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A Bit of History
Historically, there are many references to the use of essential oils. The early Egyptians used them for medicinal and aromatic purposes, as did the early Turks. In the Middle Ages, they were part of the pharmacopoeia in many European countries. In the early 20th Century, in France, there was a renewed interest in essential oils, due in large part to a Dr. Monciere and Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, Ph.D. Dr. Monciere used essential oils to treat people during World War 1 for their abilities to help wounds heal quickly and to help the body protect itself from bacteria. Dr. Gattefosse began studying essential oils in 1907. His now famous story of lavender essential oil and burns goes like this: He was in the lab and burned himself in an explosion. He plunged his burnt arm into a vat of what he thought was water. It turned out to be lavender essential oil. He observed that the lavender oil sped the healing process and left him without scars. How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils are easily absorbed through our skin due to their molecular structures. In a short time, they can make their way
to the part of the body where they are needed most. They can also be inhaled. Inhaling essential oils stimulates olfactory cells in the nose that send messages to the limbic area of the brain and from there, molecules can travel to other parts of the brain stimulating thought and memory. The limbic part of the brain is where we deal with emotion – this is one reason that scents can trigger memories so quickly. My Approach to Essential Oils
There are many ways to approach essential oil usage. In France, essential oils are a part of the pharmacopoeia. Doctors
and aromatherapists prescribe them to be used topically on the skin, to be inhaled, and to be taken internally. Oils are used for help with physical and emotional issues. The English school of aromatherapy has a more conservative approach to using essential oils. There, it is recommended that oils only be used when diluted with a carrier oil on the skin and they say not to take them internally. In Germany, most of the recommended usage of essential oils is for emotional issues, more than physical. In Egypt and Turkey, they are used more similarly to the French approach. My approach is very like the French. I like to use essential oils in my massage practice, with or without carrier oils. I inhale them; I diffuse them; I take them internally; I massage them on my feet and other areas of my body. I think that each of us has to do our research and discover what works best for us. For more information email Nancy Cebula or call her at 303.499.1607. See Book and Video Reference List for information sources. This information is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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