Frances Fuller, BS, LMT, Reiki Master, Founder Rainbow Healing System
Are YOU concerned about all the “Superbugs” – the new viruses that keep appearing? Each new strain seems to have the ability to mutate long before scientific research can develop a drug to combat even the original virus, much less the mutations. Worse yet, each new strain seems to be stronger and more resilient than the ones before. In Asia, there is tremendous concern now about Bird Flu, and Dengue Fever is at epidemic levels – in addition to the “normal” viruses that we have come to accept as a part of life.
Is there an answer? YES!
Essential oils are life-enhancing gifts from the Plant Kingdom. Ancient records indicate that the science of aromatherapy has been the basis for man’s ongoing wellness throughout all of history. Unfortunately, much of the information was lost over time, and it has been only in the past 50 years that essential oils have been “re-discovered” as a viable alternative to synthetic drugs. We are not talking about something that only “smells good”. Pure essential oils are now emerging as a key solution to the challenges facing us here in the 21st Century. Ongoing university research is validating many benefits of aromatherapy including the immune-supporting properties.
All premium essential oils have some degree of antibacterial and anti-viral effects. There are certain chemical constituents, or components, that have been shown to be particularly effective. A few of these would be carvacrol, linalool, thymol, cineol, eugenol, limonene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and gamma-terpinene – those constituents contained in oils such as cinnamon bark, clove bud, eucalyptus radiata, lemon, myrrh, oregano, ravensara, rosemary, and thyme.
Dr. Gary Young, a leader in research and education on essential oils in the USA, discovered “the secret” that a group of robbers utilized in Europe during the 15 th Century when the plague was rampant there. Dr. Young later created an amazing blend of these oils, based upon the story about these robbers, and he named the blend “Thieves”. These men were spice traders, and they would rub a blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus radiata, and rosemary all over their bodies before going out and stealing from those who were sick and those who had died from the plague – and they did not get sick even though they were in contact with people who had the deadly virus!
Was it a coincidence? Modern laboratory results indicate quite the opposite.
Can these “little oils” really combat these sophisticated viruses and debilitating secondary bacterial infections with which we are faced today? Actually, they may be the only solution because every single plant is unique – just as we humans are all unique. Much like our DNA encodes everything about us, each plant has a slightly different combination of the components which comprise it. Each plant is affected by the soil conditions in which it is grown, by the amount of rainfall, the timing of that rainfall, the daytime and night time temperatures, etc. Therefore, each time an essential oil is distilled, the ratios of the various chemical constituents will differ slightly. This is quite unlike the uniform chemical components found in a synthetic drug. The natural diversity in components can make it more difficult for the viruses and bacteria to multiply rapidly.
In contrast, the overuse of antibiotics during the past several decades has assisted in the creation of more and more virulent strains of bacteria and viruses as they mutate to become resistant to man-made drugs. However, the phenomenal properties of the oils allow them to be used effectively over and over.
Essential oils have an amazing ability to isolate and attack only the pathogenic bacteria (the “things that are making us “sick”) and to leave the “good” bacteria (the bacteria necessary for healthy efficient digestion) intact. It appears that the oils have a system of differentiation between the “bad” and the “good” bacteria. This method of recognition is likely based upon the fact that the pathogenic bacteria are anaerobic, and the beneficial bacteria are aerobic. Most of us have experienced the effects of powerful antibiotics which have wiped out all of the bacteria in the body – symptoms’ ranging from slight digestive disturbances to severe upsets which greatly compromise the natural immune function of the body. Thus, we are left quite vulnerable to attack by other yet viruses and bacteria.
What about “side effects” of essential oils? There definitely are some side effects.
- Your brain may function at a higher level since those oils high in sesquiterpines have the ability to oxygenate the brain cells directly. This can totally eliminate “brain fog”.
- You may have more energy as all premium essential oils have the ability to oxygenate all of the cells of the body.
- You may become more relaxed.
- You may find that you begin “YOUTHING” rather than aging!
I feel I should take a moment to explain that last one! Most of the “premature” aging in the body is associated with “free radicals”. Substances which eradicate free radicals are called anti-oxidants. There is a test which was developed at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts that measures the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The higher the number on the ORAC scale, the more free radicals the substance has the capability of eliminating.
Foods that we normally consider to be good anti-oxidants and their ORAC scores follow:
Blueberries 2,400
Strawberries 1,540
Spinach 1,260
Raspberries 1,220
Oranges 750
Compare those to the ORAC scores of some of the essential oils mentioned earlier – a few of the oils that have been tested and shown to have highly antibacterial and antiviral properties:
Rosemary 3,309
Thyme 15,960
Cinnamon 103,448
Oregano 153,007
Myrrh 379,800
CLOVE 1,078,675 (That is NOT a typo – it is over a MILLION!)
If one is interested in retaining a youthful body and appearance, it would seem that a great place to begin would be with clove essential oil – morning, noon, and night. The bonus is that the immune system is also supported!
NOTE: Clove is one of the “hottest” oils and could cause skin sensitivity. Therefore, it is usually best to apply it on the bottoms of the feet in the soft skin of the arch. The bottoms of the feet are the safest place to apply oils as well as being one of the places where they absorb most quickly into the body.
So far, I have touched only upon the antibacterial and anti-viral properties of our great gifts from the Plant Kingdom – those things which can be confirmed by scientific methods through laboratory testing. What about the manner in which these powerhouses “work their magic”? Generally speaking, the oils do not work to treat symptoms, but rather to assist the body in regaining its natural state of balance. This is a very important concept to understand. Our bodies want to be healthy! It is what we do to the body that prevents us from living in a state of harmony and balance – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
THE best thing that one can do for the body is to pay attention – to listen to the messages it is constantly sending. Most of us live in highly acidic bodies which create very friendly environments for bacteria and viruses to “set up house and to raise large families”, and we wonder why we get sick! In addition to diets which may be less-than ideal, we place ourselves under tremendous stress. Stress is extremely effective in disrupting the pH balance of the body, causing one to become acidic (and setting up that friendly environment for the bacteria and viruses). Some of the stress is likely beyond our control, but a great deal may be alleviated by making different choices. One of those choices could even be as simple as having an aromatherapy treatment with a relaxing blend…..or just dabbing on a few drops of pure lavender essential oil and taking a deep breath.
Are YOU ready to maintain a level of wellness that will allow you to enjoy life to the fullest? Become an “Aroma Warrior” – one whose immune system is strong enough to ward off the attacks of the “Superbugs”.
Frances Fuller relocated to Singapore from Palm Beach, Florida in 2003. An essential oils educator and founder of Rainbow Healing System, she currently holds classes throughout Southeast Asia on aromatherapy, specialized massage techniques, and vibrational healing.
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Disclaimer: Please remember that anything discussed here does not constitute medical advice and cannot substitute for appropriate medical care.
Sharing experiences with essential oils is an effective way of learning to utilize these powerful gifts from Nature. With this knowledge we can take control of our personal health. However, we are required by law in the USA to state, “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease”.