Even though essential oils have been around for centuries, dating
back to the early Egyptians and were brought as gifts to Jesus in
biblical times (remember frankincense?), they’ve become more relevant
today than ever before.
While people traditionally see a doctor for an illness and get a
prescription drug, many others have awoken to the fact that essential
oils can be used powerfully in healing and supporting the body’s
emotional and physical well-being.
These oils not only smell wonderful, but they actually heal at the
cellular level. Essential oils are volatile liquids distilled from
plants and parts such as seeds, flowers, fruit, stems, bark, roots and
leaves. It may take hundreds of pounds of flowers and leaves to distill
one batch of pure essential oil. They have hundreds of uses for
everything from minor ailments such as a paper cut or minor burn to
large ailments like cancer.
“Despite
their name, essential oils are not oils but are aromatic, volatile
substances or essences extracted from a plant, herb or flower by
distillation or expression. It is a labor-intensive process resulting in
a potent oil that is not cheap, but due to its concentrated nature, a
small amount can be used very effectively for a range of ailments,
skincare and even natural homemade carpet cleaner,” says Ursula Elmes,
an aromatherapist, licensed acupuncturist and the founder of YouOrganic
Skincare.
“The most difficult part of using them is deciding on which oil
will work most effectively with your own body chemistry, personal habits
and emotional olfactory responses” says Tricia Mooneyham, host of the
online radio show “I’ll Have What She’s Having…Talk with Tricia,” who
specializes in women’s sexual health.
“There are certain oils which have proven their value and are a
great baseline for those who are just learning about the health benefits
of essential oils. Peppermint, lavender and lemon are considered power
oils, and when in doubt one of these three will give you some relief for
whatever your need is from cleansing to soothing to invigorating,” says
Mooneyham.
See an aromatherapist
Visiting a certified aromatherapist is similar to seeing a
conventional doctor. Marci Cervone, a certified aromatherapist and owner
of Thrive, a yoga, transformational coaching and aromatherapy practice
in Jacksonville, Fla., has clients fill out an intake form, goes over
their health history to check for contraindications such as epilepsy or
high blood pressure, and discusses their needs. Cervone then selects
oils that would be helpful and makes sure that her clients like the
scents; people who have an aversion to a smell usually won’t want to use
that oil.
Cervone then creates a blend of up to five oils for the purpose
intended: relaxation, stress, eczema, a respiratory problem or any
myriad of issues, and decides on the application preference such as an
inhaler, bath oil, spray or skin tincture.
For
people who are going to buy oils and experiment on their own, Cervone
advises purchasing quality oils from companies that are GC/MS (gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry) tested. This chemical test gives the
breakdown of ingredients in a batch of oil. Some less ethical companies
produce “oils” that may be only 20 percent pure oil and 80 percent
filler. Cervone recommends avoiding companies and products that cannot
produce a GC/MS report.
Within lavender oil, for instance, there will be dozens of chemical
ingredients, and people need to know how powerful the ingredients are
and what they are before using them on the skin, inhaling them, or taking them internally.
“It’s one thing to put a few drops of oil on potpourri in a
diffuser; it’s another to inhale them or use them on your skin when you
have no idea what you’re getting,” Cervone says.
A few common essential oils and their uses
Lavender is a calming oil that helps with panic
attacks, calms the nervous system, and is used on minor burns to soothe
skin. It is commonly sprayed on pillows or linens, or applied to the
neck, chest or temples to help wind down before sleeping.
Peppermint wakens the senses and can increase the
oxygen level in the blood just by being inhaled. “One drop of peppermint
oil is equivalent to 28 cups of herbal tea,” Mooneyham says. It helps
with focus, and when combined with rosemary, which helps with memory and
retention, makes a winning work day combination. Peppermint also can
calm a troubled tummy and bring down fever.
Lemon is
used as an alternative treatment to remove corns and warts. It’s a
powerful bactericide and treats minor cuts and wounds as well, can
brighten dull skin, helps with immunity and is used in antibacterial cleansers.
Frankincense, used in biblical times, is the king
of all oils. This oil will aid other oils to work at deeper levels to
provide more healing. Frankincense has been studied for its ability to
kill cancer cells, helps combat skin inflammation and rashes, and brings
about focus and clarity.
Most of these oils have multiple benefits in a single oil, though their potency is a hard concept for many people to grasp. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy has a wealth of information and a large database.
“I think of essential oils like food,” Cervone says. "You don’t
just eat once, and never again; it’s an ongoing process to get good
nutrition and support your body’s needs. Same with essential oils — you
can literally use them to support your body’s health and well-being from
the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment your head hits the
pillow.”
Just about any type of oil will nourish and moisturize your hair
- Avocado Oil- good for very dry or very frizzy hair
- Coconut Oil- Good for all hair types, and works well for dandruff
- Castor Oil- Good for those with oily hair or scalp
- Sesame Oil- Good for thinning hair
- Jojoba Oil- Good for oily hair or scalp, a very light oil and easy to wash out
- Neem Oil-Excellent for dandruff
- Argan, Almond, Apricot- Good for all hair, but expensive to be washing down your shower drain
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