Fragrance is a substantial focus of the American culture.  In the USA, hygiene and personal care products are a billion dollar industry, often with fragrance being the main factor to differentiate between brands.  Natural fragrance has been around since the beginning of time, but synthetic fragrance first became mass produced with the introduction of Chanel No. 5 perfume in 1921. In recent years, these synthetics have been linked to disrupting hormones which can affect your body’s ability to lose weight.  Many of these chemicals are also affecting our body’s natural chemistry which can impact your mood, attention span and ability to focus. Many of these chemicals have even been found in the cord blood of babies, passed on by the mother’s exposure, making many of these substances the “second hand smoke” of the 21st century.

How many products do you own with artificial fragrance? It should be easy to count, just look for the ingredient “fragrance” on your personal care products, shampoos, lotions, cosmetics. From here look at your cleaning products, laundry soaps and any air fresheners. You’ll probably be surprised where you’ll find fragrance.  Our country currently produces tens of thousands of chemicals each year, many targeted for use in body care products. Many people don’t realize they are becoming sensitive to synthetic fragrance because we are surrounded by it. What you use may also adversely affect those around you, like children who are especially vulnerable just due to their size. Individually a product may not cause problems, but when you layer product upon product on your body and in your home, you are increasing your risk of becoming sensitive to more chemicals. Synthetic ingredients are often stored in fatty tissue and major organs, slowing down your  body’s natural methods to detoxify, accelerating the signs of aging or making it tough for you to shed those unwanted pounds.

When we as consumers continue to purchase personal care products whether we need them or not, we are supporting the synthetic fragrance industry and continue to pollute our environment. The personal care and synthetic fragrance industries are booming markets. In our family we continue to use therapeutic essential oils because they are better for our health, better for the earth and it minimizes the products we purchase for personal care because the oils have multiple uses. My favorite “side effect” of using essential oils for health is they smell great and make the most natural fragrance you can wear.

Are your body care products making you sick?  Most personal care products, especially perfumes and anything with the ingredient “fragrance” in it is just a cocktail of unknown chemicals.  Therapeutic grade essential oils, however, are the purest form of fragrance and a wonderful way to scent your body. These precious oils can support your health and lift your spirits rather than  confusing your chemistry with chemical laden body care products.  If you are unsure whether you may be sensitive or responding negatively to any chemicals in your personal care products, the easiest way to find out is to eliminate some things for a week or two. The longer you wait to try something again, the more likely you’ll be able to notice what your body’s response is. This process is similar to an elimination diet that some undergo to see if they have sensitivities to foods. I’m actually surprised at the number of people who just start taking a prescription for conditions like anxiety and depression without first eliminating chemicals in their environment that might be affecting their body’s chemistry. I was on anti-depressants in my early 20′s and didn’t realize that the perfumes I was wearing may have had a negative impact on my body’s system.  Now I’ve worked on just minimizing my personal care routine and chemical exposure and incorporating essential oils to support healthy skin, gentle detox everyday, and as natural perfume.

The biggest benefit of using essential oils as perfumes is you are replacing synthetic chemicals found in over the counter fragrances that are most likely disrupting your body’s natural chemistry.  Therapeutic grade essential oils actually have DNA similar to human blood so our bodies can assimilate what it needs and eliminates what is not. Essential oils are smart and can circulate through your body to go where they are needed. When you apply any essential oils to your skin, even just for perfume, your body will benefit. Some of the results may be noticeable, such as clearer thinking or an overall feeling of wellness, while some may go unnoticed such as reducing inflammation somewhere in your body you might not be aware of. Essential oils that are pure and have no additives or carrier oils will not expire if kept in a cool, dry location. Commercial perfumes and products with “fragrance” will degrade over time as the chemicals break down and deteriorate. Essential oils are versatile and can be used for non-emergency situations to bring comfort to the body. Many essential oils are naturally anti-bacterial and anti-viral so when you wear some as fragrance or make your own air freshener, you’ll get a boost to your immune system.

Essential oils have varying characteristics, intensities and qualities making some better suited as perfume.  Essential oils, in fact, have been around for thousands of years, some being recorded in historical documents like the Bible and the Egyptian Papyrus. Many cultures equated perfumes and scents with the “arts” because it required a definite amount of creativity, experience and intuition to create oil blends that would be pleasing to the senses.  In modern times,  Therapuetic Grade oils are a suitable fit into the “healing arts”, merging Eastern philosophies of healing with Western medicine  and these precious substances are making their way into modern medical facilities like in the  UCLA Health System.

Watch for my article next week highlighting some essential oils and their characteristics, making it easy to choose oils to match your mood and personality.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you need medical care, consult with your doctor.

Aloes/sandalwood  John 19:39

Cassia  Exodus 30:24 (part of the Holy Anointing Oil)

Cedarwood – Known as the “Oil of gladness”  Psalm 45:7

Cypress -Isaiah 41:19

Frankincense – One of the gifts to baby Jesus

Galbanum -Exodus 30:34

Hyssop – Psalm 51:7

Myrrh – Mentioned over 150 times in the bible!  Esther 2:12

Myrtle – Isaiah 55:13

Onycha – Exodus 30:34

Rose of Sharon/Cistus -Song of Solomon 2:1

Spikenard – John 12:3

A copy of this recipe appears in the museum of old Marseille:

“Take 3 pints of strong white wine vinegar, add a handful each of wormwood, meadowsweet, wild marjoram and sage, 50 cloves, 2 ounces of campanula roots, 2 ounces of angelica, rosemary, and horehound and 3 large measures of camphor.  Place the mixture in a container for 15 days, strain and express, then bottle.  Use by rubbing it on the hands, ears, and temples from time to time when approaching plague victims.”

It is from this recipe Gary Young formulated the “Thieves” blend of essential oils.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years with documentation of their use even found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.   Essential oils are documented in the Bible in over 500 places, with specific usages.  Frankincense and Myrhh were brought as gifts to the Christ child.  These original therapeutic grade oils offered many health benefits that our culture is rediscovering. Over time, however the essential oil industry has become overrun with imitations and adultered versions that have fillers and chemicals added to extend the supply.  The unknowing consumers can smell the oil’s fragrance but it may not have the healing benefits, and could even be harmful depending on what unknown chemicals have been added.  Avoid these inferior oils in all situations, even for inhalation or diffusing where chemical additives could irritate the respiratory tract.

Currently, the FDA does not have regulation to differentiate between Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils that offer healing properties and perfume grade oils that only offer fragrance.  The Fair Package and Labeling Act of 1973 specifically excludes the term “fragrance” and does not define it.  Fragrance listed on any U.S. product does not need to meet any requirements and is most likely just a combination of chemicals, many of which are now found to be toxic and harmful with use.  For example, musk ketone, a synthetic musk found in many perfumes has been found to disrupt hormones and negatively impact the endocrine system – many of the secret chemicals in perfumes have even been found in fetuses.  For more information on the safety of the products you use, check out www.ewg.org and see how your current health & beauty products rate for toxicity.

Young Living Essential Oils meet the FDA guidelines as being GRAS – Generally regarded as safe and many of the oils are certified safe as food additives (FA).  Gary Young has often said if it you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.