The word "aromatherapy" refers to the healing powers of the essential oils of aromatic plants. It is an ancient art; evidence indicates the use of oils in the early civilizations of Egypt, Babylon, Israel, Greece, China, and India. There are many references to the healing properties of essential oils in Egyptian hieroglyphics, Chinese manuscripts, and the Bible. Among those mentioned are myrrh, spikenard, rosemary, and hyssop. Later, English manuscripts from 14th and 15th centuries refer to herbal oils. Essential oils are derived from a variety of plant parts, for example rose flower, eucalyptus leaf, orange fruit, cinnamon bark, gingerroot, and fennel seed. The oils are extracted from the plant in as natural and noninvasive a way as possible in order to preserve the integrity of the oil. The most commonly used method is distillation; another is pressing. Robert Tisserand said, "Essential oils are like the blood of a person. They are not the whole plant, but are whole, organic substances in themselves. The are like the personality, or spirit, of the plant. The essential oil is the most ethereal and subtle part of the plant, and its therapeutic action takes place on a higher, more subtle level than that of the whole, organic plant, or its extract, having in general a much more pronounced effect on the mind and emotions than herbal medicine." As we know, oxygen is essential to human life; without it we die. If its availability and its distribution in our human body are limited for any reason, our health will suffer. Every cell needs a required level of oxygen to function optimally. Without it, the ability of the cell to function is compromised. At the most basic of levels, without oxygen our cells cannot assimilate nutrients and malnutrition results. As cells are the building blocks of all our body systems, malfunction at the cellular level inevitably reflects itself in malfunctioning of the whole organism, which may look like anything from less than optimal well-being to advanced disease. Oils, like the blood in the body, are the carriers of oxygen in the plant. Research indicates that oils have the ability to increase the oxygen level in the body, increase immune functioning, detoxify, regenerate, and increase the frequency of the human being. Among the many other properties attributed to various oils are the ability to fight bacteria, viruses, parasites, microbes, and infections; relieve pain; relieve gas; induce menstruation; aid digestion; and tonify (strengthen) specific organs. On the level of mind/emotions and spirit, oils can address issues such as lack of self-confidence, anger and frustration, anxiety, depression, withdrawal, indecision, grief, and worry. Oils can be classified according to their chemistry, their affinity with specific body parts, their therapeutic properties, their relationship with specific planets, their temperature, where they fall on the yin/yang spectrum, and their resonance with specific chakras. Some oils have more of an affinity with the physical body and others with the subtle bodies. For example, rosemary is a common medicinal herb. Its ruling planet is the sun. It's hot, dry, and stimulating, traditionally used medicinally to strengthen the nerves and memory and warm the heart. Essential oil of rosemary was first distilled in the 13th century and is referred to frequently in the old classic herbal texts. Among the properties attributed to the essential oil of rosemary, from the Western point of view: cordial (heart tonic), anti-spasmodic (relieves smooth muscle spasm), hypertensor (lowers blood pressure), stimulant (increases metabolism), diuretic (increases urination), emmenagogue (induces menstruation), expectorant (releases catarrh), cephalic (relates to the head), and nervine (nerve tonic). Among the conditions it treats, from a Western point of view, are arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, poor blood and lymphatic circulation, scanty periods, mental fatigue, debility, migraine and nervous disorders, edema, and respiratory disorders. Gabriel Mojay (known for his integrative approach to using essential oils in the context of Oriental medicine) describes rosemary as "one of the most valuable and invigorating of essences...an excellent tonic of the body’s yang energy, able in addition to promote the circulation of both qi energy and blood." It energizes the qi (or chi, i.e. life force) energy of the heart, and so eases cardiac fatigue, palpitations, low blood pressure, and cold extremities. Due to its action on qi energy and blood, it’s one of the best anti-rheumatic oils, indicated for joint pain that's cold, fixed, and cramped. It increases blood supply to the brain, and is useful for poor concentration and mental debility. Rosemary, renowned for its ability to clear the mind (clairvoyance), resonates with the brow chakra. In ancient Egypt, sprigs of rosemary were burnt as ritual incense to help the pharaohs remember their previous incarnations. Because of its astrological relationship with the sun, the symbol of individuality and vitality, rosemary is a great remedy for those lacking the vital energy of a strong, healthy ego. This aspect of its function implies a relationship with the solar plexus chakra, the center of personal will, responsibility, and intellect. Rosemary counteracts the coldness of withdrawal and self-doubt with the warmth of confidence and healthy self-expression. It represents the archetype of the hero, and also is said to promote longevity. Science continues to make progress in its attempt to bring more light of understanding into the healing powers of essential oils. The following is some interesting information relating to the frequency of the oils, paraphrased from Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley. Bruce Tainio of Tainio Technology and Technique in Cheney, Washington developed new equipment to measure the bio-frequency of humans and foods. Bruce Tainio and Dr. D. Gary Young, a North American expert on essential oils, used this bio-frequency monitor to determine the relationship between frequency and disease. Some of the results are as follows: Human brain, 72-90 MHz Human body, 62-68 MHz Cold symptoms, 58 MHz Flu symptoms, 57 MHz Candida, 55 MHz Epstein-Barr, 52 MHz Cancer, 42 MHz Death begins, 25 MHz Processed/canned food, 0 MHz Fresh produce, up to 15 MHz Dry herbs, 12-22 MHz Fresh herbs, 20-27 MHz Essential oils, 52-320 MHz The application of such high-frequency substances offers us an opportunity for profound healing and release of the negative vibrations that interfere with well-being and health. The following experiment reveals the ability of essential oils to alter human frequency: Two individuals measured at 66 MHz. The first simply held a cup of coffee, and his frequency dropped to 58 MHz in three seconds. After he inhaled an oil blend and removed the coffee, his frequency rose back to 66 MHz after 21 seconds. The second individual took a sip of coffee, and his frequency dropped to 52 MHz in three seconds. It took three days for his frequency to return to normal without the use of oils. (Other experiments revealed the better-known positive impact of positive thoughts, meditation, and prayer on frequency.) Oils can be used in a variety of ways, including topically, as in massage or anointing; inhalations, baths, and foot baths; compresses; in ointments and lotions; and by diffusing the oil into the atmosphere. All these methods allow the oils to enter the bloodstream, from where the oil will be distributed to every cell in the body in approximately 21 minutes. Diffused oils, besides smelling wonderful (mostly), increase negative ions and atmospheric oxygen, destroy unpleasant odors and toxins in the atmosphere, and are currently used in hospitals in Europe to fight airborne microorganisms. Essential oils in general are highly therapeutic and pleasantly aromatic. Some, however, are toxic and contraindicated for various conditions. It's therefore important to consult either a book on aromatherapy or a certified aromatherapist. The best way to find out about the oils is to do some reading and some experimenting. Start with just one or two oils to which you are attracted, start using them, and notice and record their effects. Your response to a particular oil will be unique, so use your intuition and find out what works for you. The oils can provide an endless source of interest, discovery, pleasure, and healing. From ancient times to the present, these quite amazing substances continue to reveal more of themselves and their great healing potential to us, providing us with more accessible medicine for ourselves, our family, and friends. Ruth Donald trained as an aromatherapist in 1987 with Robert Tisserand, a pioneer in the rediscovery of the use of oils for healing. Ruth is currently a distributor for Young Living Oils (high-quality therapeutic-grade oils), and has a healing practice as a SHEN therapist. She may be contacted at (206) 365-5595. |
In this great time of the rebirth of many kinds of ancient knowledge, we are very blessed to have access to a wide variety of substances, practices, and approaches to healing that can profoundly benefit our well-being and health. One such substance currently experiencing a renaissance is the essential oil of plants.