~*~ ~*~*~*~*~Essentials for Health~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~February 28th, 1999~*~*~ ~*~Ezine for Essential Oil Enthusiasts~*~ ~*~ "To reach the individual we need an individual remedy. Each of us is a unique message. It is only the unique remedy that will suffice. We must, therefore, seek odiferous substances which present affinities with the human being we intend to treat, those which will compensate for his deficiencies and those which will make his faculties blossom." Marguerite Maury R.N. ~*~ If you're new to aromatherapy, currently using essential oils or just curious about what they are then you will enjoy this ezine. This is a non-commercial ezine so there are no ads just information. Your email address will only be used for this subscription. So relax, enjoy your visit here...consider it a breath of fresh air on the information super highway. ~*~ Issue 2 Oil of the month "Ask Jackie..." Aromatherapy In the News Inspirational Moment Subscribe/Unsubscribe Info ~*~ Welcome to the new subscribers and a welcome back to those of you who joined me last month. Don't forget you can email me your questions and I will do my best to get you an answer. ~*~ Oil of the month: Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) Usual Cost: $12.00 to $17.00 Description: A Perennial Herb which grows up to 3 ft high. It has serrated leaves, purplish stems and reddish-purple flowers. The oil is extracted by steam distillation of the flowering plant. The aroma is clean, fresh, stimulating and quite strong. The oil is colorless. History: "The British Medical Journal noted, in 1879, that menthol relieves headaches and neuralgia (nerve pain), menthol cones (which evaporate) and scented candles then became the rage. The menthol constituent of peppermint oil causes a sensation of coolness. The body immediately produces its own "warming effect" as blood flows to the affected area. This sensation is partially responsible for peppermint's long history as a medicine and why it is often found in sports creams and chest rubs." Aromatherapy Use: Skin care: Acne, dermatitis, ringworm, scabies. Respiratory system: Bronchitis, sinusitis, spasmodic cough. Digestive system: Colic, cramps, dyspepsia, gastric reflux, gas, nausea. Immune system: Colds, flu, fevers, stimulates immune system. Nervous System: Fainting, headache, mental fatigue, migraine, nervous tension, dizziness. Other uses: Bad breath, insect repellent, toothache, and in strong doses prevents sleep. There is a long history of peppermint as food flavorings but there is a huge difference in peppermint oil for flavoring food and therapeutic peppermint oil for medicinal purposes. When distilling for food flavorings, often times, chemical solvents are added to the plants to increase the output or volume of essential oil. This is unacceptable if the oil is for therapeutic use. Peppermint is one of the easier oils to tamper with because of it's strong aroma thus making it difficult to smell chemicals that may have been added to increase the volume. This is also known as 'adulteration' and is done to increase the profit of the distributor, VERY unethical, but very common. Because of it's cooling effect, peppermint is essential for assisting the body to cool itself when feverish. When my children have fevers, I dilute 2 drops of peppermint and 2 drops of lemon essential oil into about 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of grape seed oil. Peppermint and Lavender is also an excellent blend for fevers. I then begin at their feet and rub the oils into their skin, moving quickly up the back of their legs, up their back ending at the back of the neck. Be careful not to apply the oil to the face because if it does get in their eyes it will sting. If by some chance any essential oil does get in the eye do NOT wash the eye with water, use a plain vegetable oil to wash the eye. Adding water to the eye will only drive the oil in deeper and increase the stinging. Children will usually complain at first but within 20 minutes the fever almost always breaks. I have used this recipe at least a dozen times. It has been effective with fevers of 103F and less. Fevers of 103F have been brought down to the 99 to 100 range quickly, allowing the body to work at fighting off the 'bug' without as much discomfort to the child. For fevers higher than 103F or if unrelieved by natural methods you feel comfortable with, please contact your health professional. **Please note these home remedy's are not intended to replace medical care. The information is supplied strictly as part of the first amendment right to free speech. If you have a concern about your health please seek qualified medical care. ~*~ "Ask Jackie..." Mary wrote: "I had been using tea tree for a yeast infection, but I found it just burned too much. Is there any other oil that can be used?" Absolutely!!! Great question, and it brings up a very important issue. While one oil may work great for me, you may find it is less effective, or in Mary's case, too strong. Why is this? Each of us are made up of a unique body chemistry. Without making this a boring Chemistry 101 class, it stands to reason that when dealing with other natural occurring chemical's (essential oils) we will each have individual results. By the way, this is not only limited to essential oils. Pharmaceutical drugs such as Prozac, Paxil and other anti-depressants have the same thing happen. While Prozac may work great for my depression, it may do little to nothing for yours. Getting back to Mary's question, some other choices might be Geranium, Mandarin or perhaps Bergamot. You were smart to discontinue the Melaleuca and I applaud your willingness to be open to trying another oil! We have so many gifts in the plant kingdom seldom is there only one oil that will suffice. The power we feel when we are able to assist our bodies to heal is truly without a price tag!!! ~*~ In the News: I have sort of a BIG list this month so you can see that aromatherapy is becoming mainstream, Yipee!!! Print this list out and go to your library to read these articles. My library has old magazine articles on the computer and I can access them from home via hyper link. Check with your librarian to see if your town or city has this option. ARTHRITIS TODAY(Mar/Apr98) Focuses on the use of aromatherapy as THERAPEUTIC RELAXATION SCIENCE NEWS (5/29/93) TWIST OF ORANGE, LAVENDER OIL STOP CANCER Focuses on research which suggests that limonene can reduce and prevent human BREAST CANCER HEALTH (May/June96) Reports on a study which found that lavender oil performed as well in treating INSOMNIA as prescription sleeping pills ESSENCE (Mar98) Presents the author’s account on searching for ways to veer away from fatigue. Aromatherapy for INCREASING ENERGY HEALTH & FITNESS (March 98) According to psychologists, smell association can increase MEMORY RECALL. Benefits of aromatherapy oils when studying for exams. NATURAL HEALTH (Mar/Apr98) Information relating to how to TREAT COMBINATION SKIN by Jan Balkam, a skin-care expert and author of the book “AROMATHERAPY” SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS JOURNAL (02/20/98) Discusses the growing popularity of aromatherapy in the United States Workplace. Signs that workers need a dose of aromatherapy to ENERGIZE. ORGANIC GARDENING (Nov/Dec 97) Talks about rosemary oil, often called the herb of REMEMBRANCE, which the author postulates to help ward off Alzheimer’s disease AMERICAN HEALTH (Dec97) Presents information on aromatherapy herbal treatments for the RELIEF OF STRESS JOURNAL OF NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (9/17/97) Focuses on available data on aromatherapy in medical literature. Potential BENEFIT FOR CANCER patients of oral doses of components of ESSENTIAL OILS NATURAL HEALTH (Sep/Oct97) Presents the story of the author who went bald after experiencing a rare scalp disorder; REGAINED HIS HAIR by using aromatherapy. HEALTH & FITNESS (Feb97) Provides tips for the prevention and treatment of colds. Vitamin C, Zinc, Hot Lemon and honey, Garlic, Echinacea, and AROMATHERAPY TRAVEL HOLIDAY (Feb97) Presents a tabulation of recommended aromatherapies for common travel complaints: DROWSINESS, MOTION SICKNESS, NASAL CONGESTION, AND JET LAG MOTHERING (Fall96) CHILDREN’S RESPONSE TO AROMATHERAPY Remedy for infant ailments....diaper rash and teething; lavender oil to heal burns; ear infections; Treatment for colds and flu BUSINESS TIMES (9/25/95) Discusses the use of aromatherapy to create a MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKPLACE. Use of essential oils to release scents that trigger physiological reactions and healing properties. Promotion of ALERTNESS AND CLARITY MOTHERING (Summer95) Ways on how to CURE SORE THROAT with Aromatherapy. Use of essential oils; Formula for base oils. HEALTH & FITNESS (May95) Recommends do-it-yourself aromatherapy sessions for MENSTRUAL CRAMPS. Choice of essential oils. HEALTH& FITNESS (Sep92) Reports on the various therapeutic benefits of peppermint oil. IMPROVEMENT OF PERFORMANCE demanding tasks requiring VIGILANCE EXECUTIVE’S HEALTH’S GOOD HEALTH REPORT (Apr95) Suggestions on how to RELIVE PHYSICAL STRESS Diet needs; Oxygen intake, and the role of aromatherapy. ~*~ Inspirational Moment I was on an Alaska Airlines jet night flight from Seattle to Anchorage a few months ago. I HATE to fly! I know that's strong language, but what is more un-natural than sitting in a metal beast expecting it to gain an altitude of 30,000 feet? I think his name was Scott, and what a gift he had for making the nervous flyer relax. After the usual safety demonstrations we were headed out to the run way when his pleasant voice came on the speaker: "Thank you for choosing Alaska Airlines. While we are waiting our turn to take off we will continue our reading from A.A. Milnes', The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." "Chapter 8...One fine day Pooh had stumped up to the top of the Forest to see if his friend Christopher Robin was interested in Bears at all..." I could have listened to him read the whole book! He set this fearful, terrified flyer at ease with something familiar. His creativity at breaking the tension with humor was appreciated. It only took a few moments of time but he connected with me, and I'm sure a few others, making our flight a more pleasant one. My point in mentioning this experience was to see if there isn't some way today you can reach out with a kind word, smile or gesture to a stranger. I guarantee you it will make you feel great and it's contagious! ~*~ That's it for this month. I'll leave you with another of my favorite quotes. This one is from Marianne Williamson: "We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past, but by the love we're not extending in the present." Best of Health, Jackie ~*~ To subscribe to this newsletter, send a blank email to: oils@alaskalife.net with 'subscribe' in the subject. If you would like to unsubscribe, send a blank email to: oils@alaskalife.net with 'unsubscribe' in the subject. ~*~ Feel free to forward this ezine on to your friends and family. All I ask is that the newsletter remains intact when it is forwarded. This newsletter is copyrighted in it's entirety. © 1999 Jackie Dae Daugherty P.O. Box 671146 Chugiak, Alaska 99567 mailto:oils@alaskalife.net http://www.yleo.com/i/d/57248