be light, warm and dry.
Ayurveda aspire to bring the person back to its normal natural state, by facilitating healing from inside. Ayurvedic essential oils further this object of ayurveda by using the pure essence of herbs and plants.
Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils, essential massage oils, essential oils wholesale visit http://www.ndaroma.com.
Tags: Aromatherapy essential oils, Aromatherapy massage oils, Essential oils wholesale NdaromaUsing Essential Oils on Acne Tea Tree Oil and Emu Oil
Essential oils is the name given to more than 90 pure extracts from various plants. Despite the nomer ‘oil,’ essential oils are not, in fact petroleum products. They can be rubbed on the skin or used in aromatherapy. High quality essential oils are completely derived naturally and won’t clog pores. Because of their cleanliness, many essential oils can be used to help diminish acne.
Two of these oils are tea tree oil and emu oil. Emu oil, however, is not technically an essential oil, as it is derived from an animal. The emu is a mainly flightless bird originating mainly in Australia. The indigenous people of Australia, the Aborigines, use emu oil for its healing and restorative effects, particularly with regard to joint pain. Today, however, emu oil is used for a variety of purposes, one of those is to lessen the problem of acne.
Because emu oil is non-greasy and won’t clog pores, it makes a good skin moisturizer and softener. Lotion, no matter how ‘clean’ it is can still clog pores. Emu oil does the same job, but without the gunk that can cause acne.
Tea tree oil is another good choice for use on acne. This essential oil helps heal scars and won’t clog pores. Like other essential oils, tea tree oil can also be used for aromatherapy, soothing, even as it reduces acne. Common tea tree oil and New Zealand tea tree oil are the two common forms. The sent is balsamic and woody. The New Zealand variety has a warmer, earthier aroma.
Essential oils can be combined, and emu oil is an excellent carrier of essential oils, including tea tree oil. A combination of emu and tea tree oils can give softer, moisturized skin with a pleasant smellall while reducing acne.
James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.
Read more at http://www.best-in-essential-oils.info