The History and Science of Healing With Essential Oils Did you know that at least 30% of prescription drugs in the United States are based on naturally occurring compounds from plants? Each year, millions of dollars are spent searching for new, undiscovered, curative elements in the bark, roots, flowers, seeds and foliage of plants from every corner of the Earth.
As the most powerful part of the plant, essential oils and plant extracts have been mankind 's first medicine. History has shown and science supports that these can be used medicinally to kill bacteria and viruses. They can balance hormones and brain chemistry. They can stimulate the regeneration of tissue and stimulate nerves. They can even carry nutrients to and oxygenate the cells.
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Some oils are engineered or extended with the use of synthetic chemicals. For instance, much of the lavender sold in the U.S. is the hybrid called lavandin. It is cut with synthetic linalyl acetate to improve the fragrance, then propylene glycol, DEP or DOP are added and it is sold in stores as lavender oil. In France, production of true lavender oil dropped from 87 tons in 1967 to only 12 tons in 1998. During this same period, global demand for lavender oil grew over 100%. From where did all that phantom lavender oil come? It came from sources that engineered or adulterated their product. At best, these oils are not effective. At worst, they can be harmful. It is extremely important to always know the source of your oils and be familiar with the growing, harvesting and distillation processes used to procure …show more content…
When stimulated by odor molecules, these nerve cells trigger electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. These transmissions then travel to the gustatory center (where the sensation of taste is perceived), the amygdale (where emotional memories are stored), and other parts of the limbic system. The limbic system is directly connected to those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress and hormone balance. Therefore, inhaling essential oils can have profound physiological and psychological
It is part of the central nervous system, and has nerve fibers that send messages to the brain. Hippocampus: Memory is the main purpose of the hippocampus. It allows us to story long-term and permanent memories. Pituitary Gland:
• This book is about finding medicinal plants in the Amazon Rainforest to cure common diseases. • Sometimes, Western medicines cannot cure the common diseases. • This book was written by Mark Plotkin and it was published in 1993. • Mark Plotkin travels to different parts of the rainforest and collect several medicinal plants for a research experiment. •
As is true for many medical discoveries, aboriginal peoples on every continent were the first to discover plants and practices that control disease and promote healing. When Captain James Cook saw Australia 's first people collect and brew leaves, then drink the resulting tea for its healing properties, he called the associated plant a “Tea tree”. Thanks to research in the 1920 's, scientists realized that oils from the Tea Tree 's leaves held more anti-microbial power than the era 's most commonly prescribed medication, Phenol, also known as Carbolic Acid. In the 1930 's, a Dr. Humphrey discovered that Tea Tree Oil treated one of the most common concerns of fighting forces, world wide. With his discovery, this essential oil became part of
According to Martini, F., Tallitsch, R., Nath, J., (2018), the ANS functions outside of our conscious awareness and makes routine adjustments in our body’s systems (Martini, Tallitsch, & Nath, 2018, p. 450). The autonomic nervous system helps maintain the homeostasis of our bodies by regulating body temperature and coordinating cardiovascular, repertory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive functions. Efferent axons innervate the visceral organs and the efferent nerve fibers and ganglia of the ANS organize in two systems or divisions. The sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division. The sympathetic division is most active during times of stress, exertion, or emergency, also known as “flight or fight”.
There are many things that some plants can provide. “Smudge ourselves real good with sweetgrass or cedar first. Get cleansed so we can approach it with respect” (page 166). The smoke that is given off of the burning sweetgrass is well knows to purify the body, heart, and soul. Traditional medicinal plants like the Wiike (wee-kay) root, can take away the pain from a sore throat.
Head pains were treated with sweet smelling herbs such as rose, lavender, sage and bay. Stomach pains were treated with wormwood, mint and balm. Amputations were performed by surgeons the ‘stump’ was cauterized with a pitch. Wounds were treated with vinegar as a cleaning agent and it was believed it would kill the disease. Typhoid, broken bones, wound, abscesses and fractures were treated in unsanitary environments.
One of the major aspects of biodiversity is its value, which is designated by its resources. Much interest in drug plants was evinced during the early period of civilization. The use of plants for curing various human ailments has prominently figured in ancient manuscripts such as ‘The Rigvedas’, ‘The Bible’, ‘The Iliad’, ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘The Sushrtsanhita’. The History of Herodotus’. The ancient Chinese were using drug plants more than six centuries ago.
The most home health remedies or healing beliefs are the medicinal plants utilized by herbolarios, heriberos, yerberos, or yerbateros. And the species often used are the arnica, cuahalalate, tila, gordolobo (Mullein), salvia, cola de caballo (horsetail), and boldo. All these medications have different purpose, for instance the arnica is commonly used for injuries such as sprains and bruises and is for skin only, gordolobo (Mullein) is used for cough, whooping cough, bronchitis and for many more purpose, the cola de caballo (horsetail) is used to treat many health conditions such as, gingivitis, tonsillitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, rheumatic disorders, edema, osteoarthritis, diabetes, acne, wounds, itchiness, rashes, burns and many more. Even do all this remedies are remedies of Zacatecas, now we even have them here in United States. Are remedies that the time has shown that they work and are
If kept with care most oils can last up to a year. Oils that are past their usage date will smell slightly rancid. However, once an oil has been diluted with a carrier oil, it will only last a few months. Storing in the fridge will help it last
Soothing Scents Quease Ease Aromatic Inhaler Essential Oil Therapy Soothing Scents Quease Ease Aromatic Inhaler Essential Oil Therapy is another natural essential oil that can be used effectively for aromatherapy. It is another inhaler blend that comes from a combination of ginger, lavender, peppermint, and spearmint which can soothes car sickness, morning sickness and nausea. Ginger can help in relaxing the stomach muscles and it can aid in relieving the irritated stomach tissue and over acidity of the stomach. Lavender aids in the relaxation of the nervous system which can reduce cases of nerve exhaustion.
Modern Day Aromatherapy Aromatherapy has been around for many years , and dates back to ancient times , ancient aromatic oils were used by the Romans, Greeks and the Egyptians, the Egyptians being the most famous for their inventive extraction methods of flower and plant essences, the first being the lotus flower which grew along the banks of the Nile river, the Egyptians have been accredited as being the first perfumers in civilization, they used ancient oils such as Frankincense , Myrrh, Galbanum, Cedarwood and Spikenard for use in cosmetics , religion, medicinal purposes , embalming and mummification. The word Aromatherapy was first used in 1937 by the French scientist Rene-Maurice Gattefossé , whose research revealed that the volatile extracts distilled from aromatic
The endocrine system is such an important system to the body because it functions the bodies use of hormones. The body uses many different hormones and the endocrine system regulates these. When the glands of the endocrine system secrete the hormones, the hormones are put into the bloodstream to be sent to the different parts of the body. The glands that comprise the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the pineal gland which are all located in the brain, the thyroid, parathyroid, and thymus which are located in the throat, the adrenals and pancreas which are located in the body’s midsection, and the ovaries (female) and testes (male) which are located in the pelvic region. The system is so important because it regulates the body’s metabolism, growth and sexual development, digestion, heart rate, and many of the other body functions regulated by hormones.
Parents know that baby oil is a necessity if you have a baby. It helps keep their skin soft year-round. However, baby oil is not only good for infants. It can also be used for many other things. You can prevent frost bite by applying it to the exposed area of the skin.
The best way to think of an essential oil is as a prescription drug. They 're that powerful. You should never use such drugs without knowing much about them - it 's the same with essential oils. First, always read up on the oil that you are planning to use. Take careful notice of the physiological changes that it can induce.