Essential Oil Therapy As Medicine

Essential oil therapy can be used for a range of physical and emotional wellness applications, either single oils or complex blends all have an impact at the cellular level. Many integrative therapists, EMDR therapists, somatic psychotherapists and wellness practitioners artfully add essential oil therapy to enhance their trauma release sessions, yoga therapy and Reiki practices. 

Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements. I love these oils and use them daily in my life and to enhance my personal yoga practice. When choosing oils, it’s important to work with a company that offers pure therapeutic grade and optimally-sourced Oils.

What is an Essential Oil?

How do we get oils quickly into the system? Through the olfactory nerve, to the pineal, pituitary, amygdala. When you breathe an oil into the system, and through the nasal cavity, it is first picked up by the neurons in the olfactory system, between the eyes at the top of the sinus cavity. Those oil molecules are carried within milliseconds into the center of the brain. Research has shown that the inhalation of Essential Oils into the mid-brain system will cause a secretion of antibodies, as well as endorphins and neurotransmitters. This process directly impacts the immune system in positive ways.

The chemistry of essential oils is very complex: each one may consist of hundreds of different and unique chemical compounds. Moreover, essential oils are highly concentrated and far more potent than dried herbs. The distillation process is what makes essential oils so concentrated. It often requires an entire plant or more to produce a single drop of distilled essential oil. ~Essential Oils Desk Reference Fourth Edition published by Essential Science Publishing

I saw the benefits and healing capability of essential oil therapy in real time over the years when I have volunteered in hospital settings and cancer care. Patients were most enthusiastic to receive the relaxation that followed integrative therapy sessions to help relieve their treatment-related digestive symptoms, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, depression and pain.

Most essential oil practitioners have their own oil alchemy and go-to favorite oils. These are mine:

Vetiver & Sandalwood (sleep & insomnia), Lavender & Jasmine (mood & relaxation), Cyprus (skin brushing), Rose & Frankincense (connection & energy flow ), Geranium (skin & bath)

Some ways that I use essential oils in my daily life…

• Enhanced immunity

• Clarity of my skin and reduction of fine lines

• Psychological & emotional Wellness

• Mental Clarity

• Minor skin abrasions

essential oil use to support your yoga practice and meditation Sessions:

• Grounding – Vetiver, ginger, patchouli, sandalwood and cedarwood

• Energy flow and expression - Myrrh, frankincense, eucalyptus and rosemary

• Calming and relaxing - Lavender, geranium and chamomile

• Nourishing – Bergamot, orange and lemon

• Spiritual – Jasmine, neroli, frankincense, ylang ylang, rose

What follows are conditions that are supported by essential oil use:

Anxiety and stress relief:

• Lemon balm, orange, rose, ylang ylang, geranium, lavender, clary sage, cedarwood

Insomnia:

• Valarian, rutavala, lavender, orange, cardamom, geranium, marjoram, chamomile, ylang ylang, basil, neroli, bergamot, clary sage, sandalwood

Mild depression:

• Jasmine, ylang ylang, orange, grapefruit, citrus fresh, bergamot, frankincense, lemon, neroli, sandalwood, rose, bergamot

Trauma and PTSD

•  Bergamot, cypress, geranium, jasmine, lavender, melissa, neroli, rose, sandalwood, ylang-ylang

ADHD:

• Peppermint, lemon

PMS and hormonal problems

• lavender, peppermint, bergamot, clary sage (check with your doctor)

Single Origin Oils

Basil: Anti-inflammatory, helps intestinal problems, muscle spasms, headaches, and mental fatigue. Dilute with carrier oil.

Bergamot: Analgesic, anti-depressant, anxiety, female hormone balance. Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, allergies, sedative.

Birch: Analgesic, anti-spasmodic, natural cortisone, may give relief to arthritis, bone, joint, and muscle pain. Helps back pain.

Cardamon: Diuretic, anti-bacterial, normalizes appetite, colic, coughs, heartburn, nausea, menstrual period.

Cedar (Canadian red): Anti-bacterial, antiseptic, follicle stimulant, helps dandruff, hair loss, respiratory system.

Cedarwood: Purifies animal odors. Helps cellulite, bronchitis, hair loss, dandruff, and oily hair. Supports lymphatic system.

Chamomile (Roman): Skin care, acne, boils, rashes, and hair care. Helps relieve migraine headaches and inflamed joints.

Cinnamon Bark: Always dilute with carrier oil. Helps with strep and virus conditions. Strengthens circulatory system.

Cistus: Stops viruses from mutating, anti-microbial, works directly on immune system.

Clary Sage: May help PMS and hot flashes, helps regulate hormones and relieves menstrual cramps. Use during labor.

Clove: Used in Egypt to strengthen respiratory system. Improves memory.  Anti-viral helps toothaches and gum pain. Enhances Immunce functioning

Coriander: Cairo University research: lowers glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels, supports pancreas function.

Cypress: Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, lymphatic decongestant. Used for arthritis, bronchitis, circulation, cramps, parasites.

Davana: Anti-infectious, helps dry chapped skin. Stimulates endocrine glands. Treats PMS symptoms.

Dill: Helps lower glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels. Supports bronchial congestion and liver deficiencies.

Eucalyptus: Assists respiratory system, sinuses, flu, and allergies. Helps hypoglycemia and Candida.

Fennel: Assists the adrenal cortex.  Helps break up toxins and fluid in tissues. Balances pituitary, thyroid and pineal glands.

Fir: Known to fight airborne germs and bacteria. Can help reduce symptoms of arthritis, rheumatism and fevers.

Frankincense: Has helped some cases of cancer. Supports the immune system. Has reduced tumors and external ulcers.

Galbanum: Helps wounds, boils and abscesses. Calms mind for meditation.

Geranium: Anti-depressant, may assist dissolving kidney stones.  Helps shingles and ulceration. May be used as deodorant and bug repellant.

Ginger: Anti-parasitic, relieves sprains, breaks up chest congestion, colic and indigestion.  Used for motion sickness and chills.

Grapefruit: Good for acne, flabby arms, reduces cellulite. Relieves water retention.

Helichrysum: Anti-bacterial, reduces bleeding in accidents, skin regenerator, helps repair nerves.

Hyssop: Thins mucous, for bruises, immune stimulator, anti-viral. May help asthma sufferers. Not for children.

Jasmine: Helps childbirth, labor pain, frigidity, and coughs. Anti-spasmodic, muscle spasms and uterine disorders.

Juniper: A nerve stimulator, natural diuretic and cleanser. Reduces dermatitis, eczema and acne.

Lavender: Universal oil, can use pure. May help allergies, all types of burns, ulcers, insomnia, diaper rash. Many more uses.

Lemon: Germicide, purifies air and water. Relives heartburn, anti-parasitic, stimulates white and red blood cell formation.

Lemongrass: Mosquito repellant, helps connective tissue repair and regenerate. Reduces varicose veins. Sedative.

Marjoram: Especially good for tight muscles, may calm spasms and respiratory problems. Insomnia.

Melalueca: Used in war for gangrene and wounds. Can be taken before, during and after radiation treatment.

Melissa: Powerful anti-viral, anti-depressant, skin problems and eczema. Regulates menstrual cycle and calms emotions.

Mountain Savory: Kills all airborne bacteria and viruses. Discovered in 1996 lab studies. Best to diffuse. Anti-bacterial

Myrrh: Helps gum infections, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, wrinkles, and hemorrhoids. Can help abnormal vaginal discharge.

Myrtle: Helps treat hypothyroidism. Used for chronic coughs as an expectorant. Fights colds and flu.

Nutmeg: Good for chronic bowel disorder. Eases digestion difficulties. Good for circulation, gout, flatulence, neuralgia.

Orange: Reduces fluid retention, overcomes sadness, calming to children, aids digestion, mouth ulcers and gas.

Oregano: Strong anti-viral and anti-fungal. It stimulates and helps protect the immune system.

Patchouli: Helps relieve anxiety, influences physical and sexual energies. Used for centuries for skin care and wrinkles.

Peppermint: Keeps one mentally alert and awake. Relieves some headaches. Digestion. Reduces fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Petitgrain: Antiseptic, calming, mood enhancing, helps heartburn, and insomnia. Nerve equilibrium.

Pine: Hormone-like, anti-diabetic, cortisone-like, antiseptic, anti-fungal, used on sore muscles.

Ravensara: From Madagascar – the oil that heals, helps flu and hay fever, respiratory problems and walking cramps.

Rose: Anti-aging, anti-depressant. Great for skin.

Rosemary: Mental stimulant, fights Candida, good for dandruff, helps open bile duct, helps reduce cholesterol.

Rosewood: Known for slowing the aging process. Used for skin care, acne, eczema, vaginitis.

Sage: Oral infection and skin condition. Asthma, bronchitis, menopause, and menstrual irregularities.

Sandalwood: Stimulates pineal and pituitary glands to enhance meditation. Helps with cystitis and urinary tract infections.

Spearmint: Helps to reduce weight. Good for colic, diarrhea, nausea, helps balance metabolism, stimulates gallbladder.

Spikenard: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, used as a deodorant and skin tonic.

Spruce: Helps reduce weight. Beneficial for bone pain, arthritis, rheumatism, aching joints, prostatitis.

Tangerine: Assists dissolving cellulite, improves circulation, treats dizziness, laxative, cleanses the lymphatic system.

Tansy (Blue): Anti-inflammatory, reduces pain, relieves itching, antihistamine and calms nerves.

Tarragon: Relief and balance to intestinal tract. Neuromuscular antispasmodic. Anti-microbial and antiseptic. Colitis, hiccups.

Thyme: Anti-bacterial. Respiratory problems, digestive complaints, treatment for gastritis, bronchitis, asthma, laryngitis.

Valerian: Sedative and tranquilizing to the central nervous system. Treats sleep disorders, insomnia, stress, tension.

Vetiver: Anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory used for arthritis symptoms. Antiseptic, warming properties to help hypothermia.

Ylang Ylang: Anti-depressant, alleviates headaches, hot flashes, and hypertension. Calms the nervous system.