Interesting info on Essential Oils

In doing some research on essential oils, I came upon some information that made me go...huh???

Basically only MLM essential oil companies recommend this. I have seen from Aromatherapy Institutes, reputable magazines, etc. where they profusely advise against this! The MLM e.o. companies state it is ok to ingest essential oils regularly...this is NOT advisable...the sensitive tissues on the insides of one's body can not handle the powerful molecules of essential oils so you could possibly end up with burns on those delicate tissues. The second piece of info that bothers me  more is...people are using capsules of essential oils as suppositories!!! In my humble opinion...using e.o.'s this way is not recommended in anyway, shape or form!! Essential oils are meant to be inhaled, applied to the skin, used in cool mist diffusers, etc. They will get into your body through skin absorption in less than 20 minutes, inhaling them takes even less time than that!! Be so very cautious & be patient! They are potent in their own right, respect that & do some major research if you are told it's ok to ingest them. Now a drop or two of like peppermint e.o. to swish in your mouth as a rinse would be ok, but you don't want to swallow it...that's just an example.

I have something else I want to address and it may make some angry, but I have to say it. I am tired of certain MLM essential oil companies professing their oils are the ONLY ones out there that are therapeutic. Truth is...ALL essential oils are therapeutic in their own right & they all can help heal! The biggest hurdle is finding a reputable company that sells the unadulterated essential oils! If you are unsure of the quality of your essential oil, there is a test you can do. Put one drop of your e.o. on a piece of paper & let it evaporate, once done there should be almost nothing left of that drop...if you see any type of oily residue of any kind, then that e.o. has been tampered (adulterated) with, which lowers it's quality. In all honesty though, how many of these MLM essential oil companies share any type of information like this to help the consumer learn...all that matters to them in my humble opinion...is that almighty dollar!!! Because of their claims, hype & their marketing is the reason the FDA has clamped down on the small businesses in regards to essential oils. Just FYI!

I have seen some very high dollar prices on some certain 'aromatherapy' products & personally, I think it's outrageous. The more you learn, the more you can make wise decisions on your own & not pay those high dollar prices. so do your research!!! Being knowledgeable about the use of essential oils can only benefit YOU!! Find a qualified aromatherapist you can trust & pick their brain too!

SPF means nothing when a product contains a phototoxic essential oil. All your fruit ones: lemon, lime, orange & grapefruit are phototoxic. All phototoxic means is that you can be more sensitive to the sun's burning rays after you have applied these essential oils to your skin, nothing more.

I do want to alert people about others selling sweetgrass as an essential oil. There is no such thing!! Some have re-named it Calamus, not the same...this e.o. can be toxic & weather or not it smells like sweetgrass is questionable. They try to sell it under other names as well, so buyer beware!!!

Vanilla is not an essential oil, but an absolute which is a different critter altogether. Rose Otto is not a pure rose essential oil. Pure rose e.o. is so expensive, very few can even afford it. Strawberry, pear, cherry and the like are not essential oils.

The laws in the country are making it more difficult to bring you information about effective alternative treatments. We are not allowed to say a product will effectively kill bacteria, viruses, etc.(even though it's been proven & we know this) otherwise it falls under FDA jurisdiction. So you will have to do more research on your own, ask questions, gather your own information from reliable sources.,..then proceed from what you have gathered. Just a friendly reminder!!

What DO those terms mean???

It seems the more advanced we get what with technology and more, the more confusing the talk gets. Sometimes I find myself asking...what did they say? what does that mean? why can't they just use regular words?? LOL. In the field of herbalism & aromatherapy it's really no different. One just has to learn the lingo. Most times I try to break it down because I don't want to be confused either. In doing research for another blog, I came upon some terms that I thought I would try to explain so maybe we all weren't in the dark about some things so much!

Nutritives -- this is a class of herbs that nourish the body when it is not getting proper nutrition from food. They nourish the body, build immune systems and are rich in vitamins & minerals.

Tonics -- these are herbal substances that give you a feeling of well being & help you feel better. They tone up bodily tissues, boost the immune systems, strengthen the body. Tonics are able to heal overall instead of a substance that treats a particular health issue, for example a particular herbal tea..

Trophorestorative -- they are a unique variety of herbs or foods that can restore actual physical function to a debilitated organ or tissue. These herbs, foods, etc. can rectify deficiency & weakness not simply through temporary stimulation but through vital nourishment of that organ & organ system. It is a tonic in the deepest sense of the word. In order to be a true trophorestorative -- it must not bring harm or have undue side effects & be able to be used over a long period of time, safely. They can restore actual physical function to a debilitated organ or tissue resulting in permanent restoration.

Saponins -- known for their ability to lower cholesterol, improve the immune system & prevent cancer.

Flavanoids -- contain antioxidative qualities. They control & scavage free radicals. Help to prevent heart disease, cancer & immunodeficiency viruses.

Polysaccharides -- have anti-microbial, anti-viral & anti-inflammatory capabilities. They can also stop viruses from replicating.

Exactly what IS Aromatherapy????

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal based medicines that makes therapeutic use of essential oils for health & well being. It is a natural non-invasive modality designed to affect the whole person, not just symptoms or disease & to assist the body's natural ability to balance, maintain, regulate & heal itself by the correct use of essential oils.

Unfortunately the term has been so overused & trivialized that it is misconstrued as being simply the use of pleasantly scented products! Most countries outside the U.S. hold aromatherapy in very high regard. It is quite economical as one only needs a few drops to help with healing, either in a single essential oil or an essential oil blend.

Aromatherapy can also be referred to essential oil therapy. It seeks to unify body, mind & spirit to enhance the individual's healing process. As a holistic practice, aromatherapy is both a preventative approach, as well as an active method to use during acute & chronic stages of illness or 'dis'-ease.

So basically just because it is scented & makes you feel good or you really like the scent does not mean it's aromatherapy, it actually goes way deeper than that!