How Essential Oils Work

The following information comes from Rainbow Forever Trust [healthy-wealthy@att.net]. Jay sells Young Living Essential Oils, so the products listed are from that company. Some of the other comments are from Jay's down line. I thought that the information was very valuable and worth sharing.

Research has shown that the effects of fragrance and aromatic compounds on the sense of smell an exert strong effects on the brain especially on the hypothalamus (the hormone command center of the body) and limbic system (the seat of emotions). Some essential oils high in sesquiterpenes, such as
myrrh, sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, melissa, and frankincense, can dramatically increase oxygenation and activity in the brain. This may directly improve the function of many systems of the body.

When a fragrance is inhaled, the odor molecules travel up the nose where they are trapped by olfactory membranes that are well protected by the lining inside the nose. Each odor molecule fits like a little puzzle piece into specific receptor cell sites that line a membrane known as the olfactory epithelium. Each one of the hundreds of millions of nerve cells is replaced every 28 days. When stimulated by odor molecules, this lining of nerve cells triggers electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The olfactory bulb then transmits the impulses to the gustatory center (where emotional memories are stored), and other parts of the brain that directly connected to those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing,
memory, stress levels, and hormone balance, essential oils can have a profound physiological and psychological effects.

The sense of smell is the only one of the 5 senses directly linked to the limbic lobe of the brain, the emotional control center. Anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and joy all emanate from this region. The scent of a special fragrance can evoke
memories and emotions before we are even consciously aware of it. When smells are concerned, we react first and think later. All other senses (touch, taste, hearing, and sight) are routed through the thalamus, which acts as the switchboard for the
brain, passing stimuli onto the cerebral cortex (the conscious thought center) and other parts of the brain.

The limbic lobe (a group of brain structures that includes the hippocampus and amygdale located below the cerebral cortex) can also directly activate the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is one of the most important parts of the brain, acting as our hormonal control center. It releases chemical messengers that can affect everything from sex drive to energy levels. The production of growth hormones, sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, are all
governed by the hypothalamus, thus, the hypothalamus is refereed to the "master gland."

Essential oils--through their fragrance and unique molecular structure—can directly stimulate the limbic lobe and the hypothalamus. Not only can the inhalation of essential oils be used to combat stress and emotional trauma, but it can also stimulate the production of hormones from the hypothalamus. This results increased thyroid hormones (our energy hormone) and growth hormones(our youth and longevity hormone).

Through inhalation studies they have found that diffusing essential oils can heightened level of activity in the hypothalamus and limbic systems of the brain, which can have
dramatic effects on not only emotions, learning and attitude, but also many physical processes of the body, such as immune function, hormone balance, and energy levels.
High levels of sesquiterpenes occur in melissa, myrrh, cedarwood and clove, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense, can increase levels of oxygen in the brain by up to 28%.

Diffusing or directly inhaling essential oils can have an immediate positive impact on mood. Olfaction is the only sense that can have direct effects on the limbic region of the brain.
Studies at the University of Vienna have shown that some essential oils and their primary constituents (cineol) can stimulate blood flow and activity in the emotional regions of the brain.

Clinical studies at the Department of Psychiatry at the Mie University of Medicine showed that Lemon not only reduced depression but reduced stress when inhaled.

Great Blends to use to help ease depression, anger, trauma, bringing about happiness.

Citrus Fresh:
Stimulates the right brain to amplify creativity and well-being as well as eradicate anxiety. Works well as an air purifier. University researchers in Japan found that diffusing a citrus
fragrance in an office environment improved mental accuracy and concentration by 54%. It has been found to be very calming and relaxing especially to children. When diffused it
adds a clean, fresh scent to any environment.

It Contains: Orange, tangerine, lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, spearmint. Apply to wrist, back of neck, back of ears, feet.
Believe: Helps to release the unlimited potential everyone possesses, make it possible to more fully experience health, happiness and vitality, Restores feelings of hope. Elevates the
mind helping to overcome stress and despair. It Contains: Idaho Balsam Fir Rosewood, and Frankincense apply to back of neck, temples, wrist, feet.

Brain Power:
Promotes deep concentration and channels physical energy into mental energy. It also increases mental potential and clarity, and long-term use may retard the aging process. Many of the oils in this blend are high in sesquiterpene compounds that increase the activity in the pineal, pituitary, and the hypothalamus glands and thereby increase out put of growth hormone and melatonin. It elevates the mind helping to overcome stress and despair,. Removes emotional blocks, heightens relaxation, and helps release feelings of anger.

It Contains: Frankincense, sandalwood, melissa, cedarwood, Blue cypress, lavender, helichrysum Apply to back of neck, ears, feet, wrist.

RutaVala:
Promotes the relaxation of body and mind, counters stressed nerves and revitalized passion. It Contains: Lavender, Valerian, Ruta. Apply to wrist, temple, neck.

Stress Away Roll-on:
This blend of oils reduces nervous tension, and encourages relaxation. It Contains: Vanilla, lime, copaiba
Apply to wrist, temples, and neck thought-out the day and right before bedtime

Tranquil Roll-on:
Provides stress relief and relaxation and with the oils it contains they are known for their ability to decrease anxiety and induce tranquility. Great for mosquito bites or bee stings.

It Contains: Lavender, Roman chamomile, cedarwood.
Apply generously on wrists or back of neck for relaxation.

Valor:
Balances energies to instill courage, confidence, and self-esteem. and helps open
and release emotional blocks, brining about a feeling of grounding. It also helps the body self-correct its balance and alignment. It Contains: Rosewood, Blue Tansy, Frankincense, Spruce. Apply to wrist, chest, base of neck, feet, spine.

Joy:
Produces a magnetic energy to bring joy to the heart, mind, and soul. It inspires romance and helps overcome deep seated grief and depression. It Contains: Rose, bergamot, mandarin, Ylang Ylang, lemon, geranium, jasmine,palmarosa, Roman chamomile, rosewood. Apply over heart, thyumus, temples, and wrists.

Hope:
is essential in order to go forward in life. Hopelessness can cause a loss of vision of goals and dreams. This blends helps to reconnect with a feeling of strength and grounding, restoring hope for tomorrow. It helps overcome suicidal depression.
It Contains: Melissa, spruce, juniper, myrrh.
Apply to edge of ears, wrists, neck, temples, over hear, or chakra/Vital flex points.

Peace & Calming:
Promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace and emotional well-being, helping to dampen tensions and uplift spirite. Reduces depression , anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It Contains: Blue tansy, patchouli, tangerine, orange, Ylang Ylang. Apply to edge of ears, wrist, feet, dilute for a body massage. 4-8 drops on a cottonball and place on a vents for a great night sleep.
Single oils to use are Frankincense, cedarwood, lemon, peppeprmint, ylang ylang, rosemary, Jasamine absolute.
Diffuse 20 minutes, 3 times daily. Drect inhalation 4-6 times daily.

Dietary Supplementaion:
MultiGreen, Life 5, Super B, Mineral Essence, and Balance. Complet. Omrega Blue softgels.

I hope this helps when a person is feeling depressed, lost, lonely, sad, unhappy.

Testimonies:
I suffered from depression for a short while with a very stressful job. My doctor gave me a prescription drug for it. I did not want to go that route but had no choice. A few months later I was introduced to the oils. One of the oils was Peace and Calming for depression. I slowly weaned myself off of the depression drug and have been rubbing Peace and Calming on my feet every day. No more depression! Wow, these oils are a miracle! Janice Erhart
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I had been taking an anti-depressant (prozac) for a few years then I was introduced to Ruta Vala. I began by putting Ruta Vala on the back of my neck (bottom of the brain stem) before
bed and taking a capsule of 4 to 5 drops in the morning or whenever I remembered.

I did that for a few days then kept taking a little more prozac out of the capsule and adding a drop or 2 of Ruta Vala. I did this until I had no more prozac to remove. Now I just take
one capsule of Ruta Vala once a week (about 8 to 10 drops) and no more prozac.

Dawn Child
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With the help of many essential oils, I am getting off Prozac. Aside from excercise, light
therapy and supplements I apply and smell the Young Living oil's Valor, Frankincense,
Peace and Calming, etc. I am getting needed oxygen to my brain and cells. I feel blessed!
Sheli Toepfer
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I have lost both beloved parents within 6 months and credit the following 'formula' for helping me out of a deep depression after the first death, and getting me through the second funeral with much more grace and dignity than I would've been able to muster without the oils: Put a drop of Valor on your wrist and hold your other wrist against it for a moment (drives the oil in). Put Harmony on all chakra points, and a drop of Joy
over your heart. Try this for grief or depression. Nancy

Summers
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Depression is a battle I fight on a daily basis. I was diagnoses with Bi-polar Disorder. I believe I have had this since I was a child, but was only diagnosed with this as an adult. I don't like being on prescription drugs because they are not only expensive, but most of them are highly addictive and you never know what side affects you will have as a result of taking them. Since becoming aware of the wonderful benefits of using essential oils, I use Lavender and Peace & Calming Essential oils on a daily basis. I have tried Valor Essential Oil, and it was alright, but not really enough for me. I recently came upon Joy Essential Oil, and that has made all the difference! I don't feel depressed or overwhelmed when I apply this on a daily basis. I apply 1-2 times a day the same as I apply oils for migraines. I love the smell of the Joy Essential Oil - when I breathe it in, it brings me a sense of security somehow. Hollie Drange