Love my Frank!

from http://draxe.com/frankincense-oil-cancer/

Frankincense Oil: A Natural Treatment for Cancer?

Tradition tells us that the magi (three wise men) gave the infant King of Israel gifts of gold to honor his royalty, frankincense as a perfume and myrrh for anointing oil.

Although there probably is some truth to this, other sources claim that the wise men from the Far East were actually being more practical by giving the baby Jesus these precious, costly essential oils that could double up as potential medical remedies.

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Frankincense Benefits

For over 5,000 years, frankincense has had many vital uses that go well beyond just being an anointing oil. It was used to support the immune system, fight infection and cure disease, even as a potential natural treatment for cancer. Today, the most common frankincense benefits include:

• Reduces inflammation
• Cancer-fighting properties
• Spiritual awareness
• Boosts immunity
• Fights infections
• Improves anxiety
• Heals skin and reduces acne and scarring

Research conducted by the University of Leicester in the U.K. has rekindled the theory that the “wise men” weren’t just bringing wealth to Jesus, but medicine — for it “demonstrated the potential of treating ovarian cancer using the Christmas gift frankincense.” (1)

Using the compound AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), the Omani government-funded research has for the first time shown frankincense’s ability to target cancer cells in late-stage ovarian cancer patients. Lead researcher Kamla Al-Salmani explained:

After a year of studying the AKBA compound with ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro, we have been able to show it is effective at killing the cancer cells. Frankincense is taken by many people with no known side effects. This finding has enormous potential to be taken to a clinical trial in the future and developed into an additional treatment for ovarian cancer.

Bear in mind that this research concerned Boswellic acid — a water soluble compound that is only found in the powder form of frankincense. However, there are other compounds found in frankincense oil that have been show to be beneficial in test tubes when treating cancer cells.

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Potential Cancer-Killing Properties of Frankincense

Used because of its anti-inflammatory properties, frankincense, also known as Boswellia serrata, has been a favorite folk medicine for several health concerns, including asthma, gastroenteritis and skin conditions.

New research, like the University of Leicester study, has recently suggested that frankincense’s disease-targeting power may be even more encompassing than previously suspected. Successfully linking AKBA as a potential treatment for brain, breast, colon, pancreatic, prostate and stomach cancers, research trials are filling medical journals like Carcinogenesis and PLoS One about boswellia serrata’s cancer-targeting prowess. (2, 3)

According to researchers out of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, the potential cancer-killing properties of frankincense are due in part to it regulating cellular epigenetic machinery, which highlights its ability to influence genes to promote healing.

Baylor cancer scientists emphasize that this potency makes Boswellia a viable candidate for both cancer prevention and treatment.

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Natural Treatment of Cancer with Frankincense Oil 

People who have added Boswellia serrata into their natural health cancer care plan may find themselves experiencing double-benefits from this amazing essential oil.

For many cancer patients, there’s a time when the treatment becomes worse than the cancer itself. It is as this point that quality of life and symptom suppression is the focal point for many diagnosed with this deadly disease. Debilitating in-and-of itself, often the cancer treatment side effects can make having cancer absolutely miserable.

Take, for instance, brain cancer patients who experience cerebral edema (swelling in the head) after having their tumors irradiated. Typically, these people are treated withdexamethasone and other corticosteroids to control the swelling, but this is done at a great cost because the deadly complications of steroids are limitless.

Unfortunately, these people suffer toxic overload from the drugs that are supposed to help them in the first place and get headaches, migraines, and may even deal with blurred vision because of the steroid treatments.

Thankfully, frankincense offers a natural, viable solution to this horrible issue. Back in 2011, the journal Cancer published the results of a 44 person clinical trial evaluating how brain swelling was effected by frankincense. (4)

Astoundingly, 60 percent of the patients displayed 75 percent reduction or greater in cerebral swelling after being treated with 4,200 milligrams per day of frankincense. 

These results are so significant that scientists are urging the medical community to consider prescribing this potent essential oil instead of steroids for cancer patients assigned to radiation treatment.

We hope this spreads like wildfire within cancer treatment circles. Who knows what could happen if more people utilized this frankincense oil as a cancer natural treatmentapproach. As we’ve seen above, if Boswellia serrata can kill cancer cells and prevent tumors from growing, the sky’s the limit for folks who follow natural health guidelines.

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Frankincense Benefits Immune Function

A growing body of research has recently unlocked the doors to our understanding of why frankincense benefits our health. In a study published by Phytotherapy Research, for instance, when mice took 1–10 milligrams of Boswellia serrata orally, it was discovered that multiple levels of their immune systems were stimulated including (5):

• Delayed hypersensitivity reaction (early 24 hours, delayed 48 hours)
• IgG
• IgM
• Cytokines (interferon gamma, interleukin-4, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha)
• T-cell interactions (i.e. CD4/CD8, which are generally low in AIDS patients)

In layman’s terms, frankincense can significantly boost the immune system. Two fundamental ways this is accomplished is by proliferating lymphocytes (white blood cells, which are the body’s primary defense team) and by keeping inflammation at bay (which is arguably the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases).

This may also explain why frankincense is so effective in treating autoimmune conditions like bronchial asthma, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

Implement frankincense into your natural health regimen today and see how frankincense benefits your immune function. This essential oil can be used in diffusers with ease to treat respiratory conditions, or you can use it as an essential oil or salve directly on your skin.

Finally, you can also take frankincense (Boswellia) as a supplement with a few essential oil drops placed under your tongue, on the roof of your mouth or in powdered capsule form for treatment of many health conditions.


from http://www.davidwolfe.com/essential-oils-brain-injuries-what-not-being-told/

ESSENTIAL OILS AND BRAIN INJURIES: WHAT YOU ARE NOT BEING TOLD!

Have you ever walked into a store or house and instantly felt relaxed? This happens to me whenever I walk into any health food store. I get an immediate feeling of calm and happiness. The smell evokes memories from childhood and visiting the health food store with my parents.

The sense of smell is a very powerful one. Smell is the only sense that is directly linked to the limbic system. The limbic center is the part of the brain that controls emotional, physical, and psychological responses. Whenessential oils are used to heal, their aroma plays a big part in that healing.

In studies performed in Vienna and Berlin Universities, researchers discovered that sesquiterpenes, a natural compound found in essential oils of Vetiver, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and Frankincense, can increase levels of oxygen in the brain by up to 28 percent. This increase in oxygen to helps the brain heal and resolve many issues. It can improve learning and concentration while also helping to support immune and hormonal balances. An added bonus is that is can also lead to higher energy levels.

A study performed on students with ADHD ages 11-12 showed positive results when essential oils were used. It was very noticeable that both the oils and the relaxation improved concentration. Students definitely stayed calmer, longer, and recovered quickly from upsets. There were fewer disruptions to lessons. In the same study, a blend of frankincense, chamomile Roman, lavender, bergamot, and mandarin was made. This combination helped ease panic attacks and feelings of anxiety in an ADHD client.

It was discovered in the late 80s that the amygdala plays a role in storing and releasing emotional trauma. Essential oils and therapy can now be used to help repair emotional trauma. They have little side effects, compared to their pharmaceutical counterparts, which means they may be safer for healing trauma.

Any head trauma or injury is taken very seriously, and for good reasons. Whether it is a mild concussion or surgery, the healing process is usually very long. Frankincense essential oil can gently aid in the healing of the brain because it increases the amount of oxygen that flows to the brain. With more oxygen, comes quicker and better healing.

When essential oils increase oxygen in the brain, the pineal and pituitary glands also benefit greatly. The extra oxygen promotes better memory and emotional releases.

Jasmine essential oil is one of the most popular oil used in aromatherapy. Its effects have been shown with great promise when treating depression. One study showed that it soothed nerves, increased confidence, and promoted optimism. It also restored energy and improved memory.

These Essential Oils Are Great for Anxiety:

• Lavender
• Basil
• Clary Sage
• Frankincense
• Ylang-Ylang

These Essential Oils Are Great for Treating Depression:

• Bergamot
• Clary Sage
• Jasmine
• Lemon
• Mandarin

These Essential Oils Help With Stress Relief

• Geranium
• Lemon
• Sandalwood
• Roman Chamomile

When diffusing add a few drops to a cold diffuser and breathe in the vapor. You can also put a drop on your hands, warm and inhale the fumes.

It is important to use 100% Therapeutic grade essential oils. The oils are laboratory tested and free from impurities. Only 100% Therapeutic essential oils should be used for healing purposes. Also, remember a little bit goes a long way. Consult a doctor if problems become more severe.

Oils for Focus

Max update #3

A quick update. We've been using my Max blend for a couple of weeks now. I haven't been using it on weekends or when Max isn't at school. Not even sure why not. I should - ha.

Anyway, he still has issues with bolting from me whenever he sees the opportunity and I'm going to try a new oil that I just picked up today, called Determination.

However, today he had a speech therapy appointment. We haven't had one in a few weeks. And I was actually amazed. He had a GREAT session. He sat and focused for 25 minutes before getting up from the table, grabbing the telephone, hiding under the computer desk and grabbing books of the shelf. AND, he spoke the word "happy" several times. I have never heard him say that word! And I got it on video after we got in the car!!! 

And then I made the connection... in the past couple weeks he has been imitating a lot more words with his therapists, even his kindergarten teacher mentioned his being more verbal. The oils??? I hope so!!!

Max Update 2

Sooo, I went to Max's parent teacher conference today. His teacher mentioned that in the past week or so she has really noticed that he is attending much more. She again mentioned that he will go to the white board and then go sit back down. I commented that he must be getting used to the routine... but on my way home I thought.... oh, maybe it's the oils! hmmmm... Even if that is the case, which would be great, the real issue I'm hoping to address is the eloping... soooo... yeah... hmmm.

Max Update 1

OK, so I've been meaning to post an update as to how the essential oils are working for Max... 

I started by applying Vetiver on his chest and back of neck (mostly because I forgot to put it on the bottom of his feet before I got his socks and shoes on). Monday - he didn't go to school because he had speech therapy and ABA therapy that day. His ST commented that he was more verbal than usual. But he totally lacked any focus whatsoever in that session and was bouncing off the walls  ...... 

So Tuesday, again just the Vetiver on his chest and back of the neck. He sat really calmly at breakfast (at school). I really noticed a difference... and then he bolted - ha... 

Wednesday, didn't notice much of a difference. 

Thursday, I couldn't find the bottle of Vetiver. Grr. 
Still missing on Friday.... 
Found it finally on Sunday! Yay. 

So, started over with the new week. Monday, applied the Vetiver along with a little Lavender, again to the chest and back. School didn't mention anything, but his ABA therapist mentioned how well he did in his afternoon session. 

Tuesday, again with the Vetiver and Lavender on his feet (yay, I remembered before I put on his socks!) and chest. He did ok at breakfast not trying to bolt, but did want to move his tray around - kept sliding it down the table until he was sitting at the end spot. When I picked him up, his teacher said she was amazed at his compliance today! He did very well at taking turns, AND went and sat in his seat between turns 3 times in a row without prompting. This is huge for him. Oils or coincidence? Not sure yet. 

I am going to add Ylang Ylang starting next Monday to see if we get more of a difference then. Stay tuned 

Vetiver for Calming (ADHD)

From http://yoursacredcalling.com/commonscentsmom/quieting-the-mind-with-vetiver/

The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour which doth in it live. - Shakespeare’s Sonnet 54

A few years ago, I started using therapeutic grade vetiver essential oil on one of my daughters who often struggles with sensory issues. She loves it, and it smells so nice. I use it now, too, but I’ll get to that in a minute. When we first opened the bottle, we weren’t sure what we thought; but, once we applied it, we were captivated by the mysterious scent, and found that we really loved it!

Vetiver is a very thick, dark and syrupy essential oil. The aroma is earthy, sweet, and full of life. It reminds me of an early morning walk through a lush green forest filled with damp grasses and wild herbs. Like myrrh, vetiver oil has excellent fixative properties; therefore, it is often used in perfumes.

Vetiver has a calming and soothing effect on the central nervous system and is a wonderful oil to help quiet an overactive, exhausted, or stressed mind.  It is also said to be a good choice in helping to control anger, irritability, or neurotic behavior, as well as helping with insomnia.

Recently, while researching essential oils commonly used for treating ADD/ADHD and Autism, vetiver kept coming up. Many people feel very strongly that vetiver oil (along with several other choice oils) is making a huge difference in the lives of children with such disorders.

In the following study conducted in 2001 by Dr. Terry Friedman, several essential oils were used to treat ADD and ADHD. Vetiver was found to be the most effective in observations and brain wave scans – showing improvements in 100% of subjects! Cedarwood essential oil was 83% effective, and lavender 53%.

CASE STUDY DR. TERRY FRIEDMAN, M.D. This case study was conducted for two years, from 1999-2001. Using Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years. Twenty subjects not diagnosed with ADD/ADHD were used as the control group.

Twenty subjects with a confirmed diagnoses of ADD/ADHD were used as the study group. Each group was pre-tested using a baseline evaluation with real time EEG and The T.O.V.A. Scale. The essential oils chosen for the case study were Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood and Brain Power (a blend of Frankincense, Sandalwood, Melissa, Cedarwood, Blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum.) The oils were administered in this fashion: one of the oils were administered by inhalation 3 times a day for 30 days.

An inhalation device was also used at night to administer a continuous inhalation of oil. The subject then inhaled when needed, about 3 times during the day when they began to feel “scattered”. The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the brainwaves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns.

Each subject was tested on each oil for 30 days and then reevaluated by testing. Then another oil was used for 30 days and reevaluated, until each of the oils had been tested. Lastly, oil combinations were used, each for a 30 day period. (Brain Power with Lavender, with Cedarwood, and Vetiver.) The final results were: Lavender increased performance by 53%, Cedarwood increased performance by 83% and Vetiver increased performance by 100%. This study was published in the American Medical Association Journal.

Vetiver encourages stimulation of the circulatory system and can help relieve stiffness from arthritis and muscle cramping.  Treat yourself by massaging Vetiver into overworked muscles. It is also said to help heal minor cuts and scrapes more effectively and with less scarring.

Some people add it to their face creams and lotions to revitalize mature, aging skin and rejuvenate wrinkly, irregular skin textures. Others may find it helpful in helping deal with acne or skin blemishes. Vetiver is among the oils highest in sesquiterpenes. Along with helping children control their behavior, it may also help anyone cope with stress, anxiety, or and in recovering from emotional trauma and shock.

Tourette’s Syndrome “I tried the Vetiver for a tic that was bothering my son. I massaged it behind his ears and the tic stopped. I am not sure if you are familiar with Tourette’s, but this is amazing!! He still has his pesky regular ones, but the major annoying body jerking, and the fake hiccup tic that was making him become very upset, was instantly gone within a few seconds of this oil.

“I now want to know everything possible about essential oils!! I have signed up to be a distributor because as soon as I become knowledgeable enough to help my own family, I cannot wait to help others. This is truly a gift from God. “I am so excited to have been introduced to the essential oils as an alternative. I cannot thank you enough for suggesting Vetiver for my son. I never would have imagined something so simple could have helped, and without side effects, FINALLY! Thank you.” – Amanda B.

Why I use Vetiver

Remember the old “Calgon, take me away” commercial in the 70′s? That lady didn’t need a bubble bath; she needed vetiver! Maybe it’s because I’m a bit of an introvert, but I can go on overload when I’m around crowds for too long. I also have the same reaction to loud or chaotic music or noise.

So, when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or one of my children is having a tough time focusing or is feeling overstimulated by his/her surroundings, we apply a little vetiver to the bottoms of our feet and ankles (undiluted). Then we inhale what remains on our hands. I love the relaxing result!

How to Use: Since vetiver is so thick, and because I only use it topically, I go ahead and dilute it with olive or sweet almond oil and put a roller ball on the end to make it easy to apply. You could also purchase individual roller bottles. Then I apply it to the back of my neck and the bottoms of my feet. I also rub some in my palms, add a little Body Lotion, rub together, cup my hands over my nose and inhale deeply. Mmmmm…..

Impulse and Aggression “A miracle? I bought a bottle of vetiver, last year, and used it with my 5-year-old son who has impulse and aggression control problems. It didn’t seem to help, noticeably, so it sat in a drawer, unused. This summer has been TOUGH and I have been at my wits end.

This afternoon, I walked into the kitchen and it smelled like a vetiver factory! My son had gotten into the oil and boy was he aromatic! BUT we had the sweetest evening I can remember in over a year! He volunteered to take his bath, got out and dried off with no fuss, crawled in my lap and we snuggled while watching a show (of my choosing!). He happily went to bed and fell asleep after just one story!

Was it the vetiver factory or a fluke? Well, I guarantee Mr. Vetiver will join us tomorrow again!! I wonder if I just didn’t use enough least year, and it didn’t help noticeably?” - Susie Y.

Even if you don’t think you need vetiver yourself, it’s a good oil to have on hand when friends come to visit! You never know who you may wind up helping! And what a great gift idea for an overwhelmed mom (thanks, Amy Maus and Tonya Patterson)! Spread the love!

By the way, I am not a doctor – just a mom who uses essential oils in her own family. Please know that any information provided on The Common Scents Mom is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.

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.