THE POWER OF ESSENTIAL OILS

By Esse Johnson

Ever wonder why a walk through a garden or a hike in the woods always has a calming effect on your mind and body? When in nature, you are experiencing the beneficial effects of essential oils simply by breathing. Every tree, flower, and plant contains its own unique “essence,” and you can receive it into the very cells of your body by air, through your skin, or even by ingestion. Although essential oils are powerful and should be respected, they should not be feared.

Whenever you enjoy cinnamon in your cereal, you are ingesting the essential oil contained within it. When you enjoy basil in your pasta sauce, the same is true. Pure, high-quality essential oils are highly concentrated (never buy cheap!). As little as one drop is all that’s needed to experience therapeutic benefits. Essential Oils are beautiful, natural medicines that make for a clean, non-toxic alternative to synthetic over-the-counter or prescription drugs. But quality matters. If you’d like my recommendation for the highest quality essential oils, please email me at esse@111heavenscent.com.

Aromatherapy in Ayurveda

Aromatherapy is a modern term for a practice that dates back thousands of years and, when you consider that trees and plants were here before we were, since the beginning of human life.

Modern pharmacology and an unfortunate separation from nature have managed to distance many in the West from the use of essential oils for wellness. However, the practice has continued uninterrupted in nations of the East, particularly India. Recognizing their power to restore, build, and balance, Ayurveda has always utilized aromatics, whether by burning incense, infusing the herbs in massage oils (called Abhyanga in Sanskrit), in cooking, or in teas.

Ayurveda and pure, therapeutic-grade Essential Oils have a key attribute in common: both aim at achieving balance. Ayurveda diagnoses and treats a person with the intent of balancing their “Doshas” (explained next). Many Essential Oils are considered “adaptogenic,” which means that when they enter the body they assist in achieving homeostasis; i.e. balance. Essential Oils are versatile and powerfully assist in restoring the Doshas to balance and wholeness.

The Three Doshas

Ayurveda identifies three Doshas that are inherent in every human being. Each one of us has all three, but usually with one or two dominant. Which Doshas are dominant in you, or which might be out of balance?

Essential Oils for Each Dosha

Identifying your predominant or imbalanced Doshas can help identify the Essential Oils you might like to work with first.

To balance airy, imaginative Vata, you generally want to work with oils that are sweet, warming, and grounding. Avoid oils that are too sharp or over-stimulating. Go for calming Cedarwood, Sandalwood, or Cypress, tree oils that are grounding and can also increase sexual desire. Citrus oils are delightfully sweet, motivating, cheerful and reassuring. Try Orange, Bergamot, or Tangerine to relieve stress, combat depression, and stimulate gentle internal cleansing and detoxification. Clove and cinnamon are wonderfully warming and inspire creativity. Basil reduces stress; Rose relieves anxiety; and Geranium improves circulation, beautifies the skin, and reduces wrinkles.

To balance fiery Pitta, you want to work with oils that are sweet, cooling, and calming. Rose and Lavender are soothing, de-stressing, and promote a sense of well-being. Peppermint stimulates alertness and focus without overdriving a Pitta to the point of aggression (like caffeine). Both Peppermint and Lavender ease an upset stomach and relieve heartburn. Sandalwood can help a Pitta slow down and get grounded. Jasmine reduces stress while gently increasing alertness or, if combined with calming essential oils like Lavender, can improve sleep.

To balance calm Kapha, try oils that stimulate. Warming, spicy and inspiring essential oils will help to get Kapha moving. Clove is not only warming and stimulating, but also a powerful immune booster. Camphor is a natural decongestant. Sage essential oil supports healthy respiratory function, is uplifting and motivating, stimulates the mind, relieves mental fatigue, and helps to improve our friendly Kapha’s memory. For a Kapha, the sharper, more penetrating aromas of Ginger, Lime and Rosemary can be very beneficial. Ginger is excellent for weight loss, reducing inflammation, kicking cold or flu, and relieving a sore throat. Eucalyptus clarifies and rejuvenates while powerfully supporting respiratory function.

How to Use Essential Oils

NEVER use cheap EOs. In general, high-quality, purest and therapeutic grade essential oils are safe for use Aromatically, Topically, and Internally. Not all oils are best suited for ingestion, however, such as wintergreen which can cause an upset stomach, but the brand I love makes usage instructions clear and guarantees purity so you don’t have to guess. Always start in small doses, dilute with pure carrier oils such as coconut oil, and carefully follow the guidelines on the packaging. For more information on how to benefit from essential oils, email me at esse@111HeavenScent.com and I will give you a free crash course!