I am a born again essential oils user. I tried diffusing oils years before, but everything was different then. I was younger and had fewer aches and pains. I was busy–darting from one place to another–and I was rarely at home during the day. I thought that essential oils were primarily a way to make my house smell better, and I had not learned about how to dillute them in carrier oils and salves–to use them for pain and healing. And my diffuser was primitive. I was unable to diffuse the oils through the night. Thirty years later, all of the above has changed, and I am ready to avow that Essential oils are just that–ESSENTIAL!
Why Are Essential Oils Called Essential?
When I awoke this morning–with fewer aches and pains–with joints that were far less stiff–I began to wonder if Essential Oils were called Essential because they truly are essential–especially for older, more arthritic people. I discovered that essential oils are called essential for another reason:
“Essential oils are named for their ability to capture the essence of a plant, such as its fragrance, flavor, and odor. The term ‘essential’ implies that the oil is so important to the plant that it can’t be removed without destroying the plant’s character.” Google ai
However, for me, essential oils are also essential to my aging body, and like other types of born-agains, I am an essential-oil-evangelist. Essential Oils Really Do Work.
Essential Oils Work in More Than One Way
Essential Oils Work Through Diffused Mists
As soon as I began diffusing Eucalyptus Essential oil, my chronic probelem with congestion abated.
How do essential oils work?
“Essential oils are substances with a variety of aromatic components and a high degree of volatility. An essential oil contains dozens to hundreds of aromatic components. These substances act on the human body to regulate the physical state, soothe the emotions, and restore the spirit. Aromatherapy is not about “always smelling good so you can relax”.
From the nose to the nervous system, stimulation acts on the brain
“The way most of the aromatic components are delivered is through the nose. Upon inhalation, the aromatic components of essential oils are absorbed by the olfactory hairs on the epithelial tissue of the nasal endothelium. Here, the aroma is perceived, and this information is converted into signals that are transmitted to the brain: to the limbic system, which is closely linked to feelings of joy, anger and sadness, as well as to the hippocampus and the lower part of the optic nerve bed, which are associated with memory. The lower part of the optic nerve bed regulates the functions of the autonomic nervous system, hormone secretion, and the immune system. Aromatic ingredients can be shared throughout both the mind and body. In other words, the simple inhalation of these aromatic ingredients can rapidly affect our body’s systems in a variety of ways.
Entering the bloodstream through the mucous membrane of the lungs
“Aromatic components enter the mouth and nose while breathing, enter the lungs through the throat, trachea and bronchial tubes, and are absorbed into the blood vessels through the mucous membranes of the lungs, acting on all internal organs. Inhalation of essential oils with antibacterial and antiseptic effects can clean the organs and throat and achieve the effect of preventing colds.” Hiqili
From the skin through the bloodstream to all parts of the body
The surface of the skin is covered with a sebaceous membrane and variously structured stratum corneum, which makes it impossible for ordinary substances to enter simply. However, the molecular structure of the aromatic components is small, and when the essential oils are applied to the skin after being diluted through carrier oils, they can be absorbed through the skin, thus penetrating the bloodstream and circulating throughout the body through the blood vessels to act on the various tissues.
What is aromatherapy?
“Aromatherapy is a natural healing method, an art and a science. It uses essential oils extracted from plants for health and beauty benefits. By introducing aromatic components into the body, it aims to regulate physical discomfort and mental disorders.
Conclusion
“Essential oils are powerful natural substances with a wide range of benefits for both body and mind. Whether you are looking to relax, improve your mood or support your overall health, essential oils offer natural and effective solutions.Start exploring the world of essential oils!” Hiqili
Essential Oils Work Through Applying Them Directly through Carrier Oils
A List of Carrier Oils and How to Use Them to Dillute Essential Oils
I immediately realized that essential oils worked through my nose–through what I was breathing from my diffuser–but it confused me that essential oils also work through my skin.
In the above video, I talked about how I have made an essential oil solution my mixing eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, and frankincense. Since I made that video, I have added peppermint oil to the solution. I have alway known that peppermint oil is good for digestion, but I did not realize that it is also a good oil for the skin. It is especially good for rejuvenating old, tired, cracked feet.
How to Make a Natural Peppermint Salve to Soothe Skin – Recipes Herbal Salves
I plan to make some peppermint oil salve, but I have also discoverd a quick way to make a healing essential peppermint oil skin cream mixture:
Why Apply Essential Oil to the bottoms of Your Feet?
“The pores on the bottoms of your feet are the largest on your body? This makes your feet a uniquely absorbent place to apply essential oils that can help support your self-care routine.”
Caution:
After applying oil to the bottom of your feet, they will become slippery. Cover you feet with socks. The socks help hold the oils in place, but they also help prevent falls. Be very careful trying to walk with oils on the bottom of your feet.
Peppermint
“Peppermint’s origin is a mystery, but it has been in existence for a long time—dried leaves were found in Egyptian pyramids dating from around 1000 bce. It was highly valued by the Greeks and Romans, but only became popular in Western Europe in the 18th century. Peppermint’s chief therapeutic value lies in its ability to relieve gas, flatulence, bloating, and colic, though it has many other applications.
Habitat & Cultivation
“Peppermint is grown commercially and in gardens throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. It is propagated from seed in spring and is harvested just before it flowers in summer, in dry sunny weather.
Related Species
“Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint (M. aquatica) and spearmint (M. spicata), which have similar, though milder, therapeutic properties.
Key Actions
■ Antispasmodic
■ Stimulates sweating
■ Antimicrobial
■ Analgesic
■ CarminativeResearch
■ Volatile oil
“Research has shown that the volatile oil is strongly antibacterial. Menthol (a constituent of the oil) is antiseptic, antifungal, cooling, and anesthetic to the skin, although it is also an irritant.
■ Whole herb
“The whole plant has an antispasmodic effect on the digestive system. Clinical trials in Denmark and the UK during the 1990s have confirmed its value in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Traditional & Current Uses
■ Digestive problems
“Peppermint is excellent for the digestive system, increasing the flow of digestive juices and bile and relaxing the gut muscles. It reduces nausea, colic, cramps, and gas, and soothes an irritated bowel. In soothing the lining and muscles of the colon, it helps diarrhea and relieves a spastic colon (often the cause of constipation).
■ Pain relief
“Applied to the skin, peppermint relieves pain and reduces sensitivity. It also relieves headaches and migraines linked to digestive weakness.
■ Infection
“Diluted oil is used as an inhalant and chest rub for respiratory infections. The whole herb is important for digestive infections. Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, pg. 114.
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