Essential oils are volatile liquid substances extracted from plants. They are generally extracted by means of distillation, although other processes are employed such as mechanical expression, or solvent extraction. They are used in a variety of settings and purposes. For instance, they are usually added to perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, and household deodorizing and cleaning products. There are also food-grade essential oils that impart flavor and scent to food items and beverages.
But of all the uses of essential oils, its curative effect is one that is receiving much attention nowadays, especially as more and more people are embracing alternate modalities of care to improve their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. Widely regarded now as an alternative and complementary medicine, aromatherapy is said to improve one’s health through its effects to the brain’s limbic system, which many believe governs our emotions and mood. Aromatherapy practitioners assert that a number of these volatile oils, such as frankincense and lavender, can soothe inflammation, treat infections, and alleviate pain.
In addition, frankincense essential oils have been used for many years as a treatment for diseases such as ulcerative colitis. There are also researches done in the past which report that the smoke from incense sticks infused with Frankincense essential oils are effective at calming the mind, and may be used to bring those who are depressed to a better mood. Lavender essential oil is known to aid in relaxation as well, and is in fact, a component of some anxiolytic drugs. Vaporized lavender essential oils have also been used to alleviate stress-related headaches and cure cough.
Topical essential oils are usually diluted since their concentrated versions have been reported to bring about varying degrees of dermal irritation, and at times, even set off a hypersensitivity reaction.
Use of lavender essential oil has also been pointed out as a possible contributory factor to gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of breasts among males. Though non-life threatening, it can still cause problems in terms of the person’s self confidence. There have been reports as well of consumers suffering from mild to moderate bouts of GI upset after taking or using products which contain frankincense essential oils. Given the probability of experiencing adverse reactions, it would be prudent for you to discuss your plans of taking or using essential oils so that proper modifications to your healthcare management can be made and to determine if there are no pre-existing conditions or current therapeutics that will contraindicate its use.
Therapeutic-grade essential oil products can be found from web-based and brick-and-mortar health product vendors. Food and industry-grade ones can be bought from manufacturers and affiliated distributors. There are several organizations involved in the regulation of the manufacturing, sale, and marketing of essential oils. For instance in the US, aromatherapy products do not need the approval of the FDA. Abroad, quality and safety can be evaluated by determining if the product has passed ISO or AFNOR processing standards. Non-therapeutic essential oil products on the other hand are regulated by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The use of lavender and frankincense essential oils has many health benefits. Vapors from these aromatic oils are known to calm a person’s mind. Learn more about lavender essential oil here.
