Perhaps you’ve heard the adage “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Generally, that’s a good idea, but in my world I do sweat the small stuff. The difference is in the definition of small. I sweat the very very small stuff. I’m a microbiologist. The history of my fascination with essential oils stems from that. Let me tell you why.
The creation of super bugs
I was seeing scientists develop a treatment to cure a disease only to have the disease causing organism evolve into a resistant strain thus making the treatment ineffective. That sent scientists back to the lab. They worked feverishly to find a stronger medication only to again have their efforts thwarted by the microbes. Today, we face a world with the strong possibility of diseases that were once easily cured becoming diseases for which there is no cure. So, I was interested in learning more about ways to conquer the annoying habit microbes have of developing resistance to modern medicine.
Was it just hype?
I’m going to be honest with you, I originally thought the whole aromatherapy and essential oil thing was just hype to sell products. I figured at best when a person was positively affected by essential oils, he or she was experiencing a placebo effect. However, I discovered there was good science to back up at least some of the claims. That piqued my interest.
I began to study the work of the French researcher Dr. Jean C. Lapraz and others. I decided that there was much more to essential oils as a natural treatment than I had previously thought. Plus, I was impressed by the fact that when used correctly, essential oils don’t have the negative effect on patients that modern day super drugs do.
If you have doubts as to what I’m saying, I strongly encourage you to do your own research. Use such search terms as “essential oil research” or “essential oil research anti bacteria.”
My conclusions
- Research indicates that microbes are unable to develop resistance to antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal essential oils.
- Room sprays or diffusers with the right essential oils can almost completely clear the air of microbes. In one study, a blend of pine, thyme, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, cloves and cinnamon sprayed in a room cleared the air entirely of disease-causing bacteria in 30 minutes. (1)
- Essential oils that stimulate the immune system can help prevent infection. Eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary, bay laurel, basil, frankincense, Angelica, and many more stimulate the immune system. Peppermint stimulates the movement of lymph through the system and clears it of toxins and cellular waste products. (It’s part of your body’s sewage disposal system.)
- Using essential oil sprays and diffusers instead of commercially produced antibacterial sprays will help reduce the number of super bugs.
- More research is needed to fully explore the benefits of essential oils and the best way to use them.
There are so many physical and emotional benefits associated with essential oils that it boggles the mind. In future posts, I plan on covering them all including the science that backs up the claims. If I do that, I can do my part to keep you and those you love happy and healthy the natural way.
Now go have fun and relax.
(1) http://dutko.biotechnews.com/files/biotechnewsoilseng123113v2.pdf