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Embracing Essential Oils: Here’s To Never Underestimating Them Ever Again

Embracing Essential Oils: Here’s To Never Underestimating Them Ever Again

Sometimes, Mother (Nature) really does know best

 

 

People often associate better health with advanced science. Think: something concocted in a lab, the latest medical breakthrough, elaborate terminologies and a prescription pad of pharmaceuticals. The more cutting-edge the formula, the more effective the product comes across. And the newer the product, the more exciting the pursuit of health and wellness becomes.

 

From addressing fatigue to banishing a headache, jumpstarting weight loss to zapping acne, modern treatments have the A to Z of ailments covered. At this point, the question is: Does state-of-the-art automatically mean superior? The answer is not quite. And this does not pertain to seeking even more advanced drugs or some futuristic take on wellness. It lies, surprisingly, in going back to basics.

 

Embracing Essential Oils: Here’s To Never Underestimating Them Ever Again

via Naturally Daily

 

Essential Oils: Potent Drops of Healing Power

While essential oils (also called volatile oils) make an excellent natural remedy, they are easily written off as a hit-or-miss. In actuality, they’re anything but. These age-old solutions passed down one generation to another boast natural healing abilities that have time and again proven the power of plant extracts. Across Ancient Egypt, Greece, France and China, aromatic essential oils were widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Today, this is called aromatherapy.

 

Fun Fact:

It was in 1910 when French Chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the healing effects of lavender. Following an explosion in his laboratory, he scurried to extinguish a burn on his hand and plunged his arm into a vat of liquid. This vat happened to contain lavender essential oil. Gattefossé later saw that the burn on his hand healed quickly and with very little scarring. He carried on experimenting with essential oils since.

 

Embracing Essential Oils: Here’s To Never Underestimating Them Ever Again

via Supernatural Acne Treatment

 

While We’re at It: We're Not Talking the Fortune Cookie Approach to Essential Oils

For advocates of all things science-based, of “seeing is believing” and unmistakable results, essential oils may appear dubious as they’re sometimes peddled to have mystic capabilities. A blend to attract love, a blend to ward off negative vibes, a blend for motivation, peace and happiness: these almost read as spiritual mumbo jumbo with, not to mention, pretty bold and astounding claims. So, they’re packaged as emotional therapy in a vial—how attention-grabbing—but what exactly makes them emotional therapy in a vial?

 

Embracing Essential Oils: Here’s To Never Underestimating Them Ever Again

 

It Still Boils Down to a Science

The natural chemicals found in these essential oils interact with the body by first tapping the senses. Not all essential oil users are the same, however, and so preferences come into play here. “Essential oils can be diffused for inhalation, applied topically, or used for cleaning,” New York City-based certified acupuncturist Mila Mintsis tells Allure Magazine. These multiuse oils have the ability to balance out hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone and thyroid levels. They can also boost the body’s immune system and help stave off infection thanks to the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal compounds in some oils. Aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand adds: “Clinical studies have shown that aromatherapy by inhalation can have real benefits for people with, for example, anxiety, [problems with] mental focus, depressive symptoms, and menstrual pain.”

 

There’s also the internal use of essential oils, but a word of caution: not all oils can be ingested. Research on this is and will always be key.

 

Embracing Essential Oils: Here’s To Never Underestimating Them Ever Again

 

Fun Fact:

In an attempt to reduce the need for pain medication, a La Crosse Tri-State Ambulance began using essential oils to help ease pain, nausea or anxiety in patients being brought to the hospital. Tri-State Medical Director Dr. Chris Eberlein observed that patients in transit were administered narcotics but wound up not requiring a prescription for pain medication. Essential oils were found to be excellent treatment supplements for patients experiencing minor pain and discomfort.

 

RELATED: Essential Oils 101 With Young Living

Hey, There’s an Oil for That

Essential oils in their pure form are effective natural remedies, but blends do an amazing job at targeting a laundry list of health concerns. Name an ailment, find a blend. For any first timer, keeping track of the different types of oils and their functions can be a daunting task. A good starter set to consider is made up of these five: Tea Tree (founded to have antibacterial properties), Frankincense (a known immune system booster), Lavender (great for relaxation), Lemon (nature’s detox agent) and Peppermint (a known energizer that aids in digestion).

 

Embracing Essential Oils: Here’s To Never Underestimating Them Ever Again

via Hello Glow

 

The Point Is to Approach This with an Open Mind…and Then Keep It Open

Believers of modern medicine, carry on, but don’t be so quick to dismiss the prospect of essential oils as a natural remedy. They are, after all, called essential for a reason. Conversely, discovering the wonderful world of aromatherapy does not mean boycotting checkups, shunning your physician and refusing diagnosis when you need it. The best of health and wellness might just be the result of modern medicine and aromatherapy working hand in hand.

 

 

Art Alexandra Lara

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