Essential Oil Education

What exactly is inflammation and what causes it to “flare-up” in the body? Inflammation is actually a complex response of the body’s tissues to harmful stimuli or irritants of one kind or another. It’s our body’s protective attempt to survive. It can be localized or systemic. Symptoms might include redness, swelling, pain and heat. Here’s a list of some of the inflammation induced problems that can develop: allergies, asthma, osteoporosis, arthritis, gout, psoriasis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, bronchitis and diabetes. The list actually goes on because at the root of all illness in the body is–inflammation.

How Can Essential Oils Help Lower the Inflammatory Response?

A few years ago, the research team at Young Living tested 77 therapeutic grade essential oils and found 6 of them had a high rate of inhibiting nitric oxide which is released in the inflammatory process, inflaming tissues and causing tissue damage. Here are the 6 oils:

Oregano–most significant, Melaleuca ericifolia (Rosalina), nutmeg, lemongrass and peppermint. Other oils that were shown to have intermediate nitric oxide inhibition were lemon, frankincense, tangerine, myrtle, lavender, patchouli, Eucalyptus polybractea, juniper clove, orange and Eucalyptus radiata. Recent research in this area has found that Copiaba and Octotea from the Amazon basin are the highesst known oils to decrease  inflammation.

Does nature provide us with what we need to stay healthy? What do you think! There are no side effects from using essential oils from nature. That cannot be said for pharmaceutical drugs.

PS: Want to know more about essential oils and how they affect the body? Become a certified clinical aromatherapist. http://www.ISHAhealing.com

PSS: Want to know where you can get these highly anti-inflammatory oils that have been tested and proven to be the highest quality? Go to http://www.Youngliving.com/HTSMsmith

Young Living has come out with a brand new roll-on essential oil that has become my newest favorite oil–Stress Away. I carry it in my pocket wherever I go, and I make sure that it is with me on airplaines, in traffic and just plain working at my desk writing. It has an amazing fragrance that is at once soothing and relaxing.

What’s in it that gives it such calming power? It is a unique blend of the essentila oils of vanilla, lime, ocotea, and copaiba (essential oils from the Amazon), cedarwood and lavender.

The lime essential oil in Stress-Away is coumarin-free which means it is not a phototoxic sensitizing oil. It lends a subtle citrus fragrance to the calming vanilla fragrance.  The ocotea and copaiba which are the two highest anti-inflammatory oils ever tested aid the body’s response to stress.  And the cedarwood works with the brain to improve relaxation while the floral scent of lavender calms any tense mood.

Young Living has come up with a winner!

PS: Want to get some Stress Away to try? Go to http://www.youngliving.com/HTSMsmith to order yours today.

The ocotea tree lies deep in the amazon basin of Ecuador and is related to the cinnamon species. It’s not like any common cinnamon tree though and as for it’s chemistry, has only about 5% cinnamaldehyde as compared to 50% or higher in cinnamon bark oil.  That means ocotea will produce far less skin sensitivity than cinnamon bark or cassia essential oils. Ocotea has the highest level of alpha-humulene of any essential oil tested to this date.  Why is this such great news? Alpha-humulene is known to help balance the body’s internal response to inflammation.

The trees are male and female with only the female trees producing foliage suitable for distillation into essential oils. Historical use of ocotea actually dates back at last 500 years when it was used to aromatize sweets and cakes.

The oil comes from steam distilling the tree leaves which are at the top of the tree canopy. A second oil is produced called Ishpingo which comes from steam distilling the flowers of the ocotea tree. This rare and expensive oil is even sweeter than the ocotea oil.  Should diabetics be cautious in using either of these oils? Actually testimonials have shown that ocotea and ishpingo can help regulate blood sugar within days simply by putting 1-2 drops under the tongue. Remember–these are only testimonials and may not work for everyone. Because of the cinnamaldehyde content, some may have skin sensitivity.

PS: Let me know how you are using ocotea essential oil. It’s important that we share our testimonials with one another to build up a bank of knowledge. So write a comment and let me know how you are using it.

PSS: Want to try ocotea essential oils? You can order yours by going to http://www.youngliving.com/HTSMsmith

The oleoresin of the Copaifera tree is one of those secrets from the Amazon basin that native people have used for centuries. They have tapped the trees to obtain this life blood and used it in a myriad of different ways–rubbing it on sores, muscle aches and pains, and even taken it internally for digestive upsets. They created ointments, creams and tinctures as well as diffused it through smugging.

Today we take the oleoresin and distill it to create a clear essential oil known as copaiba. It has a rich, uplifting, but light woody smell. When tested by gas chromotography and mass spectrometry, copiaiba is found to contain high levels of beta caryophyllene, gamma elemene, and alpha humalene. Why is this such astounding news? These compounds are known to be highly anti-inflammatory. In fact, copaiba is the highest tested anti-inflammatory essential oil on the planet to date.

Traditionally, copaiba has been used to aid common digestive discomforts when taken internally. Historically it has also been used to regulate natural immune responses, in other words, it’s good for boosting the immune system and helping us to keep healthy.

Let me know how you are using this “wonder” from the amazon. I personally am using it to dissolve a hard cyst on my finger, a lipoma on my back and to decrease inflammation around a nerve on my foot. Write me your response on how you are using copaiba.

PS: Want to learn more about the new oils from South America? Go to http://www.youngliving.com/HTSMsmith to order your new oils today.

PSS: I am now teaching about the new oils in all of my aromatherapy classes. For a schedule of classes, go to: http://www.ISHAhealing.com and click on schedule.

St. John’s Wort or Hypericum perforatum, is an infused oil meaning the flowers are gathered at a certain time of the year and placed in a carrier oil until the essential essence of the plant oozes out into that carrier oil. This is a plant of many faces. Some regard it as a wildflower, others a weed or at best an herb. It has actually been described as a healthful plant by herbalists since the earliest Greek herbals. It has a long history of use including being used as a diuretic, a wound healing herb, a great treatment for menstrual disorders and for allaying the pain of contusions. 

In the Middle Ages, harvesting herbs meant collecting the herb on a specific day, often a day with religious significance. This simply may have been a way of marking the best time of year to harvest a particular herb. In this case, St John’s wort, as you may guess, was harvested on St. John’s day which is June 24th. When the fresh flowers of this plant are crushed, they exude a blood-red juice, which stains the figers blue-violet.

Today St. John’s wort oil is used for bruises, is anti-inflammatory, and is often used to help speed healing of wounds and sores. It helps to reduce inflammation and can be applied to sprains, burns, skin irritations, or any laceration accomplanied by severed nerve tissue.  It was once known to pharmacists as “red oil’ or “Hypericum liniment.” The practice of soaking the flowers in olive oil, infusing the oil in the sun, then using the oil internally as a diuretic and external application for wounds dates at least to the 1500’s.

PS: Want to learn more about healing oils and how they can help you maintain your health? Find out how you can attend aromatherapy classes near you by going to http://www.ISHAaromatherapy.com

Calendula officinalis is more commonly known as “marigold flowers.” It has been made into an infused oil for centuries and used to soothe red, irritated and sensitive skin or for maintaining joint mobility in later life. For many, calendula works miracles on dry and chapped hands, and is an effective treatment for facial thread veins. it is also a helpful oil to balance excessively oily skin.

How Is an “Infused” Oil Created?

The method of making an infused oil has not changed very much in the last few thousand years. The chosen plant or flower is cut into small pieces, put into a wide-necked glass jar and then a vegetable oil such as sunflower or olive oil is added. The mixture is stirred and then placed into direct sunlight for up to 2-3 weeks. Periodically, the jars are turned to ensure the heat and the light from the sun are distribured evenly across the soaking mixture. Eventually the precious essential oil begins to seep out into the carrier oil and all the wonderful healing properties of the plant are infused into the oil. Finally the mixture is filtered and the result is a natural remedy containing all the active principles of the plant, pre-diluted and ready to use.

PS: Want to learn more about oils and how they can help you have beautiful skin? What about essential oils helpful for fibromyalgia or gastric upset or high blood pressure? The Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy offers an Aromatherapy “Club” that covers topics of interest on how to maintain a healthy life style through using essential oils.  Members receive 3 teleseminars and outlines and the mp3 recordings every month plus they receive periodic ebooks on aromatherapy. To find out how you can join, go to http://www.ISHAhealing.com and click on the healing store.

We have lots of carrier oils to choose from when selecting one for a massage or for diluting an oil to take internally.  There is a wide variety plus some other infused or macerated oils such as Calendula and St. Johns Wort. The variety of vegetable oils available to a newcomer can seem a little bewidering at first but choosing which one is for you is not really complicated.

You choose one with the properties that you need for your particular needs. You want to use vegetable oils that are the very best for intensive facial treatments and body massage and that can be combined to suit your particular requirements.  Experimenting with small quantities will help you find what works best for you.

Here Are Some Suggestions

Sweet almond, peach and apricot oils are very versatile and can be used for both body massage and facial treatments since they are light and easily absorbed. If you have a nut allergy, then sunflower or grapeseed oil might be better.

Jojoba is by far my favorite but it is not a real oil–rather it is a thick pale yellow liquid extracted from the beanlike seeds of a desert shrub. Jojoba is a wax that is the closest preparation to our own naturally secreted skin oil and is the most moisturizing of the carrier oils and good for most skin types.

My second most favorite carrier oil is fractionated coconut oil which is a clear liquid squeezed from coconuts by high pressure. It is a favorite of a lot of massage therapists. I like it because of the nice feeling on my skin.

Unrefined avocado and wheatgerm oil are perfect for nourishing the skin in an overnight treatment, but are a little too heavy for use in a body massage. They have a strong odor that some people do not like, but please don’t let that put you off! They are excellent, deep nourishing oils that will provide essential fatty acids and nutrients to soften your skin.

What About Prepared Massage Oils–What’s Really Good to Use?

My most favorite is Cel-Lite Magic Massage oil prepared by Young Living Essential Oils. It comes in a great pump bottle making it very easy to use. This oil combines fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, wheatgerm oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil and the the following essential oils: grapefruit, cypress, cedarwood, juniper and clary sage. The grapefruit essential oil benefits skin textures and juniper essential oil helps detoxify and cheanse the skin. I absolutely love the fragrance and how this oil feels on my skin.

PS: Want to find out more about carrier oils and essential oils? go to http://www.ISHAharomatherapy.com and see our educational offerings.

PSS: Want to order a high quality carrier oil? Go to http://www.Youngliving.com/HTSMSmith to explore their many products.

The whole purpose of carrier oils is of course “to carry” or act as a vehicle for administering essential oils to the skin or to take them internally.  Some essential oils are simply too “hot” for the skin and should be safely diluted to prevent redness and burning. Or if an essential oil is used in a massage, it is very helpful to first dilute it so that the whole body can receive the benefits of the essential oil. Otherwise, you will use too much essential oil which is simply not necessary and may not be safe. 

If taking an essential oil internally is desired, it is also helpful to put a drop of a carrier oil in the vegetable capsule first or the essential oil may dissolve it before you can swollow it!

Some Dilution Tips

If you are desiring to make a massage oil to deliver an essential oil, you can make a 1%, 2% or at most a 5% dilution. The dilution will of course depend on what essential oil you are choosing to use in a massage. The hotter oils such as basil (a good anti-spasmodic oil) can be used in a 1 or 2% dilution whereas frankincense which is not a hot oil could be used in a 5% dilution. To make a 1% dilution, use 1 drop of essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil. But for a massage, a teaspoon won’t go very far. You could then make up a larger quantity by adding 20 drops of your chosen oil to 100 ml of a carrier oil.

To make a 5% dilution you could add 5 drops of your essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil and for a larger quantity like 30 ml, you could add 30 drops of your essential oil.

PS: Want to learn more about safe use of essential oils? Go to http://www.ISHAaromatherapy.com to find an aromatherapy educational course near you.

What’s an “allergy?” It’s actually a state of hypersensitivity–it’s when our immune system goes into hyperdrive and hay fever is the result. We get red itchy eyes, inflammation and/or swelling of the tissue of the nose, sinuses, throat, ears, larynx and airways. We sneeze, cough, and our noses run. We may even have rapid heart beat, our ears may pop because of inflammation and swelling. In other words, we feel lousy when our allergies kick in.

Chamomile Can Actually Lessen our Symptoms

Yes this is the season for hay fever sufferers but chamomile has been used for centuries to help reduce these symptoms. Chamomile has anti-anxiety, antihistamine, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it very useful in treating respiratory allergies. Chamomile tea is used to reduce duration of hay fever attacks and chamomile creams are used for compresses.

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil–The Gentle Chamomile

Roman chamomile essential oil has a sweet, apple-like fragrance and is very light clear bluish-yellow color. It comes from a small perennial herb and is safe enough for children and infants. Chemically, Roman chamomile is high in esters making it a very gentle oil. Try putting a few drops of Roman chamomile in a base cream to rub on swollen tissues–just be careful not to get it in your eyes. You can also use a few drops on a warm or cool compress. This oil is gentle enough to take internally. Just remember one drop of Roman chamomile will make 28 cups of chamomile tea!

PS: Want to find out more about using essential oils for physical, mental and spiritual health? Go to http://www.ISHAaromatherapy.com to find an educational course near you.

PSS: Need to find a good quality Roman Chamomile essential oil? Go to http://www.youngliving.com/HTSMsmith to order therapeutic quality oils.

Are things tough at work? Your boss on your back about deadlines? Are you anxious about the economy and how you are going to paying your bills? It can all add up to muscle spasms and to tension headaches which are the most common form of headache in our society today. Tension headaches are also referred to as muscle contraction headaches because they are caused by muscle contractions that occur in the neck, head, jaw, upper back and shoulders. These muscle spasms are first felt at the base of the neck but soon work their way upwards, eventually spreading to the temples. People experience them as a tight band around the head. they can last a few hours or all day.

Most people have been “schooled” to take aspirin, ibuprofin or tylenol which work for some but not all people. All of these over-the-counter drugs carry side effects which are now coming to light. Is there an alternative that is effective in the plant kingdom? YES!

Essential Oils Prove to be Pain Relieving, Anit-Spasmodic and Anti-Inflammatory

In tension headaches, you want to relieve the muscle stress and ease the trigger points and muscle spasms. Aroma Siez is a great blend that I have found to be especially helpful in relieving tension headaches. It contains basil which combats muscle spasms and is anti-inflammatory; marjoram which helps regenerate smooth muscle tissue and helps relieve spasms; lavender which relieves muscle spasms, pains, inflammation and is hypotensive; peppermint which has powerful pain-blocking, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties; and cypress which improves circulation.

There’s no need to suffer with tension headaches. Find a quiet place, rub your chosen oil on the back of your neck and temples, and deeply inhale its fragrance. Or if you are at home, take a relaxing warm bath with 8-10 drops of your chosen oils in a dispersing agent like sea salts. Put on some relaxing music and calm your thoughts.

PS: Want to know more about how essential oils–nature’s medicines–can help you achieve the health you desire? Learn more by enrolling in our aromatherapy courses at http://www.ISHAhealing.com

PSS: Need a source for therapeutic or medicinal grade essential oils? Go to http://www.youngliving.com/HTSMsmith to order yours today.