Essential Oil Research and the Future

From http://aromaticscience.com/essential-oil-research-and-the-future-2/

Essential Oil Research and the Future

by Nicole Stevens, MSc

Mankind discovered long ago that plants are very beneficial when it comes to medicinal compounds, and so essential oils have been used in health and healing for centuries for many reasons, mainly, they work.

Since a stationary plant can’t exactly run to escape attacking predators and can’t fight them off with long claws or sharp teeth, they have evolved to protect themselves in other ways. Plants prepare some amazing concoctions of chemicals that serve as protection against microbes and pathogens. These chemical cocktails also help the plant regulate its internal processes of growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism.

So why can’t these chemicals provide the same benefits in the human body? Actually they can. Plants and people evolve in the same habitats. We all face pathogens, we all strive to grow and thrive in our development and we all face eventual aging.

Science is just the beginning to delve into the mechanisms by which essential oils and other natural products function. Although we don’t have all the answers yet, it’s becoming increasingly clear that there is great power and potential in essential oils. Researchers have found antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties in various essential oils. They’ve found compounds that can aid in DNA repair, increase metabolism, improve blood flow, balance hormone levels, improve waste elimination, stabilize neurotransmitters, and relax muscles and lower stress.

A mammoth of information is being generated about how essential oils work. Hopefully, as scientists continue to study natural products and how they can best be used; our Western medicine models will embrace a more holistic approach to healing. We may find that drugs from a test tube aren’t the only way (or sometimes the best way) to treat our ailments.

A Fledgling Essential Oil Researcher

My own experience researching essential oil began when I was a graduate student at Brigham Young University. My original research project fell through, but luckily for me, my adviser had a box full of essential oils and an idea to screen them against various cancer cells, I was intrigued.

I think what first drew me into the project was the idea of doing some kind of life-saving cancer research. This terrible disease, in which a body’s own cells turn rogue and grow out of control, seems to be a scourge against which we have so few reliable cures. Like most people in this country, my life has been touched by cancer. My maternal grandfather has fought skin cancer for the past few decades and I lost a great-aunt to ovarian cancer. Being the naïve and starry-eyed college student, I wanted to join the noble fight against cancer.

But I was also fascinated by the essential oil.  At that point, I had no idea that these little amber bottles full of what I thought was basically perfume would prove to be so powerful.

I screened 70 essential oils against 5 different cancer cell lines. The procedure was fairly simple: I grew the cancer cells in Petri dishes until they were flourished, and then treated them with various concentrations of each oil. All tests were done in triplicate and repeated several times to make sure the results were consistent. Treatment Petri dishes containing essential oils were compared with untreated control dishes in which the cancer cells continued to grow as usual.

The results were astounding. Some essential oils were lethal against at least one cancer cell type, some oils killed multiple cancer cell types, and many of the oils were at least slightly inhibitory of cancer cell growth. But even more importantly—the essential oils showed little toxicity against non-cancer cells.

With these exciting preliminary results in hand, my taste for essential oil research grew insatiable. I wanted to test the oils against more cancer cells. I wanted to see just how powerful these oils were at increasingly low concentrations. I wanted to test them in living models to see if we could shrink tumors or stop lymphoma. I wanted to clone myself so I could do a thousand essential oil research projects simultaneously!

Let There Be Light

Life moves on and so did I. After graduation, before I could investigate more deeply into my original essential oil research project, my husband and I uprooted. I ended up at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. But the move was a good one—I was able to get more involved in essential oil research with cancer cells. This time, there was a twist.

I learned of an emerging cancer treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this model, a patient is given a photosensitizing drug and then blasted with a specific wavelength of light. The idea is that the cancer cells, which are usually growing at a faster rate, will take up the photosensitizing drug more quickly than normal cells. Therefore, the light will kill cancer cells preferentially.

One of the biggest drawbacks of PDT is that the photosensitizing drugs can be highly toxic and cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and other body systems. Well, I thought, what if we used essential oil as a photosensitizing agent? Certain oils can increase photosensitivity when applied topically. Maybe we can cash in on that property to kill cancer cells but avoidtoxicity of the traditional PDT drugs.

My preliminary results were very encouraging. Once again, I didn’t have time to explore as deeply as I’d hoped into my project. But I found that breast cancer cells could be treated with essential oils, exposed to short bursts of specific wavelengths of light, and we’d see dramatic death rates. Once again, this effect appeared to be focused on cancer cells rather than non-cancer cells.

Thank You, Ladies and Germs

Another move found me at the University of Utah. My boss was a remarkable researcher in her own right, and she was enthusiastic when I approached her about a new research project with essential oils. This time, I’d take a peek at the antimicrobial properties of some oils that have traditionally been used for cleansing and healing.

I worked late into the night, running tests on Salmonella and Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. My boss would joke with me that she could always tell when I’d set up an experiment – the lab smelled like an aromatherapy spa.

The results were impressive. Honestly, I’d come to expect astounding scientific performance from these essential oils! I found that at least one essential oil could wipe out even the nasty bugs like a staph infection and most of the microbes were susceptible to multiple essential oils.

Thyme, basil, oregano and cinnamon are powerhouses in the battle against microbes. Oregano is effective at killing a huge percentage of microbes even when it’s diluted to a concentration of only 1:5000.

The Work Must Go On

Every day there are more papers published about the amazing health benefits and disease-fighting properties of essential oils. This website will serve as a forum in which exciting essential oil research is presented and discussed, hopefully in ways that make the science more palatable and useful to everyone.

I hope to someday continue my own research with essential oils. Each of my projects has served to cement two facts in my mind. First, that high-quality essential oils are a powerful tool for promoting health and fighting disease. And second, that science has only begun to understand the potential of these plant chemicals.

Essential oils are slowly making their way into mainstream use. More doctors and practitioners are educating themselves about the benefits of holistic healthcare. The ranks of researchers who study essential oils and other natural products are making astounding discoveries. Ironically, the ancient secrets of traditional medicine are once again becoming the cutting edge of modern medicine.

It’s about time.

Nicole Stevens is an essential oil enthusiast with a professional desire to increase the credibility and the scientific understanding behind natural products. She has been researching the various properties of essential oils for much of her career.

Nicole earned her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Brigham Young University. Her Master’s Thesis was entitled “Bioassays to Determine Anti-Cancer Activity of Essential Oils.” For that project, nearly seventy essential oils and oil blends were tested against five different types of cancer in vitro.

In 2003, Nicole began working at the UNLV Cancer Research Center and completed a project looking at the possibility of using essential oils in a process called photodynamic therapy. This is a procedure that uses targeted photosensitizing chemicals and specific wavelengths of light to destroy cancer cells.

From 2009 – 2010, Nicole worked at the University of Utah. There, she completed a study analyzing the effectiveness of dōTERRA® essential oils against various microbial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia.

Aromatic, Topical, and Internal use of Essential Oils

From http://aromaticscience.com/education/#/education/01/05/01

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Historically, herbal and medical professionals were intuitively and anecdotally guided in their use of plant extracts. Emerging science now supports the safety and efficacy of all three application models, thereby eliminating the need to be limited by tradition. Ongoing clinical research has found that used together, the three application models create an effective and powerful practice for supporting overall health. Essential oils easily penetrate into the body with all methods of application including aromatic, topical, and internal use. Whichever application method you choose, or if you choose to use all three, essential oils can be very effective and safe when used appropriately.

This modern evolution of essential oil use encourages many people to seek options for their own wellness, to effectively manage their health on a day-to-day basis, and to have alternatives to manage health issues as they arise. Many health professionals are effectively incorporating essential oils into their practices. Modern consumers are drawn to oils as effective alternatives to drugs. Many essential oils are now even found on the GRAS list and more relevant toxicology information is becoming available. These advances allow an educated user of essential oils to apply a more targeted approach to wellness based on science rather than solely on tradition or folk wisdom.

Modern technology also makes possible the testing for purity and efficacy of plant extracts of all kinds while controlling both quality and content in a way that allows for a much more consistent essential oil experience. Though no governing body exists to enforce a universal standard on oil quality, some suppliers have implemented testing to monitor their essential oils and to ensure a superb product. Though critics might dismiss this practice as potentially biased, a self-created standard can put into place very high standards that would exceed any proposed universal guidelines. The terminology behind these quality standards may be unique to a given company, but the oils should:

1. Contain only the natural aromatic compounds present after the distillation process.
2. Be 100% pure oil, free of any synthetic compounds or contaminants, including heavy metals or microbial organisms.
3. Be subjected to mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography testing to ensure consistent extract composition and activity.
4. Be derived only from the distillation of the correct and clearly stated plant part.
5. Meet organoleptic tests (consistency in taste, sight, touch, and smell).

Organic sourcing can be very expensive and difficult due to differing or non-existent standards in the hundreds of countries where essential oils are harvested. If you can be assured that each batch is tested for residue, that clean farming is practiced (meaning only the plant of interest is included in the harvest), and that the product is confirmed to contain only aromatic compounds, then you will meet or exceed organic certification.

By following these protocols, a consistent quality product can be sourced; thereby allowing mainstream health care professionals, educated users, and alternative healers to all have access to the purest oils possible. More importantly, the efficacy of the oil becomes consistent and reliable, a hallmark of trust and an expectation of those who are accustomed to pharmaceutical-grade products.

Essential Oils and Internal Use

From http://aromaticscience.com/education/#/education/01/04/04

THE FRENCH MODEL

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The French Model promotes taking essential oils internally and was advocated by several prominent aromatherapists, including Jean Valnet, Paul Belaiche, and Henri Viaud. Essential oils can have great effect when used internally. The French Model is highly successful in the treatment of infectious and degenerative illnesses. When used with caution, internal use can promote healing, longevity, and can safely relieve many ailments.

The confusion surrounding the internal use of essential oils is largely based on a lack of knowledge. Even though ample literature supporting the internal use of essential oils exists, most aromatherapy training programs do not teach this mode. Many aromatherapy programs adhere to the belief that ingestion of all essential oils is toxic, which is simply not true, as supported by the US Food and Drug Administration’s GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list. Toxic reactions are the result of taking contaminated oils or taking excessive doses.

Essential Oils and Topical Application

From http://aromaticscience.com/education/#/education/01/04/03

THE ENGLISH MODEL

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The English Model was introduced by Madame Marguerite Maury in the 1950s and is based on the principle that essential oils are absorbed trans-dermally. Her original interest in various beauty techniques led to her observation that when used correctly, certain oils could promote healthier and younger skin and hair. Madam Maury believed that safety was of concern when essential oils were used internally. As a result of her belief, this new model of topical application was lauded as the only acceptable or appropriate model to be used.

Topical application of essential oils has been shown to have numerous advantages. There has been research and studies performed regarding the therapeutic power of touch. Massaging the oils into the skin or making a hot compress can help increase absorption and enhance benefits. Essential oils are powerful and can be diluted for topical use if the potency of the oils causes irritation. Diluting essential oils reduces the concentration but increases the absorption, allowing the body to still benefit from the effects of the oils. Applying essential oils topically is beneficial because after the oils are absorbed through the dermis, they stay in the local tissues and also enter the bloodstream where the oils can be of use to the body. Essential oils are also able to stimulate the nervous system, act on the internal organs, and soothe emotions. Since essential oils dissolve readily into fat, they easily enter areas in the body that are rich in fats, such as the liver and the brain.

Essential Oils and the Sense of Smell

From http://aromaticscience.com/education/#/education/01/04/02

THE GERMAN MODEL

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The German model is based on the concept that the sense of smell elicits a faster response than sight or sound. Through the sense of smell, essential oils affect our physiology, emotions, and behavior by stimulating hormones and neurotransmitters. Aromatic use is highly effective and can be applied to any of the essential oils in moderation. Until recently, science has underestimated the influence aroma can have on our health. Numerous studies have been conducted investigating the effect of aroma to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress, improve mood, and decrease the perception of pain.

One example of the powerful effects of aroma is found in two studies that examined the effects of ambient fragrances on patients waiting for dental procedures. In the studies, patients were exposed to orange and lavender fragrances before their dental procedure began. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that in comparison to the control group, both orange and lavender aromas reduced anxiety and improved mood.

For more information, view the full study abstracts through the following links:

https://www.aromaticscience.com/ambient-odor-of-orange-in-a-dental-office-reduces-anxiety-and-improves-mood-in-female-patients/

https://www.aromaticscience.com/the-effects-of-lavender-scent-on-dental-patient-anxiety-levels/

101 Uses for Essential Oils

Home

1. Put 5 drops of your favorite Essential Oil on a cotton ball and place in your vacuum cleaner bag. Try Peppermint, Spearmint, Cassia, Purification or Pine. Geranium can help with doggy odor.

2. Soak dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and a few drops of Lemon to disinfect and kill germs.

3. Kitchen sink scrub— Mix ½ cup baking soda, ⅛ cup vinegar and 5 drops each of Bergamot and Lime. Put mixture in sink and scrub. Wash down with warm water.

4. Place 1-3 drops of Four Thieves, Purification or Hope on a cotton ball and place on bottom of trash can or diaper pail. It cuts back on odors and kills germs.

5. To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-6 drops of Lemon. Drop washed fruit into the water and stir.

6. Use 1-2 drops Lemon to remove gum, oil, glue, adhesive or crayon from most surfaces.

7. For a carpet deodorizer— Add 5-10 drops of Lemon, Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint or Ylang Ylang to a box of baking soda. Mix well and sprinkle over carpets. Let sit for an hour or more and then vacuum. Also try Calming or Harmony.

8. To dispel of household cooking odors add a few drops of Clove, Cinnamon, Adoration, Peace or any citrus Essential Oil to a simmering pan of purified water.

9. Bathroom refresher— Put Key Lime, Calming or Purification on a cotton ball and place behind toilet.

10. When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot or Lemongrass to the final rinse water.

11. For general purpose cleaning— Mix 1 cup vinegar, 2 cups purified water and 10 drops of Cleaning in a spray bottle. Great for mirrors, granite and general cleaning.

12. To help keep squirrels, spiders or mice away place 3-6 drops of Peppermint on a cotton ball at the place they enter.

13. To help keep flies away— Mix 25 drops of Peppermint or Lavender with 16 oz. purified water in large spray bottle. Can be used on counter tops, windows and doors. Shake well before each use.

Aroma

14. Try Edens Garden Scent Ball Plug-In Diffuser in the home or office. Designed for ease and safety, no water or flame needed. Try Clove, Jasmine, Balance, Joy, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang or Sweet Orange. Great to use if selling your home!

15. Remove cigarette smoke spray— Put 4 drops each of Rosemary, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus in a spray bottle with water. Shake well before each use.

16. Place a few drops of your favorite Essential Oil on the furnace filter; turn on the furnace fan to fill your home with a wonderful aroma. Try Vanilla, Pine, Cypress, Hope, Cinnamon Bark or Cassia during the holidays.

17. Mix a 10 ml bottle of Peppermint into a gallon can of paint to help dispel the fumes.

18. To keep a car smelling fresh, try Edens Garden Electric Car Diffuser. Add 2-8 drops of Essential Oil to the pad provided and insert pad into diffuser. Try Stress Relief, Key Lime, Joy, Balance, Adoration or Sensation.

19. A common way to use Essential Oils is by burning them in an oil burner. Mix 5-10 drops of your favorite Essential Oil and purified water in bowl provided. Then place tea light in the specified area and light. Try Joy or Peace blend.

20. Add 10-20 drops of Essential Oil to 16 oz. purified water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener. For general use, add Lavender. Shake well before each use.

21. Pine, Frankincense, Sage and Myrrh all make wonderful firewood oils. Put 8-10 drops of Essential Oil on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire (Do not drop Essential Oils on log while fire is burning).

22. Smelly shoes? Place a few drops of Geranium directly into shoes or place a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon, Cleaning or Four Thieves into shoes to freshen them up.

23. Send your Holiday letter scented with Cassia, Cinnamon Leaf or Fir Needle. Place a few drops of oil on paper and put letters in a plastic bag. Seal and leave overnight to infuse the aroma. Try on bookmarks and stationary too. Essential Oils can leave residue on paper, please sample first.

24. For wonderful smelling towels, sheets and clothes, place 10-15 drops of Essential Oil onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the dryer while drying. Or add 5 drops Essential Oil to water and place in the center cup of the washer. Try Lavender, Ylang Ylang or Rose Geranium. Eucalyptus is great at combatting mites.

25. Essential Oils promote alertness and stimulate memory. Inhale Grapefruit, Invigorate, Peppermint or Stay Alert occasionally while driving, reading or studying. Basil and Bergamot are said to help with concentration. Inhale during the day to increase focus.

26. To add aroma to a candle, place a few drops of your favorite oil into the hot melted wax as the candle burns. Try 3 drops each of Sweet Orange and Vanilla. For insect repellent try Citronella or Lemon Eucalyptus (Do not drop oil in candle while candle is lit).

27. Lavender and Grapefruit are both wonderful for the office. Place a few drops of each or both on the pad of an Edens Garden Plug-In Diffuser and plug into outlet. Also, try our Stress Relief, Balance, Calming and Relaxation to help create a peaceful environment.

Health

28. Cold sores and blisters— Mix 1 drop of Four Thieves with 1 drop of an EGCO and apply to cold sore or blister 3 times a day or as needed until gone.

29. Nausea— Mix 1 drop Peppermint, Patchouli, Ginger or Nutmeg with 4 drops of an EGCO and place drops behind each ear and around navel 2-3 times hourly.

30. Sore feet— Mix 10 drops Vetiver, Patchouli or Peppermint with 1 tbsp. Epson salt and add to hot water in a basin large enough for footbath. Also try Harmony or Calming.

31. Teeth grinding— Massage 1-3 drops of Lavender and Valerian on bottom of feet each night before bed.

32. Cold and flu— Rub 1 drop of Four Thieves mixed with 1 drop of an EGCO to the bottom of feet to enhance the immune system.

33. Yoga mat cleanser— Mix 12 drops Sweet Orange, 6 drops Tea Tree and 6 drops Lavender with 4 oz. of purified water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle and mist over your mat. Wipe clean with a soft towel before and after each use. Also try with Cleaning blend.

34. Menstrual cramps— Mix 2 drops of Clary Sage, Basil, Rosemary or Sage with 8 drops of an EGCO and apply on lower abdomen. Apply a warm moist hand towel for 10-15 minutes.

35. Headache— Mix 2 drops of Peppermint, Wintergreen, Roman Chamomile or Spearmint with 2 drops of an EGCO. Apply on back of neck, behind ears, on temples, forehead and under nose.

36. Fir Needle clears the lungs, nasal passages and sinuses. Mix 3 drops with 3 drops of an EGCO and massage onto chest.

37. Neck pain massage— Mix 1 drop of Birch, Basil, Elemi or Copaiba with 3 drops of an EGCO and rub onto neck.

38. Circulation bath— Use 8-10 drops of Neroli in bath water regularly. Try mixing with Epson salt as well!

39. Apply Lavender or Tea Tree directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches. You can also put 20 drops in a 4 oz. spray bottle with purified water and spray directly on wound.

40. 6-8 drops of Eucalyptus, Purification or Renew in the bath cools the body in summer and protects in winter.

41. Inhale the aroma of Peppermint to curb the appetite and lessen the impulse to overeat.

42. Overindulge last night? Juniper Berry, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Rosemary and Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Create your own blend of these oils and use 6-8 drops in a warm bath.

43. To help with snoring— Mix 3 drops of Thyme with 3 drops of an EGCO and apply to the soles of your feet at bedtime.

44. Jaw massage— Rub 1-2 drops of Harmony or Relaxation with 1-2 drops of an EGCO into the soft spot just below your ear lobe to release tension.

45. Try inhaling Peppermint before or during a workout to help boost mood and reduce fatigue.

46. For colds— Add 2-4 drops each of Lavender, Rosemary and Eucalyptus to 1 cup milk or cream. Pour into warm bath and soak.

47. To bring fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1-3 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender have been added.

48. Coffee replacement— Try placing a drop of Stay Alert or Purification in the palm of your hands, rub hands together and place them over mouth and nose, take 6 deep breaths.

49. To help ease a tension headache, massage 1-2 drops of Lavender onto the neck or temples.

50. For aching joints/tired muscles— Mix 1 drop Eucalyptus, Sage and Basil with 12 drops of an EGCO and apply to muscles/joints.

51. For better sleep, place cotton ball with 1-2 drops of Roman Chamomile and Lavender next to pillow.

52. Arthritis or stiff joints— Mix 2 drops each of Wintergreen, Cypress and Lemongrass with 2 tbsp. of an EGCO. Massage into area as needed. Shake well before each use.

Beauty

53. Nail strengthening recipe— Mix 10 drops each of Frankincense, Myrrh and Lemon to 2 tbsp. Vitamin E oil. Mix ingredients together and store in amber glass bottle. Rub on nail cuticles twice a week.

54. Wrinkle reducing blend— Mix 5 drops Sandalwood, 4 drops Geranium, 3 drops Lavender and 6 drops of Frankincense with an EGCO and apply to area. Keep away from eyes.

55. Clogged pores— Apply 2-4 drops Lemon, Tea Tree or Sweet Orange to affected area and gently remove with cotton ball.

56. Dandruff blend— Mix 5 drops Lemon, 2 drops Lavender, 1 drop Rosemary and 2 drops Peppermint with 2 tbsp. of an EGCO. Massage into scalp thoroughly for 1-2 minutes, leave on scalp for 10 minutes. Shampoo hair as usual.

57. Stretch marks— Mix 5 drops Frankincense, Myrrh, Coriander or French Lavender with 5 drops of an EGCO and massage on stretch marks 2 times a day.

58. Face moisturizer— Mix 1 drop of Elemi, Frankincense or Lavender with an EGCO for an evening moisturizer before bed.

59. Natural facial scrub— Mix ¼ cup plain yogurt, ¼ cup cornmeal and 5 drops each of Patchouli, Grapefruit and Lavender. Store any unused mixture in the refrigerator and use within a few days.

60. Skin toner— Mix 8 oz. purified water, 2 drops each of Lavender, Palmarosa and Rosewood in clean bottle. Apply the toner to skin with a cotton ball after cleansing. Shake well before each use.

61. Place 1-2 drops of Rosemary or Carrot on hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.

62. Perfume— Mix 25 drops of French Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Geranium, Adoration, Balance or Lavender to 1 oz. of good quality vodka. Let age 2 weeks before using. Apply as a spray on neck, wrists, behind knees or ears.

63. Stress soothing massage oil— Mix 2 drops each of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, German Chamomile and Bergamot with 5 tsp. of an EGCO. Stir mixture and massage onto body.

64. Dry hair hot oil conditioner— Mix 15 drops Rosewood and 5 drops each Sandalwood, Geranium and Lavender and 4 tbsp. of an EGCO. Place mixture in small plastic bag and place the bag in a hot cup of water for 1 minute to warm. Apply, then wrap hair in a towel for 20 minutes. Wash hair as normal.

65. Hair loss help blend— Mix 3 drops each of Rosemary, Cedarwood and Lavender with 2 oz. Jojoba Carrier Oil in a container and shake well. Massage into hair and scalp for 5 minutes. Leave on hair for 1 hour, then wash. Use 1-2 times per week.

66. Sunscreen— Mix 5 drops each of Myrrh and Carrot with 10 drops of an EGCO and apply for 40 SPF.

67. Oily hair repair blend— Mix 9 drops each of Ylang Ylang, Lime and Rosemary with 2 tbsp. of an EGCO. Mix all ingredients then massage into hair/scalp. Wash hair as normal. Use 2-3 times per week.

68. Natural lotion— Mix 8 oz. unscented lotion with 10 drops of Myrrh, 15 drops Geranium and 5 drops Ylang Ylang. Keep in an airtight container. Be creative, there are many combinations to make.

Kids

69. Ringworm— Mix 3 drops each of Tea Tree and Spearmint and 1 drop each of Peppermint and Rosemary with 10 drops of an EGCO and massage over affected area 2-4 times daily.

70. Head lice blend— Mix 3 drops each of Thyme, Lavender and Geranium with 10 drops of an EGCO and apply to scalp. Massage onto entire scalp, cover with disposable shower cap and leave on for ½ hour. Shampoo and rinse well.

71. Blisters— Mix 2 drops Tea Tree with 2 drops of an EGCO and apply to blistered area 3-5 times daily as needed.

72. Bruises and scrapes— Mix 1 drop Clove and 4 drops Lavender with 5 drops of an EGCO. Apply 1-4 times daily as needed to affected area.

73. Sunburn (1st degree/no blisters)— Mix 2 drops of Lavender, Rose or Roman Chamomile with 1 tbsp. of an EGCO and apply 1-3 drops with cotton ball to affected area to help reduce inflammation.

74. Sprain— Mix 2 drops each of Basil, Pine, Kanuka and Wintergreen with 6 drops of an EGCO and apply to affected area 3-5 times daily.

75. Poison oak/ivy— Mix 3 drops of Peppermint or Wintergreen with 3 drops of an EGCO and apply to affected area twice daily.

76. Insect repellent— Mix 6 drops Peppermint, 6 drops Tea Tree and 9 drops Citronella with 1 tbsp. of an EGCO. Apply to exposed skin as needed.

77. Overactive children— Diffuse Peace, Calming, Lavender or Relaxation. Also, try applying it to bottom of feet daily.

78. Bee sting/insect bite— Apply 1-2 drops of Lavender, Peppermint or Wintergreen on a bee sting/insect bite to help with itching and swelling.

Emotions

79. Nervous/anxious ease blend— Mix 3 drops of Jasmine or Sweet Marjoram with 9 drops of an EGCO and use as a body lotion daily.

80. Feeling a little down? Place 1-3 drops of Adoration, Balance, Joy, Stress Relief, Harmony or Hope in the palm of your hands, rub hands together and cup hands over mouth and nose. Take 6 slow deep breaths and think of a moment in the last week you really enjoyed.

81. The aroma of Rose can provide alleviation from depressive symptoms. It can be used in baths, inhalations and aromatherapy burners to provide a mood boost during times of stress and fatigue.

Spiritual

82. Inhale 6-12 deep breaths of Frankincense before bed time and meditate on your day for a “Good Night.” Frankincense is said to create clarity of mind, calm the emotions and enhance spiritual awareness.

83. Use Myrrh, Frankincense, Myrtle or Cypress to pray and anoint each other as seen in the Bible verse “call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

84. The Great King David used Hyssop when he prayed the prayer in Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me...” Apply Hyssop with an EGCO to temples and neck and pray the same.

85. Cassia and Cinnamon are in God’s Holy anointing oil described in scriptures Exodus 30:22-31. Try smelling them before going to place of worship.

86. Queen Esther, (Esther 2:12) was massaged with Myrrh for 6 months in preparation for her marriage to the king. Massage on with an EGCO or inhale.

87. Spikenard was poured over Jesus’ feet days before he died. Inhale ancient and spiritual Spikenard while meditating on the sacrifice of the cross.

88. Before yoga inhale Meditation, Relaxation, Balance or Harmony for an enhanced experience.

Gifts

89. Bridal shower gift— Aphrodisiac, Sensation, Rose and Love for the bride! Can be used for romantic baths, with a Scent Ball Plug-In Wall Diffuser or as a perfume on neck and wrists.

90. Bridal shower love potion gift— Place 20 drops of Sandalwood, 4 drops of Cocoa, 1 drop Rose in a container to be used as a perfume. Also try “Cocoa Vanilla Bliss” lotion— Place 40 drops Cocoa and 10 drops Vanilla and mix in 4 oz. of an EGCO for a sweet lotion.

91. Baby shower gift— Scent Ball Plug-In Wall Diffuser with Lavender or French Lavender to bring calming to a mother and baby! Perfect for the baby’s room.

92. Newly pregnant mother’s gift! Morning sickness can be aided with Sweet Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, or Ginger. Can be inhaled straight from the bottle or diluted with your favorite EGCO to be rubbed on tummy.

93. Father’s Day gift— Stress Relief or Relaxation for car with Edens Garden Electric Car Diffuser will fill car and encourage mood to and from work.

94. A birthday is a great time to give the basics in Essential Oils. Try Edens Garden most popular Top 6 Basic Essential Oil Set.

95. Birthday bath salts— Mix 1 cup each of Epson salt and baking soda and 20-30 drops of Essential Oil. Try Adoration, Joy, French Lavender or Ylang Ylang. Use ¼ cup per bath. Put it in a cute container or mason jar.

96. House warming gifts— Make French Lavender bags for wardrobe by sewing material in squares and dropping oil on them to be placed in closets and drawers.

97. Winter holiday gift— Spruce, Cinnamon, Clove, Pine, Fir Needle and Vanilla fill the home with comfort and love. Great with an Eden Garden Scent Ball Plug-In Wall Diffuser or to place a few drops in simmering hot water on the stove to fill the house with holiday cheer!

When Traveling

98. Mix Four Thieves and purified water in spray bottle to kill germs. Great places to spray are in front of the A/C unit and allow mixture to go through filter, on bed covers, sheets, pillowcases and even on public toilets.

99. Bring Lavender and Chamomile with you on planes to help calm little travelers that may feel cooped up. Place on their wrists or a tissue and inhale.

100. Immune boost— Mix 1 drop Oregano with 4 drops of an EGCO and rub on the bottom of feet to help boost immune system when flying on a plane with possible sick people.

101. Peppermint can ease motion sickness. Rub 2 drops of Peppermint on abdomen area or inhale to help alleviate.

from http://www.edensgarden.com/101-ways-to-use/

Using Essential Oils for ADHD

From http://aromaticscience.com/causes-and-essential-solutions-for-behavioral-disorders-including-adhd/

This is a very lengthy article. Please click above for the full article. We have only included this small part on the affects of essential oils.

Danielle Daniel
PsyD Candidate, California Southern University

Nutritional & Psychoaromacology Treatment

There is much hope for treating ADHD using alternative methods, without adverse side effects and many studies have been done on nutrition, herbs, and essential oils.  Essential oils are the volatile concentrated chemical constituents on the herbs and are very powerful in producing chemical changes in our body.  An ADHD specific study found success with the use of German Chamomile. The study done on matricaria chamomilla stated that it “may improve some symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder” (Niederhofer 2009).  Matricaria chamomilla is typically known as chamomile, or German chamomile, and is found in the form of an herbs or essential oil.  The study reported that Matriarcaria chamomilla possess properties similar to a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, SNRI, which has been used successfully in pharmaceutical treatment of depression and some ADHD cases.  This study concluded some improvement in behavior of ADHD patients after the administration of Matriarca chamomilla (Niederhofer 2009).  Chamomile possesses naturally calming effects via it’s chemical compounds, and has been traditionally used as a healing medicine for various physical ailments including anti-inflammatory treatment, a numerous of gastrointestinal conditions, and as a mild sedative.  Apigenin, a flavonoid found in chamomile, is thought to cause the sedative effects of chamomile by binding to the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.  Other chemical constituents in chamomile responsible for the sedative effects are found to bind with the benzodiazepine and also GABA receptors in the brain (Gupta et al. 2010).  As the primary symptoms of ADHD are hyperactivity, chamomile seems to be a strong natural solution for calming this behavior.  A study done on ylang ylang essential oil found that it produced sedative effects measured by the decrease in pulse rates and blood pressure, and also significantly increased attentiveness and alertness after inhalation of the essential oil (Hongratanworakit et al. 2004).  Ylang ylang would be a great alternative treatment to use for hyperactivity as well as the inattentive behavior in ADHD children.  Lavender has been widely studied for its calming effects and one study reported that lavender produced calming effects, improved mood, and concentration in test subjects (Field et al. 2005).  Lavender has been shown in studies to cause calming affects via the main constituents of linalool and linalyl acetate. Both produce clinical sedative effects via the modulation of the components of the glutamatergic system.  The glutamatergic system is responsible for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and serves as the precursor, which synthesizes GABA, the inhibitory neurons (Perry & Perry 2006).  Lavender and chamomile oil possess natural medicinal benefits in their phytochemistry and are very favorable for the hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD. These are but a few of the many studies done on individual behavioral symptoms seen in ADHD for alternative methods to treating the inattention, lack of concentration and hyperactivity symptoms.

There is very supportive evidence in using cilantro as a natural way to address the concern with high levels of heavy metals found in relation to behavioral disorders. Cilantro is the green leafy part of the plant, and many studies, depending on the culture, refer to cilantro as coriander, which is actually the seed of the cilantro plant.  I state this because the majority of the research studies I reviewed all called the plant coriander. These cultures use coriander for the name of the leaf and the seed, however, cilantro and coriander posses different properties, and depending on the culture, the literature will say coriander but it is referring to what we know to as cilantro.  It is the cilantro plant and essential oil that possesses the phyotochemistry to treat heavy metal toxicity.

Cilantro essential oil exerts highly anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective and lead-detoxifying properties (Sahib et al. 2012).  One study evaluated the lead-induced changes in test subjects and found that administration of cilantro extracts protected against the deposits of lead in the body (Sharma et al. 2010).  Another study confirmed as well the lead protective properties of cilantro and found a significant decrease in the lead concentration in the body and the study concluded that cilantro induced suppressive activity on lead most likely via the chelation of lead (Aga 2001).   Cilantro was also found to remove mercury from an aqueous solution by binding to mercury (Karunasagar et al. 2005).  There are other things in Mother Nature that protect and flush heavy metals from our bodies, such as flavonoids, a type of phenolic compound, found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, and have been found to chelate heavy metal ions as well (Huang et al. 2009).

There are several gastro-intestinal problems to address, and since many of them stem from one another, I will address the root concerns for natural treatment in ADHD.  First I will address the chronic inflammation of the intestines and colon, as well as immunity and most importantly the intestinal microbiota.

There are many anti-inflammatory drugs today on the market.  Anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals can be fast acting and helpful in relieving pain. They act as an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, however many cause undesired effects on the gastro-intestinal system.  For example, diclofenac-K as well as ibuprofen was found to cause erosive gastro-duodenal lesions on the intestinal tract (Hawkey et al. 2012).  So the very thing you are trying to heal, the gastro-intestinal wall, is damaged by an anti-inflammatory drug.

Many plants provide anti-inflammatory actions without the destruction of the gastro-intestinal tract. Citrus oils have various positive affects on the gastro-intestinal system. They possess high anti-bacterial, anti-septic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties. One particular study on Lemongrass found it to suppress the cyclooxygenase (COX-2) activity causing an anti-inflammatory response in the body (Katsukawa 2010).  Melaleuca, also know as tea tree oil, has been found to have an inhibitory effect on the COX enzyme as well as an increase in the level of immunoglobulin from just inhalation and topical application.  Melaleuca is highly regarded for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.  Inhalation of it was also found to improve the immune system by increasing the activity of the immune cells (Golab 2006).  This essential oil seems to hold a variety of solutions for treatment in ADHD due to the anti-inflammatory effects, aide to the immune system by increasing the activity and the immunoglobulin cells, which is compromised from gastro-intestinal problems, and high anti-fungal and anti-bacterial affects that are needed to suppress the clostridia and candida albicans overgrowth found high psychiatric patients.

An essential oil that surprised me for treatment of colitis, inflammation of the colon, was the essential oil of eucalyptus.  The cineole, a constituent high in eucalyptus, was found to significantly reduce the myeloperoxidase activity, which causes colonic damage, and in turn acted as an anti-inflammatory agent in the gastrointestinal tract (Santos et al. 2004).  Rosemarinus officinalis L has also been found to reduce colonic tissue lesions and colitis.  Rosemary has been studied for its anti-inflammatory effects as well as it analgesic,spasmolytic, anti-bacterial, anti-tumoral, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-oxidative, anti-rheumatic andhepatoprotective actions. The test subjects in this study were given rosemary essential oil orally and the results showed a reduction in ulcers, inhibition of ulcerative lesions, and reduction in inflammation in the colon.  The study reported,  “The most present component was alpha-pinene which is known as an anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, alpha-pinene has an inhibitory effect on the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) that play an important role in colitis pathology” (Minaiyan et al. 2011 pg. 17).  The oils in these studies contain various benefits to the multiple factors to ADHD.  There are many other essential oils studied for anti-inflammatory effects such as myrrh (Tipton et al. 2003), thyme (Riella 2012), and frankincense, which is high in alpha-pinene as well (Tausch 2009).

Limonene, a chemical constituent found high in citrus oils, was studied in the University of Sao Paulo Brazil, and found that the citrus oil increased the production of the gastric mucus (Moraes et al. 2009). The gastric mucus is a gel that lines the entire gastric mucosa at the intestinal wall, acting as a barrier to toxins from infecting the body (Kauffman 1981).    Citruses are high in flavonoids, which is a type of phenolic compound, containing natural detoxifying and anti-oxidant properties for the body.  Fruits and vegetable are very high in phenols and phenolic compounds.  These compounds possess a wide range of bioactivities protecting the cells in our body against pathogens, parasites, bacteria, inflammation, oxidation, viruses, as well as possessing neuroprotective properties.  Phenols also have been found to regulate detoxifying enzymes in the digestive tract (Huang et al. 2009).  All these natural foods and compounds possess a diverse range of beneficial biological activity that helps restore the digestive tract and good intestinal microbiota.

Naturally occurring plants from the earth possess high anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.  I have covered many alternative ways to address behaviors, ADHD in particular, and intestinal dysbiosis influencing neurochemical health in many psychiatric disorders.  The last review I will focus on is natural anti-bacterial properties found on plants that aid in rebalancing the intestinal microbiota, which is the core to having the body combat for itself against harmful microorganisms that attack it daily.   As discussed previously, clostridia and candida bacteria have been found high in samples of autistic and other developmental disorders in various studies and “having good bacteria in the gut is the best way to keep Clostridia, Candida, Bacteroids, viruses, and many other microbes under control” (Campbell-McBride 2004 pg. 43).  One study exposed candida albicans to pomegranate, cumin, and fennel, which all have high anti-fungal properties, and found that all three were able to inhibit the growth of candida, with pomegranate being the highest (Mithun 2010).   In nature, volatile complex compounds protect plants, through the essential oils found on the roots, stem, bark, leaves, and rinds etc. of the plant.  The essential oil provides protection in many forms acting as an insecticide, as well as providing anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial components (Bakkali 2007).  The essential oils are a concentrated dose of natural medicine for the plant and research has shown that the use of pure oils (without synthetics & toxins) can interact similarly on the human body, acting as a protectant and a natural medicine.  There have been many studies done with essential oils on the candida fungus showing inhibition of its growth with the use of melaleuca (tea tree oil), oregano, clove, peppermint, thyme, and lavender.  Other oils that are highly anti-bacterial have been tested to inhibit the growth of various bacterial strains. The essential oils exhibiting the highest anti-bacterial properties have been melaleuca, thyme, cinnamon, peppermint, lemongrass, helichrysum, geranium, rosemary, oregano and a blend called On Guard made up of wild orange, clove bud, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiate and rosemary (Modern Essentials 2012).

There are many natural substances found in nature that aide in ridding the body of bad bacteria in order to inhibit the overgrowth of these highly toxic bacteria that get into the body.  As the UCLA study discussed, anti-biotics damage the good bacteria when ingested for treatment of a bacterial infection, which in turn also compromises our intestinal health and balance. To restore the good microbiota, or flora, pro-biotics are essential and have been proven in this study to be affective in brain health.  As the results showed, the group consuming probiotics showed greater connectivity to various areas of the brain (Champeau 2013).  Pro-biotics are beneficial bacterial strains found in foods and one study done on blackcurrant extract powder observed that it enhanced the growth of the beneficial microbiota in the gut and also inactivated the toxic, or bad bacteria in the gut (Molan et al. 2013).

Where psychopharmaceuticals can provide immediate relief to difficult symptoms, the body provides the door for healing and protecting itself, and given the right environment, it is able to thrive and heal from outside influences.  We hold the key to opening that door of healing through natural nourishment.  Awareness, education, and finally our nutritional choices, provide the body with the keys to heal and protect itself.  Psychoaromacology is a very promising method of treatment and provides immediate relief as well as long term healing.  Mental health and nutrition are not a separate entity.  They are interlinked and one in the same body (literally), therefore need to be treated as such and nature has provided so many solutions. The research is there, and it is scientifically proven.  Practical application takes education and dedication, however the results are life long and invaluable.

Essential Oils Fighting Cancer

From http://www.budwigcenter.com/essential-oils.php

Everything has an electrical frequency or vibration, including food, our bodies, and even disease that can be measured in Megahertz (MHz). Frequency is defined as a measurable rate of electrical flow that is constant between any two points. 

Interestingly enough, the frequency of essential oils are actually some of the highest frequencies known to man. They create an environment in which disease, bacteria, virus, fungus, etc., cannot live and are several times greater than the frequencies of herbs and foods. Therefore no anti-tumor program would be complete without the introduction of the appropriate essential oils. 

A healthy body, from head to foot, typically has a frequency ranging from 62 to 78 MHz, while disease begins at 58Hz. During some testing with frequency and the frequency of essential oils it was measured that: Holding a cup of coffee dropped one man's frequency from 66 Hz to 58 MHz in just 3 seconds. It took three days for his frequency to return to normal. 

Another man drank the coffee and his frequency dropped from 66 MHz to 52 MHz. After inhaling the pure therapeutic grade essential oil, his frequency returned to 66 MHz in just 21 seconds. 

In another case: A man's frequency dropped from 65 MHz to 48 MHz when he simply held a cigarette. When he smoked the cigarette, his frequency dropped to 42 MHz, the same frequency as a tumor. 

Other studies show that: Negative thoughts lower our frequency on average 12 MHz. Positive thoughts raises our frequency on average 10 MHz. 

Bruce Tanio, of Tainio Technology and head of the Department of Agriculture at Eastern Washington University, has developed a Calibrated Frequency Monitor (CFM) that has been used to measure the frequencies of essential oils and their effect on human frequencies when applied to the body. ------ Essential Oils laboratory uses a CFM, and another is located at Johns Hopkins University where it is used to study frequency in relationship to disease. 

Frequency Of Foods: Fresh foods and herbs can actually be a bit higher if grown organically and eaten freshly picked): Fresh Foods 20 - 27 MHz, Fresh Herbs 20 -27 MHz, Dried Herbs 15 - 22 MHz, Processed/Canned Foods 0 MHz 

Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils begin at 52 and go as high as 320 MHz! For example: Rose 320 MHz, Helichrysum 181 MHz, Frankincense 147 MHz, Ravensara 134 MHz, Lavender 118 MHz, Myrrh 105 MHz, German Camomile 105 MHz, Juniper 98 MHz, Sandalwood 96 MHz, Angelica 85 MHz, Peppermint 78 MHz 

Essential oils...part of the BUDWIG CENTER Protocol

There are plenty of essential oils being sold, however most are of poor quality, synthetically produced and diluted with alcohol and other additives. To be effective only 100% pure therapeutic grade quality essential oils must be used, otherwise you will not obtain the health benefits and in addition you need to change the combination every week with the right proportions of each of the oils.  

Robert 0. Becker, M.D., the author of the book, The Body Electric validates that the human body has an electrical frequency and that much about a person’s health can be determined by it. Nikola Tesla said that if you could eliminate certain outside frequencies that interfered in our bodies, we would have greater resistance toward disease. Dr. Otto Warburg was a two-time Nobel Laureate and winner of the Nobel Prize for tumor research, for discovering that human cells have an electrical voltage. 

Beyond a doubt, certain frequencies can prevent the development of disease and other frequencies would destroy diseases. Substances of higher frequency will destroy diseases of lower frequency. 

Based on VEGA test readings the right essential oils that are best suited to restore your health can be determined. Some of the most effective essential oils that have been found effective for degenerative diseases and tumor control: are Frankincense, Lavender, Myrrh, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemongrass. 

Dr. Johanna Budwig was born 30 September 1908, and died 19 May 2003. She was a genius and it is no wonder that she was a seven-time alternative Nobel Prize nominee. Her legend lives on as people overcome Degenerative Diseases and tumor activity and other serious illnesses as bases of their treatment, the famous Budwig Muesli comprised of flaxseed oil and quark (cottage cheese). Dr. Budwig was a qualified pharmacologist, chemist and physicist with a doctorate in physics who worked as the chief expert-consultant for drugs and fats at the former Bundesanstalt fur Fettforschung (Federal Institute for Fats Research).

Dr. Budwig was not only a researcher, but also a writer. She authored numerous books as well as numerous scientific papers and treatises in which she published her findings on the critical importance of the right fatty acids and the deleterious effect of the wrong fats on human health.

Vanderbilt Hospital ER Uses Essential Oils