a) WHERE DO ESSENTIAL OILS COME FROM ? - Essential Oils ? Part 1
The odoriferous substances (Essential oils) themselves are formed in the chloroplasts of the leaves where they combine with glucose to form glucides and are then circulated around the plant in this form. At certain times of the day or year they are stored in particular parts of the plant.
In some plants, the essential oils are produced by the secretory tissues, and in others they are combined with glycosides, and are therefore not detectable until the plant is dried or crushed, e.g.: Valerian
Essential oils are considered to be an important part of the plant's metabolism: some have hormonal activity and others are a stage in some other process, e.g.: the oil found in the rind of the orange is a stage in Vitamin A synthesis.
Essential oils can be found in almost any part of the plant, in differing concentrations, depending on the plant itself, the time of day and year. They may be found in the roots (e.g.: Calamus and Valerian), flowers (e.g. Lavender, Rose,), bark (e.g. Sandalwood, Cedarwood), fruits (e.g.: Lemon, Cardamom, Orange), berries (e.g. Juniper), leaves (e.g. Thyme, Rosemary, Sage).
Plants which contain essences must be picked at the correct time of day and in the correct season, and in particular weather conditions in order that a maximum yield of the essential oils can be obtained, and of course, as with all medicinal or nutritional plants, soil conditions, and climatic conditions will also dictate the quality of the oils obtained.
Heavy, concentrated oils are called ABSOLUTES e.g.: Rose, Jasmine, Oils which are solid at room temperature and which must be warmed before use are called BALSAMS, e.g.: Benzoin and Camphor.
HOW DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK?
Essential oils are known to have an effect on us in three different, but overlapping, ways.
a) On the physical body, both locally and systemically, via the lymphatic and blood circulation.
b) On the mind and emotions via the Sense of Smell and the Limbic System.
c) On the "Etheric Energy System" of the body via the energy vibration of the individual oils themselves.
The Way Essential Oils Effect the Physical Body
When Essential oils are applied to the surface of the body, either via Massage, Baths, Compresses, Creams or Lotions, they will have an effect locally (i.e. the site at which they are applied), and Systemically (i.e. throughout the body). The Systemic effect occurs when essential oils are absorbed through the skin into the Lymphatic Circulation, and they are then dumped from the Lymphatic circulation into the blood stream.
Once the oils are circulating in the blood, they are carried to their TARGET ORGAN/S, where they exert a therapeutic effect on the specific tissues. Every Essential oil has its own Target Organ, e.g. Juniper oil targets the urinary tract and kidneys in particular, with secondary effects on the Digestive, Respiratory and Reproductive Systems. Chamomile Oil targets the Nervous System via which it can then exert a broad effect on many other body Systems, like the Digestive Tract for example.
Even when Essential oils are inhaled only, say in the form of a steam inhalation for a cold or as a fumigator for a background "psychological" effect, the oils will be absorbed across the mucous membranes of the Respiratory Tract and lungs into the blood stream, where once again, they can travel around the body very rapidly.
If Essential Oils are taken orally, their absorption through the Mucosa of the stomach and into the blood is very rapid. Very few essential oils are actually 'digested', which is fortunate as their Therapeutic principles may well be altered if this were the case.
The reason why Essential Oils behave in this manner in the body is because the molecules of which they are composed are organic molecules and very small indeed. Below are some of the more common Therapeutic Properties which can be obtained by using Essential Oils.
SOME THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS
1. ANTISEPTIC
All essential oils are to a greater or lesser extent ANTISEPTIC. This is one of their most important and valuable properties. This broad description of ANTISEPSIS includes anti viral, antifungal, anti-bacterial and general anti-microbial activity which is found in such oils as: Lemon, Thyme, Tea Tree, Garlic, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Pine, Lavender and Sandalwood.
2. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Oils with this property help to ease inflammation. The symptoms of inflammation are typified by pain, redness, swelling, and partial or total loss of function of the tissue involved. Examples of oils with this property are Chamomile, Rose, Lavender, Sandalwood, Myrrh and Benzoin.
3. CYTOPHYLACTIC
Restoration of tissue function and regeneration of cells is another outstanding property of essential oils. Oils such as Pine, Basil and Rosemary are known to restore function to the adrenal glands, Jasmine, Cypress, and Ylang Ylang restore function of reproductive endocrine glands, lavender and chamomile stimulate cell regeneration in the skin.
4. SEDATIVE
Essential oils may also have a pronounced effect on the nervous system by producing relaxation, pain relief and relieving muscle spasm. Oils with these properties include Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Geranium and Ylang Ylang.
However, the most outstanding property possessed by essential oils is their antiseptic/antigenetic properly.
This is well documented in Dr Jean Valnet's book, "The Practice of Aromatherapy" and he discusses at length the effects of specific oils in relation to the control of extremely virulent microbes like Meningitis bacteria, Golden Staphylococcus bacteria and typhoid bacteria.
In your Reading for Week One, in the Chapter entitled "The Healing Power of Plants", from Valnet's book, there are extensive references to the many ways in which essential oils can affect the physical body.
It is critical to your full understanding and appreciation of Essential Oil Therapy that you appreciate the ways in which essential oils can have both a healing and preventive role in diseases involving invasion of the body by microbes.
About The Author
Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.
The scientific explanation behind magnet therapy is that the magnetic... Read More
A Must Read if You Have Children!Would you allow your... Read More
Esoteric vibrational remedies are really hot right now, especally in... Read More
In my workshops we use energy techniques that involve tapping... Read More
As powerful as the subconscious can be in relieving pain,... Read More
Constipation is a problem that affects many Americans every day.... Read More
Have you ever noticed when you remember something pleasant in... Read More
Reflexology, an ancient art practiced by early Egyptians. Reflexology is... Read More
The chakras are an important part of our energy anatomy.... Read More
Aromatherapy is a method of using the aromatic oils which... Read More
Hypnotherapy is one of the best known and most widely... Read More
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has long been viewed as a... Read More
Half a decade ago, I started working on a hotline... Read More
Asperger's syndrome is a condition common in young children who... Read More
If you're concerned about the condition of an older family... Read More
A vast array of after-market insoles has been merchandised through... Read More
Illness concerns everyone. How can we approach it? And what... Read More
During the Democratic convention the Reverend Al Sharpton quoted a... Read More
Low back pain is one of the most common pain... Read More
Aromatherapy Goes 'High Tech'New methods of essential oil extraction are... Read More
Being a caregiver is stressful and difficult. It involves contradictory... Read More
Natural Alternatives: A growing phenomenon across this world which... Read More
Potassium and prunes are a natural constipation remedy that you... Read More
An amazing tea that can help with colds and flu,... Read More
The training of our eye doctors in this country is... Read More
How many of us wake up in the morning feeling... Read More
All of us visit some sort of medical office from... Read More
How much water do you drink every day? The majority... Read More
What exactly is infrared, or radiant heat? No need to... Read More
Cranberry Juice is very rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients which... Read More
With natural health care so popular, an area that has... Read More
Indoor air pollution in the form of dander, dust and... Read More
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used for thousands of... Read More
Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from a condition known as... Read More
There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and... Read More
Acupuncture treatment for arthritis and joint pain has been with... Read More
Stories are powerful. How many times have you heard a... Read More
Within each one of us resides the divine healer. All... Read More
What's the big deal with oregano? Many of you have... Read More
"Magnetic bracelets reduce the pain of osteoarthritis." Those are the... Read More
Caring for an Alzheimer's patient is one of the most... Read More
As I started to write this article a few words... Read More
Do you want to stop smoking badly enough to try?... Read More
Normally an inhibitor of pain, norepinephrine can produce pain as... Read More
Known by its other name as Lily of the Valley... Read More
It seems that nearly everyone I know has been either... Read More
Has this ever happened to you, out of the blue,... Read More
Human behavior could be modified using light preferably real sunlight.... Read More
Carrot JuiceCarrot juices contain certain oils that work on the... Read More
Your subconscious has influence over 7 different factors that could... Read More
No one can deny the power of magnets, racing pigeons... Read More
Aromatherapy originated in Ancient Egypt. About a hundred years ago,... Read More
Keeping in tune with our commitment to providing the latest,... Read More
Some words about anti-aging and disease preventionThe aging process is... Read More
Control AppetiteIn studies of 105 subjects, it was found that... Read More
Okay, so some of you are familiar with hypnotherapy. You've... Read More
Modern medical science has not been able to produce a... Read More
"Hypnosis" refers to the power that words and ideas have... Read More
It is relatively well known now that exercise releases endorphins... Read More
I discovered something completely, 100% amazing about 5 years ago.... Read More
Citrus oils are perhaps one of the more popular essential... Read More
Here we will have a brief look at ten essential... Read More
Use of herbs for health and as a medicine has... Read More
Back in the late 1800's the railroad came to life.... Read More
Have you ever bumped your knee or elbow? What was... Read More
Bleeding gums can be one sign of periodontal disease, gingivitis,... Read More
Alternative Medicine |