The healing balm
The healing power of essential oil for healthy living
Arlene Kerstin Nakash
Copyright 2020 Arlene Kerstin Nakash
Introduction
Essential oil is a plant extract that contains natural chemicals. They are used in food industries, the fashion industry, and medicinal purposes. Essential oils are potent and highly concentrated compounds, hence a risk if misused. It is crucial to note the amount of caution and the right way to use any essential oil. Essential oils are rarely used without a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, almond oil, castor oil, or jojoba oilthese carrier oils help dilute the essential oil and reduce the risk of causing skin irritations. Also, carrier oils help convey the essential oil potency to the application site without interfering with the oil's strength.
The Greeks and Romans of antiquities first traded essential oils, and they were probably produced by placing some flowers inside fatty oils. Also, there are beliefs that essential oil originated in the ancient Chinese and Indian empires, where they were used as immune boosters and acupuncture. Nowadays, the essential oil has found its uses in nearly all aspects of life. The essential oil can be produced by enfleurage method, solvent extraction, or mechanical extraction.
Advancement in technology and medicine has found essential oil useful in personal health management, fashion, entertainment, and sex enhancement. It has mainly been used to treat some infectious diseases a mental health disorder such as depression, allergies, insomnia, and pains. Essential oils are also necessary for enhancing sex drives, home care, laundry, and gardening. However, it is required to note that it is dangerous to inhale them directly or to rub the undiluted oil on your skin when in use. Ensure you place a few drops (or the desired drops, as the case may be) into a diffuser or carrier oil and use. You could also sniff the lid of the container, but ensure it never gets in contact with your nose or skin. Except by doctor's prescription, It is hazardous for somebody to ingest essential oils
For safety purposes, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid essential oils harmful to both mother and baby. Also, pets may be affected when using essential oil (cinnamon essential oil is detrimental to dogs); therefore, it is crucial to consider the environment and the people and animals living around before using any essential oil.
When starting the use of essential oil, it is crucial to begin by trying the skin patches test (applying a necessary amount of essential oil to some skin patches to observe the reactions). Though there are no studies suggesting any side effects of essential oils, however, it will be beneficial to consult your health care provider for adequate medical advice when using essential oil
Chapter one
Personal health care
Earache
An ear infection can be excruciating and leaves you uncomfortable throughout the period. It can also rob you of your body balance and cause dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, spinning sensation, among other discomforts. When your ear is infected, it can negatively affect your brain and slow down your actions and reactions.
Most ear pains or infection requires medical attention; however, some essential oils have proved to be very effective in treating ear pains/inflammations, especially in emergencies or if medical help is inaccessible. There are different essential oils used to remedy earache; some are explained below, including their application methods and warnings.
Lavender Oil: Lavender essential oil contains antispasmodic , anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant properties, giving it the ability to help reduce anxiety, fatigue, lower blood pressure, stress, and balance hormones. It also contains antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties that help increase the immune response and relieve pain.
Direction: For earaches, dab one drop of lavender oil, massage it behind the ear, and rub gently. Some drops of lavender oil can also be placed and be carefully placed it inside the outer ear, ensuring no spill into the inner ear.
Olive oil: olive oil contain mainly monosaturated fatty acid carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals. Though there has not been scientific proof that olive oil can soothe earache, the American Academy of pediatricians says it can help relieve ear pain.
Direction: Warm a few drops of olive oil and place them in the entrance to your ear canal; massage gently on the skin at the front of your ear canal entrance. Remain at your side for a few minutes. This is very safe and effective to a great extent. However, ensure that the olive oil is just as warm as your body temperature to protect the eardrum. This is also very effective in ear wax removal as the olive oil dilute the wax to enable it to flow out with minimal efforts
Tea Tree oil: Tea tree is an anti-inflammatory natural oil that helps in the treatment of earache. It has the efficacy of killing bacteria or viruses that affect the ear. It can also help in the reduction of swelling in the outer ear.
Direction: To use the tea tree oil to remedy earache, dilute it with hot water and inhale the steam. This provides immediate relief to your pain. Note that it is harmful to inhale it raw due to its toxic nature.
Oregano Oil: Oregano oil is a popular herb that is found in many food products. But it can also be used for medical purposes when concentrated in oil form. It is an essential earache relief remedy when appropriately used. However, you must be careful when applying it in health relief because it can interact with medications such as blood thinners. Also, ensure you do not use oregano oil directly in the ear canal. Its usefulness is only limited to the outer parts of the ear. In essence, apply it on the outer ear where you feel the ache.
Basil Oil: The effect of basil oil is often underestimated; however, it has many medicinal advantages if appropriately utilized. It reduces tension and acts as a decongestant, antiseptic, muscle relaxant, and anti-inflammatory oil. This makes it a beneficial oil for the treatment of ear infections.
Direction: To effectively use this oil, dilute it with the appropriate carrier oil, place some drops on a cotton ball, place the cotton ball on your ear. Ensure not to push it too far into the ear canal.
Thyme Oil : Thyme essential oil contains antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, and this is due to the presence of a compound called thymol in the oil. Research conducted in 2011 by the Medical University of Lodz in Poland shows that thyme essential oil exhibits potent activity against 120 strains of bacterias isolated from patients.
Direction: Crush some dried thyme leaves in a mortar, add few drops of carrier oil to it and warm it over a low heat fire until it bubbles. Bring it to a safe temperature and apply a few drops of the oil to your ear.
To make the best of essential oils for your ears, you must note the following significant rules:
Please do not drop the pure essential oils directly into the ear canal because it could burn the ear and desensitize the sensitive parts of your ear when it is in an undiluted form.
Better still, dilute them first by mixing them with carrier oils. This is due to fatty acid in the carrier oils that help distribute the tiny molecules or aromatic oils.
This does not mean that you cannot use the essential oil on your ears when in their raw form. All you need to do is avoid getting them directly into the ear, but they can be applied in every other part of the ear. Nevertheless, caution must be observed when doing so.
Back pain
Back pain could be quite severe and debilitating, making you find it challenging to carry out your daily routine or go about your business. It could be caused by a minor injury, poor posture, torn ligament, muscle strain, or wrong sleeping posture. Acute back pain could just require bed rest and over-the-counter medication for its remedy, but chronic ones may need medical attention. However, some essential oils have the potency to relieve some back pains. Many essential oils can perform different functions in helping to rid our body of pain. They are extracts from leaves, seeds, flowers, fruits, or barks of some plants. Below are some essential oil that could help treat back pains