Essential Oils. For years I thought they were only for aromatherapy and as such, were….how do I put this…….bunk. I’m beginning to change my attitude, but only just.
I’ve seen posts on websites and blogs by people swearing that essential oils cured them of any and everything. I’ve read people’s claims that essential oils were the be-all and end-all of alternative medicine. Ummm…….yeah.
Ok, so why am I so not on the band wagon for essential oils? Afterall, I’m all for using herbal medicine and I totally believe herbs can work as well or better than pharmaceuticals for some ailments. And aren’t essntial oils made from herbs and spices?
I suppose part of my problem is that my original introduction to essential oils was in the form of aromatherapy. Sorry, but I really don’t believe that difusing a particular scent into my home is going to keep the norovirus at bay. Nor do I believe that breathing in a particular scent is going to reduce my high blood pressure. So, I’m skeptical. Feel free to change my mind.
Now, however, folks are using essential oils topically and internally. Now here’s where I could buy into some real medicinial qualities. But…..I’m still skeptical.
It could be that I’ve seen too many “fights” over which brand of essential oil is the better one to use. Most of what I’ve seen are sold from MLMs. Yuck. If it’s such a good product why is it not on a store shelf? Why do I have to go through a representative to buy it or sign up with your company to buy it? Again, skeptical.
Ok, confession. I’ve bought some essential oils to use in my cleaning products and in my toiletries. I haven’t bought any from any MLM’s, so I might get ripped for buying “inferior” quality products, but they seem to have worked just fine for what I used them for. I’ve also just placed an order to get a few more so I can make my own version of an ancient Chinese balm sold in stores that we seem to go through tons of here. So, no I’m not adverse to using them.
However, I’d love some education. Some good, non-biased, education on how and when and where to use essential oils. I’ve looked for books on the subject and quite honestly haven’t found anything I’m willing to spend my money on yet. I’d love some education from people who use them who are NOT affiliated with ANY MLM’s. I don’t want to know how good “your” particular product is. I want to know how to use the darn things to their best advantage. If there is a “best advantage”.
I’d love more ammunition to my can’t-get-to-the-doctor-can’t-afford-the-doctor arsenal. Essential oils might be that ammunition, but I need more education.
What’s your take on essential oils? Are you someone who can further my education?
Linking to: Barn Hop, The Welcoming House
Heavensdaughter's Blog 
Jan 24, 2013 @ 15:37:50
Another real problem I have is with the labeling. Just in the past few days I have been listening to news that a very large percentage of food labels are complete fraud. After all these years of govt. safety laws, etc. how can this still be going on? If the foods we buy from the store can’t be trusted how can I believe the labels on the unregulated herbs and oils, vitamins, etc.?
Jan 28, 2013 @ 13:58:35
I’m with you there sister, (so to speak) I would like a book or web site that lists the oil AND what it can do and recipes to use it in! Check out the Bulk apothecary.com site they have ALOT of things at very good prices. Who trusts the government to do any thing anyways. All they are pros at is wasting our money and making more laws to cover the same laws we already have on the books!
Jan 28, 2013 @ 15:12:46
There are a bunch of us asking the same questions. Feel free to join us starting this Friday. I am sure we are all on a learning curve somewhere in regards to EOs. https://www.facebook.com/groups/learningaboutEOs/433170736749685/?notif_t=group_comment_reply
Jan 28, 2013 @ 15:41:45
Cool! Thanks!
Jan 28, 2013 @ 16:36:30
For years I’ve used herbal tinctures for our family’s health needs, and they were effective. But the past year or so I have started using essential oils, especially topically, and have been amazed at the results. I rarely use tictures anymore. Peppermint oil has become my favorite and most used EO, and I buy a large bottle of NOW brand from the health food store, which is much less expensive.
For sore throats we rub it on the throat. For coughs we also rub it on the chest and rib cage, then cover with a thick towel to help penetration. For drippy noses we rub it into the sinuses beside our nose (but stay far from eyes!). It helps headaches and fever control to rub it into strategic points on the forehead and temples. We use it with coconut oil for oil pulling when fighting the flu or tooth infections (http://www.livereadynow.com/when-there-is-no-dentist-part-two-of-three/).
But my favorite and possibly most effective method to get it into the bloodstream quickly is to rub it on the bottoms of both feet and wear socks to keep the “heat” in. This is the most effective remedy yet for my one daughter with bronchial issues. If she is coughing at night that usually takes care of it.
I know there may be danger of toxins because they are unregulated, although I have come to trust NOW as much as any brand. I know the MLM’s claim differently, but…maybe someone else can shed more light on that issue.
Jan 28, 2013 @ 18:33:41
Thank you for the information and the link. I really appreciate it.
Jan 31, 2013 @ 21:35:19
I use cheaper oils for cleaning (like GNC orange oil) but I have purchased Young Living and Mountain Rose oils for medicinal uses. I made a eucalyptus rosemary rub to use in place of Vicks and it is phenomenal. It has taken me years to start using oils though. I’m cautious, since I don’t have the cash to experiment with something I’m not sure about. Baby steps.
Jan 31, 2013 @ 22:33:43
I like the idea of baby steps. I too, don’t have a lot of money to experiment. Thanks for the idea for the Vicks alternative!
Feb 01, 2013 @ 17:49:06
Here’s how I use essential oils.
Tea tree and peppermint essential oil in my homemade tooth powder.
Tea tree and lavender in my homemade shampoo.
Eucalyptus and peppermint in a small vial dropped over rock salt makes a wonderful ‘inhaler’ for stuffy sinuses.
Lemongrass and tea tree in filtered water with vinegar makes a natural cleaner.
Eucalypus and peppermint in a homemade “Vicks” vapor rub.
I use lavender and rose in my homemade night time moisturizer. I use lavender in my morning moisturizer.
I used tea tree in my garlic antibiotic salve.
Most of my information came from Frugally Sustainable.
Here’s another really good site http://www.commonsensehome.com/preparing-for-cold-and-flu-season-with-essential-oils/
Feb 01, 2013 @ 23:32:52
Woohoo! Thank you, thank you!!! Great information. And thank you for the link as well. I’m off and running!
Feb 08, 2013 @ 20:58:53
I like this book a lot: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Essential-Oils-Aromatherapy/dp/0931432820/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360356943&sr=8-1&keywords=ann+worwood
It has recipes for nearly everything you can think of. I keep it in the kitchen and refer to it often. You may be able to borrow a copy from your library to see if you would like it.
I’ve learned a lot about EOs from different blogs, and started using them in soapmaking. Now I use them nearly every day, from applying a little tea tree oil on a pimple to adding lavender to a homemade air freshener. The possibilities are endless.
Feb 09, 2013 @ 01:15:40
Thanks! I’ll have to check that one out.
Jun 27, 2013 @ 04:06:31
I clean with water, vinegar, lemon, peppermint, and tea tree. Lemon helps get rid of the nasty dirt, peppermint kills bacteria and smells fresh, and tea tree kills mold. I also sometimes add cinnamon to help kill some types of viruses.
Jun 28, 2013 @ 00:56:11
Interesting. I also clean with vinegar and water with citrus eo’s. I hadn’t thought to use peppermint. Tea tree smells so strong I’ve been a little leary of using it to clean. Great to know about the cinnamon. Thanks for the information!
Mar 23, 2014 @ 23:38:47
Interesting but my question is when people can go online and find all the information they could ever want, why did I decide to do a class on essential oils?
Cheers,
Nancy
http://www.megaoils.com