pathwayCan you believe we’ll be trading in our beach balls for backpacks so soon?!

It’s that time of year when sniffles become more common, and not just because the kids are wishing that summer would last longer. Unfortunately, when little ones come together in close proximity, they share germs along with their toys and snacks. This is actually not a bad thing. Children need these exposures to exercise and strengthen their immune systems’ ability to fight off “critter invaders.” However, their germ exposure can make children and their loving parents quite uncomfortable.

The good news is, we have the ability to prevent and support our health and the wellness of our loved ones with proven, natural, non-toxic therapeutic-grade essential oils. So, why not strengthen their little bodies (and yours) during this “growing experience?”

 

The Non-Resistant Immune Strengthening Drops

Last year, I wrote about the power of essential oils and how they were showing potential as promising tools to combat the support our bodies at a time we are getting bombarded by super strong “superbugs!  However, after studying microbiome in greater depth, I’m even more convinced of their ability to safely modulate and support our bodies by creating an unfriendly environment for viruses and bacteria to thrive.

Antibiotics are non-specific and have the capacity to eradicate our entire healthy microflora. It is these “gut bugs” that play an important role in immune, digestive, hormonal, and neurological health. We can strive to keep them intact and happy, even when an unwanted germ takes residence in our body!

We can accomplish maintaining a healthy microflora balance with essential oils. They have been shown to balance out the bad guys and maintain, even positively benefit the good guys in vitro and in vivo!

 

Back to School Immune Power Support

An essential oil blend that contains Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica), lemon (Citrus limon), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and Eucalyptus radiata is one of my favorite blends to support immune health, decrease discomfort, and benefit the respiratory system.

Below is an expert from an article written by a famous French aromatherapist and renowned trainer in natural healing. He discusses the power of Ravensara aromatica, the main oil:

 

An Essential Oil That Makes Microbes Unwelcome

Ravensara aromatica

The Lauraceae genus is important, both for its sheer number of species (2000-2500) and for its therapeutic properties. They are found mostly in the tropical areas of America and Asia.

Each part of these aromatic plants may contain essences; for example, with Ravensara, the bark and leaves produce two very different essential oil.

General Properties

The essential oil has the properties of its oxide (1,8 cineole) and its monoterpenic alcohols (terpineol alpha).

These compounds support a healthy immune system, provide protection against microbes, assist with energy, and support the neurological, muscular, and respiratory system.

 

More on the Power of Essential Oils

After recently being asked to appear on a radio show in September to discuss the many benefits of peppermint oil, I did a little more exploring to update my research library on the benefits of essential oils for bugs that are becoming superpowered to resist most treatments. I found an abstract that demonstrated in vitro and in vivo evidence of essential oils that can kill a microorganism linked to stomach ulcers without developing resistance. Interestingly, resistance to the antibiotic, clarithromycin, developed under the same testing conditions. The abstract results state:

Thirteen essential oils used in this study completely inhibited the growth of H. pylori in vitro at a concentration of 0.1% (v/v). Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and Lippia citriodora (lemon verbena) were bactericidal against H. pylori at 0.01% at pH 4.0 and 5.0. Resistance to lemongrass did not develop even after 10 sequential passages, whereas resistance to clarithromycin developed under the same conditions. In in vivo studies, the density of H. pylori in the stomach of mice treated with lemongrass was significantly reduced compared with untreated mice. (doi: 10.1046/j.1523-5378.2003.00146.x)

Another study examined nine essential oils and found those highest in eugenol exhibited the highest antioxidant activity which helps protect us from chemical exposure and is helpful for cellular damage. The results state, “Clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum) oil appeared the most promising for potential applications as a food preservative because [it] showed the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) oils with [a] very high antioxidant activities were also effective though less than the clove bud oil against the growth of the microorganisms tested.” (AROMATIC PLANTS: ESSENTIAL OILS, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES. Acta Hort. (ISHS). 2004. 629:77-81.)

SO…apply some essential oils to the bottom of tiny feet on back-to-school day in order to prevent any tummy aches from tainted foods and to help to keep the body safe from chemicals.

Here’s to a healthy and happy fall for all!

Sources:

  • Juliani, H.R., Simon, J.E., Ramboatiana, M.M.R., Behra, O., Garvey, A. and Raskin, I. 2004. MALAGASY AROMATIC PLANTS: ESSENTIAL OILS, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 629:77-81
    http://www.actahort.org/books/629/629_9.htm
  • Ohno, T., Kita, M., Yamaoka, Y., Imamura, S., Yamamoto, T., Mitsufuji, S., Kodama, T., Kashima, K. and Imanishi, J. (2003), Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter, 8: 207–215. doi: 10.1046/j.1523-5378.2003.00146.x
  • Baudoux, D. Antiviral and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils. Aromatherapy, originally published in issue 55 – August 2000. http://www.positivehealth.com/article/aromatherapy/antiviral-and-antimicrobial-properties-of-essential-oils

 

Disclaimer: This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic, Grade A essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been AFNOR and ISO standardized. There is no quality control in the United States and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. These studies are not specific for any essential oils company or brand. Please see the original source for details.

This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness.

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