The Essentials About Essential Oils
About 10 years ago I was introduced to essential oils during my massage training. After graduating, I began incorporating them into my practice and my own personal health and wellness regimen. I was extremely excited to have a natural alternative for basic health concerns, self-care, and personal care products that did not contain toxins or chemicals that provided a whole host of therapeutic benefits. Here is some basic information to get you started if you are new to essential oils or would like to delve deeper into their application and uses.
Essential oils (EOs) and their healing benefits have been around and noted in history since the beginning of time. Essential oils are the natural aromatic compounds and volatile liquids found in the seeds, roots, bark, stems, leaves, flowers, and other parts of plants. These valuable liquids are most commonly obtained from plants through a steam distillation process and as a result, are extremely potent and highly concentrated. For example, one drop of peppermint oil is equal to drinking 28 bags of peppermint tea. The compounds in each EO are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that provide a variety of therapeutic benefits including being anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-viral. They also have a unique ability to penetrate cell membranes and travel throughout the blood and tissues.
When buying essential oils for therapeutic and health boosting benefits, it is important to look for oils that are pure therapeutic-grade. There are a wide range of oils on the market that are used primarily for fragrances but contain no medicinal benefits. These oils may contain synthetic ingredients or can be derived from plants processed with pesticides that may actually be harmful if inhaled, applied topically, or ingested. Here at STANDWellness we offer and work with the doTERRA line of EOs which are of the highest quality and provide a Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Standard.
DoTERRA essential oils can be used in a variety of applications including aromatically, topically, and orally. Diffusing essential oils into a space or opening a bottle and inhaling the oil can have remarkable effects on balancing emotions, calming the mind, and raising a person’s overall energic vibration. Some of my favorite single oils to diffuse are Lavenderand Frankincenseto calm and bring peace, Grapefruit and WildOrangeto energize and uplift, and the DoTERRA blends Purify, On Guard, and Breathefor respiratory and immune boosting functions.
Essential oils can also be applied topically by massaging them onto the skin. Carrier oils are often used to help reduce skin sensitivities (especially on infants and children) and can extend the therapeutic action of the EOs, prolonging the benefits received. My favorite application is to apply EOs to the bottom and tops of the feet before bed for relaxation, boosting the immune system and positively affecting all the organ systems of the body. Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Oregano,and Lavenderare also great first aids for bug bites, cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
The majority of EOs can also be taken orally either by adding a few drops in water, placing a few drops directly on the tongue, or adding to vegetable capsules. Essential oils including Peppermint, Lemongrass and Digestzenare great for aiding digestion and soothing upset stomachs.
I highly recommend getting your family and children involved in the EO process; it is a great way to enhance their overall health while also creating bonding time with your loved ones. Because the uses and healing possibilities of EOs are so vast, STANDwellness offers a Zyto Scan which utilizes galvanic skin response (GSR) technology to measure energetic stress responses in the body. These biomarker readings help identify which specific essential oils and products are recommended to optimize your health. I look forward to assisting you and your family in exploring all the healing benefits that essential oils have to offer.
By Stacy Cicola