Do Essential Oils Cure Diseases?

There is a lot of hype surrounding essential oils these days, with claims that they can treat everything from insomnia to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Well-known natural medicine physician and author of the book “Essential Oils: Ancient Medicine” says that many essential oils are rich in anti-bacterial properties and can boost the immune system and kill harmful viruses and bacteria. He asserts that they are great antioxidants as well and can stop or neutralize free radicals within our body. This helps reverse the damage done by environmental factors like radiation, pollution and chemical toxins and helps the body fight back against disease-inducing oxidative stress.

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are liquid extracts from herbs, bark, rinds and leaves of certain plants. Every essential oil has its own set of unique chemical combinations that drive different effects on your body. It is important to note that an oil can be considered essential if both the odor and the flavor are extracted from plants through distillation or mechanical pressing. One example here is lavender oil. One pound of this essential oil is derived by pressing 220 pounds of lavender flowers.

How do I use essential oils?
Essential oils can be enjoyed through aromatherapy. Our olfactory nerves mediate the smell, which is then directly wired into the limbic system. The limbic system is essentially the brain’s emotional processing center. This system affects other parts of the brain that control your vital organs, which is why your blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs may change when you’re upset.

You can tap into the benefits of essential oils by simply dabbing some tiny drops on the skin. They can also be added to your lotion, diffuser or bath. Some food-grade essential oils claim that they are safe to ingest directly or in capsule form, but exercise caution here.

Are essential oils safe?
The bottom line should be to consult a doctor instead of a salesperson when it comes to safely incorporating essential oils into your lifestyle. Although a number of these essential oils promise to treat or cure diseases, you should talk to your doctor and make sure that they won’t interfere with any medications you are currently taking and that they won’t worsen any conditions you may be suffering from.

Many doctors are open-minded to the benefits of essential oils. For example, doctors who have worked with cancer patients to find alternative therapies have said that dabbing a few drops of peppermint oil on the neck and behind the ears of the patient has helped them get rid of hot flashes. Other doctors have found that essential oils can help regulate emotions and stimulate memory.

Which essential oils are best for me?
Some of the most useful essential oils include:

• Tea Tree Oil: Though many people don’t like its scent, it has several therapeutic uses. It helps in treating skin conditions such as acne and can clear your airways. Many people inhale the steam of the oil to treat sinusitis.
• Lavender Oil: This is among the most researched essential oils. It is popular for treating stress and anxiety and enhancing sleep quality. Many people have also found it to be helpful in reducing headaches and migraines when used on a regular basis.
• Peppermint Oil: Peppermint is helpful for gut problems such as IBS and abdominal pain. It reduces nausea, especially for cancer patients and can help the general population with motion sickness.

What are other uses for essential oils?
Aside from health benefits, essential oils are used to freshen up laundry with their vibrant scents. They can be used as safe alternatives for mosquito repellants and even as natural food preservatives.

Do essential oils have side effects?
Though considered to be generally safe, essential oils can cause irritation and other problems if used incorrectly. It is very important to use the essential oils in the appropriate way. Some essential oils may cause increased sensitivity from various things such as sunlight.

They may also cause skin reactions in infants, pregnant women, and those who have sensitive skin.

The usefulness of essential oils varies from product to product and company to company. There have been cases where essential oils have proved to be extremely beneficial and others where they have worsened the condition of the sufferer significantly. Always use a trusted brand and talk to your physician about how essential oils might interact with your current medications and affect your health issues.