Healing Concepts of Essential Oils

Essential oils have long been known for their therapeutic properties. In many cultures, healing with essential oils is a time-tested tradition that has resulted in elevated health and disease eradication. In other cultures, notably western civilizations, the healing concepts of essential oils are complementary practices to conventional medicines and medical procedures.

History

• Ancient healers considered sweet-smelling plant oils to be essential because they considered the oil's bouquet a true reflection of its inner constitution. Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, has traditionally used essential oils to correct the doshic, or appropriate balance, the body requires to maintain optimal health. The modern age has brought a revival of using essential oils to heal, and Europeans are increasingly integrating essential-oil use with conventional medicine.

Types

• There are several types of healing essential oils. These include immune-stimulating, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-infectious. These are used to heal such ailments as high blood pressure, depression, stress, insomnia, headaches, pain, spinal cord dysfunction as well as to aid in relaxation, immune system stimulation, digestion and blood flow. They also can help people with diminished lung capacity and sinus congestion, wounds and some infections.

Methodology

• Unlike medications, healing oils circumvent the liver and stomach and go directly to the place where their healing powers are needed. The most common ways that essential oils enter the body are through the skin and the nose. Oils rubbed into skin pores reach the bloodstream through capillaries and diffuse throughout the body. When the oils are inhaled, cells in the nose's upper part grasp the essential oil odor molecule and send signals to the brain's primitive limbic system, healing the body with key hormone secretions.

Considerations

• No one should attempt to heal with essential oils without researching them. Among the precautions are:
  Children should not be treated with essential oils that have not been diluted in water;
  Oral healing essential oils should be taken under the direction of a certified health practitioner;
  Concentrated essential oils should not be exposed to mucous membranes;
  Vegetable oil should be the only substance poured on scorching essential oils.

Administration

• You can safely self-administer healing essential oils through the inhalation method by adding a few drops to your bath water, humidifier, nearby light bulb or bowl of warmed water. You also can purchase inexpensive diffusers that have suspended cups for burning small amounts of oil over tealight candles. The lit candles heat the oils and they spread into the air and into your lungs.

  Choose oil-based creams, lotions or salves. or water or alcohol-based solvents when applying oils to your skin. Full-strength oils might be too strong and cause burning or allergic reactions.