The Therapeutic Power of Essential Oils
BY JANE HAYES, Registered Acupuncturist
Essential oils have been used for nearly 6,000 years, with the aim of improving a person’s health or mood.
The first records of essential oils come from ancient India, Persia, and Egypt; and both Greece and Rome conducted extensive trade in oils and ointments with countries of the Orient. Most probably these products were extracts prepared by placing flowers, roots, and leaves in fatty oils. Only with the coming of the golden age of Arab culture was a technique developed for the distillation of essential oils. These distilled products became a specialty of the European medieval pharmacies, and by about 1500 the following products had been introduced: oils of cedarwood, calamus, rose, rosemary, incense, sage, cinnamon, and myrrh.
Now, essential oils are widely regarded as a way to make a positive impact on your health and well-being, but before you start giving essential oils a try, there are a few things you should know…
Scent is magical. It can transport us to a moment, a memory or a feeling instantly.
There is an amazing function within our brains that allow us to immediately recall memories (even unconscious ones) with scent. Sometimes even provoking ‘feelings’ we experienced when last we sensed that smell. Imagine the smell of sunscreen. Instantly, it ‘feels like summer’! A rush of sensations travel through your body, a fond memory of a day at the beach pops in your head, and your mood suddenly lightens.
The power of fragrance has always been there, residing in our limbic system. The limbic system is a set of structures within our brain which supports a variety of functions including emotion, behavior, long-term memory, and the ability to sense fragrances. Allow that to sink in for a moment… in every difficult, joyful or painful time in your life, you were probably experiencing emotions, behaviours and creating memories which have been recorded deep in your brain’s hard drive. The limbic system is one of the channels which can access those experiences. Life is much more about your experience than about anyone else’s reality, so this very personal recall is very powerful. And, that’s where essential oils get their power from.
What are essential oils?
The calming scent of lavender. The cooling sensation of eucalyptus. The refreshing tingle of lemon. Essential oils are basically plant extracts. They’re made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant (flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit) to capture the compounds that produce fragrance.
In 1997, the International Standards Organization (ISO) defined an essential oil as a “product obtained from vegetable raw material, either by distillation with water or steam, or from the epicarp of citrus fruits by a mechanical process, or by dry distillation.”
The process by which the essence of a plant is distilled from its mature form is both energy and detail intense and this is a very important detail when it comes to using essential oils for therapeutic treatment. Many companies see the cost of producing essential oils as prohibitive and are driven to find shortcuts. It explains why you will see a variety of pricing for the same origin plant used in making essential oils. Even products labelled as ‘natural’ may add ‘non’ essential oils to stay competitive in their pricing. While a few companies hold firm to the highest quality standards - and not surprisingly are the more expensive brands - there are others that create products (plug-in scents / diffusers) using ‘chemical’ derivatives that produce the scent of essential oils but are not ‘natural’ products at all.
How do essential oils affect the body?
‘Aromatherapy’ is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. It can be inhaled or used as a topical application.
INHALATION:
The oils evaporate into the air using a diffuser container, spray, or oil droplets, or breathed in, for example, in a steam bath.
Apart from providing a pleasant smell, aromatherapy oils can provide respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological benefits.
Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain.
Molecules that enter the nose or mouth pass to the lungs, and from there, to other parts of the body.
As the molecules reach the brain, they affect limbic system, which is linked to the emotions, the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress, and hormone balance.
TOPICAL APPLICATIONS:
Massage oils, and bath and skin care products are absorbed through the skin.
Massaging the area where the oil is applied can boost circulation and increase absorption.
Essential oils are never applied directly to the skin, and must always be diluted with a carrier oil which is most commonly either sweet almond oil or olive oil.
As Hippocrates famously stated, “let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food”. While, essential oils do not provide a cure for diseases or illnesses, they do provide a holistic effect on the body which can support effective treatment for a variety of conditions.
As far as transdermal therapeutic use of essential oil goes, there are many evidence based research papers and studies which prove effectiveness in an incredibly wide range of diseases and patterns. In conditions such as skin irritations, headaches, parasites, fungal infection and in the treatment of cancer, use of essential oils have been proven to be helpful for both the primary and often secondary symptoms which arise. There are also plants which have been verified to fight inflammation such as curcumin, turmeric, and garlic.
ESSENTIAL OILS CAN BE USED TO ALLEVIATE:
Anxiety, agitation, stress
Depression
Nausea
Low appetite
Dry mouth
Fatigue and insomnia
Muscle aches
Headaches, migraines
Circulatory problems
Menstrual problems
Psoriasis
Digestive problems
Tooth ache, mouth sores
Urinary tract infections
Skin conditions
COMMON ESSENTIAL OIL EXAMPLES:
There are dozens of essential oils, all with different fragrances and chemical makeups. Which essential oils are best depends on what symptoms you're looking to ease or fragrances you prefer. Some of the most popular essential oils include:
BASIL ESSENTIAL OIL
used to sharpen concentration and alleviate some of the symptoms of depression. It may relieve headaches and migraines. It should be avoided during pregnancy.
BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL
said to be useful for the urinary tract and digestive tract. When combined with eucalyptus oil it may help relieve skin problems, including those caused by stress and chicken pox.
BLACK PEPPER ESSENTIAL OIL
is commonly used for stimulating the circulation, muscular aches and pains, and bruises. Combined with ginger essential oil, it is used to reduce arthritis pain and improve flexibility.
CLOVE
is a topical analgesic, or painkiller, that is commonly used for toothaches. It is also used for preventing vomiting and nausea, and to prevent gas in the gut with antimicrobial, antioxidant and antifungal properties.
EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL
can help relieve the airways during a cold or flu. It is often combined with peppermint. Many people are allergic to eucalyptus, so care should be taken.
LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
is used as an antiseptic for minor cuts and burns and to enhance relaxation and sleep. It is said to relieve headache and migraine symptoms.
ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL
may promote hair growth, boost memory, prevent muscle spasms, and support the circulatory and nervous systems.
TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL
is said to have antimicrobial, antiseptic, and disinfectant qualities. It is commonly used in shampoos and skin care products, to treat acne, burns, and bites. It should never be swallowed, as it is toxic.
How to use essential oils effectively and safely.
Each essential oil has its own chemical makeup and reason for use, so it is important to speak with a trained professional - like an aromatherapist, nurse, doctor, physical therapist, massage therapist or pharmacist - before applying or using an oil for healing purposes. A trained professional can recommend and teach how to use each product, giving proper instructions on application or dilution.
The use essential oils is a holistic approach - which aims to treat the whole person - and therefore a trained professional takes a thorough medical history, a lifestyle, diet and current health history before starting treatment. Treatments will be based on the individual’s physical and mental needs and based on these needs, recommendations are made for either a single oil or a blend.
Since essential oils cause reactions in the body, not all the oils will benefit everyone. Chemical compounds in essential oils can produce adverse effects when combined with medications. They may reduce the effectiveness of conventional drugs, or they may exacerbate health conditions in the individual. For example, a person with high blood pressure, should avoid stimulants, such as rosemary. As well individuals with allergies, asthma, skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, epilepsy and hypertension should be extremely cautious.
That’s why, like medications, essential oils must be treated with respect. We strongly urge you to check with a qualified practitioner to ensure the products you are using are from a respected and trustworthy source and you have the proper (expert) instructions for essential oil use.
SAFETY TIPS:
Ingesting or swallowing essential oils is not recommended and can damage the liver or kidneys.
Some individuals may be allergic to certain scents and oils, so it is important to do an allergy test and discontinue use immediately if an allergic response appears.
The quality of essential oils on the market varies greatly, from pure essential oils to those diluted with less expensive ingredients.
There is no regulation that the label on essential oils list everything that is in the bottle and many ‘natural’ products could include chemicals and become hazardous if used the wrong way.
It’s important to follow the advice of a trained professional when using essential oils.
Wondering if an essential oil treatment is right for you?
Book an session with Jane Hayes.
At Mindful Maelstrom, as part of our ‘mind body, soul’ themed experience, we’re so excited to be able to offer Essential Oil Recharge. If you would like to spend a memorable half hour feeling the relaxing yet grounding impact that essential oils have to offer, consider adding it after a massage, acupuncture or psychotherapy treatment. Combining essential oils with treatments will take you somewhere distant and relaxing, and help you remember why self care is so important in the face of all life’s uncertainty. Come in after your work day is done and float home on a cloud afterwards.
REFERENCES / RESOURCES
Britannica The History of Essential Oil
John Hopkins Medicine Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work?
Medical News Today Aromatherapy: What you need to know