Over the last year, I have shared a MULTITUDE of Essential Oil posts on the blog – we are regular daily uses of Essential Oils, and we firmly believe that they have more power than most people realize.
We also understand that our beliefs on health and wellness are VERY different than most people – we have many readers who also share the same feelings on many subjects as us, and then there are lots of people out there that simply think that Essential Oils are a fad.
They are quackery.
They are ridiculous.
For some of you, they are nothing but HYPE from people who want you to “buy in” to their groups.
But are they?
Do you feel like that?
Most of the American public, and also medicine enthusiasts, don’t want us to share our thoughts, results, and successes with Essential Oils – they will tell you that there isn’t any scientific evidence that Essential Oils “work”… that they are dangerous – they will also tell you that most of these people (like myself) have had NO training on Essential Oils, therefore they have NO idea what they are talking about.
Why aren’t there many research studies on Essential Oils?
It’s hard to get approval and funding. Essential Oils have been used for thousands of years. As a result, they don’t fit into the conventional clinical science approach ( ie. Testing in a lab, then on an animal, then on a human). Most conventional drug studies are funded by the Pharmaceutical industry – therefore they have little motivation to fund research on natural plant substances – they can’t easily be patented. They limit the potential for profit.
It’s hard to tell what the outcome is the result of. Essential Oils are composed of hundreds of chemical constituents – so it’s difficult to pinpoint the one that produced the desired effect.
Essential Oils are NOT standardized. I know this well – because many people have mentioned that they can pick up at Walmart. Bed, Bath and Beyond – and even at Fry’s Food Store. They are NOT the same. There are LITTLE regulations on Essential Oils. Sure, you can pick up cheaper oils at Walmart, but they are probably made in China – oils sold at Sprouts and Whole Foods are nothing the same as Oils that are sold by other organizations with standards on distillation, planting, harvesting, and more. Many are distilled with chemicals and purely for aromatic use – they are full of toxic chemicals and that is why they are cheap and sold at your local department store.
What ARE Essential Oils?
Essential Oils are the highly concentrated natural constituents that are found in plants. They are essentially what contains the healing power of the plant. When they are used correctly, they can help bring about many health benefits.
You can find Essential Oils in the tiny structures of plants – from leaves to flowering tops, to the roots, zest, resins and even the wood.
In most (not all) cases they are extracted through steam distillation – after they are extracted, nothing should be added OR removed for maximum therapeutic benefits.
However .. in some industries, synthetic chemicals are added and some non-fragrance components are removed ~ this is quite common in many industries and this is why not all Essential Oils are the same quality (ie. Oils carried at Walmart, the Health Food store, etc.) These adulterated oils may smell fine, but they are extended with synthetic chemicals which makes them a poor value and thus gives them so little health benefit. They are not to be ingested, and in reality, I would think you should care about those going on your skin since they are laced with chemicals.
But then not everyone might agree with us on that.
You won’t hear too much about Essential Oils from your doctor, or even from medicine enthusiasts – but if you head to the National Library of Medicine you will find plenty of reading material on all kinds of Essential Oils.
- You can find over 400 studies on the therapeutic effects of boswellic acids contained in Frankincense Oil
- Melaleuca (Tea Tree) studies show that it is great at inhibiting the influenza virus (adios flu shot – are they really needed?)
- This study on Melaleuca proves its effectiveness against the clinical isolates of antibiotics – it shows the effect on Staphylococcus that were antibiotic resistant.
- This study shows that Orange Essential Oil can be useful in childbirth units to help women who are experiencing stress in labor… while this study also shows the same outcome using Geranium Essential Oil.
- A study of several oils mentioned here on the effects of foodborne pathogens proved that the essential oils listed had antimicrobial impacts.
The list really does go on quite a bit if you poke around and do your research. There is so much good information you can really bury yourself for hours. I’m always reading, always fascinated, and always wanting to learn more. Thankfully I have a husband who shares the SAME feelings as I do.
Essential Oils are not a fad.. they are not all hype.. really though, they are not a trend. They have been mentioned over 300 times in the Bible.. referenced in 36 of 39 books in the Old Testament and 10 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Crazy, right?
Essential Oils were even used in Chinese and Egyptian medicine..
Many Essential Oils work better than modern medicine today because unlike modern medicine, the compounds in essential oils can pass into the cell wall. Not only can they be used for your personal health and wellness, they can also be used for everyday cleaning, seasonal relief, facial and body care and more.
But here’s the thing: right now, most people think that prescription drugs and vaccines are your only options. These things are pushed so heavily by a pharmaceutical industry that operates and rides on high profits. Just look at all the commercials you see on the television.. in your magazines, and even in the books at the doctor’s office.
Every time you get sick, you run to the doctor.
Instead of taking the time to diagnose why you are sick, they often times are so quick to pull out a pad of paper, and write you a prescription.
And, it’s anything but normal to not get that filled. Right? I mean, why question the prescription? After all, a doctor said it is what you should do – disregard the fact that it will wipe out all the good bacteria in your stomach.
Plus, who wants to shift their lifestyle to make some changes and eat better when you can just take a pill?
If they are SO amazing, then why don’t you hear more about the successes of Essential Oils?
It shouldn’t be surprising that we don’t – because heaven forbid that anything jeopardize the profits in our healthcare system. Imagine if something more natural had proved beneficial in some aspect?
We could also say that about the food industry too – if eating healthy was the solution, then why does the government subsidize some of the most processed foods (via Coupons, etc.) It all comes down to profits.
In all fairness though, we do need to tell you something that might be surprising…
Essential Oils don’t always work. They are not a quick remedy for any particular issue. It’s not a substitute for eating better, and taking great care of yourself.
If you have high blood pressure and find yourself buying a pack of cigarettes at the gas station, then I hate to say it but your pills for high blood pressure aren’t going to help you improve. If you have seasonal allergies and are using a series of oils for relief, but yet you are chowing down donuts and soda for breakfast, lunch or dinner, then I hate to tell you this but your relief is never going to show up (after all, those allergies ARE related to a leaky gut and that leaky gut might just be the food choices you make – right?).
You can’t complain that your children are constantly sick, ear infections and allergies, and then roll into McDonalds, Peter Piper or grab Little Caesars multiple times a week… or run them through Sonic for an $.89 cheeseburger or $.50 corn dog and not think that what they eat plays at least some part in their health.
Essential Oils are ONE of many parts of better health – focus on better food choices (Organic, not processed), an absence of sugar, regular exercise, and spiritual support, and consistent use of Essential Oils and you might be surprised to find out that they really can help you on a path towards better health.
Why is the path of better health so hard?
Because lifestyle changes are unbelievably hard to commit to – unless of course you have a reason TO change. Taking a pill is an easier option for most, despite the co-pay, despite the cost. We have had our share of health battles too – but overall, 2 years later, we have shifted from relying on medicine to relying on our wellness and it’s amazing to see the transformation.
In the end, they are one of several things you can have in your arsenal – I have over 200 bottles in my “Oily Arsenal” . They help me in all kinds of situations. While others pull into their pharmacy and make their doctor appointments for another one-pill quick-fix that’ll wipe out your tummy of good bacteria, we’ll stick with our quackery and pull out our oils.