By Amanda Jewel DeJong
Imagine inhaling a phenomenal fragrance that sends you catapulting into a state of deep relaxation.
It tantalizes your senses and has the capability to heal you on all levels, yet is completely natural and incredibly effective with no side effects. Is something like this too good to be true? The answer is a resounding “no.”
They are called essential oils, and their use has been documented for thousands of years. From the Egyptians to the Chinese, people of long ago understood how important it was that we humans utilize the oils of our plant brothers and sisters to help with various ailments in an organically intuitive way. These oils were the medicine of old, and we are only now starting to realize that they should be included in the medicine of NEW as well.
The term Aromatherapy was coined in the 20th century in order to describe the practice of using these oils. However, the first compiled documentation of essential oils dates back to approximately 2,700 BC and was written by a man named Shen Nung. His work is considered to be the oldest medical book to have survived in China. The manual contains the properties of over 365 herbs that were tested to determine the energetics of these plants, the organs associated with them and the actions they perform. It was soon realized that essential oils could be used to treat wounds, calm reactions in the skin and provide preventative care for all-around good health. Because they have little to no side effects, they provide obvious advantages over chemically induced modern medicines currently on the market.
Profits over Promising Natural Cures
Why is it that the mainstream population has stopped using these amazing oils for their miraculous accommodations? In a society so obsessed with making money, we find that healthcare professionals rely on pharmaceutical companies to find the next “miracle cure” and take advantage of man-made science to do so. They produce hybrid chemicals that are meant to provide the same benefits of all-natural substances, but contain many more additives than the human body should ever be subject to, then profit off of their sales.
Meanwhile, we consumers continue to put our trust in these pills, even with the dangerous side effects and the massive amount of damage they may cause to our bodies. To make matters worse, most healthcare professionals advise against the use of natural supplements like essential oils because exact dosages would differ for each individual and would need to be monitored more closely than a common prescription would be. The other classic argument is that not enough research has been done to prove the effectiveness of these alternative medicines.
Tragically, there may never be enough current research provided for these oils because natural ingredients cannot be patented. It is the pharmaceutical companies that actually fund the research projects for medication and if there is no money to be made, there is no use in trying. However, due to this blessed patent protection, we can be certain that we receive these herbs and oils at a fair market value by the farmers themselves rather than the scientists that manufacture them—even if most healthcare providers refuse to examine their potential.
Therefore, it is up to all of us to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors and reach for something organic to heal our minds, bodies and spirits whenever possible. Perhaps try natural essential oils in order to achieve whatever effects are desired before settling for a synthetic drug. We just may find an inexpensive, holistic way to help ourselves in the process.
Amanda Jewel DeJong is a licensed massage therapist, certified life coach, clinical hypnotherapist and Reiki master. She has worked with most aspects of metaphysical practices for well over a decade and is currently obtaining a degree in holistic healthcare specializing in mind/body psychology with a major in hypnosis as well as spiritual studies. Email Amanda at ajewel65@gmail.com.