In a few months, I would be going into my 2nd year of using essential oils. Back in our medical training, we really did not have adequate lessons on Natural Health. We may have had a few units on Preventive Medicine but that’s it. And truly during those years in mid 90s, there was a resistance to non Western approaches to health and wellness. Life, however, evolves and we all have begun seeing various approaches that are able to complement traditional, mainstream, allopathic Medicine: diet and supplementation, nutritional healing, herbal, spinal manipulation, yoga and relaxation strategies, traditional Chinese medicine to name a few. I consider Aromatherapy as one possible complementary approach ( complement- to be used side by side with traditional approaches) to dealing with health issues.
Aromatherapy, also referred to as Essential Oil therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit (www.naha.org)
You may read about essential oils here . You may add more information and read them about here too. Online information is overwhelming and daunting, proceed with caution!
So here are my top reasons why I am into them:
- Scents matter.
I just love how some of my favorite oils smell. I am so relieved that I could easily extinguish any or anyone’s (hehe) smell that I am exposed to. Take that! Fried fish smell, gym bag and used sneakers of 3 boys!!!! Help, where are my oils ? And they come to the rescue in an instant. Your car smells like smoke, or someones shirt was dried in damp way, shoo those foul odors away!!!
2. Scents affect mood and mental states!
Research ( I am putting together what I believe are credible and valid studies out there) is showing the powerful effect of aroma on mood and feelings. Certain oils are now being used to address pain, anxiety and insomnia!
3. Natural complementary support for common health issues/conditions
Certain essential oils have been assessed and seen to have anti-inflammatory, anti-infective ( bacterial, fungal and viral), relaxing, restorative, immune boosting effects. I have seen them at work in our recurrent conditions at home such as breathing and allergy concern, infections, and stress and anxiety.
4. Touch therapy is more exciting with these pure and powerful oils.
Again, we have heard the power of touch ( haplos, reach out and touch somebody’s hand, hold me)! Remember the study of neonates in the ICU and the difference of recovery for those who were held more? So when, my daughter who is now on an immobilizer due to a tibial fracture from a fall, comes home and says, her back/arms are tired from using crutches, Mama comes to the rescue with a blend of wintergreen, peppermint, lavender to sooth sore muscles and tired joints. As we do this, we end up talking and bonding even more. For immune support during periods of illness, this gives me a chance to also bond with our teen boys! All our children are into sports , and thus, instead of going for over the counter medicines to relieve sprains and strains, we have an armamentarium of oil blends for sports issues! My husband’s headaches and back pains are also helped with some blend of anti-pain oils. I may not have my own study to back this up, but I am 100 percent sure, the oils with TOUCH therapy have a synergistic effect.
4. The limitless DIY options they provide.
Currently, I make our own light to heavy all purpose cleaner, make up remover, body and feet scrub, throat soapy, cough and cold rubs, dry skin concoctions, puppy dog wipes, glass cleaner, hand wash soap, facial soap!
For oils that are considered and approved as safe for ingestion, you can add a drop of lemon oil to your water, or peppermint to your hot chocolate. Rosemary for your chicken? Basil for your pasta? Cinnamon for your tea? Jade Lemon to your G &T? The options are endless. (Note: Make sure oils added to food and drink must always be safe for ingestion.)
For high quality carrier oils, oily recipe tools and ingredients, aromatherapy books and accessories, check out 365 essential oil supplies !
5. The replacement phenomenon
I no longer purchase many beauty and skincare products, tons of its ingredients, I cannot even pronounce, much less decipher! I have lessened the toxic cleaners in our household and medications for symptom relief in general.
6. Essential oils are multitaskers
I haven’t even really scratched the surface in unearthing the gazillion ways oils can be used. Indeed we have such an awesome GOD in creating plants and trees with these miracle workers.
7. I have issues with my body’s immunity system.
Diagnosed a decade ago, I have low Complement 3, proteins that are important for immune function. Thus prevention and immune boosting are essential to maintain good health. Friends from way back know how terrible my respiratory infections were ( and how they sounded!), and how I get stress blisters on my lips and under the eye. Proper diet, mindful supplementation, sleep protection, regular exercise and relaxation have helped a great deal and I have found essential oils truly helpful in my preventive regimen! With diffusing here, inhaling there, rubbing this and spraying that my anti respiratory infection oily habits), I have seen how I am able to nip impending infections at the onset, thus reducing the length and severity of an illness. Runny nose, congestion and itchy throat abated and that means a whole lot for someone who used to struggle with nasty and progressive cough that can linger to 3-4 weeks!
8. It is fun!
I was exposed to essential oils through a friend, BFF Cielo Vilchez and a cousin, Angelica Cayzer, owner of Lemongrass House Philippines. I have gained more friends through the sharing and evolving of its use and place in our lives and our homes. Along with aromatherapy, I am a beginning to learn more about supplementation, herbal therapies and basic nutrition! I have been able to travel with friends to learn more about these powerful oils! Singapore, Malaysia,…. am excited to know where these oils will take me, maybe a course in Medical Aromatherapy abroad!
9. I am able to help others too!
Just ask my own family, our helpers, my siblings and nephews and nieces… Tita Oilbularyo is Tita Donna! (Thank you to @gerigil for that “oilbularyo” term)
My prescriptions and free samples now are quite different. See! Samples from Mother Earth and not Pharmaceutical Companies!
10. And I think one of deeper reasons why is this:
Oils have been utilized again and again from Ancient Times. Doesn’t it make you wonder why two of the most well sought, powerful and expensive oils , frankincense and myrrh were the ones given by the wise men to Jesus ? Jesus and Christian heroes of the faith have used them for healing and blessing, and I’d like to experience and see more of this awesome blessing of God through nature!
Happy Oiling !
Email me donnsimpao@gmail.com for oily concerns:)
Matthew 2:11
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
*** Featured photo is an Essential Oil/Aromatics Workstation from Sifr Cosmetics in Singapore. Photo was taken during my visit to the store.
www.sifr.sg