Breakout Session: Experience Three Methods of Self Care
Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres 15th Annual Conference
March 27, 2009
What is an essential oil?
Essential oils are aromatic, volatile liquids that are pressed from the bark, stems, leaves, rinds, flowers and seeds of plants. Essential oils, like our blood, contain thousands of chemical constituents that are used to fight infection, seal wounds, oxygenate and nourish cells, and destroy microbe and pathogen invaders.
Essential oils are very different from vegetable/fatty oils such as corn oil, olive oil and flax seed oil. Most are not greasy and they do not clog pores. Vegetable oils can become rancid over time; essential oils, on the other hand, do not go rancid, and some have been shown to act as powerful antimicrobials – studies at Weber State University in Utah in 1998 demonstrated that a blend called ‘Thieves,’ patented by Young Living Essential Oils (containing the essential oils of cinnamon, clove, lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary) has a 99.96% kill rate against airborne bacteria. Other studies have shown that oregano oil is highly effective against pneumonia.
The most powerful link to the subconscious is through the sense of smell (Dr. D. Gary Young, training, 2001). The comforting aroma of a favourite food can bring back childhood memories or other moments in which the smell was present. Science supports the observation of a vital connection between scents and the emotions. Precise olfactory receptors inside the nose receive sensory stimuli whether or not we are consciously aware of them, and these stimuli trigger electrochemical signals via neurons to the brain’s limbic system and the amygdala, our emotional memory center.
According to Candace Pert (1997), the amygdala acts as the storehouse of traumas and contains the densest concentration of neuropeptides –the neurotransmitters that act in emotional signals. This high concentration of neuropeptides can affect cellular memory: The amygdala receives incoming scent information before the higher brain centers, and activates the autonomic nervous system in response to either pleasant or traumatic memories before any information reaches the decision-making cortex. Clearly smell, not sound, is the primary sense that unconsciously activates and affects traumatic memories stored in the amygdala. Smell can be used to heal traumatic memories stored in the brain center as well.
Essential oils, also called volatile oils are, by their nature, beautiful tools for working with the amygdala. Like any volatile chemical, they readily “flash off” to vapor at normal room temperatures, bringing the oil to a form which is readily taken up by the olfactory receptors.
Although any essential oil can be inhaled into the olfactory channels, only therapeutic-grade essential oils will achieve the desired therapeutic results (the following page explains why). All of the oils and blends that I use are from a company called Young Living Essential Oils, whose oils are grown and distilled under all the stringent conditions described in my talk today. Young Living is the only company in North America whose oils are chemically tested and certified as therapeutic-grade by the French AFNOR group, which sets the standard worldwide for therapeutic-grade oils.
Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils vs. Perfume Grade Oils
There is a huge difference between oils that merely ‘smell good’ and therapeutic-grade essential oils. The quality and purity of Young Living’s (www.youngliving.com) essential oils has been thoroughly established by scientists and medical professionals who continue to research and validate the effectiveness of these natural wonders.
I can’t reinforce this to you often enough: Only therapeutic-grade, 100% organic essential oils will achieve the desired results in therapy. If you do not experience the results you seek from an essential oil, this is most likely due to adulterations in the oil, or a synthetically created chemical substitute.
Warning: Fillers or adulterants, such as pesticides, solvents, and deformed molecules from speedy extraction of an oil can create side effects or negate the inherent benefit of the pure essential oil.
Therapeutic-Grade Oils… / Perfume Grade Oils…... Are pressed from the roots, leaves, stems or flowers of wild-gathered or organically grown plants / ... May be contaminated with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, or contain additives to increase the volume or fragrance of the oil
... Exhibit powerful soothing, healing or cathartic effects on the body and the mind. / … May cause allergic-type reactions, headaches or anxiety
… Are distilled in stainless steel using low temperatures and steam inplace of pressure in order to preserve all plant properties and constituents. / … Go through distillation at high pressure and/or high heat in metal distilleries which may react chemically with the oils and damage beneficial constituents
… Are distilled using only pure mountain water, keeping the oils free of additives / ... Are distilled with water treated with chlorine, fluorine, or other chemicals
… Require a long distillation time to capture the essence of the plant, preserving all healing constituents of the oil / … Are often formed by quick distillation processes which damage the oils and decrease the quality and efficacy of the oil
… Are pure oils obtained from correctly identified plant species, offering naturally occurring, therapeutic properties! / ... Are oils modified with synthetic chemical components to attain the desired aroma but which do not possess therapeutic constituents or the qualities of a real essential oil.
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Arlene Anisman, Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Services, Trillium Health Centre – Mississauga, 905-848-7580 ext. 3647,