Essential oils are to plants what blood and oxygen are to humans. The scientific name is “oleo-gum-resins.” Comprised of tiny molecules, essential oils travel easily through plant tissue and into the cells. They deliver nutrition information and carry waste products out. Just as hormones regulate growth in the human body, essential oils regulate growth in plant organisms. Like enzymes that boost the human immune system and combat germs and disease, essential oils are the basis for a plant’s immune system. Scientists at Tufts University developed a scale for the US Department of Agriculture called the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) score. The ORAC score tells us the ability of a particular food or oil to destroy free radicals. The higher the ORAC score, the greater the ability to retard aging and prevent cancer and other dis- eases. Interestingly, ORAC scores for essential oils are often much higher than those for super foods.
Used properly, essential oils are non-toxic, harmless to human tissue and promote healing. They penetrate the Blood- Brain-Barrier, a network of blood vessels with closely spaced cells that makes it difficult for potentially toxic substances (such as anticancer drugs) to penetrate the blood vessel walls and enter the brain. This makes a convincing argument for the efficacy of aromatherapy. When diffused or used topically, essential oils enter through the olfactory system, cross the Blood-Brain-Barrier and work with the Central Nervous System to promote healing. They communicate with a part of the brain that cannot be communicated to with spoken or written language. It only comprehends and responds to smell.
Essential oils can be diffused, applied topically or taken orally (only where specifically stated). Oil burners are very popular but not recommended for essential oils because the heat changes the properties and diminishes the therapeutic effect. Diffusers break down the molecules and disburse them into the air without the use of heat, thus preserving the therapeutic value of the oils. Essential oils are also great for mixing household cleaning aids. A few drops of lemon essential oil eliminates the mildew smell of clothes left in the laundry for too long. Add peppermint essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner for stimulate the scalp. If you like cleaning with vinegar but hate the smell, add lavender essential oil to calm the odor.
Do not confuse essential oils with fragrance oils. Essential oils are 100% natural and are extracted from the flowers, leaves, stems, bark or root of plants. They may be used therapeutically in physical applications and for psychological effects. Fragrance oils are synthetic and have no therapeutic value. Because fragrance oils are less volatile than essential oils, the scents last much longer. As a test, put a drop of the oil on paper. Pure essential oil will disappear without a trace. Fragrance oils will usually leave an oily residue. Both fragrance oils and essential oils may be used to scent perfumes and body care products so read the label to know what you are getting.
A few inexpensive, basic, multi-purpose essential oils like lemon, peppermint and lavender are a good start for beginners. To read the doTERRA recommends (101 uses), please see the Web site .
General Contraindications to Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated and very potent. One drop of peppermint oil is the equivalent of 28 cups of peppermint tea. Essential oils are 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbs. While there are no known side effects, there are some general and medical contraindications. If you are under a doctor’s care or on prescription medications, consult with a professional aromatherapist and also make your doctor aware BEFORE use.
Space limitations prevent me from detailing the many aspects made graciously available by West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy.
For the complete list of general contraindications, please visit .