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ESSENTIAL OILS & HEALING

"The use of essential oils dates back to ancient times, but there has never been a time when essential oils are more needed than today. The world is facing a medical disaster. Modern technology has produced the jet aircraft, which can be the instrument of transferring contagious disease around the world in hours. Fortunately, there are answers that provide a way for us to protect ourselves, our families and friends from these dangers. Research has shown that with their immune-stimulating properties essential oils can dramatically enhance and support the building of the immune system, whether they are inhaled or rubbed on the body topically. Even those who contract a cold or the flu can recover 70% faster using essential oils." (Dr. Gary Young, 1996)

" I expect that essential oils may some day prove a vital weapon in the fight against strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Lavender, thyme and tea-tree oils have been used for centuries as antiseptics; their chemical compounds appear to kill microbes on contact." (Andrew Weil, M.D., 1996)

".[A]romatherapy [essential oils] is one of the most powerful yet safe healing modalities we have today. It should be considered much more in healing." (Terry Friedmann, M.D., 1993)

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS

Texts and artifacts from ancient China, India, Egypt, and Europe are chock full of references to significant therapeutic uses of essential oils. The ancient Egyptians were masters of essential oils for cosmetics and medicine. "The use of myrrh, cedarwood oil, and other aromatics in the process of mummification gives ample evidence of their antiseptic properties....[and] has also led to the use of these gums as rejuvenating agents." (Tisserand, 1977)

In the Bible, the Lord gives Moses specific instructions on how to make "an oil of holy anointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary" to protect his people, using "three principal spices" which were myrrh, cinnamon, and calamus. (Exodus 30, 22-25)

During the Black Plague of the 17th century, "Every aromatic substance available seems to have been used...Aromatics were the best antiseptics available at the time, and the people knew it." Of course, it didn't help many thousands of people who died. But, "those in closest contact with aromatics, especially the perfumers, were virtually immune." (Tisserand, 1977)

"...in Toulouse a band of thieves is alleged to have stripped and robbed the bodies of plague victims without coming to harm themselves, thanks to an aromatic compound of vinegar, cloves, sage, marjoram, rosemary, juniper and camphor--all known and used in aromatherapy for their antibacterial properties." (Davis, 1995).

History further reveals that virtually the entire town of Bucklersbury, England was spared from the plague, even while the residents of other towns in close proximity were dying in droves. How were the residents of Buklersbury spared? Historians believe it was because it was the center of the European lavender trade. While lavender is a plant whose essential oil is widely used in making perfume, it has long been known to have powerful disease-fighting properties.

Dr. Jean Valnet, a French physician, began using essential oils during World War II, using them to treat the wounds and burns of soldiers on the battle field. His subsequent research stimulated widespread interest in the use of essential oils, and his book, “The Clinical Practice of Aromatherapy”, is now regarded as a classic. Quotes of Dr. Valnet in this report all come from this book. (Valnet, 1980)

Dr. Valnet writes: "In recent years both doctors and the public have re-discovered the medical value of essential plant oils, but the idea of using their properties to maintain or regain health goes back to antiquity. The Romans had their knowledge of essential oils from the Greeks, who in turn had received it from the Egyptians. Hippocrates, for example, tackled the plague epidemic in Athens by fumigating the whole city with aromatic essences of plant oils. Later, in the 19th century, it is known that perfumery workers always showed an almost complete immunity during cholera outbreaks."

In light of today's modern plagues, and the utter failure of our 20th century "wonder drugs" to stop them, could it be that these completely natural, historically tested substances are the answer to our urgent need for enhanced immunity?

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?

"Essential oils are the regenerating and oxygenating immune defense properties of plants. Their oxygenating molecules effectively transport nutrients and a myriad of other powerful chemical constituents to the cells, bringing life to the plants, destroying infections, staving off infestation, aiding in growth, and stimulating healing. They are to plants what blood is to the human body, and much, much more." (Dr. Gary Young, 1995)

"Dr. Taylor of the University of Austin, Texas has observed that essential oils present more new compounds than the chemists of the whole world could analyze in a thousand years. We now know that they are mixtures of many powerful and therapeutic chemical constituents. " (Valnet, 1980)

Essential oils are the subtle, volatile liquids or resins from plants, shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. They are what give plants their characteristic odors, such as the fragrance of a rose or the aroma of cedar or pine. There are now 30,000 known aromatic molecules that make up various essential oils, and science readily admits it has only scratched the surface in identifying and cataloguing them. A single essential oil can contain up to 800 different chemical constituents. This is one reason why the vast number of therapeutic actions of even a single essential oil are not yet fully understood.

What is understood is this: Because of their unique chemical structure, essential oils are able to penetrate the cell membrane of human cells, just as they do the cells of plants, carrying vital nutrients inside. Once inside the cell, "Essential oils promote natural healing by stimulating and reinforcing the body's own mechanisms. Essences of chamomile and thyme, for instance, are credited with the ability to stimulate the production of white blood cells which help in our fight against disease." (Wildwood, 1991)

The three primary elements of all essential oils are hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. However, essential oils contain a tremendous number of other powerful chemical groups, including alcohols, phenols, esters, ethers, oxides, coumarins, sesquiterpenes, terpinols, ketones and aldehydes. These chemical constituents and the sub-compounds they are made up of are what give the essential oils many of their most amazing healing properties.

The secretory cells of plants that produce the volatile oils trap the photo-electromagnetic energy of the sun and, with the help of glucose, convert it into biochemical energy in the form of aromatic molecules. Through this remarkable process, some of the most powerful natural healing elements known to humanity are created.

Some of the chief families of chemical constituents found in essential oils, along with their most widely acknowledged therapeutic properties:

Aldehydes are highly reactive organic compounds that are anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and sedative. When inhaled, they are calming. They are found in many of the lemon-scented oils, including the oils of lemongrass, melissa and citronella. One of the principal aldehyde compounds, citral, is highly anti-infectious and anti-viral, particularly when applied topically on herpes simplex.

Phenols are deadly to bacteria. They contain high levels of oxygenating molecules, and have powerful antioxidant properties. As a result, they are one of the most beneficial immuno-modulating compounds of all of the aromatic groups.

Alcohols are strongly anti-bacterial and anti-viral. The sesquiterpenol molecules in this group are anti-inflammatory and stimulate the immune responses. Linalol, one of the most beneficial constituents of the alcohols, is highly anti-bacterial and works to boost the immune system, and carvacrol has been shown to be antiseptic, superbly energizing and possibly anti-cancerous.

Terpenes are known to inhibit the accumulation of toxins in the human body, and help the liver and kidneys discharge built up toxins. They are antiseptic and stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-spasmodic and sedative.

Ketones are known to help stimulate cell regeneration and promote the formation of tissue. They also help dissolve and discharge mucous, helping with asthma, colds, flu, and coughs.

Esters result from the reaction of an alcohol with an acid. They are known to produce a relaxing and soothing effect on the human body. They also have very strong anti-spasmodic and anti-fungal properties.

Additional chemical constituents found in essential oils include:

Azulene prevents the discharge of histamine from the tissues by activating the pituitary-adrenal system, causing the release of cortisone. Very useful for asthmatic conditions. Known to dramatically speed up the process of healing. Stimulates liver regeneration. Strongly anti-inflammatory.

Bisbalol is the strongest of the sesquiterpene alcohols. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It is also known to be a powerful ulcer preventative.

Flavonoids show highly beneficial effects on the capillaries of the human body, increasing blood flow and oxygenation of the cells and tissues.

Farnesol is highly anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.

Farnesene is strongly anti-viral in action.

Limonene is known to exhibit strong anti-viral properties and more recent research suggests it may be anti-tumoral.

Terpene alcohols are highly anti-bacterial and stimulating to the immune system.

Terpene hydrocarbons are highly anti-viral.

Thujone relieves respiratory distress and stimulates the immune system. May be highly beneficial in the reduction and destruction of malignant tumors, particularly in breast cancer.

Quite an impressive list. But it barely touches the surface of what modern medical science is now discovering about the powerful therapeutic and immune boosting properties of essential oils. Many scientists believe that over the course of the next decade, it will be some of the specific constituents of various essential oils that will help bring a halt to the burgeoning epidemic of chronic degenerative disease now plaguing this country, including cancer, arthritis, heart disease, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis and more.

What medical science tells us about essential oils:

"Essential oils include muscle relaxants digestive tonics, circulatory stimulants and hormone precursors. Many repair injured cells; others carry away metabolic waste. In addition, a number of essential oils enhance immunity, working with the body to heal itself. They're capable of stimulating the production of phagocytes (white blood cells that attack invaders). And some are antitoxic. Many essential oils have been proven effective against fungi and yeast, parasites and viruses. Others fight infection with amazing effectiveness, killing bacteria by disrupting their life cycle. And unlike conventional antibiotic drugs, essential oils are "probiotic": they kill pathogenic bacteria, but tend to leave beneficial bacteria intact. Finally, bacteria typically do not acquire resistance to essential oils, as they so often due to antibiotic drugs. " (Keville and Green, 1995)

"What do the oils do? First of all they are transporters; they transport products to the cells of our body. Secondly, they contain ATP, which serves as the power source of the cells--the fuel. Essential oils normalize the viscosity of the blood, and facilitate the delivery of vital nutrients. Some oils are anti-spasmodic and help relieve migraine headaches and mental fatigue. Others reduce the pain and swelling of arthritis, release liver toxins, clean the gall bladder, clear up acne and stimulate the secretion of gastric juices, while even others work to improve nerve impulses and synaptic connections, and heal burns, cuts and infected wounds. Some oils reverse insomnia and anxiety, lower cholesterol, relieve PMS symptoms, stimulate the immune functions and destroy [microbes] among many other important functions. " (Friedmann, 1995)

One of the principal characteristics of essential oils is that they contain powerful oxygenating molecules. This is why the essential oils, when applied to the skin or when inhaled, have the ability to dramatically increase cellular oxygenation. This, in turn, begins almost immediately to boost the human immune system.

Incredible as it may seem, recent research shows that essential oils placed anywhere on the body will penetrate every single cell of the body with in 20 minutes. (Young, 1995) They will even penetrate a fingernail or toenail almost instantly to reach fungus underneath. This stands in marked contrast to the average of 13 to 23 hours for the therapeutic constituents of dried herbs to reach the cells of the human body after ingestion.

What's more, essential oils are extremely concentrated, particularly when they have been derived through distillation, which is the best method of extraction for high quality oils. When properly extracted, the oils contain virtually all of the plant's healing nutrients, oxygenating molecules, amino acid precursors, coenzyme A factors, trace minerals, enzymes, vitamins and more. And because essential oils are so highly concentrated, they can be many, many times more potent than the herbs or plants from which they are derived.

Dr. Valnet asserts that the essential oil from thyme destroys the anthrax bacillus, the typhoid bacillus, the glanders bacillus, staphylococcus, the diptheria bacillus, and meningococcus. He further states, "The essence of lemon is second to none in its antiseptic and anti bacterial properties”.

Andrew Weil, M.D., noted advocate of natural therapies writes: "Certain aldehydes in lemon balm, for instance, have been shown to reduce inflammation, while certain ketones in rosemary and eucalyptus appear to reduce mucus production. Essential oils appear to affect the emotions as well: In one recent study done in a British nursing home, vaporized lavender oil was found to work as well as pharmaceutical sedatives in helping residents relax into sleep." (Weil, 1996)

Until recently, the bulk of research on the therapeutic properties of essential oils has been carried out in Europe and the Middle East, most notably France, Egypt and Israel, each country having a rich, centuries-old history of the use of various essential oils for therapeutic purposes. It has been these scientific studies that finally jolted a small number of far-seeing researchers within the American medical and scientific community to sit up and take note of the extraordinary antimicrobial power of essential oils, particularly in light of today's plague of deadly antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

In tests conducted in France by Professor Griffin, director of the French Police Toxicology Laboratory, the antiseptic effect of a blend of essential oils--including pine, thyme, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, cloves and cinnamon--was studied in order to test the ability of the oils to purify the air of harmful disease causing bacteria. First, Professor Griffin set up a number of Petri dishes approximately 15 centimeters from ground level in an open room, allowing them to stand for 24 hours, germs from the air being collected naturally as they settled into the open to dishes. After 24 hours he analyzed the dishes, finding them to contain 210 colonies of various microbes, including numerous molds and staphylococci. He then sprayed the mixture of essential oils in the form of an aerosol into the air in the room. After only 15 minutes, only 14 colonies of microorganisms out of the original 210 were left alive. After 30 minutes, only four colonies of the regional 210 were left. Importantly, all the potentially harmful disease causing molds and staphylococci had been killed in the first 30 minutes. (Valnet, 1980)

In another French experiment, the number of pathogenic microorganisms in various locations were measured. In a forest, there were found to be five pathogenic microorganisms in the air for every cubic meter. In an average apartment, there were found to be twenty thousand microbes in the air per cubic meter. In public stores, there were found to be nine million microbes in the air per cubic meter. On the top of a worktable there were found to be five million microbes per square meter. On a carpet, 9 million. And in the air of a large hospital there were found to be on average ten thousand microbes per cubic meter. According to Dr. Valnet, when an inquisitive doctor put some of the microbe laden air from the hospital into a flask containing just a few drops of essential oils, 40 percent of the microbes were destroyed in only 20 minutes, 80 percent in an hour, and 100 percent in nine hours!

Dr. Valnet concluded, "Clearly, the administering of essential oils by fine aerosol spray should be common practice in sick rooms, operating rooms and clinics."

In an extensive article in “Advances,” a publication of the Fetzer Institute, Keith Block, M.D., a physician well known in the cancer field, surveys the alternative therapies for cancer that seem to be effective. He writes, "Consider the chemopreventive activity of limonene, a monocyclic monoterpene found in the essential oils of citrus fruits, spices, and herbs. As recently reviewed by Crowell and Gould (1994), limonene induces both phase I and phase II enzymes, resulting in hepatic (liver-related) detoxification of carcinogens and increased carcinogen excretion. Limonene may also block tumor promotion and progression. (Haag et al. 1992a) [and] the complete regression of mammary carcinomas by limonene and its metabolites appears to involve tissue re-differentiation and induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis), an integral part of normal biologic processes (Haag, et al. 1992b)." (Block, 1997)

Dr. Valnet states that pathogenic microorganisms do not become resistant to essential oils as they do to modern day synthetic drugs. He says, " The body cannot become 'habituated' in the pejorative sense of the word--i.e., no longer able to derive any benefit--to the oils anymore than it can become habituated to pure mountain air or personal hygiene. The results remain the same; they do not lessen over any length of time."

And, unlike many of today's most popular antiseptic chemicals, essential oils do not harm human tissue. As Dr. Valnet writes, "Essential oils are especially valuable as antiseptics because their aggression towards microbial germs is matched by their total harmlessness to tissue--one of the chief defects of chemical antiseptics is that they are likely to be as harmful to the cells of the organism as to the cause of the disease. "

The successful uses of therapeutic uses of essential oils are so varied and so great, the list of healing benefits literally boggles the mind. For example:

Dr. Valnet asserts that unlike antibiotics, many of the essential oils have strong anti-viral properties, and can provide remarkable protection against viral infections ranging from shingles to influenza.

Additionally, wounds of all types appear to heal quicker when treated with essential oils. According to Dr. Valnet, "When essential oils are used on both large and small wounds, healing takes place quickly without dangerous toxicity or the formation of scars." Skin disease also appears to benefit greatly from the use of essential oils. States Dr. Valnet, "The various dermatoses, acne and blotches are curable by both local and general treatment with essential oils. Local application of the oils also acts upon the subjacent organ such as the liver, intestine or circulatory system, whose deficiency has given rise to the cutaneous problem."

Furthermore, according to Dr. Valnet, many essential oils have proven to be anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, and beneficial to the entire body and its organs. "Recent research has proved that the essential oils pass directly through the layers of the skin to be rapidly circulated in the blood, and then eliminated via the lungs and kidneys in particular. The organs benefit from the disinfectant, antispasmodic or stimulant properties of the oils in the process. Using the essential oil of juniper in bath water, for example, is recommended for people suffering from rheumatism or arthritis."

Dr. Valnet further states that various essential oils can be used to treat conditions ranging from high blood pressure to fatigue. For example, "The oils of lavender and marjoram lower arterial pressure. On the other hand, the essences of hyssop, rosemary, sage and thyme raise arterial pressure by liberating adrenaline as a result of direct action on the area of the cortex of the adrenal gland."

Andrew Weil reports on confirmation of the French medical orientation to aromatherapy, or the therapeutic use of essential oils: "Research worldwide is now validating the French acceptance of aromatherapy as a medical modality." As examples he cites a German double blind, controlled study finding peppermint oil reducing headaches; two controlled British studies showing peppermint oil more effective than placebo for irritable bowel syndrome; and ongoing studies in the United Kingdom researching the possible promise of limonene, in lemon oil, in the treatment of advanced cancer. (Weil, 1996)

It's easy to see that the therapeutic properties of essential oils are far too numerous to fully describe in the few pages of this report. This is because the essential oils of plants, all together, involve literally thousands of chemical compounds and sub-compounds, each of which has their own therapeutic actions on the human body.

A brief word about the frequencies of essential oils:

The effectiveness of essential oils cannot be fully understood without some discussion of frequency. Frequency is the measurable rate of electrical energy flow that is constant between any two points. Everything has frequency. Dr. Robert O. Becker, in his book “The Body Electric”, establishes that much about a person's health can be told by the frequencies generated by the person's body. (Becker, 1985)

In 1992 the pioneering scientist and researcher Bruce Tainio built the first "bio-frequency" monitor in the world. His research shows that when the frequency of the human body drops substantially it is a clear indication that the immune system has been compromised. His frequency measurements correlate well with various states of disease and health, and show the effects of contact with low frequency foods (junk, canned foods, coffee, etc.) and the health-enhancing effects of the use of fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, and essential oils due to their measurably higher frequencies. (Tainio, 1996) While Tainio's work remains experimental, it echoes the principle suggested in the earlier research by Royal Raymond Rife in the 1920's in which various microbes were measured for their unique frequencies and killed with the administration of higher frequencies.

The high electrical frequencies of essential oils appear to be related to their ability to kill even the most virulent forms of pathogenic microorganisms, and boost the immune system of the human body. For example, Dr. Valnet states that the essential oil of clove" has been found to have electronic constituents which are opposed to cancer and to virus diseases."

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