How Do Essential Oils Work?

Modern medicine is just discovering what other cultures have known since the beginning of time.  Essential oils are powerful substances that can benefit the body and the mind.   Countless research is underway testing the effectiveness of essential oils combined with modern medical practices.  Essential oils have been used for centuries yet their potential is still untapped in modern medicine.  No one can argue the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and superbugs in our society.  Therapeutic grade essential oils offer hope in the future of medicine to fight against these challenges.  I hope this snapshot of essential oils gives you a better understanding of how they work to keep us healthy and balanced, and the potential they offer to us today.

Essential oils have the potential to support the body in many ways, but in order to be effective they must be therapeutic grade,  only the purest quality oils will produce the best results.  Therapeutic grade essential oils have DNA structure similar to blood. Essential oils are the life-blood that protect plants similar to how our blood protects the human body. Essential oils can be beneficial to  pets as well.  Because of this structure, essential oils are readily identified and utilized by the body.  Essential oils are complex compounds with hundreds of constituents  that do not disturb the body’s natural balance.  They fight infection, contain hormone-like compounds and initiate regeneration.  Many essential oils posses potent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. There are growing numbers of research studies that are confirming what human kind has used for centuries to support healthy bodies.

Essential oils have the ability to penetrate cell membranes, the molecules are small and effective enough to pass into the blood stream and tissues.  When essential oils are applied to the skin they can travel through the body in a matter of minutes.  It is not unusual for someone that has essential oils applied to their feet to be able to taste the oil in their mouth sometime after application.  Inhaling the essential oils brings molecules into the body quickly where they can pass into the blood and circulate throughout the body.

Essential oils have a powerful effect once they enter the bloodstream.  Their chemical make-up takes them where they need to go.  Many essential oils make their way to the brain where they may have a profound effect on all body systems.  Essential oils work to support the glial brain cells.  This part of the brain is not as well known, but actually makes up 85% of the brain tissue.  The word ‘glia’ comes from the Greek word for “glue”.  The glia brain is the outer lining of all the brain tissues.   The glia guides and sustains the brain’s development and acts as a pathway for neuron activity.  The glia transports nutrients to neurons and keeps electrical signals from diffusing. It provides insulation  to neurons in the Central Nervous System.   The glia is the brain’s immune system, strengthening  brain cells and  keeping the brain clean by digesting dead cells and debris.  Essential oils enter the blood stream and deliver oxygen and nutrients to  the brain where it optimizes these glial functions.

Today, there are almost 300 essential oils that are distilled or extracted.  These oils combined offer thousands of chemical constituents that have varying effects on the body.  Each essential oil has different properties and benefits to cells.   They all have the ability to enter the body through inhalation, topical application and ingestion.  The effect on the body depends on the specific essential oil and the need.  Wintergreen, for example, may support healthy muscle and joint function. It would make most sense to  be applied topically for those benefits to the body.  Peppermint essential oil (food grade) may be more effective taken orally for indigestion.  In some cases, topical application, inhaling and ingestion all might produce similar results.  Peppermint is a good example of this.  Massaging the oil onto the stomach may relieve an upset stomach, while  inhaling the oil may be helpful for nausea. Peppermint essential oil has been used in many research studies to effectively calm irritable bowel disorder where internal use was used.

Essential oils are versatile.   There is not one essential oil that will support all body systems.  It takes time and patience to learn about your body and listen to how it is responding to environmental factors.  Sometimes essential oils surprise us because of their versatility.  We may begin using an oil for one reason only to find it is having a positive effect in an unexpected area.  Modern medicine is just discovering the many benefits of therapeutic essential oils on the mind and body.  You can find more information on the science of essential oils under Research (coming soon).  I highly recommend having a good resource on usage of essential oils like the Essential Oil Desk Reference to best incorporate essential oils into your healthy lifestyle.  Start with a variety of essential oils  that have hundreds of uses and you can begin to benefit from the powerful properties of therapeutic grade essential oils.

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