Back to Basics: Essential Oils

This past year, I became a therapeutic grade essential oil distributor. The oils that I was already familiar with were Melaleuca (Tea Tree Oil), Lavender and Oregano. Outside of those I was clueless. Oils are fantastic because they are mankind's first medicine. Today they are still treated and used for many forms of medicine. I literally self medicate through tiny drops of oil that work magic. I wish more people knew about them and used them- so here is a small, concentrated post to give you the basics of how these natural little medicines work.

From Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts, we know that priests and physicians have been using essential oils for thousands of years. There are 188 references to essential oils in the Bible. These oils were used for anointing and healing the sick.  

Essential oils embody the regenerating, oxygenation, and immune-strengthening properties of plants. As the name suggests, oils are molecular in size and can quickly penetrate the skin. Essential oils can affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and then be metabolized like other nutrients. 

There are 3 main ways to use essential oils:

• Direct application. The feet are the second fastest area of the body to absorb oils because of the large pores. When applying to larger area's be sure to dilute with a pure, 100% vegetable oil or glycerin.  It can be quite painful to put oil on your skin and is difficult to get off once its on.
• Inhalation. Got a headache? Try inhaling some peppermint oil! its NATURAL and EFFECTIVE. You can purchase a diffuser to diffuse oils into the air, Another great way to get the oil into the air is put 1 drop into your humidifier  Put a few drops into a cotton ball and tape it to your fan. Inhaling these are capable of everything from disinfecting the air to help create a greater spiritual, physical, and emotional harmony. 
• Digestion. Yup- put a drop of lavender oil with your Olive oil and rosemary to your salmon  Dont feel well? Have some peppermint tea with the oil. I checked my Zen green tea purchased at Starbucks, one of the ingredients: lemon oil! Although most essential oils are NOT therapeutic grade and should not be ingested, the ones that are can be very effective inside the body.

Essential oils are wonderful things that I wish more people would take advantage of.

Hope this helps!

Lauren