The Amazing World Of Essential Oils
By: Dr. Peggy Malone
Up until a few months ago, I didn’t really know a lot about essential oils.
I had heard that Oregano oil was good to use if you had a cold or sickness coming on and I have occasionally used Tea Tree oil (melaluca essential oil) for blemishes on my face.
Outside of that, I didn’t have any knowledge or opinions of essential oils one way or the other.
In the past year I met an amazing woman in my business coaching group named Angela Brooks. She is a psychiatric nurse, an author, a blogger and an all round cool lady
She introduced my to essential oils in a whole new way and I’ve learned some amazing things and had some pretty cool experiences.
I am always filled with curiosity as to ‘WHY’ something works. So of course, I did some research.
What exactly is an Essential Oil?
Plants contain complex and powerful substances known as essential oils. These are aromatic liquids derived from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. These distinctive components defend plants from insects, harsh environmental conditions, and disease. They are also vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve, and adapt to its surroundings. Referred to as the essence of the plant, pure essential oils not only protect the plant, but also determine its aroma.
Essential oils have been used throughout time dating back to 4500 BC. From perfumes and aromatherapy to cooking and medicinal purposes, essential oils have been used in everyday life for centuries. In modern days, research shows that pure essential oils can provide similar benefits to humans and animals that they give to plants.
The way it was explained to me is that these oils are medicine from plants. They are the same ingredients which many of the pharmaceutical drugs that a lot of people take are based on….however….in a much safer form.
How do you use Essential Oils?
There are three basic ways to use essential oils: inhalation, topical application, and internal consumption.
In all cases but especially when it comes to internal consumption, it’s a good idea to ensure that you are using only pure essential oils, proven safe and labeled as dietary supplements.
My experience with Essential Oils:
The first oil that I was introduced to was Peppermint Essential Oil.
Angela put a drop of it in my water glass. I took one sip and I was hooked. It’s a zingy sensation that is better than a caffeine fix at the drowsy after lunch sleepy time.
This simple trick has helped me to stop drinking coffee and more importantly, relying on it to keep me stimulated and awake.
I have since learned that peppermint essential oil can also be used topically if you have an headache. A drop on the temples, between the eyes and even on the back of the neck helps it to vanish.
It can be used in the same way if you have sore achy muscles anywhere on the body. I have found this to be a great help in recovery after a run or training!
That one tiny drop in my water has also helped with my digestive system!
The second oil that I was introduced to was Thieves Essential Oil Blend.
Simply stated, this stuff is amazing!
It was created based on the historical account of four thieves in France who protected themselves from the Black Plague with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing victims of the killer disease.
When captured, they were offered a lighter sentence in exchange for their secret recipe.
It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health. I use it when I feel the edges of a sore throat coming on. I put a few drops on my tongue as well as dilute a drop in olive oil and massage it on my throat and I feel almost immediately better.
This amazing stuff has helped me to completely avoid sickness this year (knock wood) despite the fact that I work in a busy office and come in contact with sick people every day!!
The third oil I was introduced to was Lavender Essential Oil.
I had heard that Lavender was helpful for relaxation and sleep. My spouse, John has a terrible time with sleep. I massaged a few diluted drops of the lavender oil onto his feet and shoulders before bed and he slept really well.
In fact, the next day he told me that the ‘jungle juice’ that I rubbed on him was amazing stuff!
Lavender has other great benefits as well. It helps to calm the symptoms of allergies, aids in the healing of cuts and bruises, and can be emotionally uplifting when inhaled.
Living essential oils are life-enhancing gifts from the plant kingdom, revered since antiquity for their restorative properties to body, mind, and spirit.
Now pure essential oils are re-emerging as a key solution to the challenges facing modern lifestyles. They deliver positive benefits to the body through smell, through direct absorption into the skin, and by normal digestive processes.
They help to bring balance to all systems of the body.
These amazing essential oils have been such a great addition to my health and wellness routine. Since that first introduction, I have been experimenting with and discovering the benefits of many other essential oils and I felt that it was important to share this discovery with you!
If you would like to know more about essential oils or if you would like to know where to purchase them, leave me a comment below or click here for more information. The oils I have described here are from Young Living Essential Oils.
Here’s to your good health.
Live Well,
Peggy
Dr. Peggy Malone is a Chiropractor and an Athlete who helps other athletes to overcome injury and get back to their sport. Her weekly Television Series 'Living Well" inspires people from all walks of life to take control of their health to be as happy and as healthy as they can be.
A former varsity Basketball and Rugby player, she has since entered the world of endurance athletics where she has completed 2 Ironman Triathlons, 3 Marathons, several Half Marathons and many other Triathlons, Road Races and Off-Road Adventure races of varying distances.
Her own athletic endeavors and injuries have given her valuable insight into working with athletes in her practice for both the care of injuries as well as for the improvement of athletic performance.
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