Natures Medicine
In a fast-paced society where we are constantly expected to be connected and available to our jobs and friends at all times, where efficiency and productivity are king. Our own self-care often takes a backseat to deadlines and our “honey-do” lists. It’s time for that to change! We aren’t talking about expensive spa days or drinking nothing but green juice, although they both have their merits. We are talking about plant magic, essential oils.
This plant-based goodness has been used long before big pharma was in the picture and dates back to as early as 2000 B.C and was used extensively by Egyptian, Greek and Chinese cultures for their natural healing, antiseptic properties and even used for religious traditions. Perhaps you remember the wish men delivering Frankincense and Myrrh? Luckily for all of us that have discovered the magic that lives in these tiny bottles, and for those of you that will soon discover the beauty of this all-natural medicine, essential oils have made a come-back and are taking the health and wellness community by storm!
There are three important components that every essential oil enthusiast or inquisitive mind must know to utilize these life-changers to the best of their ability: how they work, their uses and practical application. Let’s dive in!
Possibly the most important topic to address, how these function to help our health and overall well-being. Unlike medications prescribed by the doctor or bought over the counter which often alter your chemical make-up and the way your brain functions, essential oils stimulate your limbic system, which acts as the control center for behaviors, emotions and long term memory. All of this positivity without the laundry list of potential side effects associated with most lab-created medications. We promise you will not pick up a bottle of essential oils with a list of possible side effects longer than the line at ANY DMV. Have we sold you on essential oils yet?
Although the uses for essential oils are limitless, some of the most popular uses are the treatment of anxiety and depression, insomnia, reduction of headaches and migraines, antibiotic, antimicrobial and inflammation just to name a few. We challenge you, the next time you have had a long day, or possibly over indulged the night before, instead of powering back a handful of Advil to mask the symptoms read the back of the bottle for possible side effects and opt for a diffuser of lavender and peppermint on your pressure points. You will not be disappointed!
If we have already sold you on how essential oils work and all their fabulous uses, lets talk about how to incorporate these into your daily life. It’s surprisingly simple and when in doubt there is a cheat sheet on the back of most bottles! The two most common ways to utilize essential oils both involve dilution. To do this, you can purchase a diffuser and add on average 5 drops for a small room or 10 for a large room. Another popular method is to make your own perfect brew in a roller ball and add carrier oil, so the smell isn’t overwhelming and it’s easier on sensitive skin. The third, most eclectic way of utilizing oils is cook with them! A little goes such a long way. These oils need to be labeled “safe for ingestion”. This is an easy way to feel like a chemist in your own kitchen, how fun?!
We often feel we are not deserving of self-care or we simply think we don’t have the time. The ritual of looking inward to see what we are feeling, what our bodies need and looking to the natural alternative of essential oils for assistance is life changing. Join us on a self-care journey, you won’t regret it!
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