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I recently read a website describing essential oils as “all the rage.” That’s an understatement.
If you spend any time on Pinterest, or any other social media site, especially those geared towards women, you’re going to hear about essential oils.
Many “Mommy bloggers” sell these oils, typically through an MLM network. Their efforts, undoubtedly, have led to increased awareness that aromatherapy, at times, may substitute for pharmaceuticals. For instance, I now use peppermint essential oil when I have a headache. For me, this works better than OTC drugs, and I don’t have to worry about potentially dangerous side effects.
Essential oils can also double as chemical-free alternatives to cleaning solutions. You can add them to a particularly dirty load of laundry. Or, you can use them to fight mold. Tea tree essential oil is particularly good at getting rid of that black grunge that can build up in your shower.
Germ Fighting Essential Oil Blends
A particular recipe that contains clove, cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary oils has gained a reputation as being good for killing germs.
This is most likely based upon a Medieval legend involving four thieves. These men stole from the sick and dying while a deadly plague was raging. However, according to the story, they didn’t get sick themselves. That’s because they were protected by an aromatic recipe, possibly similar to some of the essential oil germ-fighting blends sold today.
There are numerous germ-fighting blends on the market. The one below is made by Plant Therapy, a company that works with world-famous essential oil expert Robert Tisserand. This is one of the brands I recommend most often on this site. Plant Therapy oils are rigorously tested for purity and potency. They are also affordable, since they’re not sold through multilevel marketing networks. I’ve already bought this formula once, and I just ordered it again.
Plant Therapy Germ Fighter Blend
Why Are Essential Oils So Popular?
Currently, a growing number of people are seeking non-pharmaceutical solutions for their health problems. a According to the National Institutes of Health, in 2007, about 38 percent of Americans used some form of alternative healthcare. This number had risen two percentage points from five years earlier.
These figures are nearly 10 years old. So it’s probably safe to assume that an even greater proportion of the population today have turned to holistic medicine to meet at least some of their healthcare needs.
Essential Oils vs Pharmaceuticals
There’s a growing awareness that plant-based medicines, used properly, have far fewer potential side effects than prescription drugs. The body has to work hard to excrete these foreign molecules, created in a laboratory. Medicinal plants, on the other hand, contain many nutrients the body needs.
Please understand that I’m not a doctor. So I can’t give medical advice or promise that any particular natural remedy will solve your health problems. All I can do is share information on how essential oils have helped me, in so many ways.
For instance, I used to have trouble sleeping. This problem is pretty much resolved, partially thanks to essential oils.
Why People Use Essential Oils
Essential oils offer the benefits of the medicinal plants from which they are taken. But they are very convenient, as they are highly concentrated and come in small, easy to transport bottles. They don’t have to be brewed, as many regular herbal preparations must, before they are consumed.
Also, some oils also come prepackaged in small roll-on bottles, already diluted, so they can be easily applied if needed, such as in the case of a headache. Peppermint and other oils considered “hot” often provide fast relief. The Tension Synergy Blend shown below contains multiple oils, including peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, basil, spearmint, lavender and ginger.
How To Use Essential Oils For Healing
Essential oils are very useful. But, unfortunately there’s no general consensus about how to use them. Some people who sell them may recommend that you apply them “neat.” This usually means a drop of undiluted oil on your skin. However, most practicing aromatherapists warn against doing this. That’s because these aromatics are so concentrated. Some varieties, such as clove and cinnamon, may even burn your skin if applied this way, or it may increase your chances of developing a sensitivity to a particular oil.
That’s why most authorities recommend a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, if you intend to use essential oils for massage.
Should You Ingest Essential Oils?
There’s also the controversy over whether certain types of oils can be ingested. Some bloggers do suggest this to their readers, at least with certain oils. Yet most certified aromatherapists specifically warn against ingesting essential oils.
On a bottle of oil I purchased, directly and not through an MLM network, the label warns never to ingest any essential oil unless working directly with a professional aromatherapist. Some oils are toxic if ingested.
One of my favorite ways to use essential oils is to diffuse them in the air. Sometimes I also put them on a cloth or a tissue so I can inhale them while working, or at night, when I’m trying to relax.
Where to Buy Essential Oils
Essential oils are sold in health food stores and online. You don’t necessarily have to buy them through a multilevel marketing sales rep, since excellent brands exist, which are sold more directly to the consumer. A good case in point is Plant Therapy essential oils, which I love to tell my readers about. I believe this company is one of the best MLM alternatives. Some of the other brands I like to recommend are Aura Cacia and Edens Garden.
Of course, you can also purchase oils from a multitude of websites that sell them according to the multilevel marketing model. The two big players are Young Living and do Terra. I do believe these companies sell excellent products. But I don’t prefer to shop MLM networks.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
