Why Everyone Should Experiment With Essential Oils

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Essential oils are fast becoming more popular as natural healing treatments, but the concept of "aromatherapy" has a long way to go to being accepted in many circles. If you're like many people into natural health, you've heard of essential oils, but not quite sure of the possibilities aromatherapy might hold. That whole fancy spa treatment thing doesn't really seem like medicine. Well, we're here to clear up a few things -- like what aromatherapy really means, and the incredibly vast healing potential that essential oils might have for you and your family. You might be surprised these little liquid gems have been scientifically validated as antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, and even have anticancer effects. Got your attention?

Essential oils are natural "volatile" chemical compounds extracted from plant matter. Volatile means they easily evaporate, which also makes them have strong aromas. Because the world of plants is so diverse, the healing activity of essential oils is equally diverse. One can possibly imagine the difference between an oil extracted from the heartwood of Cedar trees grown in Morocco, and that from Lavender flowers in the foothills in France. This diversity of healing activity really means essential oils have something to offer to nearly everyone. And not just from an aromatic standpoint, but as true medicines -- medicines which have been used in other parts of the world for many years. Let's look at some of these medicinal applications...

Some aromatherapists believe the most important properties for the health of mankind that essential oils can offer is their anti-infectious actions. Essential oils have their longest medical history in the treatment of infectious diseases, and have demonstrated a broad spectrum of antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal actions in laboratory research. This makes sense in that they actually provide this kind of protection to the plant which makes them. The are, in-fact, part of the plant's immune system. And the bacteria, viruses and fungi which infect plants are, on a basal level, not very different from those which infect us.

It's a simple thing just to use essential oils as a preventative measure. In laboratory research, oils have been shown not only to directly eradicate infectious microbes, but actually increase the ability of our immune system to fend off these invaders. Just by evaporating oils into your space, by use of a specially designed aromatherapy diffuser, on can gain these benefits in two ways: essential oil vapors have been shown to eradicate microbes on contact, and the vapors themselves provide protection to the respiratory system when inhaled. Other means of using oils for immune system support include massaging them into the feet -- which happen to be a particularly receptive part of the body for this practice -- or into the sternum and/or lymph nodes.

Along these lines are the antiseptic applications in aromatherapy. "Antiseptic" simply means an "antimicrobial" used on the skin's surface. The most simple application is the use of Tea Tree in place of products like Neosporin, alone or in a 50/50 blend with Lavender (this is choice for use with children). Tea Tree is a very broad spectrum antiseptic, and has a wide variety of uses. It's excellent for acne, used in a 5% concentration based either in a carrier oil like Grapeseed or Hazelnut, or aloe vera gel. Tea Tree is excellent for athlete's foot and other mild skin infections, as are Palmarosa, Geranium and many other essential oils. All these make great smelling, healthier choices than pharmaceutical preparations.

We've all seen fancy skin care products with ingredients which list "botanical extracts". Know what they're talking about? Yes, essential oils. Because of the molecular shape of the oils, they are very readily evaporated by the skin. So much so that a "carrier oil" is always recommended to slow this absorption down, and spread it over a larger area. The beauty here is that for very little money (relative to the crazy cost of high-end skin care) you can make a formula perfectly suited to your skin's needs. Eczema? Try German Chamomile in Tamanu. Sensitive skin with broken capillaries? Try Lavender, Helichrysum and Blue Tansy. Want help with reducing wrinkle appearance? Use the scientifically proven Rose hip seed, in conjunction with Lavender, Rosemary, Carrot Root, Frankincense and, well, this list really goes on. There are so many great oils for skin care, it's impossible to list them all here -- though it is really fun finding out which are perfect for you and how to put them together for that perfect personal recipe.

Seeking a new form of pain relief? You'll find an answer in aromatherapy. Wintergreen has long been used -- it's also known as "methyl scalicilate", which is really liquid aspirin. Yet there are many more effective choices. Spice oils like Ginger and Pepper have been researched for their anti-inflammatory activity, and are found in many blends to reduce pain and increase mobility for arthritic ant rheumatic conditions. And the single most effective ingredient of all is the little known Helichrysum. Though it's fast becoming popular for one reason: it works very well. This one oil manages to reduce inflammation, speed healing and alleviate pain all at the same time. It is often used in combination with the other oils mentioned for a wonderful synergistic effect.

The most advanced therapeutic activity is now being elucidated in laboratories around the world. A few essential oils with a long history of medicinal use are being researched for their anticancer activity, with very positive results. Frankincense has been shown to directly eradicate cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells of the same type unaffected. The oil has been tested with human cell lines from different organs, all showing the same positive results. Lemongrass, also with a long history of medicinal use, is also being examined. This area of research is so exciting, as the "fight against cancer" is not making leaps and bounds in the world of conventional medicine, and the world really needs readily available, effective alternatives that essential oils appear to have the potential to deliver.

This is just a cursory review of the many medicinal applications essential oils are being used for by practitioners around the world. This is in addition to their stress-relieving, invigorating, and/or mind sharpening aromas -- the "classic" idea of aromatherapy. Maybe one or more of these uses will give you reason to venture into the world of natural medicine by way of essential oils. They truly have a wonderful array of healing potentials for you and everyone in your family.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy. Find more resources are available on aromatherapy supplies & essential oil blends through the website.

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