Finishing Up on the Third Concept of Essential Oils and Synergism
Listen to the final summary of all three concepts in 4 minutes below.
Listen to the audio of this blog in 7 minutes below.
It’s here!
The bittersweet moment of a completion of an accomplishment and the release of an old friend.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit sentimental for a blog series on the three concepts to consider when choosing an essential oil?
I just summarized all three concepts and where we left off for this final posting on this theme. You can click here to read it, or listen to the audio above, if you want a refresher or missed any of it.
Our focus in this article is on the final points on the third concept, synergism. Synergism regarding essential oils means that they will “behave” in a different manner than the sum of the actions of their constituents. They have a harmonizing and balancing effect from all the compounds keeping each other “in check.” This is the main aspect that explains why extrapolating the actions based on one or two compounds from essential oils, that contains hundreds of them, is bad science.
Synergy can exist within the essential oils themselves. It can also be further applied when mixing them with a carrier or base product, by combining them together, or when using them with medications and other natural healing modalities. (You can go to this link for the reference links, safety consideration resources, and interactions with medications.)
Now, let’s look at the final two points I want to make on synergy in relation to essential oils.
1. The Synergy Within Your Favorite Brand’s Bottles of Essential Oils
An important point regarding the synergism of essential oils is based on their processing. Different methods and means used to distill them will result in variations in the array of compounds present in the final product. This was reviewed in detail when we had those long chemotype discussions that made everyone’s head spin from a biochemical alphabet soup.
These alterations can also be due to what a company considers the most important as the main compounds in the oil. Each are often extracting out certain ones in various quantities than others.
This could mean you may experience an essential oil, such as lavender, from one company to the next differently. Therefore, although the science and research are wonderful, they may not translate directly to the particular essential oil in your hand from your favorite supplier.
2. The Synergism of Your Body with Your Essential Oils
In discussing the epigenetic effects of essential oils, I also touched on essential oils innate “knowing” and versatile properties to balance your body’s needs. I stated:
A quality essential oil will contain a vast amount of therapeutic constituents that your body can “pick and choose” from in order to rebalance its physiological processes. This is the concept of essential oils “synergy” and is one of the most amazing things about essential oils. I refer to it as their “innate” healing power.
True, an essential oil will possess general properties based on its biochemical makeup, but factors such as our own genetic variances, microbiota diversity, and “internal environment” all influence its actions. (Read more about that here, if you wish.)
Essential oils seem to possess a “knowing” on exactly how they can help to balance the body in the way it needs.
The point is that this factor interacts with your company brand’s essential oils’ synergism.
What Does ALL of This Mean for You?
The actions of essential oils are systemic. They simultaneously impact our physiology, biochemistry, and psychology.
As I stated previously, “This is not meant to complicate your life. Whichever essential oil you choose, it will likely bring harmony, if you use it safely and with proper application. They will affect each person differently due to their complexity and synergy and an individual’s unique physical makeup at that momement.
If you aren’t getting the response you desire, it’s time to dig deeper and look for the reasons. This could mean keeping in mind if you are of the sensitive type or choosing different essential oils.
My Concluding Remarks on These Three Concepts
Essential oils are my favorite tool to support the whole body, mind, and spirit due to their “complicated-mind-memory-body-aroma connections.”
Safety First!
Please review the resources for essential oils safety here.
Still Confused?
Feel Like You Need a Bit More Guidance to Get Back in Touch with Your Body’s Needs?
Essential Oils Consult Are Here to Help You Gain Some Clarity.
I am having a blast getting to know some of my readers and followers more personally with my essential oils consults!
It’s so rewarding to apply these concepts and watch their successes. I love using my naturopathic and functional medicine knowledge of the body’s physiology and biochemistry in combination with my obsession of essential oils!
In a consult, I consider one’s goals, apply the philosophy and principles of the naturopathic and functional medicine, and then provide guidance with how to use essential oils and supplements that work best for one’s body!
It is not as detailed or as in depth as my consultation services, yet it is an affordable way to get my ear for 15min-2 hours for a very reasonable price.
Dig out your essential oils and supplements that are just sitting there and book a call! Learn more here.
This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)
Disclaimer: This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to 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. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.
Thanks Pixabay and iStock purchases.
