What are essential oils?

   Essential oils are the volatile liquids that are distilled from plants (including their respective parts such as seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, etc.). 

How long have essential oils been around?

   Essential oils were mankind's first medicine.  From Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts, we know that priests and physicians have been using essential oils for thousands of years.

What benefits do essential oils provide?

1.  Essential oils are the regenerating, oxygenating, and immune defense properties of plants.

2.  Essential oils are so small in molecular size that they can quickly penetrate the skin.

3.  Essential oils are lipid-soluble and are capable of penetrating cell walls, even if they have hardened because of an oxygen deficiency.  In fact, essential oils can affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and then be metabolized like other nutrients.

4.  Essential oils contain oxygen molecules which help to transport nutrients to the starving human/animal cells.  Because a nutritional deficiency is an oxygen deficiency, disease begins when the cells lack the oxygen for proper nutrient assimilation. By providing the needed oxygen, essential oils also work to stimulate the immune system.

5.  Essential oils are very powerful antioxidants.  Antioxidants create an unfriendly environment for free radicals.  Antioxidants prevent all mutations, work as free radical scavengers, prevent fungus, and prevent oxidation in the cells.

6.  Essential oils are antibacterial, anti-cancerous, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti-microbial, anti-tumoral, antiparasitic, antiviral, and antiseptic.  Essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses, while simultaneously restoring balance to the body.

7.  Essential oils may detoxify the cells and blood in the body.

8.  Essential oils are aromatic.  When diffused, they provide air purification by:

   A.  Removing metallic particles and toxins from the air.

   B.  Increasing atmospheric oxygen

   C.  Increasing ozone and negative ions in the area, which inhibits bacterial growth

   D.  Destroying odors from mold, cigarettes, and animals; and

   E.  Filling the air with fresh, aromatic scent.

9.  Essential oils help promote emotional, physical, and spiritual healing.

What enables essential oils to provide such incredible benefits?

   Essential oils are chemically very heterogeneous-- meaning they are very diverse in their effects and can perform several different functions.  Synthetic chemicals are completely opposite in that they have basically one action.  This heterogeneity gives essential oils a paradoxical nature which can be difficult to understand.  However, essential oils can be compared to another paradoxical group--human beings.  For example, a man can play many roles: father, husband, friend, coworker, accountant, school teacher, church volunteer, scout master, minister, etc.  And so it is with essential oils: Lavender can be used for burns, insect bites, headaches, PMS, insomnia, stress and so forth.

How are essential oils administered?

   Essential oils may be beneficial through inhalation, topical application, ingestion or a combination of these, depending on the condition being addressed.

For example; my dogs are frightened by thunderstorms.  I use a combination of oils, rubbed between the palms of my hands and offered by inhalation.  Then I rub my hands lightly over the dogs' muzzle, neck, shoulders, and down their backs.  While this does not completely ease their discomfort, they are able to lay down and "ride it out" rather than pacing, hiding, panting and drooling.  If storms come in the night, without fail, one of them will wake me, and run to my oil kit and "ask" for the oils. This example demonstrates how simple inhalation can have it's effect.  Rubbing my hands down their bodies just leaves residual scent that they continue to inhale, keeping them comfortable for a longer period of time.

Topical application is done by dropping the oils directly on the area of concern either "neat" or diluted with a carrier oil.  For example; A client's dog was diagnosed with cancerous mast cell tumors.  Extreme aggresive surgery was done to remove the tumors, about 8 weeks post-surgery, the dog developed two new tumors. The owner began treating the new tumors topically with Frankincense oil.  One drop of the oil was applied directly to each tumor two times daily.  In about 8 weeks, the new tumors were completely gone, and the dog has been cancer free since Dec. 2009.

Many essential oils are available in a variety of supplements and can be taken orally to treat many conditions including arthritis, autoimmune disorders and diabetes to name a few.

Many of the essential oils and supplements are natural immune boosters and can be used routinely to keep your pets healthy.*

If you are interested in learning more about Essential Oils, please contact me via phone or e-mail.

* Taken from the 12th edition of the Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley.