"Trying Essential Oils" vs. Clinical Aromatherapy

I beg your pardon, this post is a bit direct, my Texan is showing. ;) Please note my purpose is clarification not condemnation. If I only had a dollar for every time I've seen or heard the words "I tried essential oils..." or "I'm trying essential oils..." There is a vast difference between "trying essential oils" and working with a trained and qualified clinical aromatherapist. Trying essential oils is like hiring your 15-year-old nephew who is good in math to do your taxes. Your nephew may be able to crunch the numbers, but if he doesn't understand the relevant tax laws related to your finances he could trigger an audit that could leave you with stiff penalties and/or jail time. I don't personally know anyone who enjoys the thought of undergoing an IRS audit. I do know that with the popularity of essential oils and the saturation of essential oil sellers that there's going to be a lot more people "trying essential oils" and then judging them based on that experience. I'm hoping this post will encourage them not to give up until they've truly experienced the proper "therapeutic" use of essential oils. I was first introduced to essential oils over 20 years ago. I didn't realize they were "essential oils" at the time. I was just going to the compounding pharmacy and buying what my naturopath told me to get and using them the way I'd been directed to use them. The 'essential' education didn't happen until I got involved in one of the MLM companies a few years ago. Fortunately my mixed findings there were high and low enough that I decided to do some serious research. While doing my research I learned there was an actual field of practice for holistic and clinical aromatherapy. I also found the certification program I've since completed. During the process of completing my course work to become qualified I learned why so many who "try essential oils" don't get the results they're anticipating. I can still hear the person who signed me up to the MLM say "You might have to try a few to find the right one." I've seen several essential oil business people say the same thing. Using essential oils therapeutically involves a lot more than naming your oils "therapeutic grade". To truly, effectively and properly use essential oils therapeutically, one needs to understand the neurophysiology and psychoneuroimmunology of the human body, as well as the chemistry and botanical biology of the plants being distilled. For example, not all lavenders are not created equal. While Shakespeare said "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." That doesn't mean that each rose is chemically equal. Roses grown in Bulgaria will have a different chemistry than that of roses grown in Turkey, Iran, Morocco, India and/or China. Knowing how to read the analysis of each essential oil before purchasing it or using it helps ensure you're using the right essential oil or hydrolat for the issue at hand. There are many factors that impact the chemistry of an essential oil. A rose grown in Turkey is grown at a different latitude, in a different climate, in different soil, and exposed to different environmental conditions than a rose grown in China. Plants produce essential oils as a means of defense and communication. The essential oil protects the plant from microorganisms and deters animals that would be tempted to make a snack of it. The essential oil also serves as a means of communication between the plant and it's pollinators and the plant with other plants within its local environment. The production and release of the essential oil can attract or repeal insects and warn the other plants to produce more predator repellants. This multi-functionality of essential oils is why some oils have neurotoxic properties and some are used as aphrodisiacs. Essential oils are complex and fascinating. The more I study them the more I want to learn. Essential oils are not a magic bullet or a missing link. Contrary to MLM marketing there is Not an essential oil for "that" aka everything you can possibly imagine. Essential oils do Not cure cancer, MS, epilepsy or any other pathophysiological issue one has been diagnosed with. Essential oils are tools best used with direction from individuals with the certified training necessary to guide you in using them effectively. Before you give up on essential oils because you didn't get the results you were hoping to see. I encourage you to connect with a Qualified Clinical Aromatherapist to see how they can help you support your particular need. ©2017 Cynthia Tamlyn-QCA DISCLAIMERTHIS BLOG IS FOR INFORMATIONAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, PREEMPT, OR SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, CURE, TREAT, OR PREVENT DISEASE OR HEALTH ISSUES.ALWAYS CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING OR APPLYING ANY OF THE SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED ON THIS BLOG.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.