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Essential Oils Find Scientific Approval

By: Caroline Ashton

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Rising Recognition of Essential Oils as Medicine
The use of aromatherapy has increased in the last few years mostly as an ingredient in air fresheners, soaps, shampoos and often with massage. Yet in many western cultures, the therapeutic and even medicinal use of these volatile oils is still in its infancy.
If you are more familiar with the rising medicinal interest in essential oils, you may have read studies indicating that essential oils are effective stress relievers, antibacterial, antiviral and well, antimicrobial everything. Yet, what does one actually DO with this information? We took on the challenge of reading through the latest science studies on the effectiveness of essential oils and found applications to support intestinal, mental and oral health.
Relieving Feelings of Anxiousness
Living in an intensely changing world, a growing percentage of the population is experiencing high levels of sustained anxiety and worry. Medical treatments for this disorder are commonly psychotropic drugs; however, long term use of pharmaceuticals is now being discouraged due to their side-effects. An alternative treatment may be warranted from the citrus family - Citrus sinensis or sweet orange. A 2010 study conducted in Brazil looked at the potential of sweet orange essential oil to reduce anxiety behaviors in lab animals. They found that this oil had significant anxiety reducing effects on tested rats.
Such findings are medically significant and even noteworthy, but how can one apply this scientific study to practical use? A few suggestions might be the following: put some drops on a handkerchief and breathe the aroma when necessary or, at the end of a work day, add 4-6 drops of sweet orange oil to your bath water.
Rebalancing Intestinal Flora
Living in an intensely changing world, a growing percentage of the population is experiencing high levels of sustained anxiety and worry. Medical treatments for this disorder are commonly psychotropic drugs; however, long term use of pharmaceuticals is now being discouraged due to their side-effects. An alternative treatment may be warranted from the citrus family - Citrus sinensis or sweet orange. A 2010 study conducted in Brazil looked at the potential of sweet orange essential oil to reduce anxiety behaviors in lab animals. They found that this oil had significant anxiety reducing effects on tested rats.
In December 2009, Southern Cross University, Australia looked at the effectiveness of various essential oils on inhibiting growth of pathogenic microorganisms associated with dysbiosis. Their preliminary findings indicated that caraway (Carum carvi), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Trachyspermum copticum (Ajowan caraway),and neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara) essential oils displayed a great degree of effectiveness toward major genera that cause this gastrointestinal disruption.
A possible application of this promising study would be to make a blend of these oils using 3 drops each in some honey and a tablespoon of edible oil such as olive or coconut. Place one half a teaspoon in some warm liquid and drink twice daily before meals. You may also use each oil alone.
Supporting Oral Health
We all know that brushing and flossing is essential. Insufficient brushing and flossing opens the door for bacteria to aggregate and form a biofilm - a slime covering that allows bacteria to cooperate as one. This collective slime can form on your teeth causing plaque which is largely responsible for tooth decay and gum disease.
A recent study from the University of Thailand found that the essential oil of Ocimum americanum L., or American basil, displayed antibacterial activities toward biofilm microbes.
To bridge this information to practical use, we suggest swishing a solution of 1-2 drops in a cup of water in your mouth for 1-3 minutes. (It is wise to use only the specified amount and refrain from using during pregnancy.)
Concluding Thoughts
Searching the latest research on essential oil effectiveness is promising. The studies we reviewed in the last two years indicate that essential oils are a viable choice for treating ailments such as anxiety and disbiosis and are capable of supporting oral health - a key to overall wellness. Such news makes one want to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that there are feasible choices to drug treatments.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

The author utilizes pure essential oils for aromatherapy. More information is available through The Ananda Apothecary at www.anandaapothecary.com.

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