I used to think I would always live with anxiety. Although I secretly felt out of control, I figured it was just a part of everyday modern life.
One day my sister brought me an essential oil to try. I thought she was crazy, but the oil worked. I felt the anxiety melt away and suddenly a whole new world of possibilities opened up. I felt back in control, and I knew I had to try essential oils to support other areas of my health.
Nowadays it’s hard to remember what life was like before essential oils. They have become such a huge part of my life. I use them for everything: to enhance yoga and meditation, to improve my moods, to support my immune, digestive, nervous, and respiratory systems, for cooking, cleaning, and so much more.
Even though they have been used for thousands of years, and the current scientific research is increasingly stacked in their favor, not many people know about essential oils as effective natural alternatives. I sure didn’t.
Did you know that essential oils have multiple uses and they are actually quite potent?
Most people hear about essential oils and think they are only used for aromatherapy. Believe it or not, essential oils can actually be used in three different ways: aromatically, topically, and, in some cases, internally. They may be used aromatically to improve moods, sleep, and purify the air. They can be use topically, directly on the area of concern – diluted if it’s a ‘hot’ oil like oregano or cinnamon. And, 100% pure essential oils can be used internally. *Not all essential oils are created equal. See the end of this post for some safety and quality precautions.
What are essential oils?
They are highly concentrated extracts that come from different parts of plants – seeds, stems, roots, flowers, bark, etc. When you peel an orange and the oil bounces off the peel on to your hand, that is the essential oil of the orange. When you break a peppermint leaf and smell the mint, you are actually smelling the essential oil on the leaf. Plants have these essential oils to protect them from pests and disease.
Humans have been making and using essential oils for their health for thousands of years. Today, believe it or not, they are used in the main stream health care industry in France and much of Europe. In fact, 80% of the world uses some form of natural healthcare.
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
THE TOP 7 REASONS YOU SHOULD START USING ESSENTIAL OILS
#1 – IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH. Essential oils are made up of natural chemical compounds that have anti-viral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-septic properties. They give the body the tools it needs to heal itself. Plus, when diffused in the air, they can kill airborne pathogens to keep you healthy, and they can improve your moods.
#2 – IMPROVE YOUR MOODS. When you smell an oil, it activates the part of the brain that controls emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. You can literally calm down and improve the mood of an entire room of people by diffusing an essential oil.
#3 – MULTIPLE USES. Whereas pharmaceuticals are made from one single isolated synthetic compound, an essential oil can have hundreds of chemical compounds. This means that a single oil has hundreds of different things in can do for you. Lavender, for example, has over 200 known compounds! It can improve your sleep and calm you down, while alleviating your allergies and supporting your immune system at the same time. You may use peppermint on your belly to support digestion and find that your headache is gone a few minutes later.
#4 – SAVE MONEY. In my house we use essential oils for absolutely everything – from supporting our health, to cooking and cleaning, and personal care. Essential oils are pennies per drop. We no longer buy toxic-household cleaning products that, even at $4 a pop, are expensive and wasteful. Now I use a drop or two of essential oil, vinegar, water, and baking soda for cleaning. I use natural self-care products infused with essential oils. And I have saved money and time by not having to go to the doctor for more than the usual checkups.
#5 – SAVE THE PLANET. It’s simple, fast, and cheap to make your own personal care and household cleaning products using essential oils. Imagine all the toxic chemicals and wasteful packaging you could keep out of the environment, water, and landfills. Plus, when essential oils are produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way, they actually help to improve the environment and communities where they are grown.
#6 – DETOXIFY YOUR LIFE. Essential oils help you replace toxic chemicals from your home (see reason #4 and 5). They also give you a tool to use to reduce toxic buildup of synthetic compounds found in pharmaceuticals. Lastly, essential oils help you to get rid of negative emotions and toxic thoughts.
#7 – POWERFUL SOURCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS. Essential oils, because they are so concentrated, are some of the most powerful known antioxidants in the world. Doctors always tell us to eat foods high in antioxidants because they protect our cells. Literally, antioxidants help to absorb free radicals and prevent the aging of our cells so we can live healthier, longer lives.
*You must really be careful about essential oil quality and potency before using them, especially when considering using them internally as a dietary supplement. Many essential oils on the market are 100% synthetic, so they could be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Companies often dilute or adulterate their product in some way to get a higher yield and lower their costs.
I use only 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils. For more information on the essential oils I choose to use in my life, click here.
**Interested in learning more about working with Laurel and creating a revenue stream in line with your passion for health, well-being and holistic living? Click here to find out more.
Laurel has a B.S. in Conservation Studies and M.S.H in Global Public Health from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She obtained her RYT 200 from the Yoga Alliance after studying with Suzanne Leitner-Weisse at 532 Yoga Shala in Alexandria, VA. She is working toward her PRYT certification (prenatal yoga) and studied with April Pucciata in Washington, DC. Laurel is an essential oil expert in her own right. She is a doTERRA Wellness Advocate and Gold level leader. To learn more about her essential oil courses, events she’s hosting and other programs go to www.terra-thrive.com
