In my previous post, I talked about the beginning of my journey into Essential Oils and Young Living. In this post, I’m going to talk about their history, what they are and how to use them.
You don’t have to be an aromatherapist or health care provider to use Essential Oils, you just have to choose to use them. All you need is that one experience, a conversation, a blog post, the scent of oils on someone else, etc to plant a seed in your mind and your curiosity will carry into the beginning of a wonderful journey. The more you use them, the more you’ll want to learn and share your love with others as I am doing here with you.
Believe it or not, essential oils have been around since biblical and ancient times. They were considered to be, “man’s first medicine” and were used to treat illness, and were used in religious and spiritual rituals. Essential Oils are mentioned in the Bible over 1000 times. Gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh were brought to baby Jesus by the Wise Men upon his birth. Jesus and Mary were anointed with Spikenard. The Egyptians used essential oils to make cosmetics, deodorants and embalming fluids. During World War I and II, essential oils were used for antiseptics and wound healing. After WWII, essential oils were rediscovered and each year their uses grow.
So what are essential oils? In a nutshell, they are the most powerful part of the plant and are distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, fruit, rinds, resins, and herbs. To quote a fellow oiler, “They are the lifeblood of the plant”. They are not used to “cure” ailments but they are used to “support” various systems of the body including, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the endocrine system and the immune system. They are also useful in brain health, balancing hormones and maintaining a healthy weight. Wait, there’s more. This is actually one of my favorites about these oils. They provide spiritual and emotional support and aid in stress relief.
Essential Oils can be used three ways: Aromatically, topically and the Young Living Vitality line is ingestible. Tests have shown when inhaled, essential oils reach the heart, liver, and thyroid gland in three seconds. When applied topically, they reach the blood stream within twenty-six seconds. A normal healthy body expels the oils in three to six hours. Yes, Essential Oils are safe. When applying to the skin, some oils require a carrier oil such as Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil or Jojoba Oil.
Are they safe? Yes. Always dilute an oil before applying it topically on a child and never put an oil near your eye.
Still curious? Keep reading. More posts will follow this one. If you want to know more right now, feel free to email me. jennycrn@comcast.net.
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