Basic information about Essential Oils
The use of essential oils for healing goes back thousands of years, and the anointing of oils is a tradition in countless cultures all over the world. The beneficial effects of essential oils can be experienced in dozens of ways, and I could go on about this for pages. My intent here is just to provide you with updates about the practical applications of essential oils in the world we live in today.
There is no doubt in my mind that essential oils are, and will be, one of the most powerful and effective weapons we have to fight new waves of resistant virus and bacteria strains, as well as fungi & mold, and a host of parasites that are also developing resistance to our chemical/pharmaceutical arsenals.
These super pathogens are created through natural and not so natural means, but I believe that nature also provides healing solutions that do not involve causing us harm as they help.
It is important to me that you know about my association with a company called Young Living Essential Oils. Selling oils to you is not my priority. I became a distributor for YLO because I consider their oils to be of superior quality, and are what I use. I believe they are a powerful means of preventing illness and promoting health.
I will not push them on you. Of course, I will be happy to tell you more about them, and how to sample or order any essential oil products. There is a direct link to YLO on the home page, but please contact me first if possible, as I often have popular products in stock, and may be able to offer you better pricing in some instances.
YLO does not carry all the oils I sometimes mention or recommend. A few unusual oils can be obtained through one of YLO’s sources, and I can obtain those for you.
Mountain Rose Herbs is another source of therapeutic grade essential oils. They are organically grown and/or sustainably harvested and carefully processed.
There are other companies who sell cheaper therapeutic grade essential oils, and you can certainly consider using their oils. Just keep in mind that a quality oil will not be cheap, and if you are using them for healing, be prepared to spend a little more, knowing you will be getting your money’s worth.
Because there are virtually no guidelines regarding the quality or origin of essential oil products, it is important that you use certified organic, or preferably therapeutic grade oils for health therapy purposes. In addition, it is critical that you use them correctly. Essential oils are potent and can be irritants if used improperly. It may be necessary for persons with sensitive skin to dilute even mild essential oils with carrier oils such as sweet almond oil.
I recommend taking essential oils orally only under the supervision of a knowledgeable essential oil expert. I am not qualified for this, though I can refer you to several individuals in our area who are.
Essential Oil Defense Against Viruses, Bacteria, and other Microbes
Numerous studies have shown that certain essential oils, particularly oregano, thyme, rosewood, cinnamon, clove, and eucalyptus create autolytic and inhibition reactions in strep pneumonia cells--in other words, cells fall apart or are unable to reproduce.
Flu viruses appear to be affected in much the same way, and no harmful viruses or bacteria have ever been able to develop resistance to essential oils.
Purchasing all the above mentioned oils can cost over $200, though I still consider that to be cheap insurance. However, a client’s suggestion led me to create my own blend, based on my research of the correct proportions. This makes it possible for you to benefit from essential oil protection for a fraction of the cost. The basic recipe can be found in my Guide to Healthier Home Quality, but I have increased the proportions of some of the more potent oils in my blend that I call Marie’s Essential Oil Defense Blend.
This blend is to be used for inhalation or disinfecting, not consumption. 
How to use essential oils during cold and flu season
Oils can be used to kill viruses and bacteria in a variety of ways. I recommend diluting with a carrier oil like sweet almond before applying to sensitive skin. Use special caution with children, who may get it in mouth or eyes. The following suggestions are intended for adults.
I always carry small bottles in my purse and keep others at home. If I am in an enclosed area with lots of people, or with someone who is coughing, sneezing, looks sick, etc, I shake the bottle, put a few drops into my palm, rub my hands together to disinfect them, and then cup them over my nose and breathe in the essential oil vapors. Since inhalation of pathogens is a common mode of infection, this has been demonstrated anecdotally to inhibit transmission. Sprinkling a few drops on a cloth handkerchief is nice to carry in your pocket or purse. This is a gentler mode that could be used for children, too. If it were to become necessary to use face masks, such as during a major epidemic, I would definitely sprinkle my blend on the mask, creating a much more effective barrier to infection.
I use essential oils in a car diffuser that scents the car, and helps kill any airborne pathogens. I figure my steering wheel picks up lots of microbes, so I try to disinfect it with a few drops or essential oil spray from time to time as needed, too.
At home, I use oils in diffusers and mists that can be sprayed on rugs, surfaces, bedding, or even in the laundry. There are some recipes for these applications in my Healthier Home Air Quality Guide.
Young Living Oils makes a line of products based on its popular oil blend, Thieves®. Thieves contains clove, cinnamon, lemon, rosemary, and eucalyptus. Although I create many of my own essential oil products using these and other oils, I also depend on many of the Thieves products to supplement my own and help me defend my family from contagious infections. The foaming hand soap is luxurious and smells wonderful, while the small wipes are perfect for disinfecting surfaces like phones and computer key boards. They also make a gel type hand sanitizer and a wide variety of Thieves products for home and personal care.
Why use essential oils?
Because so many flu related deaths are caused by antibiotic resistant infections, the use of any natural agent that can destroy bacteria or viruses is crucial. Essential oils are being studied extensively, as even the most modern researchers return to traditional remedies as natural options to failing antibiotics and vaccines.
Weber State University in Ogden Utah has recently published studies revealing the results of its studies with essential oils. You should know that the oils used in the studies were from Young Living Oils. The results were as follows: 72 of 91 tested essential oils inhibited MRSA, with the most effective oils being lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) which completely inhibited the growth of MRSA . Others that were effective were lemon myrtle oil (Backhousia citriodora), mountain savory oil (Satureja montana), cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum verum), and melissa oil (Melissa officinalis) essential oils.
During a test of 74 different essential oils, the oils of oregano, thyme, and rosewood were found to cause an autolytic reaction when sprayed in a room where another experiment involving Streptococcus pneumonia was being conducted. This unexpected discovery was greeted with much enthusiasm at the general assembly of the American Society of Microbiology, as this specific infection is often the cause of the highest flu related mortality rates. Cinnamon and clove oils also demonstrated significant inhibition of the pathogen, and the oils were effective against E. coli and several types of fungi, as well.
The YLO blend, Thieves, was tested and demonstrated a 90% reduction in the number of gram positive virus organisms after diffusing the air for 12 minutes. The kill rate jumped to 99.3 % after 20 minutes. An earlier study of Thieves found it killed a gram negative Pseudomonas colony at the rate of 99.6% after 12 minutes of air diffusion.
Essential Oil Defense Against Parasites
Essential oils can kill many types of disease causing parasites, including worms and protozoa. Oils of thymol, oregano, peppermint, and lavender are some of the most studied for these purposes. Used correctly, these and other oils have tremendous power to rid the body of harmful invaders.
However, please remember my caution about using essential oils orally. One drop of essential oil may be the equivalent of an ounce or more of the fresh herb. Unless you are consulting with an essential oil expert, please do not attempt to self treat using essential oils internally, as they can be toxic. Persons with heart or liver disease, intestinal disorders, or women who are pregnant must be especially careful. If you take any type of medication, it is important to be aware of potential interactions between oils and drugs.
Lice & Nits
Numerous studies have found a variety of essential oils to be effective in killing and repelling lice and nits. In many cases, the essential oils demonstrated higher effectiveness, and the essential oil of Lippia multiflora exhibited a 100% efficacy rate—something no other product on the market today can claim.
Lice and nits cause thousands of school children to be sent home each year for treatment. This treatment normally involves products containing poisons like lindane, malathione, benzyl benzoate, and permethrin, chemicals with serious known side effects, including neurotoxicity. I know that in our area, parents must bring the product packaging to school as proof of treatment.
Getting rid of a pest that carries no disease (and is only an embarrassing and irritating nuisance) with chemicals that can cause long term neurological damage and lead to resistance in the pest, makes absolutely no sense to me.
Essential oils of citronella, lemon, anise, tea tree, ylang ylang, and especially Lippia multiflora have been found to be at least as effective as those dangerous chemical treatments. These oils should be diluted in carrier oils such as sweet almond oil before being applied to skin or scalp. There are a few products that contain the oils, such as shampoos and hair conditioners. Zosimos Botanicals Lippia Tea Hair Oil is one such product, but must be ordered. I do not know if the amount of Lippia multiflora in this product is sufficient to be effective in treating a lice infestation. I would, however, use it as a base and perhaps add a few drops of some of the other known to be effective oils such as ylang ylang, anise, and tea tree. I have yet to find a source of the African Lippia multiflora essential oil.
Synthetic Fragrances should be replaced with Essential Oil products
The following is taken from my Guide to Healthier Home Air Quality. This guide can be ordered from me and includes resources, “recipes”, and alternatives for safer products.
There is no regulation of the terminology “natural”, “fragrance” or “essential oils”. Manufacturers do not have to disclose the chemicals in their fragrances. They can claim to use essential oils, even if those oils were produced in a lab rather than a living plant. Or they can add genuine oils to the chemical blend, and/or label it in such a way as to suggest the product is “natural” or fragrance-free.
The actual fragrance chemicals are only a part of the total picture. Dozens of chemicals are used in scented products that may be used to mask unpleasant chemical odors, or to extend, emulsify, preserve, or stabilize the product. Some plug in air fresheners, for example, also release a steady stream of formaldehyde, along with the fragrance chemicals.
It is vital that you understand there is virtually no regulation of the ingredients used in fragrances, whether they are in your dryer sheets or in the expensive perfume you love. (Calvin Klein’s Eternity contains over 800 chemical compounds).
Several health organizations place synthetic fragrances in the same category as second hand smoke for triggering respiratory problems like asthma and sinusitis.
As early as 1986, the National Academy of Sciences placed fragrances in the same category as solvents, insecticides, and heavy metals for neurotoxicity testing recommendations.
This is because at least 95% of the fragrance ingredients in most scented products are petrochemicals. Some of these chemicals are on EPA hazardous waste lists, and are known carcinogens, neurotoxins, irritants, or respiratory toxicants. Others are also known hormone and endocrine disrupters which can affect female and male reproductive organ formation and function. At least one compound has already been banned, but due to loopholes in laws on fragrances, the ban cannot be enforced!
The synthetic fragrances most likely to impact your home’s IAQ are found in dryer sheets, air fresheners, candles, perfumes, cleaning products, and personal care products like deodorants and shampoo. We can smell these products because of their VOC (volatile organic compound) makeup.
Synthetic fragrances are well known for causing headaches and migraines, and exacerbating breathing difficulties in persons with COPD and asthma. Other common health problems associated with synthetic fragrances include seizures, dizziness, disorientation, skin irritation, and general respiratory distress.
Chemists may argue that some synthetic versions replicate the molecules of natural fragrance exactly. However, time and time again, we have seen that our bodies do know the difference between a lab produced substance and one created by nature. Plus, most of these chemicals replicate nothing in nature.
