Nature’s Gift—Essential Oils

Aromatherapy uses the natural healing properties of flowers, leaves, whole plants, tree barks, seeds, roots and/or rinds of citrus fruit to help with the healing of the body. Essential oils have been used by ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks and in Asia. They used the oils for everything from food preparation (spice), preserving foods, spiritual rituals, healing and perfumes.
Aromatherapy’s main influence comes from the use of 100% high-quality essential oils extracted from plants. The aroma mist and/or physical application of oils have been used heavily throughout history to help physical and mental ailments such as a stomach aches, allergies, migraines, sore joints, stress, anxiety and overall wellness. Each essential oil has many different constituent properties. If you look at a MS/GS testing result sheet, you will find that there are many properties that are found in a single plant. For instance, Aspirin is a single chemical constituent of the white willow. Native Americans have used white willow bark for hundreds of years to help with pain and fever. Nature has given us a perfect model for wellness but we should use the plant the way nature intended it to be used. Not by chemically separating the constituents to see which one can be used to make a single medicine.

The most common ways aroma therapists and natural healers use essential oils is through inhalation by use of a diffuser, applying essential oils (diluted in a carrier oil) to the palms of the hands, or by placing the bottle of oil under the nose for inhalation. Inhalation directly from the bottle is the simplest use and the method involves inhaling for a count of four, holding for a count of four, and exhaling for a count of four. The second way is to use essential oils in a carrier oil such as grape seed oil for physical application to various locations on the body for absorption through the skin. By using essential oils, you can experience firsthand the wonderful and joyous experience that comes from using all-natural plant products to support your body, mind, and spirit.

Important Note: When looking for essential oils, make sure that the source or company has the testing to back up the claims of 100% pure oil. Many companies claim to have pure oils but lack the documentation to prove purity. Also make sure that there is a qualified essential oil expert on hand to answer any question that may arise—such as, how do I use this oil or what kind of oils blend perfectly together to get the desired results. Many companies have representatives who are not properly trained. It is not enough to simply pay money, sign up as a distributor, and go to a few meetings. That is grossly inadequate training and can be downright dangerous. It takes a great deal of time and study to gain knowledge and experience enough to advise others.