How to Use Essential Oils for Health and Wellness

Essential oils have gained popularity in recent years, but they are actually not that new...they go back thousands of years. Plants have been used in many countries and cultures around the world for medicinal purposes and religious ceremonies, and cave paintings in France suggest the use of medicinal plants in everyday life that have been carbon dated as far back as 18,000 B.C. We have probably all heard of the Three Wise Men bringing the gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh to the baby Jesus. These oils were valued above gold at that time for good reason.

Most of us have also heard of "Herbs" and are familiar with their healing powers. Herbs are the dried form of a root, plant, bark, seed, etc. Essential oils are the lifeblood of a plant...their "immune system" if you will, and up to 50X more potent than herbs.

Essential oils are basically plant extracts. They're made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant (flowers, bark, leaves or fruit) to capture the compounds that produce fragrance. It can take several pounds of a plant to produce a single bottle of essential oil. In addition to creating scent, essential oils perform many other functions in plants, too. They protect the plant from hazardous environmental conditions, and even assist it with pollination, among other important functions and benefits.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

The immune system helps the body stay healthy. It consists of tissues, cells, and small organs that produce white blood cells. Without a healthy immune system, you could not defend yourself from potential threats that are all around. Keeping the immune system functioning properly depends on many things, including getting adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. Essential oils and nutritional supplements can boost your immune system. Use essential oils such as Oregano, Lemon, Melaleuca, and Thyme to support the immune system. Used on a daily basis, essential oils can help keep your immune system strong and healthy.

The immune system is responsible for protecting your body from environmental threats. To do so, the immune system uses a variety of cells, tissues, and organs, many of which are shared by other body systems. The immune system’s first line of defense is your skin. It acts as a barrier that keeps invaders out. Mucous membranes in your nose, mouth, and throat also protect your body from invaders by trapping potential threats and keeping them from invading the body.

When environmental threats get past these defenses, white blood cells kick into action. White blood cells find invaders, tag them as harmful, and destroy them. But that’s not all…they also remember the invaders so that if they try to attack you again, your body can stop them even faster. White blood cells are made and stored in a variety of places inside the body, such as the tonsils, thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen.

Malnourishment and micronutrient deficiencies can result in altered immune responses and increased risk for health issues. Supplementing your diet with specific vitamins, minerals, essential oils and probiotics may build up and fortify the immune system.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The respiratory system is responsible for your breathing and consists of the lungs, airways, and trachea. Each breath is used by your body to transport oxygen to your cells, helping them grow, reproduce, and perform their different functions. It is important to keep your respiratory system healthy. Exercising regularly, eating well, and getting enough sleep every day are key to helping your respiratory system function properly. If you’re looking for a good way to support your respiratory system, try taking oils like Peppermint, Lemon, or Cardamom. You can also apply Eucalyptus (diluted with Fractionated Coconut Oil) topically for a cooling, soothing sensation.

When you breathe in, a muscle below your lungs called the diaphragm contracts, drawing air into your nose or mouth, where the air is warmed. From there, air travels down your trachea (windpipe) through two tubes called bronchi into your lungs. Inside the lungs, the bronchi branch off into smaller and smaller tubes, the smallest of which are called bronchioles, which are about as thin as a piece of hair. Air travels down these tubes into small sacs at the end of each bronchiole called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by tiny capillaries that are so small that blood cells can only travel through them single file. From the alveoli, oxygen passes into these capillaries where it attaches to blood cells that are then pumped by the heart throughout the body.

As the blood distributes oxygen to your cells, it picks up carbon dioxide, a waste product of your body’s natural processes, which it brings back to the lungs. The carbon dioxide then makes the reverse trip of the oxygen and is exhaled, exiting the body. This happens when the diaphragm relaxes, pushing the air out of your lungs. This process occurs thousands of times a day, mostly unnoticed, unless there’s a disruption like coughing. Essential oils can also support feelings of clear airways and easy breathing.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is your body’s communication channel. The nerves send and receive messages that allow you to think, feel, process sensory information, and control movement. The nervous system is also responsible for emotions. Learning to manage negative emotions can help balance the nervous system. Imbalance of the nervous system can contribute to head tension, discomfort, feelings of anxiousness or stress, and many other daily struggles. The autonomic nervous system regulates functions you do not consciously control, such as breathing, heart rate, immune secretions and blood pressure. Various stress related conditions are associated with elevated measurements of these vitals.

Essential oils can help calm the body, generate a positive mood, and support a healthy nervous system. Some essential oils traditionally used to balance or calm the nervous system include Lavender, Bergamot, Cilantro, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Basil, Copaiba, Vetiver, and Wild Orange.

The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and a complex pathway of nerves throughout the body. In addition to generating thoughts and feelings, the nervous system processes information supplied by the senses, regulates involuntary body processes, and allows the brain to control movements of the body. Without your nervous system, you could not reason, understand language, think, see, taste, smell, or feel. When you have peaceful, happy thoughts, you have a greater sense of possibility and happiness.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The digestive system breaks down food and absorbs nutrients that are then absorbed into the blood. Digestion makes it possible for your body to get the nutrients and energy it needs to keep you healthy, happy, and strong. Select essential oils and nutritional supplements can help support healthy digestion and ease discomfort.

Although the digestive system is often just associated with the stomach and intestines, it’s actually a lot more complicated than that. Compromised digestive function can result in energy deficiencies, lowered immunity, weight gain, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Symptoms of digestive distress may include stomach or abdominal discomfort, belching, gas, feeling over full, and other issues.

Many essential oils support healthy digestion and ease discomfort. Fennel, Ginger, and Peppermint are popularly used around the world for their digestive benefits.

You can support your digestive system by eating a healthy diet high in fiber and drinking plenty of water. Taking digestive enzymes and a good probiotic can also be very helpful. To function at the optimal level, the digestive system requires peak performance from all of the parts of the GI tract (including stomach and intestines), as well as the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

The circulatory system is one of many body systems your body has that helps you function and stay healthy. The circulatory system consists of your heart, blood, and blood vessels. Its main job is to carry oxygen throughout the body to the cells and to carry waste products from the cells out of the body. To keep your circulatory system functioning properly, it’s important to keep your heart healthy and maintain healthy blood pressure.

The best thing you can do for your heart is to live a healthy, active lifestyle. Exercise helps your heart get stronger and actually helps you feel more energetic. Peppermint, Wild Orange, and other uplifting oils can help you feel energized to achieve your fitness goals. Small increments of movement add up, and when it comes to your heart health, they make a big difference in your health. You can add extra movement into your daily routine by taking the stairs, walking during phone calls, taking an evening bike ride, and stretching before bed.

Essential oils can also be beneficial. Cinnamon Bark and Cassia essential oils can promote healthy circulatory and cardiovascular function when taken internally. Internal use of Marjoram and Copaiba may promote healthy cardiovascular health. If supporting heart health is a special concern for you, take one to two drops in a veggie capsule each morning.

For many people, massage can be a soothing way to help with circulation. Lavender is a perfect companion for massage. It provides comforting and relaxing effects that enhance the benefits of massage. Apply one to two drops to the desired area and massage in firm strokes moving away from the heart. You can also use a drop of Peppermint and Wild Orange for a gently stimulating and uplifting sensation.

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and the main part of the integumentary system. This body system provides a protective barrier to the outside world, cushions the internal organs, gives you your sense of touch, and regulates body temperature. The integumentary system consists of the hair, skin, nails, and exocrine glands. Your skin protects you from harmful elements in the environment, and it can be adversely affected by toxins, artificial fragrances, pollution, and other irritants. When you treat your skin, hair, and nails right, they appear healthier, smoother, and more beautiful. To keep yourself clean and healthy, you can use essential oils such as Tea Tree.

An intricate system of nerves link the skin to the brain, providing information about the environment. The skin can sense temperature changes, pain, pressure, or touch. When sensory messages are received by these nerves, they are sent to the brain. The skin contains blood vessels, hair follicles, lymph vessels, and sweat glands. It serves as a waterproof barrier that prevents all types of unwanted threats from entering your body. The skin also protects tissues and organs from sunlight and injury from substances in the environment.

Many factors contribute to the health of the skin, hair, and nails, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, hormonal balance, and overall health. In general, when the body is healthy internally, this shows externally by having beautiful hair, smooth nails, and glowing skin.

Essential oils can be beneficial in cleansing and beautifying hair, skin, and nails. To minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, apply Rose, Geranium, or Frankincense. You can encourage the appearance of full, healthy hair with Eucalyptus, Thyme, Melaleuca, Cedarwood, Rosemary, or Ylang Ylang.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The reproductive system is comprised of all of the organs and tissues involved in the process of producing offspring, including  internal and external sex organs, hormones, and pheromones. The  complicated processes of reproduction rely on a delicate balance of many  body processes being in full health and vitality. 

Many factors can have a negative effect on the health of the reproductive system. Hormone imbalances are common  in men and women of all ages, and can be attributed to toxin exposure, stress, lifestyle, and other factors. Common symptoms associated with  hormone imbalance include: irritability, fatigue, digestive problems,  excessive sweating, food cravings, decreased muscle mass, weight gain,  and low libido. Essential oils have been used  for hundreds of years to help deal with the effects of hormonal  imbalance, for mood support, and to encourage feelings of love and  romance.

Essential oils can help manage issues related to hormonal imbalance, encourage healthy emotions, and ease away the stress  of the day. Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium, and Fennel have all been  used for women’s support in this area. doTERRA Phytoestrogen Essential  Complex is a dietary supplement that helps support healthy hormone  levels in women throughout all stages of a woman’s life. There are many  other lifestyle factors that can also contribute to a healthy  reproductive system, including getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy  diet, avoiding exposure to pollution and toxins, and daily  supplementation of vitamins and minerals, along with essential oils.

Many oils may help ease monthly feminine discomfort associated with the menstrual  cycle. doTERRA ClaryCalm Monthly Blend for Women, a specially formulated  blend of 12 essential oils, can be applied topically for a soothing  effect on the abdomen. Other oils such as Lavender, Clary Sage, and Rose  are also helpful. 

Menopausal symptoms can also be soothed with essential oils. Rose, Jasmine, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, and Clary  Sage all offer benefits during perimenopause and menopause. 

Natural Solutions Vs. Synthetics

80% or more of all pharmaceutical drugs come from plant extracts or plant compounds.

Each plant contains hundreds of medicinal compounds that keep the plant alive and healthy. Since we are from nature, they actually work the same in us.

Our cells have receptor sites for the plant chemicals that assist us in our health. They are anti-viral, anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, etc.

Herbs are the dried form of the roots, bark, seeds, flowers, stems of plants.

Essential oils (the little microscopic oil sacs on the plants/trees), are the life blood of the plant…like their immune system. They are 50-70X more powerful than herbs.

With pharmaceuticals, they will isolate one compound, let’s say, out of 100 compounds that the plant possesses…then, they will make a synthetic version, and patent it and sell it. First of all, our bodies don’t process synthetic very well. Secondly, the plant is missing its 99 other components that make it complete, so naturally there will be side effects. Then you need another synthetic pill to counter the side effects, and so on and so on. Meanwhile the synthetic compounds are building up in your body because the body can’t process synthetic very well. You get the picture! I am certainly not against Western Medicine, it just makes more sense to me to go the natural route and it is what works for me. The essential oils are anti-viral, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, etc.

When I wake up, I have a glass of lukewarm water with 2-3 drops of lemon to gently detox and support the organs. Then, I usually start my diffusers with a variety different combinations of oils depending on my mood or if I have any health goals or  issues I am dealing with. My current favorite is "Summer Savory" 2 Lavender, 2 Lime, 2 Tangerine, 2 Spearmint. SO YUMMY!

There are many ways to blend and use the oils depending on what you are looking to do. Over the last eight years I have replaced many of my products with natural solutions using the essential oils. Laundry detergent, toothpaste, hand soap, cleaning supplies… I make many of them and it is waay easier and faster than you might think. And much healthier!

I have attached some favorite oil blends to get you started...

Essential oils are renowned for their variety of uses and benefits, and for providing versatile solutions for everyday needs. Among the many methods for enjoying essential oils, aromatic use has long been revered for its ability to help the user experience the potent, uplifting, relaxing, or purifying nature of essential oils. Not only is the aromatic use of essential oils extremely convenient and simple, but it also offers immediate benefits such as promoting a calm, stable environment, purifying the air, managing mood and emotions, and more. A simple way to experience the power of essential oils with very little skill or knowledge, aromatic use continues to be a popular application method in the essential oil world today.

There is a lot to know about essential oils and I am happy that you are already incorporating them into your life or going to give them a try!

Below are some links to the best quality oils that I have been able to find, along with some of the top resources that I use to educate myself or buy supplies.

I absolutely LOVE my dōTERRA oils, and since I started using them, I haven’t bought any other brand. My family and I have been using the products daily for the last 10 years and could not live without them!

I then began teaching classes on using essential oils for health and wellness and will be available to help you learn as much as you wish to learn. I will also connect you with other online resources and groups that offer lots of valuable information as you start (or continue) your path to optimal health.

If you would like to learn more about dōTERRA (which means "Gift of the Earth"), and how the Essential Oils can help you, you can visit my website at www.mydoterra.com/twofeatherstrading and watch a couple short videos explaining more about what the essential oils are and how they work.

To visit the website, click the link below, or copy and paste in your address bar:

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/twofeatherstrading

If you already know you would like to become a member and receive 25% off all your products, click the link below, or copy and paste in your address bar to place your order and get started:

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/selectRegion/WC/627426

BEST RESOURCE BOOK:

MODERN ESSENTIALS (Aromatools) - The single best resource for the getting the most out of your oils/products. This book is also available in an App on most smartphones for around $7 (and will be automatically updated any time there is a new edition of the book available).

On Facebook:

Our Oil Essentials

Two Feathers Trading

Our Oil Essentials on YouTube

Twitter: @OurOilEssential

Jody Curtis

doTERRA Wellness Advocate #627426

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/twofeatherstrading

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/selectRegion/WC/627426

To Health and Happiness!

Lots of LOVE!

Jody

Congratulations on empowering yourself! Naturally. Hopefully you have enjoyed this course and learned something new about your body and how to support it with the use of these beautiful "Gifts of the Earth" - essential oils. It is such a wonderful feeling to have a "first line of defense" against anything that may come up. Please contact me if you have any additional questions, or if you need additional resources, and I will do my best to help you. Thank you for taking this course.

Sending you blessings of health and abundance!