Plant derivatives and essential oils
It is time to explore the amazing world of essential oils, plant derivatives, their benefits, and potential side effects. Some people believe that for every ailment which can affect the human body there exists a plant that can treat it. This article will break down the information and determine if there is any truth to that statement.
We will delve into the world of essential oils. This article will examine the good benefits as well as the negative drawbacks. Both positive and negative results can come from using essential oils. If you are looking to explore holistic healthcare options through the use of essential oils then you’ve come to the right place.
Many Prominent hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the United States are using essential oils more prevalently. Also, Some of the top healthcare institutions in the United States are implementing the use of essential oils in their everyday practice. As a result, Healthcare providers at the University of Michigan hospital system are using aromatherapy. They use lavender and peppermint essential oils to help relieve the feeling of nausea.
Evolution of Essential oil use
With the increased use of essential oils; People are noticing the quality-of-life improvements that result from using them. However, some people are also experiencing side effects, adverse effects, and unexpected interactions. Reactions occur when being exposed to different essential oils. Essential oils have natural healing powers but they also can disrupt the endocrine system. 1
Like with every medication and therapy available, people must take precautions when using them. Children and adults may also have allergies to certain EOs, so it is always important to take care when being introduced to new substances. Precautions you can take are: Use a diluted essential oil, and avoiding skin exposure. Also, test on a small area of skin first, and try a small amount in a diffuser.
Natural plant remedies are not a new concept people have used plant remedies for ages. Ethnobotany refers to the science of how plants are related to humans’ evolution through cultural heritage, medicine, and different ethnic groups. Our species started using plants by foraging for sustenance. Which then it evolved into the many uses for pharmacological, and nutraceutical applications we use today.2
The Animal Kingdoms Contribution to Essential Oils
Natural plant remedies are not limited to human use; Many animals consume different plants to help them deal with bodily issues as well. Animals use plants to cure sickness and vitamin deficiency. Think about a dog, they may consume grass to help them vomit if they are experiencing an upset stomach.
There is an article by the AKC (American Kennel Club) that explains the reasons why they may eat grass. One reason is that when dogs have an empty stomach the bile in the stomach is irritating. They eat grass and then vomit the bile to ease their upset stomach. 3
Humans have evolved a long way from using plants as just food. Through much research and experiments, we have explored different ways to use plants as remedies and botanical cures. After thousands of years of use; Our clinical studies have revealed some of the many benefits of plants and their derivatives.4
Chemicals, Compounds, Dilutes-Solvents
Cosmeceuticals, phytochemicals, and nutraceuticals are just a few of the many applications for natural and botanical cures. We can utilize natural plant flora through cooking, distillation, compounding, and different forms of extraction like pressing and through the use of heat. Alcohol can be used to create essential oils; vodka is commonly used as alcohol for this process. We have also learned that different chemicals and compounds can be dissolvable in water or oil. 5
Certain chemicals and compounds derived from vegetation can be water soluble or fat soluble. Determining the solubility of the substances contained within plants was a huge step in our evolutionary process. We learned that different plant substances are easily isolated using a variety of techniques.
In the 21st century, we live in an environment filled with artificial additives and substitutes. Natural essential oils are a welcomed reprieve from the man-made world we live in today. Many Unnecessary chemicals are added to essential oils and used as fillers to reduce the cost of production. One important precaution to take when purchasing or using EOs is to verify if it is organic with no artificial chemical additives.
The Cost of Essential Oils
Using high-grade natural essential oils can become expensive. Organic essential oils are high-cost because they are high quality. If you are using the oils to diffuse or use them topically you want them to be organic. The essential oils you are using should be 100% pure.
Cheaper quality oils are available; however, you will get diminished benefits with a lower quality product. Non-Organic essential oils can have added chemicals or ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction or immune response. There are many low-grade oils available on the market which makes it important to do your research before purchasing a new product.
Low-cost EOs are typically lower quality. However, essential oils are becoming more readily available. The higher amount of supply should decrease the overall cost. The global Essential Oil industry is worth 19 billion USD which indicates that the natural healthcare market is booming and continuously evolving.6
A New Experience and Eye-Opening Discovery
Let me tell you a story about my introduction to essential oils. I was excited to start my new career working with patients and helping people to enjoy happy and healthier lives. I had just graduated from nursing school and was searching for a new job as a registered nurse.
Since I had no experience apart from my clinical rotations, my options were limited. I applied for open positions at several well-known hospitals in my area. Anxiously waiting for replies I prepared to start my new profession.
After a couple of weeks, I received a call back from a prominent teaching facility in the heart of downtown. I interviewed and was told if hired they would start me on the night shift. I knew I might need to start on midnights however, I was not prepared for the havoc it would wreak on my sleeping habits.
After accepting the job offer, I was working from 7 pm to 7 in the morning. I was struggling with sleepless nights. After being exhausted from working the graveyard shift, I tried exploring natural remedy options like melatonin, and herbal teas.
Time To Make A Change
I had heard about using essential oils to help with sleep so I gave it a try. At which point, I started with some basic essential oils and used a diffuser to disperse the aroma throughout the air. I wanted to see if the rumors I had heard about essential oils were true.
The oils I used were lavender and I also tried a sleep blend that was a mixture of lavender and chamomile. It is typical to combine different essential oils which have similar effects together. Thus, many mixed essential oils have extra unnecessary ingredients.
I did have success using the essential oils to help me get to sleep faster and it provided a better, longer quality rest. The diffuser is the method I would recommend using for the best outcome when trying essential oils as a sleep aid. You can use other sleep methods in combination with the vapor diffuser.
The Benefits and Downfalls of Using Essential Oils
My opinion is that essential oils used in a vapor diffuser are beneficial in helping to resolve sleeplessness. However, when recommending or reviewing a new therapy I always make it a point to cover the risks and benefits. So next, we will talk about the pros and cons of using essential oils.
The cons of using essential oils are real, and when using them it’s important to know the risks that come with them. Exposure can happen in several different ways and some cases are less severe than others. Always consult your physician to navigate any negative interactions that essential oils might have with other substances you may currently be taking.
Let us explore the risks of using essential oils topically. A higher risk comes when essential oils are applied directly to the skin. People can risk an allergic reaction from anaphylaxis to hives. Mild skin irritation can occur when using topical applications.
Apart from vapors and topical applications, Essential oils can be ingested. However, essential oils are not recommended for oral consumption at this time. I caution against any individual exploring the use of essential oils orally.
The Pros of Essential Oils
There are many health benefits to using essential oils. Depending on the reason and type of application you will yield different results. First, let’s take a look at using oils in a diffuser. There are electric oil diffusers and candlelit diffusers as well.
Essential oils in a diffuser can be used for sleep, pain, stress, and even nausea. You can use lavender to help sleep, Sandalwood can be used to reduce pain and headaches. Peppermint is a good oil to use for the relief of nausea. Chamomile also works well for promoting rest because it has calming properties.
Essential oils as a topical application can be massaged into the skin. Our skin is permeable which means that oils can be absorbed through our skin. Some oils can be diluted to use on the skin because they are an irritant. It is best to buy pure EOs and dilute them yourself using a carrier oil. Carrier oils are readily available.
The Cons of Essential Oils
Essential oils do have drawbacks to their use. Just like with the use of other supplements or medicine it can have adverse effects and negative interactions with other substances. Negative interactions can be an allergic response or a disturbance in your medication’s mechanism of action.
Topical applications have the most side effects. The worst is anaphylaxis but that is a rare severe reaction. More common interactions are irritation to the skin such as rash, hives, or erythema (redness). Many EOs are toxic when ingested, you would need to contact poison control if swallowed.
Less intense reactions are seen when using the oils in a diffuser. Even with diffusion you still want to take precautions when introducing yourself to new oil. Diffuse for short periods when using an oil for the first time.
A realization and integrative future
There are essential oils in many of the products you use daily. Many ordinary manufacturers use oils for healthcare products, like green tea tree oil. It is time to take active participation in what you use and when you use it.
If you can use lavender aromatherapy to sleep instead of taking a pill; Then that would be a healthier and more natural option. Always consult with your physician or healthcare provider when planning to make any changes to your medications.
Some people may be able to replace daily medications with the use of essential oils. You might be able to eliminate a sleeping medication from your daily regimen with oil use and aromatherapy. That is the wonder of Holistic Health Remedies
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7309671/ 2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32607090/ 3. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-eat-grass/ 4. The Origins of Human Diet and Medicine: Chemical Ecology Timothy Johns University of Arizona Press, Sep 1, 1990 - Social Science 5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22700248/ 6. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/essential-oils-market#:~:text=Report%20Overview%20The%20global%20essential%20oils%20market%20size,in%20terms%20of%20revenue%20from%202021%20to%202028.