Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their healing and purifying effects on the body. There are 188 references to these precious oils in the Bible. They have always held extreme value by ancient doctors and medicine men that used them for aromatherapy, consumption, and skin application. Research has now revealed the remarkable healing properties within these essential oils.
Essential oils are powerful anti-oxidant concentrates. These come from raw plant material such as flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, and peels. These plant ingredients are put into a distiller and placed over water. As the water is heated, the steam penetrates the plant material and vaporizes the volatile compounds. These vapors then travel through a coil and condense back to a liquid which is collected in a receiving vessel.
Although there are many powerful essential oils some of the best include lemon, orange, cinnamon and clove. The citrus essential oils have very unique properties that enhance microcirculation throughout the body. Cinnamon and clove are the most anti-oxidant dense essential oils. These oils can be diluted in water, used for aromatherapy or put on the skin surface to derive the benefits.
Citrus essential oilsLemon and orange essential oils come from the peels themselves and have very powerful anti-microbial properties that destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi. They also contain concentrated forms of citrus bioflavonoids known as Vitamin P. This improves microcirculation into deep capillary beds to enhance tissue oxygenation. This helps the body respond to stress and recover from exercise more effectively.
This function of enhanced circulation also makes it especially useful for promoting healthy skin care. It is known to help cleanse skin, shed off dead skin cells and reduce wrinkles. Other benefits include brightening pale, dull complexions and enhancing the quality and smoothness of the skin.
Lemon oil is cold-pressed from the lemon rind. Dr. Jean Valnet estimates that it takes about 3,000 lemons to produce one kilo of oil. Dr. Valnet also believes essential oil of lemon to have adaptogenic qualities that support and balance the body's natural stress response. This reduces the cortisol cascade and the overall negative effects of stress on the bodily systems.
Orange essential oil is known to be a powerful anti-spasmodic. This refers to its ability to reduce muscular spasms by providing mega-doses of electrolytes and citrus bioflavonoids that enhance circulation into the muscular system. This process draws out metabolic waste that irritates the neuromuscular system and sets off spasmodic attacks.
Orange essential oil is also a carminative meaning that it helps remove gas from the intestines. The citrus bioflavonoids in the orange help to relax the abdominal wall to improve digestion and help eliminate gas. This oil is also a natural diuretic in that it promotes the toxic release of excess uric acid, bile, pollutants and water through urination.
Clove and cinnamon essential oilsClove and cinnamon essential oils have the greatest antioxidant density. Two drops of essential oil of clove and four drops of cinnamon oil have the anti-oxidant capacity of five pounds of carrots, 2.5 quarts of carrot juice, 10 oranges, 20 ounces of orange juice, 2.5 lbs of beets, one pint of beet juice, four cups of raspberries or 2.5 cups of blueberries.
Cinnamon is known for its ability to enhance insulin receptor site activity. This is especially important because it reduces the amount of insulin in the bloodstream. This strongly contributes to stable blood sugar, enhanced fat metabolism and decreased cellular inflammation. These oils are also known for their powerful anti-microbial effects, immune boosting properties and ability to enhance brain function.
