Learn About Essential Oils - #11 ELEMI

Elemi Canarium luzonicum
Family:  Burceaceae
Part of the Plant Used: Tree bark, gum resin


Area of world which it is grown:  Phillippines, Moluccas

Some interesting notes about Elemi:  The greater part of the world’s supply of the species Canarium luzonicum, also called Manila Elemi, is derived from the Philippines and is known locally by the Spanish term “brea blanca” (white pitch).  It is found in primary forests in Luzon and some other islands of the Philippines. The Elemi tree is known locally as "Pili" and the gum (also called "oleoresin") is exported from Manila in two qualities: "Primera" which is cleaned gum and "Secunda" which is still crude and unclean.

The name elemi is applied commercially to a large number of resins. Canarium is a genus of big shade trees in the Old World tropics, extending from Malaysia, Philipines to the Pacific Islands. It is a large tree up to 35m tall and 1m in diameter.  Other varieties of elemi are found in Australia, Africa and India, as well as Central and South America.  The Canarium family also contains the olive tree.

Manila Elemi is exported from the Philippines in considerable quantities.  Some is shipped to Europe for use in preparing medicinal ointments and essential oils.  Occasionally is is used as an ingredient in lacquers, varnishes and paints.  Elemi is in the same botanical family as Frankincense and was often referred to as the "poor man's Frankincense".  The resin is harvested in much the same way as Frankincense and requires great skill.  There is some concern that the trees may become endangered if not tapped properly.  Excessive damage during tapping can result in the death of the tree either directly or because of fungi gaining access to the wood through the cuts.

Canarium luzanicum resin

Canarium luzanicum tree

History of Elemi: The name "elemi" comes from an Arabic phrase meaning "above and below", signifying its relationship to connecting emotions and spirit.  Elemi was probably one of the first aromatics used by the ancient Egyptians to embalm the dead, along with frankincense, myrrh, galbanum and Lebanese cedar. It is also documented that the Egyptians used it in their daily skincare preparations as well as in medicinal salves, poultices, unguents and incense.  During the 16th century elemi was introduced into Europe and was used extensively in folk medicine. It was employed in poultices for ulcerated wounds, ointments and soothing balms for skin infections, and is reputed to have been included in the celebrated healing ointments ‘Baume au Fioravanti’ and ‘Baume paralytique’. (I really wanted to find a picture of one of these online, but couldn't.  If you find one, let me know.)

Francisco Manuel Blanco was a monk of the Augustinian order, (sorry, I couldn't find a picture). He is the author of the first comprehensive flora of the Philippines, Flora de Filipinas. Según el sistema de Linneo (Flora of the Philippines according to the system of Linnaeus). I couldn't find a drawing of Canarius luzonicum in his book, but since he was from the Philippines and had an extensive knowledge of the plants from the region, including Canarium luzonicum, I thought you might like to know about him and his beautiful plant drawings. Here's a link: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Manuel_Blanco,_Flora_de_Filipinas.

Characteristics of Elemi:  The EO has a colorless to pale yellow color.  It has a fresh, citrusy fragrance, with balsamic, slightly green and sweet, floral undertones.  According to Steffan Arctander, who wrote, "Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin", Canarium luzonicum has been found as an adulterant in lemon oil, black pepper oil, dill weed oil and angelica seed oil.  It has a slightly oil feel when rubbed between the fingers.  It may evaporate slower than some other oils, but leaves no stain on the blotter.
Here's the link to Amazon for the book: http://www.amazon.com/Perfume-Flavor-Materials-Natural-Origin/dp/0931710367

Here's a couple of links about Elemi chemical constituents: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112664642/abstract
http://www.naturalsourcing.com/msds/MSDS_Essential_Oil_Elemi.pdf

Scientific Studies with Elemi oil:  One study demonstrated elemi oil's fungicidal and insecticidal properties: species of decay fungi were completely eliminated with 2.5% concentration in an agar medium.  At 5% concentration, all fungi tested were eliminated.  Mold species were inhibited.  It was found to be toxic to dry wood termites at 10% - 20% concentration.

Some medicinal uses for Elemi Oil:  Due to its drying action (styptic) elemi oil is good for lung issues, such as bronchitis and as an expectorant for coughs.  It is also helpful for dysentery and diarrhea for this reason.  It is an immune system tonic and exhibits rejuvenating, stimulating and antiseptic properties.  It has been reported throughout history as a good wash for wounds.  It has also been used for centuries in plasters and ointments, as well as skin care salves.  It is said to promote a healthy complexion and is especially good on dry or mature skin.  It is also parasitic and can be used on mold and mildew.

Recommended Dosage for Elemi Oil:
     Adult: Internally - 1 to 3 drps. 3x daily

     Externally - 1 to 5 drps. in the bath, inhalation or topically

Cautions and Contraindications:  Elemi if generally considered safe and non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing in low doses.  Elemi oil has a Toxic rating of I and requires a skin patch test if being used directly on the skin.  Two important constituents that may be toxic in Elemi are phellandrene and elemecin.  Tisserand and Balacs cite two studies that showed a low level of genotoxicity for elemicin.  There is some evidence that elemimicin is carcinogenic, but insufficient to contraindicate the oil.  The resin may produce skin sensitivity.  It is best to avoid in pregnancy and with babies and young children.

Household and perfume uses for Elemi:  Used in soaps and useful in detergent-like cleaners.  It is also useful in air fresheners.  The gum has been used in ointments and plasters as a local stimulant.   It is used primarily as a fixative in the perfume industry.  IT has a light, fresh, lemony, almost pepper-like fragrance.  Elemi blends well with cinnamon bark, frankincense, lavandin, lavender, myrrh, rosemary, sage, verbena, and all spice oils.

Elemi Antiseptic Wash for Wounds
Elemi Canarium luzonicum oil:  20 drops
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis oil: 10 drops
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia oil: 10 drops
Myrhh Commiphora myrrha oil: 5 drops

Blend oils and add 20 drops to 2 cups of boiled cool water.  Bathe cuts and wounds at least three times a day with sterile gauze.

Learn About Essential Oils #10 - ANISE - Pimpinella anisum

Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
Family:   Apiaceae
Part of the plant used:   seed

Area of world which it is grown:   Egypt, Greece, China, South America, Germany, Spain, Italy and Southern Europe.

Some interesting notes about Anise:  all the plants from the family it is in, Apiaceae, get their essential oils from the seed and have an affinity for the digestive system.  These include caraway, dill, coriander and fennel.   Do not confuse Anise Pimpinella anisum with Star Anise Illicium venum.  Sometimes Star Anise is used to cut Anise, which is not a good thing because Star Anise comes from a completely different plant family (even though it smells and tastes similar) and it does not have the medicinal properties of Anise.  Star Anise is used primarily in flavoring and the perfume industry.

History of Anise:  Anise is one of the oldest known medicines, mentioned in the Bible and by ancient herbalists like Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny.

Theophrastus  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophrastus

Dioscorides  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioscorides

Pliny, the Elder    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_elder

Anise was thought to award protection from evil, purify the air and prevent evil dreams.

Characteristics of Anise:  Anise oil is colorless and has a very sweet flavor and has an odor not unlike licorice.  In a high quality Anise oil, there should be 80% to 90% anethole, a constituent which appears to give muscle relaxant effects.  Light and heat both destroy the anethole content of Anise.  It should be stored in a cool, dark place in bottles with tight-fitting lids.

Below normal room temperature, a good quality Anise oil will congeal due to the high anethole content.  To test this, place Anise oil in the refrigerator and check for it to congeal into complete crystallization.  If it does not, it has either been cut with another substance or has not been stored properly.  If it has been cut, you will see the diluent sit either on top or underneath the crystallized oil.  Congealing will not damage the oil.

Pimpinella anisum also has eugenol, which is also in Clove oil and has anesthetic properties; and, small amounts of methyl chavicol, also known as estragole.  Methyl chavicol is a phenyl methyl ether and has antiseptic, bactericidal action.  Both eugenol and estrogole could have anesthetic, hypothermic, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant activities. 

For more information on the history and chemistry of Anise here's some websites:

1) http://www.rain-tree.com/anise.htm

2) http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PIAN3 

3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise

Scientific studies with Anise oil: I'm not going to go into all the details here, but in different tests Anise oil was shown to have antibacterial properties, killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth and replication. It also kills fungi or inhibits growth.

One study done in 1987 tested Pimpinella anisum on 28 fungal species and it inhibited the growth at 1000 PPM (parts per million). The study identified the anethole content as the antifungal component. (Another reason why you want the true Pimpinella anisum oil, not a diluted substitute.) Some studies indicate the Anise oil is more of a fungal deterrant than a fungicide. There are other oils more powerful for this action.

Another study in 1997 found that Anise oil kills insects which is why it can be useful to put on insect bites to kill any larvae on the site. 

Some medicinal uses for Anise oil:  Anise can be effective for anxiety, insomnia, exhaustion, stress, tension and muscle spasms.  It's also good for asthma and any breathing difficulties as it relaxes the breathing passageways and loosens mucus. It's also good for bronchial congestion and coughs (dry and irritable).  Its uses in digestive issues is well known; it's good for indigestion, hiccups, flatulence and vomiting. It has also been used for headaches and migraines.

Anise oil inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.  Therefore, it is antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral.  This makes it very effective for the respiratory system and the digestive system. It can be used directly on objects to eliminate many pathogenic microorganisms. Due to its muscle-relaxant qualities, it is very effective with muscle spasms in the respiratory system, reproductive system, cardiovascular system, muscular system and digestive system.  

Anise aids in the digestion of food and stimulates appetite.  It relieves flatulence, bloating, indigestion, nausea, vomiting and is also useful for fluid retention.  It promotes menstruation, which is one of the reasons pregnant women should avoid it.

Recommended Dosage for Anise Oil:  

Adult: Internally - 1 drp. 3x daily for a max. of 2 wks.

          Externally - 1 to 3 drps. in the bath for a max. of 5 wks.

Cautions and Contraindications:

Anise oil has a Toxic rating of III and requires a skin patch test if being used directly on the skin. (More on what this means in another post coming soon.) In excessive doses, it can slow down circulation, causing circulatory and nervous system disorders.  So  not exceed a max. of 3 drops, 3x daily or take longer than 14 consecutive days.  Avoid internally and externally while pregnant, breast-feeding, if you have estrogen-dependent cancer, liver disease, endometriosis or prostatic hyperplasia.

Household and perfume uses for Anise:  It is used as a flavoring agent in beverages, mouthwashes and toothpaste.  It's also used in cakes and soups.  The liquor, anisette, is prepared from Pimpinella anisum mixed with wine.  The alcoholic beverages ouzo (Greece) and raki (Turkey) are made from Anise.  It is also used to flavor pipe tobacco.  For perfumery, Anise is known to blend well with Lavender, pine, rose attar.

The following are formulas for stress reduction and massage:

Stress Reducing Formula

Sweet almond oil : 1/2 cup

Anise Pimpinella anisum: 6 drops

Rose attar Rosa damascena: 6 drops

Nutmeg Myristica fragrans:  6 drops

Relaxing Massage Formula

Anise Pimpinella anisum: 6 drops

Benzoin resinoid (Onycha) Styrax benzoin: 6 drops

Chamomile Matricaria recutita (German): 6 drops

2 oz. base oil

  

    

Flowering Pimpinella anisum 

  

Learn About Essential Oils #9 - Terms Used in Describing the Quality of Essential Oils

Ok...no more procrastination!  I'm going to do my best to write at least something every day, or I will never get caught up!  I want to begin to describe some of the characteristics of each oil we are learning about.  That will begin with Anise!

Here are some of the terms that are loosely used in the EO industry to describe an essential oil:  (Remember, there is no standards in the EO industry to date.  These are terms used around the globe by EO experts.)

GENUINE:  when a plant is first cut, something may come out, like a resin, as in Frankincense and Myrrh.  This is called genuine because it comes from a passive extraction.  It does not necessarily mean "authentic".

PURE:  unadulterated; in other words, the oil hasn't been changed by some unnatural product or chemical.

NATURAL: for a distiller, this refers to what is extracted in the 1st distillation; it doesn't necessarily mean that the oil isn't artificial.

COMPLETE:  not purified, decolorized or re-colorized in any way.

PURIFICATION, RECTIFICATION, REDISTILLATION AND COHOBATION:

These terms refer to what can happen in some distillation processes. These processes remove components with a higher boiling point and may increase the yield of some oils, like Yarrow and Melissa. The same water is basically used over and over, keeping the same herb or flower in the water. Some commercially produced oils may also be done this way in order to get a bigger yield. It can produce oils that are clear and colorless which is good for perfume manufacturing and can increase the value of certain oils.  It is a more mechanistic approach, a more pharmacological approach, which can sometimes destroy the synergy of the oil.  Synergy is when all the chemical constituents of an EO are present, as representative of its uses in the plant, thereby insuring the most balanced and therapeutic efficacy of the EO.  (For example, a certain chemical component may help protect the plant from viruses and/or bacteria, but it may be too strong if not balanced with another chemical component from the EO.  If only one component is taken out of the EO during distillation and isolated, there may be side effects, which is what we see in the pharmachological industry.)

PURE, NATURAL AND COMPLETE:  Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt of the Pacific Aromatherapy Institute uses these terms to describe "therapeutic grade" EO's. (The term is under contention in the EO community.  Some experts say, "medical grade" and others say "therapeutic quality".)  These terms are used to describe oils that originate in the country where they are grown.  They may be resold, but they come from the regions where they are best grown naturally.  They are grown organically.  Dr. Schnaubelt says there is some evidence that pesticides and herbicides do not enter the distillation process, but he also says that organically grown oils have a more valuable and synergystic composition.  (Other experts say that pesticides do carry over into floral waters, so be careful.)  Conclusion:  it's best to buy wildgrown oils!

GENUINE AND AUTHENTIC:  (can mean the same as pure, natural and complete).  They refer to the ultimate quality attainable in an EO.  They are never redistilled or rectified.  The terms originated in France when French insurance companies began to pay for the administration of EO's by doctors.  These oils are slowly and carefully distilled.  (You can begin to understand why high quality EO's are more expensive than lower quality oils.) 

Picture this:  You are distiller and you want to get the most money you can for your time.  You are paid by weight, so the more you can distill in the shortest amount of time, the more money you make.  When an oil is distilled quickly some of the constituents of that oil (especially the therapeutic ones) may not be captured.  Take Lavender oil for example, 3/4 of the total yield of lavender can be distilled in the first 25 mins.  However, the coumarins in Lavender take 50 to 80 mins.  This longer process doesn't affect the weight of the oil, just the chemical components.  So...the moral of this tale is that you want the oils that are distilled by people who care about getting all the components. 

100% COMPLETE:  This refers to oils that are not decolorized, recolorized or deterpinated.  The food industry uses deterpinated oils (taking the terpenes out).  Deterpination increases the bioavailability of the oils, but, for example, in Thyme oil, it can actually make it toxic.

ADULTERATION:  When anything "other than a neutral base" or another EO is added to an oil.  The FDA says that a company can call an EO "Pure" if there is at least 5% of the actual oil in the bottle!

DILUENT: Usually an odorless compound added to commercial oils (not wildgrown).  It is most commonly alcohol or vegetable oil.  Make sure to check your labels.  Sometimes an organic vegetable or nut oil will be added to make the oil more affordable or more liquified.  Keep these in the fridge as they may go rancid over time.  There is a recent practice of making oils water soluble by adding an emulsifier. (To check for emulsification, put a drop of the oil in water; emulsified oils dissolve and produce a milky, opaque solution.)  Oils can also be extended by adding another oil; like synthetic substances duplicated from geranium will be added to Rose, etc.  Some common diluents are:

    DEP - diethyl phthalate.  It has a bitter and unpleasant taste.  When it is absorbed through the skin it can depress the nervous system and is a possible carcinogen.  It makes the tongue numb when tasted.  It is most commonly found in low quality sandalwood and benzoin (onycha) oils.

    DPG - dipropylene glycol.  Gives oils a sweet taste.  Often found in sandalwood.  Can also be very bad for the body.

    Synthetically duplicated plant substances - like linalyl acetate and linalool.  Low quality lavender often adulterated with these.  Chamomile commonly adulterated with azulene.  Rose, rhodinal (extracted from Geranium and Palmorosa).

    Fatty oils - animal oils and some plant oils. 

    Alcohol - alcohol may make the aroma harsh.

EXTENDER:  Used to describe substances added to oils to get more weight and make them more affordable.  Extenders are inexpensive and usually synthetic.  They may or may not have the same aroma as the original EO.  They are more of a problem than diluents because even though they may mimic the aroma and chemical compounds of the EO, they behave differently and metabolize differently.  Oils that are extended feel greasy and when dropped onto a piece of white paper leave an oil stain.  For example, Lavender oil has been known to be extended with Lavandin, hazelnut oil or alcohol.

Usually only expensive and rare oils are made synthetically (i.e; rose and melissa), so unknowing buyers will think they are affordable. If you see these oils on the store shelf, you can bet your bootie they aren't genuine and authentic!

LABELING:

    "100% Natural" refers to the absence of commonly permitted substances such as synthetic esters, emulsifying agents (such as Tween and Octoxynol-1) and petroleum-based diluents such as mineral oil. 

    "100% Pure" refers to the absence of similar oils like lavandin in lavender, etc.

Some of the above may seem confusing, but remember, there are no "standards" in the EO industry. We need to be discerning when choosing EO's because the terms used in marketing may have completely different meanings than the ones used above.  As always, do your own research about the source of your oils; know the practices of the company for growing, harvesting, distillation, storing and transporting. Once again, it comes back to YOU sourcing your own oils. If you are curious and want more understanding of "sourcing", check out this page from Young Living Essential Oil's website where they explain the "Seed to Seal" process:
http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/company/seedToSeal/#Step3.

Omani Frankincense - Boswellia Sacra - Film & Book "The One Gift"

Greetings Essential Oil Lovers!

Let me tell you some of the things I can remember that I learned at the convention about an amazing new essential oil from Young Living called "Sacred Frankincense".  (And here's a little disclaimer:  I'm only repeating what I heard from Gary Young and other scientists at the recent YL convention in SLC, UT.)

D. Gary Young

D. Gary Young has been visiting the Middle East for over 15 years doing research on Frankincense, Myrrh, Balsam (which he thinks is what they referred to as "gold" in the Bible:  i.e; 3 wise men), as well as some other oils from trees and plants that predominantly grow in that region.  As you are probably aware, that region of the globe is a hotbed of dangerous activity, so he's been in some predicaments over the years.  He's stayed unpreturbed though and consistantly searched for the best quality essential oils possible.  The oils he chooses are distilled in the region in varying countries by professional distillers that he personally trains and monitors. 

Most recently, he (and several others) went to the region of Yemen, Oman, Somalia and Socatra.  If you want to learn more about these ancient countries (they say Yemen is the oldest country in the world) here's a link to the Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen. 

There is a lot of controversy about the Frankincense tree and its resin which in ancient times was called "Laban".  Gary Young has been on a quest to clear up some of the confusion.  As a finale to this journey, he wrote a book and made a documentary, both are entitled "The One Gift".  (I was at the premier of the film last week at the YL Grand Convention in SLC...I also bought the book and I'm reading it now.)

"Frankincense, also called olibanum (Arabic language: لبٌان, lubbān), is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia sacra (syn. B. carteri, B. thurifera), Boswellia frereana, Boswellia bhaw-dajiana (Burseraceae). It is used in incense as well as in perfumes.

From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pomphorhynchus/500463993/

You can see in the photo how they harvest the resin.  They scrape the tree trunk during certain times of the year.  A liquid sap emerges.  It takes about two weeks to harden into resin and then they harvest it in little rock-like chunks.  There are many different qualities of Frankincense resin.  Some have no healing properties and some are incredibly healing.  As you learn more about the oil, you will realize why it was so prized in ancient times.  It was worth more than gold and many people lost their lives transporting it, trading it and stealing it.  It was crime for anybody to have it besides royalty.  Even the farmers and harvesters, when caught with it, were severely punished. (Like getting a hand cut off!)

There are many species of the Frankincense tree.  One is called Boswellia frereara, which the people of the region have been chewing as a gum for eons. (You should see how amazing everyone's teeth look in the movie!  One guy was like 95 yrs. old and was still climbing up the trees!)  I tried chewing some at convention...not bad.   There's Boswellia serrata, Boswellia thurifera, and many more...probably about 25 species within the genus.  The two we are the most interested in are B. carterii and B. sacra. 

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about these two oils:

"Boswellia sacra is a tree in the Burseraceae family. It is the primary tree in the genus Boswellia from which frankincense, a resinous dried sap, is derived. Some literature identifies B. sacra as growing in Oman and Yemen, and B. carterii as growing in Somalia. The latest scientific opinion is that these are both the same species and should correctly be called B. sacra.[citation needed]"  Sounds to me like more research needs to be done, although Gary Young is one of the world's foremost experts on Frankincense and one of (if not the only person) to visit certain Frankincense growing regions.  He will most likely continue to add his input to the debate. Here's a link to the Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boswellia_sacra.

For some time now, YL has had a Frankincense oil made from the B. carterii tree.  Gary Young went to Oman and got permission to put a distillary there in order to distill the freshest B. sacra in the world.  This was a difficult undertaking and required about 6 mos. of dealing with sheiks, the government and other officials.  B. sacra and B. carterii have similar qualities because they have similar compounds, but both are incredibly healing oils.  Gary Young and his team feel that B. sacra is a very powerful oil, both physically and spiritually.  It has amazing healing properties for all types of cancer, especially tumors and bladder cancer.
Here's a link to the bladder cancer research: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/9/6/abstract, plus there's more on the web is you do a search.

The stories we heard at convention about the healing properties of B. sacra were amazing!  As a side note, did you know that YL has a "spa" in Equador where they use Frankincense (and Thieves Blend and Melissa and other oils) intravenously and injections?  That's another story for another time.  Here's a link to Dr. David Stewart's experience at the clinic in 2008:  http://www.younglivingsuccess.com/2008/05/my-experience-a.html.  The e-mail for the clinic is: Novavitacenter@hotmail.com.

Gary Young shared a healing story with us about himself.  About 6 mos. ago he was having a lot of pain.  When he was very young a tree fell on him and they said he would be paralyzed for life.  He prayed that if he was healed he would devote his life to helping others.  Fast forward to now...(he's about 65, I think, although he looks much younger), and he was having some pain in his back.  X-rays were taken and it was bone spurs all up and down his spine.  Three doctors told him that even though the spurs could be removed, they would probably return.  His back got worse.  He was bedridden.  He got a "message" that he should mix his blood platelets with B. carterii or B. sacra (not sure which, but I bet it was B. sacra) and inject it into his vertebrae.  Two weeks later he was up and about as healthy as can be.  (Not sure if he said he got X-rays again and what they showed.  Maybe somebody can let me know.)  You can learn more about Gary Young at his website: http://www.dgaryyoung.com/.

You can drink Frankincense in water.  Put one drop in 8 oz. glass. You can take 2 drops in a capsule with carrier oil.  You can diffuse it.  YL just introduced a new diffuser that is fantastic for this type of thing.  If you know someone who is having difficulty with lung cancer or tumors, difuse it.  For spiritual upliftment, put a drop on the top of your head.  For emotional clearing, put a drop at the back of your neck where your neck meets your head (reptilian brain).  (I'm not trying to treat or prescribe...just offering some suggestions.  Always do your own research folks and make your own decisions.) 

Google "Frankincense Essential Oil Uses" or "Frankincense Scientific Research".  Here's a link to an oil testimonial website's Frankincense page: http://www.oil-testimonials.com/aromatherapy.php?t=1&q=Frankincense+scientific+research+st.

My personal testimony is that I recently began discovering small patches of skin on my forearms that don't look quite right.  They become raised and red.  My first thought was skin cancer, so I pulled out my bottle of Frankincense and put a drop twice a day.  Within one week they are gone.  If you know anyone with these little basil cell carcinomas, have them try Frankincense for a week.  What do they have to lose?  I'm going to buy a bottle for my 89 yr. old dad because he's always running to the doctor to have them remove these small patches of skin.  Once again, do your own research, I'm just sharing my personal experiences with you.

I bought a 5 ml. bottle of the B.sacra at convention for $50 and I've already used half of it on myself and my family.  I'm so excited about this oil.  If you want more information about any of this, just comment here and I'll get back to you.

Back from Essential Oil Convention!

Well, I'm back from Salt Lake City where I attended the Young Living Essential Oils company convention.  I'm pretty tired, so I won't get into it all tonight, (even though I have LOTS to share), but I will just tell you now that a good deal of the education at the convention was about a new kind of Frankincense oil that Dr. Gary Young is getting from Oman.  It's comes from the Boswellia Sacra tree and YL is the only company that has this particular variety of Frankincense oil, which is especially healing...physically and spiritually.  I want to share as much as I can about this wonderful and amazing new oil being offered by YL.  They call it "Sacred Frankincense", and I just purchased a 5 ml bottle for $50 at the convention.  There were a few other new oils introduced as well, plus we learned A LOT about all the fantastic oils coming out of the YL farm in Equador, AND about the YL Clinic in Equador, which I have decided to visit in the not-too-distant future!
More soon!

Special Post - Another blog for our course!

I just learned that our teacher has started another blog about the course.  Here's the link: http://www.powerofplantoils.blogspot.com/.  It lists all the Modules and you can follow along!

Learn About Essential Oils #8 - What's Pure?

My 2nd class meeting was on April 26th.  We are only meeting once a month for about 2 1/2 hours and doing the rest of the studying on our own.  In the 2nd class we learned about "purity" of EO's.  This is how to tell the quality of an oil.  Remember, you only want to use a good quality EO for therapeutic or medical purposes. 

There are many factors which determine the quality of an EO.  It's important to know how the oils you are choosing are treated.  Some important factors include:

1) Growing condition:  geographical area, soil, climate, altitude, types of fertilizers, grown organically, usage of chemicals, etc.

2) Harvesting: does the harvester use the best practices, how close is the distillery (the quicker the plants get to the distillery, the fresher they are), which parts of the plant is used.

3) Distillation:  this is probably the most important aspect in determining the quality of an oil.  Distillation is a complex and magical art and there are not very many knowledgable distillers left in the world.  You would want to know as much as you can about the distillation process, for example; what type of distillation is being used (water or cold pressed is the least harmful to the oils, low heat is better, longer with low heat is good), are they taking time to get all the complexities of the oil, are harmful additives added to make the distillation quicker.

4) Purity:  Are the oils adulterated in any way?  Are there any extenders, additives, solvents, etc.  You want your oils pure with no additives.  Some distillers refer to this as a "complete" oil. (More on this later.)

5) Transportation and Storage:  how are the oils transported and in what conditions, how are they stored.

6) Energy:  All of the above factors will contribute to the energy of the plant being transferred to the oil.  Where is the oil coming from?  Are the plants treated lovingly and with gratitude.  Are the people dealing with the oils loving and caring, or are they just in it for the money.  Remember, there is a greed factor that can energetically spread to the oils as well.

 

Learn About Essential Oils #7 - Organoleptic Testing

One of the most important things we are doing in this course is Organoleptic Testing.  This is a process of using our senses to test each oil so that we have a personal experience with it and get it "kinesthetically".  I purchased smell strips from Abundant Health http://www.abundanthealth4u.com/.  You put one drop on the smell strip and begin smelling the oil, first at 5 minute intervals and then 1/2 hour intervals, then 1 hour, 2 hour, 4 hour and so forth to 48 hours. 

The proper way to smell an oil is to put the strip down by your waist and slowly move it in circles up to your nose.  Inhale deeply.  You can cover one nostril, and then the other to get another impression.  Also, coffee grains are good to use inbetween to cleanse your nose, not unlike eating a cracker to cleanse your palate while tasting wines. 

Have you ever had to write a description of a smell?  For me, and probably many others, it is quite difficult.  I will be sharing with you my impressions of each oil we study.  We also taste the oil, look at the color of it, the feel of it and we learn its latin name (family name), genus, species and parts of the plant used.  We will also be studying the chemical constituents. Fortunately for me, I have a study partner, which is making this whole experience much more fun.  If it wasn't for my study partner, I don't think I could do it.

Further, we learn recommended daily dosage and the cautions and contraindications, as well as some of the uses for the oils.  This is what I refer to as the "practical applications" of the EO, which, for me, is the most important part.  I know it's important to know whether an EO has phenols or phytoestrogens or linalool or monoterpenes, but what is most important to me is HOW and WHEN to use a particular EO.

Learn About Essential Oils #6 - What are Essential Oils Exactly?

Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt says:  "Essential oils are volatile end- or by-products of plant metabolism, that are generated and stored by the plant in special cells."

EO's are secondary metabolites.  They are not sap or "life blood" of the plant.  They are not like vegetable oils and do not feel greasy or become rancid over time.  (Remember...Frankincense was found in King Tut's tomb and was still good!)   Various organs of the plant can produce and store EO's, like plant glands or hair cells, resin ducts and oil containers.  Each plant (tree, shrub, etc.) has its own special way of producing its own specific essential oil.

Plants produce EO's to attract bugs for pollination (hormonal), repel bad bugs (antimicrobial) and attract beneficial bugs that eat the bad bugs.  These are the same properties that make them so powerful for healing in humans and animals.

Here are some more websites that give an answer to the question "What are Essential Oils"?  This ought to get you started.  Keep in mind that some of these sites are also trying to sell you their oils.  This first one is an extremely comprehensive directory from Google:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7TSHB_en&defl=en&q=define:essential+oil&ei=a6f4S8z0DYymM5T1-IMI&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title&ved=0CBUQkAE
http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatare.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-essential-oils.htm

Learn About Essential Oils #5 - Storage & How Essential Oils Are Affected

It's very important how you store your essential oils.  Here are some basics:
No heat
No moisture - keep away from shower, etc.
No sunlight - bleaches EO's
No contact with oxygen. In other words, don't leave the top off.  Oxidation can especially affect citrus oils, making them more irritating to the skin.

You can refrigerate your oils, or even freeze them.  They may crystallize, but will reliquify.  Good way to check for impurities; they will sink to the bottom.

How storage affects certain types of EO's:

EO's with Esters in them will separate in the presence of water (like Lavender) and become more acidic.
EO's with Aldehydes in them will detiorate over time (like Lemongrass).
EO's with Alcohols in them are very stable (like Geranium) and won't separate or detiorate as quickly.
EO's with Resinification (like Peppermint) get thicker over time.

Some EO's get better with age (like Ylang Ylang and Patchouli).

Learn About Essential Oils #4 - Distillation Methods

The following are the methods that are used for distilling EO's with a brief description: (we will be learning more about this as the course progresses.)

(These definitions are taken from Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt's Aromatherapy Course book.  Dr. Schnaubelt is one the world's foremost authorities on EO's and heads up the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. The more complete definitions are in his book.)

The Basic Distillation Methods Are:  Water and/or Steam Distillation, Cold Pressing and Extraction

Water Distillation:  The plant material is placed in the still and is completely covered with water.  All is brought to a boil.  This is one of the oldest forms of distillation, kind of like making an herbal tea.  It is the most generally acceptable for aromatherapy use because it is economical and because water is the only substance that comes in contact with the oil, it is free of contaminants.

Water and Steam Distillation:  Same as above, only in this process live steam is generated in a separate apparatus and then led through the still.

Steam Distillation:  Plant material is placed on a large grate and steam (often over-heated) is injected into the dry material.  This method is employed mostly for industrial production of EO's.

Cold Pressing:  Used exclusively to prepare citrus oils.  Very gentle.  The peels are separated from the fruits and then cold pressed.

Extraction:  For raw materials with low concentration of EO's, (like Jasmine).  In extraction a 2-step process is used whereby a volitile solvent is used first and then evaporated leaving a solid mass called a "concrete".  In the second step the concrete is heated and then cooled and filtered.  What remains is called an "absolute".

Extraction with Enfleurage:  Done cold or hot, this is extraction with animal fats. The method was used for ages for delicate fragrances but now is practiced only with Jasmine and Tuberose.\

Extraction with Carbon Dioxide:  This is a new form of extraction employs the behavior of liquified gases.  Oils can be extracted at very low temperatures.  This method has made possible the only successful extraction of Lilac and Lily of the Valley.

Learn About Essential Oils #3 - Simple Definitions

Thanks for following along with me on my journey.  Now here is the next thing we learned in the first class.  Some simple definitions to help us get started in the world of EO's. 

Aromatherapy:  the use of aromas for their healing properties.

Aromatology: Shirley Price says, "The controlled use of EO's to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit by inhalation, baths, compresses, topical application and selected area massage, plus external intensive use of undiluted oils and internal use via rectom, os and vagina."

Holistic Aromatology:  "Focuses on the restoration of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health through the application of EO's." Australasian College of Health Sciences.

Essential Oils: The distilled (or sometimes expressed) product of the volatile components synthesized by various plant tissues of a single plant species.

Volatility: The speed or rate at which a substance evaporates when exposed to the air.  The shape and weight of the molecules determines how quickly evaporation happens.

Diluents:  Odorless substances added to Essential Oils to extend the product for commercial reasons.

Organoleptic testing:  The process of using your senses to test or evaluate Essential Oils. 
(During this process one might determine the Top Notes, Middle Notes or Base Notes" of the EO.)

Learn About Essential Oils #2 - Brief History of Essential Oils

Thanks for joining me on my journey to learn about essential oils.  I would like to state, right up front, that one of the reasons I want to create this blog is to help me study.  I've never been good at it, and I'm much better at reporting.  If I report to you what I'm learning, then essentially I'll be studying, right?  Also, I will be adding comments based on my personal experience as well as information I am learning from the course.  As I stated before, this is a "test" course being created by a highly knowledgable teacher and not available to the public yet, although it may be next year.  I will keep you posted on that.    

We are studying pure essential oils; some call them "therapeutic quality" or "therapeutic grade".  I suggest you do your own research on these terms because there is a lot of conflict in the aromatherapy world about the definition of these terms.  Basically, there are different qualities of essential oils (EO's from here on out).  There are food grade EO's and perfume grade EO's and then there are the EO's that you can use medicinally and some you can ingest. There's a lot of controversy about that as well. Actually, there seems to be a lot of controversy, in general, in the aromatherapy field. There are many companies who state that their oils are pure. You will need to do your own research and judge for yourself.

For the record, I prefer to use Young Living Essential Oils, but that is all I will say on the matter.  I want this to be an educational blog and not a plug for any particular oil company.  I have purchased and used oils from other companies and I like them as well. 
There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of EO's which come from a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, roots, flowers, leaves, resins, rinds, etc. We couldn't possibly learn about them all in depth in this course.  As I study, I will be sharing with you some of the characteristics of each of the oils I learn about and their usages.

Moving on; our first class was third week in March 2010.

We learned a brief history of EO usage.  Many people think the first EO's were used in Egypt, but there is evidence that they show up even before that in China, about 5,000 years ago!  The Egyptians coined the term "perfume" in 4500 B.C.  It meant "through the smoke".  Many of the oils have been found in tombs.  Frankincense was discovered (good as new, I might add) in alabaster jars. (Ohhhh....dream on....can you imagine 4000 yr. old Frankincense?  Mmmmm!)  They also found clove, cinnamon and nutmeg in the bandages on the mummies.

There is an entire chapter on EO's in the Canon of Medicine, written by Avicenna, around 1000 AD.   If you want to learn more about him and the Canon, here's a link: http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/phil/philo/phils/muslim/sina.html. 

 

Avicenna

Around 1100 AD, Hildegard of Bingen wrote about EO's.  Here's a link to info about her: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/hildegarde.html. 

  

Hildegard of Bingen

In the 1600's perfumery became popular in Europe.  I guess people smelled pretty bad and the women, especially, wore lots of scents to cover up the odors.  There was usage of EO's, but due to The Inquisition and supposed "witchcraft", there wasn't a lot written about EO's in these times.  People were using herbs and EO's for healing, but were afraid to document it.  That's why they call it "The Dark Ages" folks.

Rene Maurice Gattefosse researched the dermatological aspects of EO's and wrote a book called "Aromatherapy", first published in1937.  Here's a link to learn more about him: http://www.gattefosse.fr/internet/gatt-wk3.nsf/TECHDOCPARCLEF/00000481?OpenDocument. 

 

Rene Maurice Gattefosse

Over the last 100 years, there has grown to be varying "schools" of EO information and usage.  You  may want to educate yourself about these varying schools of thought. I stole this explanation from this article:

Essential Oils with Dr Daniel Penoel

By: Noel Cunnington
http://www.natural-skin-care-info.com/Dr-Daniel-Penoel.html
(Dr. Daniel Penoel is a modern day researcher who reports on medical uses of EO's and modern French Aromatherapy.)


"In the world of aromatherapy, there are 3 schools of thought. The first is the British school, which teaches the dilution of essential oils, and its application -often through massage - for relaxation and balancing. The majority of Australian aromatherapists are trained in the British system. Secondly there is the German school, which relies on the aroma of the oils, rather than direct application. And thirdly, there is the French school, which treats essential oils as a valid form of medicine, to be used as in any other medical protocol - internally, by injection, topically (undiluted), rectally, and vaginally. As Dr Penoel said, "In my country, we've given millions and millions of clinical treatments with essential oils." It is from this medical application of essential oils that the term "Aromatic Medicine" was derived."  I encourage you to visit websites to research all the different applications of EO's.

Shirley Price http://www.shirleyprice.net/ and Robert Tisserand http://roberttisserand.com/about
are two more modern day EO gurus.  Robert Tisserand wrote a book called "The Art of Aromatherapy" which is very popular around the world.  He is one of the founders of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapists here in the U.S. http://www.naha.org/history.htm, which is an organization you should know about.  It is the organization which gives the test to become a Registered Aromatherapist.  More on that later.

There are other modern day EO gurus you can research.  Here is a brief list:
Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy http://www.pacificinstituteofaromatherapy.com/
Dr. Gary Young, Young Living Essential Oils, http://www.dgaryyoung.com/
Barry Kapp, Wisdom of the Earth, http://www.wisdomoftheearth.com/about-us.htm
David Crow, Floracopeia, http://www.floracopeia.com/crow.php

There are many more "experts".  These are just a few that I have personal experience of.  I have heard from aromatherapists that if there is only one source for a particular essential oil, many of the best companies will get that oil from the same source, especially if they want quality.  Be aware of sourcing, growing, harvesting, distillation processes, storage, etc.  Do your research before you buy.  More on that later.

Learn About Essential Oils #1 - The Beginning

Join me on my 1-yr. Journey to Learn About Essential Oils and Become Certified

This journey actually began on March 22nd with my first class. I only decided today to blog about it, so I will make several posts to bring you up-to-date. This will be a very personal experience that I will be sharing with you and hopefully you will learn a lot about what I'm learning. Of course, I cannot share everything with you here as it will get very complicated and I have to study a lot, but I will do my best to give you the jist of what I'm learning.

First of all, let me tell you something about my love of essential oils which began about 10 years ago. For many years I was a healing practitioner and essential oils were an "essential" part of my practice. I've integrated them into my family's life and frankly, at this point, don't know what I would do without them! I prefer the pure essential oils from Young Living Essential Oil company, because I know their sources, but there are other essential oils on the market that are also high quality. Let me just say for now, "Do Not Buy Cheap, Over-The-Counter Essential Oils". More on that later.

I guess I could say that after 10 years I know quite a bit about essential oil usage, however, there is so much more to learn and the course that I am taking will prepare me to take two different tests to get my certification as a Registered Aromatherapist. More on that later.

The course I am taking is a one year "test" course that is being offered to a small group of people (all women as it turns out) so that the teacher can video tape the course and make it a viable course for preparing for the tests to become certified. Consequently, we are her test students.

I will do my best to convey what we are learning and perhaps add some pictures, etc., as I go along. The posting will be labeled simply #1, #2, etc., with maybe a little description of what I'm relaying.

One more thing...I just created this blog today and haven't really had time to polish my theme or anything. I will work on that.