Essential Oils for Support During the Winter Season
Posted by: essentialsoflife
A small clip from the Walt Disney animated movie Sword in the Stone deals with two characters, Merlin the Magician, and Madam Mim, two wizards who are locked in a duel. After changing back and forth into various forms that try to destroy each other, Merlin seems to disappear. The following conversation ensues:
"He's gone. He's disappeared."
"I have not disappeared. I am very tiny. I am a germ, a rare disease. I'm called Malagaletemophterosis, and you caught me, Mim."
"What?"
"First you break out into spots. Followed by hot and cold flashes. Ha, Ha! Then violent sneezing."
"Oh you, you, you, you sneaky old scoundrel!"
"Oh it's not too serious madam; you should recover in a few weeks and be as good as, I mean, as bad as ever."
Merlin wins the contest by becoming an infectious disease and making Madam Mim, who has transformed herself into a giant fire-breathing dragon, sick. An amusing scene, with an important message: microscopic germs are more powerful than giant, fire breathing dragons. Most who have encountered the common cold virus would agree.
Viruses are the smallest of all microbes. They can only be seen with a special electron microscope that magnifies objects 200,000 to 400,000 times their size. Although tiny, a virus possesses the ability to create a lot of misery. Sneezing, nasal discharge, violent coughing, achiness, fever, swollen glands, and a dry, sore throat are all symptoms of the common cold, normally induced by the Rhinovirus. The influenza virus creates similar symptoms, only more severe.
Viruses contain either DNA or RNA, but not both. A protein shell usually covers their exterior. This covering not only acts as a protective shield, but also determines the disease that the virus causes. Incapable of growth or reproduction on its own, a virus takes over the genetic material in the cell of a bacteria, plant, or animal species. Once inside the host, it grows and reproduces new viral particles.
Cold and flu viruses are normally deposited into the nasal passage by contaminated fingers or by droplets sprayed by coughs or sneezes. It only takes a small number of virus particles to produce infection. Once inside of the nose, the virus locks onto receptors lining the nasal passage. The locked virus is taken into the cell, which becomes infected. The host cell eventually dies, ruptures, and spreads the new virus particles to other cells in the nose. From the nose, virus particles spread to the throat and bronchial tubes.
Essential oils and other supplements are shown to offer support to body defenses, including the immune system. They also assist normal function of the respiratory system. While there are over-the-counter cold drugs, there are no vaccinations. Flu shots are available, yet they seem to be effective for only a percentage of the population.
Essential oils are particularly suited for supporting the respiratory system. They exhibit numerous specific actions that provide comfort. Inhaled or applied topically, the correct essential oils exhibit actions that are soothing and relaxing. Some essential oils support the elimination and thinning of mucous. Studies show that the expectorant action of many cough syrups is the result of aromatic actions on respiratory passages during exhalation, after swallowing.(1) Taking the same ingredients internally (in capsules) had very little expectorant effects.(2)
Essential oils, when inhaled, have direct access to nasal and bronchial passages. Speedy access to these areas is a real plus when an immediate impact is needed.(3) In addition, studies show that certain essential oils diffused into a room offer support against airborne particles that disrupt well-being.
The following chart lists essential oils and some of their documented actions. Using them individually for specific actions or in synergistic blends is reported to support the body from those tiniest of organisms that we wish would disappear. *
http://www.essentialsoflife.net/web/series/oil_chart.htm
*This chart is not intended to take the place of professional health advice. Clinical studies and health professionals determine the modes of action listed for each oil. They are listed in this chart for educational purposes and not intended to make healing claims.
Notes:
1. Jane Buckle. Clinical Aromatherapy, Essential Oils in Practice.
Second Edition. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2003. 366.
2. Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. Advanced Aromatherapy. Healing Arts Press, 1999.39-40.
3. Shirley Price, Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals.
Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1999. 94.
Reprinted with permission of Young Living, Lehi, UT 84043
Essential Edge magazine
Janice Erhart's first introduction to Young Living occurred when she was invited to a meeting sponsored by her niece. "I attended the meeting only to support my niece. Not many people showed up at the meeting, and I felt bad for her, so I bought an Essential Seven Kit." Janice added, "Then I started to use the oils and I fell in love with them. I thought, wow these essential oils are really neat. So I started reading about them and I decided that the oils and Young Living were so wonderful I had to share them with others.