What are essential oils?

"This by far is not anything alternative. Essential oils have been around for thousands of years. The more we educate ourselves, the more aware we become of what has been around forever for us to incorporate into our lifestyle to maintain a higher quality of life". - Dr. Erika Duffy

What are essential oils and why would it benefit me to know about them?

Essential oils were man's very first medicine. From the Egyptians, the Chinese and well preserved oils that were located in jars inside King Tut's tomb, are just a few places we know of. There are over 188 references about essential oils in the Bible. For many centuries essential oils were used for treating disease, illness, religious rituals and other spiritual and physical needs. Many people today are taking ancient wisdom and applying it to their lives. Essential oils are volatile liquids that are distilled from all respective parts of plants such as the seeds, leaves, bark, roots, flowers, fruit etc. The chemical constituents of the oil is only one of the factors that determine the purity. It is imperative we use 100% pure grade A essential oil so we can receive the maximum benefit the oil has to offer. Never adulturated oils. The climate, the way the oil is expressed, and depending on the conditions of its growth, altitude, organic or chemical fertilizer to name just a few determines this factor.

Our cells in our body need oxygen to stay healthy. Stress, lifestyle, internal subconscious dialogue, the type of food we eat, lack of exercize etc. determines how much oxygen our cells receive. Basically, an essential oil puts oxygen into our cellular structure. If we keep our cells oxygenated, we are less likely to get an illness and if an illness does happen to occur, it is of a much lesser duration.

Different essential oils have different affects on the body and our brain. Some are anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-infectious, anti-tumoral, anti-parasitic, immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, insect repellant, sedative, analgesic, anti-depressant, expectorant, antimicrobial, lymphatic decongestant, diuretic, anti-asthmatic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, astrigent, along with calming, relaxing and a sedative affect to name only a few. Essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses within the body while restoring balance to the body simultaneously.

We can understand that by applying oils on our bodies the oils go into our cellular structure oxygenating our cells and raising our energy, but WHAT EFFECT DO PURE ESSENTIAL OILS HAVE ON THE BRAIN?

Everyone knows the powerful influence of aromas on our body and mind. Our sense of smell is the only one of the five senses directly linked to our limbic lobe of the brain. This is our emotional control center. Depression, anxiety, fear, anger and joy all emanate from this limbic region. This is why a scent can evoke a memory and emotion before we are even conscious of it. The limbic lobe is a group of brain structures that includes the hippocampus and amygdala that is located below the cerebral cortex and it can directly activate the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is one of the most important parts of our brain and acts as our hormonal control center. It releases chemicals that affect everything from energy to our sex drive. All the production of our growth hormones, sex hormones, thyroid hormones, serotonin etc. are all governed by the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus because of this is referred to as our master gland. Inhaling essential oils with their unique molecular structure can directly stimulate both our limbic lobe and the hypothalamus. Therefore, by inhalation, essential oils can have a powerful affect on our body and mind. Not only can essential oils combat stress and trauma, they can directly stimulate the production of hormones in our body.

The French, English, and Germans have been using essential oils and have schools and clinics using different modes of application. We are just beginning to understand their value they have understood for years.

A couple of techniques I have learned is the Raindrop Technique and the Vita Flex Technique for applying essential oils. The Raindrop Technique was developed from research that suggests that the spine has misalignments which can be caused by muscle spasms and inflammation producing viruses and bacteria. By learning and applying this technique one can release bacteria and viruses which may be causing pain and discomfort in the spine. Vita Flex means energy through our reflexes. It is said to first originate in Tibet thousands of years ago, long before acupunture. The energy is released through the electrical impulses when the oils are applied via the fingertips and reflex points. This electrical charge follows the nerve pathways to the break in the electrical circuit which was caused by the toxins, damaged tissues, or the loss of oxygen. This system balances the entire body, mind, releasing tension and congestion that was inhibiting a healthier life.

Essential Oil Testimonials

"I have had numerous problems with my back. When applying essential oils to my spine, I found my back improved so much, that I was not even aware of the discomfort! I have had no problem since using them....Thank you"! S.D.......N. H.

"When my daughter ran a temperature of 102, I immediately applied Lavender and Immupower (to build the immune system) on her feet and spine. Within 30 minutes her fever was down to normal and she was sleeping peacefully. I find they seem to work on just about everything". E.J.......N. J.

"I had a terrible toothache and it just did not seem like it would go away. I applied Thieves (anti-bacterial and anti-infectious) to the area and immediately it got numb and the pain went away and never returned"! F.D.......N. H.

"Last Sunday evening while gardening, I accidentally brushed my arm on stinging nettles. Lavender was my first choice but it didn't help a whole lot. When I got home from work Monday, I applied Roman Chamomile and it did the trick"!
Z. P.

"Where I live we are frequently bothered by mosquitoes, I found that after applying Purification to a bite (even if it has been scratched) the sting will go away in a couple of minutes. It also causes the bites to heal faster". A. J....CO.

"My son had hayfever so severe, he started to wheeze. I had him put some Raven on his lungs with a warm compress and within minutes, his airways started to open and his breathing became much clearer". J. D........N. H.

"My husband tripped on something on the stairs and his foot really started to bother him. To compensate for his sore foot, his knee started to bother him. I put some Pan Away, and Birch on the bottom of his foot and knee with a warm compress and within minutes, he stopped noticing the pain! My kids now know which oils they require when they have a cold or feel sore or in need to de-stress!" J. F. D......N. H.

"I am a Chiropractor and have used Valor in my practice with good results. I have also used Valerian, Cypress, Birch, and Peppermint, depending on the underlying problem. If its a muscle problem we will use Valerian, for scar tissue we will use cypress. If it is a joint/bone problem we will use Birch. To increase circulation we will use Peppermint. My husband is also a Chiropractor and we both use the essential oils and have many testimonies from our patients and ourselves. Please let your Chiropractor know that we would be happy to share our experiences". Dr. Treacy Hagan...chirocenter@netdot.com

(These are testimonials only...it is not to take the place of medical care when needed)

"I have experienced and used numerous brands of essential oils. It is imperative that we use only 100% pure unadulterated essential oils for optimum health benefits. I only recommend "Young Living Essential Oils".

For more information about essential oils or upcoming workshops for self application, call Erika Duffy @ 603-497-4693 or e-mail.