Essential Oils

Essential Oils and Herbs

By Karen Benford Smith

The fifth tenant of Traditional Chinese medicine is herbs and essential oils, which are found naturally in the plants on the planet.  Essential oils were first noted on a painting in a cave in France, the painting depicting the use of the plants primarily for the healing properties.  Around the world essential oil were found in such places as Egypt, China, India, Greece, Rome, Persia, and European continent.  Egyptians used essential oils as far back as 4500 b.c. cosmetically.  The oils and pastes from plants were created to aid in fighting everyday illnesses.  Chinese usage dates to 2697 b.c. during the reign of Yellow Emperor, Huang, Ti.  The emperor devised oils used in cures for internal problems in the human body.  The book can still be found today and is called “The Yellow Emperor’s Book”.  India used Ayur Veda for more than 3000 years.  The culture incorporates essential oils in the healing process of daily living.  During the Bubonic Plague, Ayur Veda essential oils replaced antibiotics and came to the aid of all those who were suffering from this illness.  The Indian culture also uses oils in spiritual healing and awareness.  The Greek soldiers of 400 b.c. carried the essential oil Myrrh into battle to combat infections.  Ali-Ibn Sana wrote a book in 980 a.d. that offered how to retrieve the oils from plants by a distillation method.  This method is still in practice today.  Today, essential oils are finding a way into many American homes.

Essential oils have so many different uses, oral care, healthy cooking, cleaning, and home purification.  Oil of clove is beneficial in relieving tooth pain until an individual can seek dental assistance. Calendula tincture placed directly on the gums will reduce inflammation and pain.  Some effective gum massages to control pain are eucalyptus, and goldenseal-Myrrh.  As a recent recipient of TMJ I can assure you that these essential oils helped alleviate and resolve my problem with TMJ. For healthy cooking add the following oils to your food to encourage extraordinary flavor peppermint, basil, lemon, and nutmeg.  Peppermint is a wonderful essential oil to have handy when experiencing stomach aches.  Adding drops of lavender, lemon, pine, or cinnamon to a bucket of vinegar will freshen stale countertops, floors, and areas of the home that have a stale smell. 

My favorite consideration for essential oils is the aromatherapy’s ability to reduce stress and calm the nervous system.  Elevating the spirit and calming the mind can be found in essential oils such as lavender, marjoram, sandalwood, and clary sage.  The specific essential oils for alleviating depression are bergamot, geranium, lemon, Neroli, jasmine, and Ylang Ylang.  If an individual needs motivation and energy the following essential oils will accomplish this:  Lavender, Cypress, ginger, rosemary.

Always read the label and never directly ingest an essential oil.  Always use a diffuser to initiate the oils.  When the oils are inhaled the release of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that result in pain or pleasure, are reduced.  Some essential oils have antibiotic properties.  Other essential oils have properties that contain natural antioxidants.  Lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme encourage immunity. Grapefruit, lavender, cypress, basil, and juniper berry improve skin tone.  Eucalyptus, frankincense, ginger, peppermint, and pine are natural expectorants.  There are so many different essential oils that can help an individual work with problem areas in his/her life. Try a natural approach and see the difference in the healing process of the body.

Page, L. (2000). Healthy Healing. San Francisco: Traditional Wisdom, Inc.