Introduction to Essential Oils

I burnt my fingers tonight while I was (poorly) managing many kitchen projects during the crazy dinner and bedtime rush.  An apt reminder for me to put the finishing touches on the handouts for the essential oil talk I'll be giving on Wednesday.  (Head on over to Grayslake Curves if you are in the area and you want to learn more about essential oils!)

I ran my fingers under cold water to cool the burn, and said aloud, "I need my oils."  Charlotte (almost five) responded, "Don't worry, Mom!  I know just what to do.  I'll be right back."  A minute later she reappeared in the kitchen with my Young Living Essential Oil case and said, "Here you go.  You can put the lavender on now."

Young Living Essential Oils are used daily in our house for everything: easing tummy discomfort, uplifting spirits, purifying the air, fighting off coughs and runny noses, cooking and so much more!  Oh yes, and healing burns! 

There is a lot to learn about essential oils - way too much to put into one blog post.  Today I'll answer a few questions I get asked frequently.  (There will be many more essential oil posts to come.)

1.  Why do you use essential oils?

          For me, the answer is easy!  There are toxins in just about everything (personal care products, food, municipal water etc), and I want to limit the exposure my family has to known toxic chemicals - and help cleanse our bodies from the toxins that have penetrated our systems.  Petrochemicals, ammonium, hydrocarbon-based chemicals, sodium lauryl sulfate, propyplene glycol (extremely common in everything from toothpaste to shampoo), aluminum salts (in many deoderants), preservatives and synthetic fragrances present real health concerns.  {Head on over to Environmental Work Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database for research on toxins in personal care products, and how to find less toxic alternatives.}  Additionally, relying on over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can wreak havoc on one's liver, not to mention cover up the real problem.  The list goes on.  

          Essential oils Young Living Essential Oils are 100% natural, unadulterated, pure therapeutic goodness with use dating back to 4500BC!  They are naturally: {Get ready.  In fact, sit down because this list is long!  But this list only applies to essential oils that meet AFNOR (French regulatory agency) standards}

• anti-microbial
• anti-bacterial
• anti-viral
• anti-fungal
• anti-parasitic
• anti-spasmodic
• pain relieving       

AND they:

• repel insects (and treat symptoms of insect bites)
• settle stomach discomforts 
• increase circulation and oxygen to tissues
• stimulate the immune system
• have hormone-like properties that support the endocrine system
• initiate regeneration for nerves
• assist in balancing all physiological systems
• lessen anxiety (and improve mood)
• increase alertness
• help dissolve and remove petrochemicals and other toxins
• help stimulate secretion of antibodies, neruotransmitters, endorphins, hormones and enzymes
• can increase atmospheric oxygen and provide negative ions, which in turn inhibits bacterial growth  

2.  Why do you only use Young Living Essential Oils?

          Young Living's oils are 100% pure, making them therapeutic grade.  The United States does not have any laws to protect the consumer from inferior/extended/adulterated oils.  In the US for an essential oil to be called "100%" pure" and have "100% pure" written on the label, it only has to have (drumroll please....) 15% essential oil! The other 85% is typically propylene glycol or synthetic alenolol acetate, which can be toxic to the liver and other organs.  Young Living is the only company that uses the most stringent testing available (even though testing is not required) and every batch is tested by an independent laboratory.  They have farms all over the world.  They put the proper plants in the exact right soil conditions, harvest them at the right time, and distill them properly.  

3.  How do Young Living Essential Oils work?

             Essential Oils and human blood share several common properties: they fight infection, contain hormone-like compounds, and initiate regeneration.  Humans need blood to live; plants need essential oil - it's like their immune system/chemical defense mechanism.  The chemical structure of essential oils is very similar to human cells and tissues.  Essential oils are compatible with human protein and are readily identified and accepted by the body.  The oils penetrate cell membranes and diffuse throughout the blood and tissues and can travel to all parts of the body in a matter of minutes.  Their capacity to provide negative ions helps them dissolve and remove toxins. 

          When a fragrance is inhaled, odor molecules travel up the nose to the olfactory epithelium.  This triggers impulses to be sent to the olfactory bulb in the brain.  The olfactory bulb transmits signals to the gustatory (taste) center, the amygdala (emotional memory storehouse) and other parts of the limbic system (directly connected to parts of the brain the control heart rate, breathing, memory, blood pressure, stress levels and hormone balance).

Phew!  That's a lot of information.  I hope that answered some of your questions.  If you have more, leave me a comment!

To your wellness!
Allison

*This information was taken from The Essential Oil Desk Reference, 4th Edition and youngliving.com

**This information is not meant to diagnose or treat anyone and should not be substituted for proper medical advice from the health practitioner of your choice.