Essential Oils~ For Your Health
Updated: Nov 2, 2019
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Substances extracted from species of flowers, plants, fruits, leaves, roots, and trees. There are presently about 310 different essential oils manufactured. These are powerful substances. It’s extraordinary that it takes 1,000 pounds of oranges to produce 10 pounds of pure orange essential oil! Knowing this, we must apply these oils with care.
SOME METHODS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS:
Massage oil blends, home cleaning, drops on handkerchief or tissue for Aromatherapy, a few drops in your bath or foot bath, deodorants, diffusers, humidifiers, pillowcase, room sprays, bug repellant, and saunas.
MASSAGE & OILS:
Oils are basically extracts in pure oil form. These extracts absorb into the skin. If you consider that we as humans have trillions of cells, about 800 muscles (including tendons and ligaments), and approximately 80 organs in the body! That is a of living tissue to absorb these powerful oils and their properties.
ALWAYS use carrier oil when applying essential oil to your body. Carrier oil dilutes the essential oil, which is necessary for skin safety. General Ratio: 1 tsp. carrier oil per 2-3 drops of essential oil, or 1 oz. per 10 drops of essential oil.
CARRIER OIL EXAMPLES:
Jojoba oil, Sweet almond oil, Sesame seed oil, Coconut oil, Apricot seed oil
Scroll down to learn about the Sensational 7 Essential Oils:
BASIC STARTER ESSENTIAL OIL KIT~ “THE SENSATIONAL 7”:
Tea Tree Essential Oil (AKA Melaleuca)
Tea tree is medicinal, with an extremely broad range of antibiotic, antiviral and anti-fungal properties that have been confirmed by scientific research. I use Tea Tree on skin blemishes, as well as on small wounds prone to infection (diluted). It can also be effectively employed for Candida (yeast) issues such as Athlete’s foot. Tea Tree is able to repel certain bugs, as well as fight mold and germs.
Lavender Essential Oil
Its anti-inflammatory action is responsible for the beginnings of modern aromatherapy, as Dr. Jean Valnet discovered Lavender’s healing properties after being burned in a laboratory accident. Lavender is considered to speed wound healing and reduce scarring. It also can literally help take the sting out of a bee/wasp sting! The oil is also calming, and can be used to reduce stress – a commonly used technique is to apply Lavender oil to the soles of the feet of patients recovering from almost any ailment, and who is need of rest. Lavender is lovely in almost any massage oil. In my practice, I add it to a Hair Restore Serum and Stress Release Blend.
Peppermint Essential Oil
An excellent digestive tonic, peppermint essential oil can sooth stomach complaints, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. For the traveler, it’s effective in calming motion sickness. In my practice, I add peppermint to oil blends that are addressing hot/inflamed muscles. The cooling effect of this oil is refreshingly therapeutic. It also makes a soothing summer foot spray! Peppermint is considered to be an effective insect repellent when applied on body’s pulse points (behind ears, neck, knees, wrist).
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is most often used for respiratory conditions, able to clear congestion with coughs and colds. This oil is a strong support to the immune system in winter. I place diluted drops on my children’s chest when they have a cold with congestion. I also rub drops on the sinus Reflex points (pads of toes) to help relieve clients with sinus issues. Diffusing Eucalyptus can kill most staphylococcus bacteria. When combined with Lemon or Citronella, Eucalyptus is a mighty mosquito determent. And all us Mainers’ say, “Thank you God!”
Rosemary Essential Oil
Take Shakespeare’s advice and use rosemary for remembrance. Rosemary oil is an effective mental stimulant, encouraging focus and memory. Also, when used in a bath or on the neck and shoulders, it can ease a tension headache. It has a slight warming effect particularly useful for arthritic joints and muscular aches. It also has a long history of treatment for colds and flu – Rosemary was a component of ‘Four Thieves Vinegar’, which robbers rubbed on their bodies to prevent infection when up to no good during the plague years. Rosemary is the oil most often associated with improving hair growth.
Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme oil is a powerful antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic and diuretic, though it should be used with great care. There are many types of Thyme oil available, but all varieties should be diluted prior to topical application. Thyme is my first line of defense when I begin to feel “under the weather.” I rub a few diluted drops on the bottoms of my feet and along my spine. Its application for the digestive system is that of a powerful anti-parasitic (healing to us, poisoning to parasites).
Lemon Essential Oil
In addition to its energizing qualities, it can disinfect stale air. I add this oil to my diffuser weekly. One should not be without lemon for cleaning and refreshing your space (try it as a tub cleaner)! It is also a cell detoxer- I use lemon in an oil creation to aid cellulite reduction and detox the body.
Resources:
Organic Lavender Oil: https://bit.ly/2Mo6ZSL
Organic Rosemary Oil: https://bit.ly/2Mmh6aO
Organic Lemon Oil: https://bit.ly/2qiIb61
Organic Tea Tree Oil: https://bit.ly/2MOKgOH
Organic Thyme Oil: https://bit.ly/2MQ9qMX
Organic Eucalyptus Oil: https://bit.ly/2OXO8j8
Organic Peppermint Oil: https://bit.ly/33ICQDM
What essential oil can you not live without? Frankincense is one of mine, which I will elaborate on during the Holiday months! I consider it the KING of all oils :-)
In Grace,
Cara