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Health E-Talk Newsletter (11) July 2008
As Summer races on it is evident that this is the rainy season. However, since we are not in the tropics I am not sure what is going on. All I know is that the more it rains, the more my pool fills up and I still can't go in it. Oh well.
As promised, the subject this month is essential oils. I only discovered essential oils within the last few years but my experience with them has grown steadily and I am blown away by their effectiveness. When I first started using natural products I was drawn to the herbal remedies and learned everything I could about the various properties of herbs and how to use them.
Naturally, as with anything in natural healing, you come to have "favorites" that you keep around and use all the time. That was the way it was with herbs. My favorite herb is Comfrey, both root and the plant itself. There is always something that calls to you in the natural kingdom of plants and Comfrey called me. Literally. I was standing a few feet away from the plant and didn't know it when I was speaking to a friend in her back yard. All of a sudden I felt this plant reach out and pull me to it. All conversation stopped and I was drawn toward the plant's pull. I could not have ignored it. If you've ever had this experience you would know what I am talking about. The plant literally pulled me toward it. I asked my friend what it was and she said, "Comfrey".
Now, understand, Comfrey was always my plant of "choice" to work with so it was no stranger to me but now I was standing next to it in person, never having actually seen a live plant. So for many years Comfrey had chosen me to work with. It recognized me before I recognized it. That is the way of nature. When you are drawn to an animal, a plant, a rock, it has already chosen to work with you. It is not that you are choosing it.
So, knowing that is the way of things, I have my favorite essential oil that I work with because it has chosen me. Helichrysum oil is also known as Everlasting. This oil came to my attention because in the book it said that it heals bruises. Anything that heals bruising I want to have around because I see many people who have bruises. So I bought some and shortly thereafter I walked into a metal protrusion on a lawnmower out in the garage. Immediately thereafter I had a bruise the size of an orange on my shin. I went inside and put Helichrysum on it and the next day there was no pain and the bruise had turned from purple to yellow which it only does after about 2 weeks, if you've ever had a bruise you would know. Two days later the bruise was completely healed.
Then, after reading more about it, I started using it for joint pain. Wonderful! I got stung by a bee and had that horrible itching that comes with stings. I used Lavender and Tei-Fu oils but they didn't take away that awful itching. Then I used Helichrysum and the itching completely went away. Helichrysum is said to heal any nerve damage, even in the inner ear! Useful on scar tissue to heal that also. It is the only essential oil with 8% regenerative di-ketones. That means it is the only essential oil with a regenerative, rejuvenating effect. Just like the Comfrey plant! Some other uses for Helichrysum: if applied in time it prevents hemorrhaging and it is an anti-inflammatory. Right now I'm having a difficult time finding this oil. It is in short supply. The general price range for a .5 fl. Oz. bottle is $80, wholesale. It is precious and not to be wasted. I have found it for as low as $40 for .3 fl. Oz. Mountain Rose Herbs on my site carries it as well as Nature's Sunshine. Both are out of stock right now. But keep looking...it is out there somewhere.
Lavender is perhaps the most well-known essential oil. It is safe to take in small dosages (1 -2 drops) internally as an appetite suppressant and to get the liver moving again. If that sounds funny then you don't know your liver. It most certainly does get bogged down especially with dairy products and too many carbs. That leaves a bloated feeling. One drop of Lavender will get it moving again. Put it in water and drink it or just put a drop on your tongue. It doesn't taste bad. It is not an expensive oil either.
Geranium essential oil is another favorite of mine. Geranium oil is very useful for fungus problems on the skin or in the body such as Candida Albicans. Everyone has a certain amount of Candida in the gut but with poor eating habits it can get out of control. Using Geranium for yeast control is very effective and will not disturb the bacterial flora in the gut. It will also stop bleeding, stimulate the functions of the liver and pancreas, and applied topically will soothe pain in the breasts before and during menstruation. Use in a base oil such as almond oil.
Cypress essential oil is one I use when I have a sore throat. When you first notice that you have a sore throat is the best time to use this oil. Put one drop on your tongue and let it dissolve for a minute. Your sore throat will begin to go away. If it is still there in 5-10 minutes, then put another drop on your tongue and let it dissolve. Do this until the sore throat is completely gone. It usually only takes about 3 drops for the throat to be completely healed. Used at the first signs of sore throat it is typically sufficient to ward off or prevent bronchitis or colds.
I used herbal formulas for many years to try to ward off colds and flu. Herbs are useful for stimulating the immune system and helping you through various maladies. I have found that essential oils will actually prevent them even if the germs have already grabbed hold of you. Essential oils are the essence of the plant and, like homeopathic medicines, the essence of something in nature is extremely powerful.
Since there are so many essential oils, each having multiple uses, I will list the ones I use most and give a short description of what they are used for.
Peppermint: 1 drop: nausea, spastic colon, motion sickness, will calm an upset stomach. Limit use on infants and topical use. Oregano: short term use only: recommended internally for bacterial infections of the GI tract and bronchi. Melissa: complex and gentle: one of the strongest antiviral agents available. Will dry up herpes blisters. Useful on temples for headache. Always dilute with carrier oil. Mandarin: excellent to use when children are nervous, anxious or stressed. May also use Lavender. Hyssop: strongest antiviral effects. Useful for colds and flu. Used to prevent asthma attacks. For nervous depression it has uplifting effect and helps person to lighten up. Frankincense: weakened immune system, asthma, depression. Eucalyptus: cough, sniffles, hoarse, scratchy throat. Cinnamon: fast-acting relief for infections, enzymatic deficiency in the digestive tract, bacterial bladder infections. Do not use externally. Tea Tree: Should be in everyone's medicine cabinet. Useful for so many things: gum and mouth infections, acne and herpes, bacterial and candida-related or viral intestinal infections, any yeast problems. Spikenard: sedative qualities and one of few oils useful against dandruff. Rosemary: essential of skin and hair care. Also bronchial and cold conditions. Ravensara: expectorant and antiviral. Used primarily to treat viral conditions. Best suited for mononucleosis and for relieving insomnia. For shingles this is the best along with Calophyllum inophyllum also known as Tamanu oil. I have also used Ravensara for colds and flu and it works wonders.
Well...that's it for now. All of these oils may be purchased on my site if you are so inclined. A good book to teach you about essential oils is written by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. , "Advanced Aromatherapy". Has good information.
E-mail me with any questions and I'll be glad to help you!
This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is for information purposes only. When needed, consult a qualified health care professional.
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