Using Essential Oils

I have used essential oils on myself and family for years...off and on. But it wasn't until about a month ago that I started using them regularly. I went to a presentation that an acquaintance of mine was doing and she inspired me. She also educated me enough to make me realize--again--how much I have to learn about this whole side of health and wellness.

For those who are unfamiliar with essential oils, what exactly are they? Basically, they're very concentrated extracts from plants.

Most people have heard of aromatherapy, and I think most people have the idea that it's just something "nice." Period. After all, how much can a smell do to you? While I already knew that essential oils can truly help people heal and feel better, I'm learning that I have previously completely underestimated their power and effectiveness. And, as long as you're using a pure form of the oil (no fillers, perfumes, or other chemicals--including pesticides), they can even be taken internally.

Some cool things I have learned:

• The bottoms of the feet are one of the best places to topically apply essential oils because there are so many pores there. It takes less than a minute for the oils to be absorbed into the cells and spread all the way up the body. In fact, often you can smell it on the breath very soon after applying it to the feet!

• Essential oils are 50-70 times more powerful than herbs.

• Essential oils kill viruses and bacteria because, unlike antibiotics, they can penetrate cell membrane. This is especially happy information for me, since our oldest daughter has historically gotten so many viruses, which are very frustrating from a medical standpoint.

I feel more empowered the more I learn about how to use specific essential oils, for they each have their own special properties and strengths. The reason I say empowered is because I have so often felt helpless when my children are sick and I have tried everything I know to get them well (or keep them well). Especially with my oldest, all the doctors we've been to over the years have said the same thing, which is that basically there's nothing that can be done, it will just take time. As a parent, that is maddening and can lead one to feel despair! But using the information I am gaining about essential oils, I feel I can better strengthen my family's immune systems and help our own bodies heal themselves. After all, God created our bodies and created all the plants in our world to help us care for them.

One place I like to go to learn more is builddoterra.com. If you click on "Education" it will take you to a page where there are audio classes you can listen to on certain topics, led by a medical professional. The site also has information sheets you can download and print off. It's awesome; I love learning about this stuff!