Introduction to Essential Oils

Nature's Amazing Healing Oils ~ An Introduction to Essential Oils

What Is An Essential Oil?

Aromatic, volatile liquid distilled from plant parts such as seeds, bushes, flowers, bark, roots, fruit, shrubs, etc. --Often visual when a plat is bruised, the resin oozes out and seals the bruise.
Protective, nutritive vital fluids of the plant, which have the same chemical composition as human fluids.
The electrically alive liquid that is 50 to 70 times stronger than herbs.
Called an oil because most of them float on top of water in the distiller.
Not actually fatty, essential oils contain smaller molecules that easily pass through cell membranes, including the blood/brain barrier.

Benefits of Essential Oil Usage

Contain oxygen molecules that help transport cell nutrients and are antioxidants that prevent cell mutations. Essential oils are also free radical scavengers. Highest antioxidant source is Clove Oil rated at 1,078,700 on the ORAC scale per 100 grams (compare to blueberries at under 2,400uTE/100g).
Cleans the hormone receptor sites of cells that are left by petrochemicals.
Promotes emotional, physical, and spiritual balance.
Natural anti-septic, anti-tumoral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral and anti-infectious.
Essential oils are made up of amino acids, which are the building block of every cell.
Increases the ozone and negative ions in the air, which inhibits bacterial growth.
Destroys odors from mold, smoke, pollutants, etc.
Penetrates hardened cell walls (due to oxygen deficiency). Topical application reaches every cell in the body in 20 minutes. Metabolizes like a nutrient, does not accumulate in the body.
Raises the body’s natural frequency.

Frequency

Measurable rate of electrical energy that is constant between any 2 points.
Measured in megahertz, essential oils range from 52 to 320 MHz. Can be measured by Tanio Technologies in Washington with a bio-frequency monitor.
Lower frequencies are associated the physical body; middle range frequencies relate to emotional concerns, and higher frequencies are associated with spiritual consciousness.
Human cells begin to mutate at 58 MHz. Negative thoughts can lower the body’s frequency by 12 MHz while positive thoughts can raise the body’s frequency by 10 MHz. Prayer and meditation powerfully increase frequency by 15 MHz.

Sense of Smell

The nose is the external component of the brain.
Scent goes directly to the receptor sites in the olfactory membrane, which transmits it to the limbic brain including the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Scent can also activate the hypothalamus, which produces thyroid and growth hormones.
The nose has 800,000 nerve receptors, ten to 100 times more than sight or hearing.

History

Earliest known distillation, 425 BC by Heradotus.
Pharaohs were embalmed in essential oils, and 350 liters of precious Spikenard were found in King Tut’s tomb.
Romans were known to purify their temples by diffusing oils.
The Holy Bible contains 188 direct references to the use of essential oils, and nearly 1,000 references by inference.
Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold (thought to be Spikenard or Balsam) were gifted to the newborn baby Jesus.
Modern day rediscovery of essential oils was made by Dr. Renee Gattefosse, a cosmetic chemist, in 1910 when he suffered a severe burn due to a chemical explosion in the laboratory. He dipped his arm in a beaker of Lavender to stop the burn; the lavender stopped the gas gangrene and healing began the following day without scarring.
Dr. Jean Valnet, and associate of Dr. Gattefosse, used essential oils to treat World War I soldiers when his antibiotics ran out and all treated were saved.

Essential Oil Quality

Use only therapeutic, grade A essential oils if they are to be applied topically or taken internally for healing.
Most oils available commercially are perfume or cosmetic grade and cannot be used medicinally.
Many commercially available oils are cut with linalyl acetate, propylene glycol, Dep or alcohols to speed the distillation process, stretch the product, and make them less expensive for the retail consumer.
France, for example, exports 5x the amount of lavender essential oil than pure lavender produced.
Companies use gas chromatography (does not indicate cutting), and/or mass spec analysis for quality analysis. Current grading system:
Grade A = Supposed Therapeutic Quality
Grade B = Perfume & Cosmetic Quality
Grade C = Industrial Quality for scent only
Proctor & Gamble uses twice as much essential oil for fragrance in its products than is produced naturally in the entire world.

Essential Oil Care

Use glass bottles, preferably dark in color.
Keep tightly capped so no oxidation takes place and oils will maintain quality for years.
Store in a cool location and do not heat oils (as in a warm mist humidifier); heat destroys the enzymes in essential oils.

Precautions

NEVER use water to dilute should skin become irritated or if oils get into eyes. To dilute an essential oil, use a fat soluble substance such as carrier (vegetable) oil, milk, creams, etc. Use milk or vegetable oil for eyes. Water will magnify the intensity of the essential oil; vegetable oil will reduce intensity.
Citrus oils are photosensitive and can burn skin in direct sunlight leaving a dark area on the skin for weeks. Do not use citrus oils on exposed skin for up to 2 days before direct sun exposure. Literally, apply citrus oils to areas where the sun does not shine (soles of feet, behind ears, on wrists, etc.).
Dilute essential oils for children: 1 to 3 drops per tablespoon of oil or milk for infants, 1 to 3 drops per teaspoon of oil for 2-5 year olds, and the same for pets, as a rule of thumb.
DO NOT put oils on a cat’s front paws, and do not use oils high in phenols such as Oregano on cats or birds. Their livers have difficulty assimilating the phenols.

If PREGNANT, avoid essential oils of wintergreen/birch, lavindin, cumin, basil, tarragon, sage, rosemary, hyssop, savory, and cinnamon bark. If pregnant, use the following oils with caution: peppermint, rose, vetiver, yarrow, spearmint, nutmeg, fennel and clary sage.

If you have HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AVOID peppermint, sage, thyme and hyssop.

EPILEPTICS AVOID rosemary, tarragon, hyssop, wintergreen/birch, sage, nutmeg, lavindin, fennel and basil.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER to flush out toxins being removed from the cells by the oils.

Methods of Application

German Method: Direct Inhalation or Diffused. Proven best method for growth hormone secretion, mood balancing and weight control.

English Method: Topical Application to skin. Safest point of application is the soles of the feet. Always dilute cosmetic or perfume grade essential oils; most pure-therapeutic grade essential oils (Young Living) may be applied neat (undiluted).

French Method: Internal Use. Some oils, such as citrus oils, are most beneficial when taken internally. Dilute essential oil in a small amount of honey, vegetable or nut oil or milk and ingest.

Reactions, Allergies

If skin has been exposed to chemicals such as propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate, DEA, etc. you may have a skin reaction to therapeutic grade oils as the essential oils work to release the acidity and toxins that are stored within the skin cells. Reduce the amount of essential oil used (dilute) and cleanse (detoxify) the body of stored toxins before resuming full strength (neat).

Sample Applications

Cold diffusion; do not use heat or you’ll kill the active enzymes and therapeutic value.

In massage, use hot packs to increase oil intensity if there are no neurological concerns. Use cold packs if there are any neurological problems such as MS, etc.

Enhance effectiveness of acupuncture and acupressure.

Mix several drops (6-10) with Epsom salts or milk and add to running bath water.

Vaginal or rectal implant (candida, etc.)

Laundry. Eucalyptus kills dust mites, Lemon disinfects.

Cooking. Dip a toothpick into oregano (or other herb)oil and drag through the meal just prior to serving. Do not add to food while cooking.

Insect repellant. Citronella, Cypress, Cedarwood, Lavender, Purification, Idaho Tansy.

Chemical Constituents found in Essential Oils

Terpenes - anti-viral, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory. Example: Pine.
Esters - fungicidal, sedating and very aromatic. Example: Lavender.
Baldheads - sedating and anti-septic. Example: Lavender.
Ketones - ease congestion, monolithic (neurotoxin). Example: Sage.
Alcohols - anti-septic, anti-viral, uplifting. Example: Ravensara.
Phenols - anti-bacterial, strongly stimulating. Example: Savory.
Oxides - expectorant and bactericidal. Example: Eucalyptus Globulus.
Ethers - soothing and balancing. Example: Tarragon.
Sesquiterpenes - oxygenate the brain, influence emotions, learning & attitudes. Example: Sandalwood.

References:
Essential Oil Desk Reference, Essential Science Publishing. www.essentialscience.net
Essential Chemistry for Safe Aromatherapy, Sue Clarke
Aromatherapy A-Z, Connie Higley
Reference Guide for Essential Oils, Connie & Alan Higley. www.abundant-health4u.com
Embraced by the Essence, Dr. Marcy Foley
Medical Aromatherapy, Kurt Schnaubelt

Suggested Sources:
Young Living Essential Oils. www.youngliving.com or www.EnergeticEssentials.com. Use referring & sponsor #707301, Nancy Gouch
Pacific Institute for Aromatherapy, Kurt Schnaubelt. The essential oils division is Original Swiss Aromatics, San Rafael, CA.
Energetic Essentials Nancy Gouch
www.EnergeticEssentials.com raindroptraining@EnergeticEssentials.com
Young Living #707301 (630) 272-7948