How Do Essential Oils Actually Work?

I have a hard time believing in things that I don’t understand, as many other people do.  When I was first introduced to essential oils I was skeptical.  Yes, some of them smell great and I wasn’t opposed to using them in my home but I wasn’t really sure of all the potential benefits that people claim essential oils could offer.  

I am the type of person that needs the science behind things before I am all-in and I know that I am not alone in this.  This article won’t go deep into the chemistry of essential oil but you will be able to understand the basic concepts of how they work within our bodies.

Essential oils and aromatherapy have been around for thousands of years and used in many different cultures for emotional and physical wellbeing.  Some physicians, chiropractors, psychotherapists, and other healthcare providers will even prescribe essential oils before pharmaceuticals.

Essential oils are created in plants to support their health and protect them from danger.  Each oil consists of 12 to 300 different molecules, depending on the plant that it comes from.  The balance of these molecules is what helps create balance in our bodies.  Because these molecules are so small, they absorb into our cells very easily by attaching to the proteins and dissolving into the fats in our body.  Once introduced, they are in the bloodstream within about two minutes.

We don’t really have anything except Western medicine to compare the therapeutic effects of essential oils to, so here are a few things to consider -

• The molecules in essential oils are about the same size as most pharmaceutical molecules.
• Essential oils can help with specific emotional and physical health problems.  They are created with many molecules that all work together to balance the cells and reduce side effects.
• Pharmaceuticals can also address specific problems but they typically only have a single molecule, which creates an imbalance in the cellular network and can create a number of side effects.
• Over 50% of pharmaceuticals are made from essential oil molecules but the act of separating the molecules for the drug creates an imbalance that causes side effects.

Not all oils are created equally!  This was another thing I questioned when I was first introduced to essential oils. The price difference in the various brands can be shocking at times and of course, we all want to save a little money and go for the cheaper ones.  When it comes to purchasing oils, typically, you get what you pay for.  The consistent purity of the product is extremely important.  The entire complex mixture of components needs to be consistently pure in order for the essential oil to do its job.

After doing my own research and trying a few different brands, I found that my favorite and highest quality oils are the Young Living Essential Oil brand.  Young Living has a patented “Seed to Seal” process - Seed, Cultivate, Distill, Test, and Seal. They also predominantly own or are partnered with existing farms to ensure the cultivation of the purest essential oils.  I have heard that if you go to one of these farms (listed on their website), you are able to tour them! 

Of course, there are thousands of brands out there and I am sure that Young Living isn’t the only great one but with my extensive research, they are the brand that I choose to use in my home and my business.  I encourage you to do your research too!  I have used this brand for over four years now. In that time, I have had to contact their customer service on a couple of occasions and they were extremely helpful and friendly.  

If you have any further questions about essential oils or Young Living, don’t hesitate to reach out!  I’d love to help.