Awaken to the Fragrant World of Essential Oils
By Leslie Vornholt, LCSW
Supervising Certified Care Instructor
Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education
While many of us have been drawn to or repelled by various aromas in our life, the benefits of essential oils go beyond a sensory experience. Throughout history, various ancient civilizations used the extracted essences of plants as their form of medicine to heal physical aliments, to cleanse from emotional blockages and to enhance their spiritual connection to the Divine through rituals and ceremonies. The Egyptians used essential oils in the embalming process and many of their hieroglyphics revealed ancient aromatic formulas used for medicinal purposes.(RGEO)
Perhaps more familiar to Western society are the many references in the Bible about the use of essential oils during Biblical times. Terms used to denote this use include aromas, ointment, perfumes and incense. God gave Moses a formula of essential oils to mix together to create a "holy anointing oil" which included myrrh, cassia, cinnamon, and calamus in a base of olive oil, (Exodus 30:23-24). This holy anointing oil was used to anoint the temple, the priests and the items used in ceremonies and rituals to create a sacred space. (HOB)
Frankincense and Myrrh are most frequently mentioned in the Bible. It was no accident that the Three Wise Men brought gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh to the Christ Child given the healing benefits of these wonderous oils. Frankincense was considered to be a "universal healing oil" used to treat any aliment from "head to toe". Myrrh was commonly used by pregnant women to prevent stretch marks, to assist in the bonding process between mother and child, and to prevent infections. These oils would have been used to keep the Christ Child healthy throughout his childhood. (HOB)
How can these essential oils have such a healing effect? The molecules of essential oils are very small and easily absorbed through the skin to enter into the blood stream to be used by the body at the cellular level. Essential oils are comprised of a variety of chemical compounds which each act upon the body to provide unique benefits. Some will calm and sooth, some will relax, some will fight off infections and some will stimulate and energize. Essential oils can assist the body in healing by addressing the underlying causes of illness, not just alleviate the symptoms. For example, Lavender oil, "Lavandula angustifolia Officinalis", is commonly known to have a calming effect and assist with issues of insomnia. This is likely a result of the chemical compounds of aldehyde and ester that calms and balances the body.(HOB), (EODR)
Historically, there are many references to the use of essential oils for medicinal, emotional, and spiritual purposes. The French can be credited with the revitalization of the use of essential oils for healing purposes and coined the practice of "aromatherapy". "Aromatic Medicine" is a specialized medical field in France and there are many uses for essential oils in the hospitals there. Essential oils such as Oregano and Cinnamon have been found in laboratory tests to be highly effective in killing off bacteria and viruses including those that have become resistant to prescribed antibiotics.(EODR)
This is an incredible opportunity for those of us who choose to use natural substances, instead of drugs, to combat illness. Various techniques in applying essential oils have been found effective including topical applications, internal consumption and inhalation methods. Other specialized techniques include Raindrop Technique developed in the 1980's by Gary Young, Founder and President of Young Living Essential Oils, Vitaflex, an ancient form of foot and hand massage from Tibet, and Emotional Release sessions (EODR). These techniques in conjunction with therapeutic grade essential oils can leave a relaxing and rejuvenating effect on the body and assist healing at the cellular level. As a result, some may experience permanent healing from all illness and injury.
Therapeutic grade essential oils come from organic plants distilled at appropriate temperatures and pressure adjusted for the specific plant material to allow for the release of the essential oil. The cultivation and distillation of plant material is an art as well as a science as factors such as time of harvest, condition of soil, climate, source of water, and rainfall amounts all effect the quality and therapeutic value of the essential oils as well as the distillation factors. (EODR)
So, as you can see, there is much to learn to understand how essential oils can provide the body with these healing benefits. But more than anything, it is the use of essential oils in day to day life that has the greatest benefit to one's health and wellbeing.
To awaken further to this wonderous world of aroma, fragrance and to experience the healing benefits of essential oils contact:
Leslie Vornholt, LCSW, SCCI
P.O Box 17265, Boulder Co 80308
720-304-8043 MST
artemisdancer@earthlink.net
Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education
www.raindroptraining.com
Leslie Vornholt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Supervising Certified Instructor through the Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education (CARE). She has been studying essential oils and application techniques for the past 7 years. She was a member of the first CARE Intensive in Oct 2001 and began teaching the basic CARE classes in 2003.
She has also studied with Vicki Opfer, a Distributor Trainer for Young Living, David Stewart, Ph.D, founder of CARE, Gary Young, Founder and President of Young Living, Linda Smith, RN, founder and director of the Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy, and Daniel Penoel, MD, French Medical Doctor specializing in the use of essential oils in practice. She is in the process of completing her certification in Clinical Aromatherapy through the Institute for Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy.
Leslie enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience of the oils and application techniques with others to assist them in their journey of growth and healing. She is a compassionate practitioner and teacher and practices in a prayerful manner. Classes taught include Vitaflex, Raindrop Technique, Healing Oils of the Bible and Emotional Release using Essential Oils.
CARE Seminar on Maui, Hawaii - March 28-30. Contact Leslie to register by March 12th and receive early bird pricing for the seminar.
References:
Essential Oils Desk Reference, Essential Science Publishing, 2004 (EODR)
Healing Oils of the Bible, David Stewart, Ph.D, 2002 (HOB)
Reference Guide for Essential oils, Abundant Health, 2004 (RGEO)
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Awaken to the Fragrant World of Essential Oils
By Leslie Vornholt, LCSW
Supervising Certified Care Instructor
Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education
While many of us have been drawn to or repelled by various aromas in our life, the benefits of essential oils go beyond a sensory experience. Throughout history, various ancient civilizations used the extracted essences of plants as their form of medicine to heal physical aliments, to cleanse from emotional blockages and to enhance their spiritual connection to the Divine through rituals and ceremonies. The Egyptians used essential oils in the embalming process and many of their hieroglyphics revealed ancient aromatic formulas used for medicinal purposes.(RGEO)
Perhaps more familiar to Western society are the many references in the Bible about the use of essential oils during Biblical times. Terms used to denote this use include aromas, ointment, perfumes and incense. God gave Moses a formula of essential oils to mix together to create a "holy anointing oil" which included myrrh, cassia, cinnamon, and calamus in a base of olive oil, (Exodus 30:23-24). This holy anointing oil was used to anoint the temple, the priests and the items used in ceremonies and rituals to create a sacred space. (HOB)
Frankincense and Myrrh are most frequently mentioned in the Bible. It was no accident that the Three Wise Men brought gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh to the Christ Child given the healing benefits of these wonderous oils. Frankincense was considered to be a "universal healing oil" used to treat any aliment from "head to toe". Myrrh was commonly used by pregnant women to prevent stretch marks, to assist in the bonding process between mother and child, and to prevent infections. These oils would have been used to keep the Christ Child healthy throughout his childhood. (HOB)
How can these essential oils have such a healing effect? The molecules of essential oils are very small and easily absorbed through the skin to enter into the blood stream to be used by the body at the cellular level. Essential oils are comprised of a variety of chemical compounds which each act upon the body to provide unique benefits. Some will calm and sooth, some will relax, some will fight off infections and some will stimulate and energize. Essential oils can assist the body in healing by addressing the underlying causes of illness, not just alleviate the symptoms. For example, Lavender oil, "Lavandula angustifolia Officinalis", is commonly known to have a calming effect and assist with issues of insomnia. This is likely a result of the chemical compounds of aldehyde and ester that calms and balances the body.(HOB), (EODR)
Historically, there are many references to the use of essential oils for medicinal, emotional, and spiritual purposes. The French can be credited with the revitalization of the use of essential oils for healing purposes and coined the practice of "aromatherapy". "Aromatic Medicine" is a specialized medical field in France and there are many uses for essential oils in the hospitals there. Essential oils such as Oregano and Cinnamon have been found in laboratory tests to be highly effective in killing off bacteria and viruses including those that have become resistant to prescribed antibiotics.(EODR)
This is an incredible opportunity for those of us who choose to use natural substances, instead of drugs, to combat illness. Various techniques in applying essential oils have been found effective including topical applications, internal consumption and inhalation methods. Other specialized techniques include Raindrop Technique developed in the 1980's by Gary Young, Founder and President of Young Living Essential Oils, Vitaflex, an ancient form of foot and hand massage from Tibet, and Emotional Release sessions (EODR). These techniques in conjunction with therapeutic grade essential oils can leave a relaxing and rejuvenating effect on the body and assist healing at the cellular level. As a result, some may experience permanent healing from all illness and injury.
Therapeutic grade essential oils come from organic plants distilled at appropriate temperatures and pressure adjusted for the specific plant material to allow for the release of the essential oil. The cultivation and distillation of plant material is an art as well as a science as factors such as time of harvest, condition of soil, climate, source of water, and rainfall amounts all effect the quality and therapeutic value of the essential oils as well as the distillation factors. (EODR)
So, as you can see, there is much to learn to understand how essential oils can provide the body with these healing benefits. But more than anything, it is the use of essential oils in day to day life that has the greatest benefit to one's health and wellbeing.
To awaken further to this wonderous world of aroma, fragrance and to experience the healing benefits of essential oils contact:
Leslie Vornholt, LCSW, SCCI
P.O Box 17265, Boulder Co 80308
720-304-8043 MST
artemisdancer@earthlink.net
Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education
www.raindroptraining.com
Leslie Vornholt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Supervising Certified Instructor through the Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education (CARE). She has been studying essential oils and application techniques for the past 7 years. She was a member of the first CARE Intensive in Oct 2001 and began teaching the basic CARE classes in 2003.
She has also studied with Vicki Opfer, a Distributor Trainer for Young Living, David Stewart, Ph.D, founder of CARE, Gary Young, Founder and President of Young Living, Linda Smith, RN, founder and director of the Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy, and Daniel Penoel, MD, French Medical Doctor specializing in the use of essential oils in practice. She is in the process of completing her certification in Clinical Aromatherapy through the Institute for Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy.
Leslie enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience of the oils and application techniques with others to assist them in their journey of growth and healing. She is a compassionate practitioner and teacher and practices in a prayerful manner. Classes taught include Vitaflex, Raindrop Technique, Healing Oils of the Bible and Emotional Release using Essential Oils.
CARE Seminar on Maui, Hawaii - March 28-30. Contact Leslie to register by March 12th and receive early bird pricing for the seminar.
References:
Essential Oils Desk Reference, Essential Science Publishing, 2004 (EODR)
Healing Oils of the Bible, David Stewart, Ph.D, 2002 (HOB)
Reference Guide for Essential oils, Abundant Health, 2004 (RGEO)