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.

The foundation of the champagne is simply sparkling water, Soda Stream now makes it possible for you to add carbonation to your tap water if you choose.  I like San Pellegrino, partly because I love all things European, and  glass bottles. The “champagne goes together very quickly, you simply add 1 drop of  citrus essential oil to your glass champagne flute: tangerine, orange, lemon or grapefruit. Add garnishes like organic cranberries or twists of lime, lemon or orange.  Then pour in your sparkling water to mix it all together.  You could even add a couple drops of agave nectar to the glass bottom before adding the water to sweeten your drink for a pure, refreshing spritzer.

The options are endless and can suit your personal taste for the moment. You could even bring along a bottle of San Pellegrino or Perrier and a bottle of Young Living Therapeutic Grade  Tangerine, Orange or Lemon as a gift for your hosts this season. Whatever combination you choose, the citrus essential oils work to gently detoxify your system and will give your taste buds a boost.  Many citrus oils naturally have anti-depressant qualities versus alcohol which is a depressant, so you’ll be giving your psyche a lift too when you choose to go healthy this season.

1 drop of citrus oil will infuse 8-16 ounces of sparkling water~

Optional garnishes:

• fresh, organic cranberries
• lemon, lime, orange twist
• fresh pomegranate seeds

1 tsp agave nectar for a sweet drink (optional)

Cheers!

The Longevity Blend can be used in a number of ways.  Applying a couple of drops of the  essential oil blend to the feet can increase the absorption into the system through the reflexology points.   Since all of these individual oils are food-grade, the Longevity Blend can be taken as a dietary supplement.  Taking the blend internally can help combat systemic inflammation which contributes to premature aging and disease.  Simply put 2 drops of the blend into a gel cap and swallow.   If you mix up your own gel cap, often made of a digestible cellulose plant material, take the capsule immediately or it will begin to dissolve.   Young Living also has a gel cap formulated with the Longevity Blend that is more portable than filling your own gel caps.

Longevity Essential Oil Blend 15ml    Whsl  $29.75      Retail   $39.14

Longevity Sofgels   30 ct                         Whsl  $ 27.75   Retail  $36.51

You can order Young Living oils at wholesale (select Independent Distributor and order a $40 Start Living Kit for lifetime wholesale pricing, and no monthly minimums)  or retail (select customer).  If your cookies is not enabled, enter #1003003 in the sponsor & enroller columns to support the Pure Home and Body website.  Thanks!

Another way we manage headaches in our family is with some simple exercises. Try some of these the next time you start to feel a headache come on and maybe you can save the medications for more intense situations. Cold compresses and retreating to a quiet place when possible may also be helpful. Find what works for you and do it before the pain gets out of control.

Anxiety, depression and attention disorders are on the rise. I believe the causes are two-fold, first simply because we live in a culture saturated with unimportant things. We have thousands of choices we can make every day, from the foods we eat to products for our home and health. Marketing campaigns reach for our hearts, showing that we will be happy if we just purchase their goods and services. We can have instant gratification: on-demand movies, fast food and drugs to take away our symptoms in an hour. These are solutions targeted at making us content for the moment. It’s easy to fall into habits that can be harmful to us if we only have a short term fix in mind, leading to anxiety with so much information or depression from lack of contentment.

I believe a second cause of the increase in these health issues is the vast amount of chemicals we are exposed to every day. Some have even said today we are exposed to more chemicals in a day than people 100 years ago were exposed to in a lifetime. This does not even include chemicals we choose to subject ourselves to: over the counter & prescription drugs, plastics, untested cosmetic ingredients, perfumes and artificial fragrance. All of these chemicals can wreak havoc on our bodies and may cause hormonal imbalance which also may contribute to anxiety & depression.
I saw a mom with a newborn baby in the home fragrance aisle at the store the other day contemplating which “home scent” to purchase, I couldn’t help myself and I just told her to avoid using any of it around her kids, for their sake. Our children’s bodies and ours are being bombarded with chemicals, many of them we consciously are burning and “plugging in” to our homes, poisoning our air. We are chemical beings and all these fragranced products are causing chemical reactions in our bodies – the evidence is mounting that these chemicals are linked to anxiety, depression and attention disorders to name only a few. Over the counter and prescription drugs are even worse, with these and other health issues listed as potential side effects. I’m actually surprised at how many people ask if essential oils will interact with the drugs they are taking, yet don’t give a thought to using a home cleansing wipe labeled “harmful to humans and domestic animals” or consider how common household products and cosmetics are interfering with their prescriptions. Perfumes and artificial fragrance are known to disrupt hormones and the endocrine system making us more vulnerable to symptoms of anxiety, depression and attention disorders.

If you are truly looking for help with issues like anxiety, depression or attention disorders, you seriously have to consider cleaning up your environment, diet and personal care products. Essential oils may offer some promise for dealing with these but they cannot compensate for a lack of common sense and poor choices. I myself have used essential oils to deal with anxiety and depression but I have been careful to assess what might be triggering these symptoms in my body. 

Anti-depressants are some of the most widely prescribed drugs, with prescribed usage doubling in just one decade: 1996-2005.  Some studies have even shown that their effects may be questionable.  Dr. Mercola offers some insight into this research and alternatives to prescription drugs even suggesting that placebos have as great an impact on improving your mood .   Keeping this in mind, essential oils may be a great side-effect free option to try before going on medications.   These suggestions have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Lavender essential oil helps balance the body, may help with insomnia and is calming. Simply smelling something pleasant can have a positive effect on our psyche. Make sure you are using only a pure, food grade lavender essential oil. I met someone the other day who had a bad experience with lavender. After applying a drop to her pillow, she developed a horrible headache. If an essential oils is altered or diluted with any chemical, one can never really know what side effects may occur from fillers. It is always best to use essential oils from a trusted source that verifiies the ingredients of their products. Mine is Young Living essential oils because I know they have the highest quality control standards in the industry.

Frankincense essential oil may be helpful in alleviating symptoms of depression. I apply Frankincense to my face every day, it’s excellent and nourishing to the skin plus it gives a boost to my psyche. Frankincense can be diffused to improve concentration and mental clarity. Because of this quality, it would be a great choice for using when a student needs to get homework done. This is an excellent oil to use for anxiety – when you have a lot of things going on and you don’t know where to begin. This oil is clearly evidence of divine creation – one breath in and your mind is clear and focused for the most important task at hand.

Valor is a Young Living essential oil blend that has similar qualities to frankincense – simply because frankincense is one of it’s ingredients. It also contains spruce which is grounding and helps create positive memory. I used this in one of my yoga classes and afterwards one student commented that at the beginning of relaxation her mind was running in several directions. She said that the second she smelled Valor, her mind was completely cleared and she could just relax. This blend may also be a good choice for helping focus and dealing with attention disorders.

Peace & Calming is a Young Living blend of essential oils. It’s a blend that appeals to most people, it’s a sweeter smell with tangerine essential oil. Some think it evokes thoughts of childhood. Just applying a drop to your carotid artery as a natural perfume can be calming. When it is applied to the soles of the feet it can help move you into a peaceful nights rest. This would be a good choice for overactive children and pets, or adults who suffer from nervous tension.

Stress Away – Roll-On is a Young Living blend that contains vanilla & lime essential oils. This is another blend that works well as a natural perfume with positive side effects of calming you when you are experiencing anxiety.

Peppermint oil is the first choice for mental clarity for attention disorders. Simply applying the oil to the temples can improve concentration and focus. Diffusing peppermint oil when you are studying can help improve memory retention. Peppermint may also be useful in treating headaches brought on by anxiety or depression.

Essential oils have the potential to even out moods, balance our emotions and help improve our mental clarity. But first, it is important to clear your environment and personal exposure to man-made chemicals that may be contributing to these issues. If you are on a lot of medications, have intelligent conversations with your doctor or pharmicist about potential side effects. There are many natural, drug free solutions to anxiety, depression and attention disorders for those willing to do some research and tune into themselves to figure what might be triggering these symptoms in the first place.

Sandalwood is an oil that dates back to biblical times.  It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to revitalize the skin.  It is also anti-tumoral and used to heal viral infections (herpes simplex, herpes zoster and cold sores).  It is helpful for acne, wrinkles and scars.  Sandalwood enhances deep sleep by stimulating the pineal gland which releases melatonin.  Studies at BYU have found sandalwood protects the DNA of our cells and inhibits many types of cancer cells.  Sandalwood is also high in sesquiterpenes,  bringing oxygen to the brain and increasing circulation.  Sandalwood stimulates the pineal gland which controls levels of melatonin and may help with insomnia.

• Diffuse sandalwood or place a drop in the hand, rub palms together and breathe deeply at bedtime to enhance deep sleep.
•  Use as a men’s cologne. Combine with a carrier oil if desired or add to unscented bath and shower gel. Apply neat to the skin as an aftershave to soothe irritated skin and decrease inflammation.
•  Use a drop or two for dry chapped skin and wrinkled skin. Apply neat or dilute with a carrier oil.
•  Massage into hair and scalp to retard graying and to moisturize the scalp and hair follicles.
•  Ingest in capsules in carrier oil or by itself for health benefits ( Using only Young Living food grade essential oils)

Sandalwood is found in the Young Living blends:  3 Wise Men, Acceptance, Brain Power, Dream Catcher, Forgiveness, Gathering, Harmony, Highest Potential, Inner Child, Inspiration, Lady Sclareol, Magnify Your Purpose, Release, Transformation, Trauma Life and White Angelica.

This information is meant for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

It is important to use only the purest therapeutic grade essential oils as any products with synthetic fragrance contain chemicals that can wreak havoc on your system.  There are actually secret chemicals used by manufacturers in products with the ingredient : “fragrance” that are proven endocrine and hormone disruptors.  These scented products are not effective for alleviating symptoms of depression.   When you think of all the chemicals we are surrounded with could it be all these toxins are actually contributing to chemical imbalances that lead to depression? Perfumes, colognes and fragranced bath & beauty products are the worst offenders.    These are just synthetic cocktails applied to the skin disrupting our chemical make-up and should be avoided.   There are even many oils on the market that are just synthetic reproductions and do not even contain plant extracts.

Pure therapeutic grade essential oils on the other hand offer a natural alternative to bringing balance to the psyche.  The human body responds well to plants whether assimilated in the vegetables we eat or the plant extracts we apply to our skin.  Pure essential oils are readily identified and utilized by our body systems. I use only Young Living essential oils as most of them are food grade and pure enough to eat.  They even have a food supplement label on it so you know you are getting the purest organic plant extract with no synthetics added.

Research at the University of Vienna has shown that some essential oils with the constituents cineol can stimulate blood flow and activity in the emotional regions of the brain.   Many citrus essential oils are high in cineol.  Put a drop of food grade citrus oil like lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot or tangerine in a glass of purified or mineral water for an uplifting drink.     Some other oils that are high in cineol include sage, clary-sage and eucalyptus.  Sage and clary-sage also support metabolism and can be useful in balancing hormones.   Geranium essential oil is an oil that supports female chemistry. Diffusing the oils can be just as effective.  Clinical studies at Mie University of Medicine showed lemon essential oil reduced depression and stress levels when inhaled.  The Journal of Bioligical Chemistry 2010 did a study on inhaling Jasmine oil and found that it activated the brain pathways the same way as barbiturates used for treating depression.  It is important to use only therapeutic grade essential oils to achieve positive results.

Tree oils like frankincense, cedarwood, sandalwood, and copaiba may also be helpful in alleviating symptoms of depression.  These tree  oils in particular have compounds called sesquiterpenes.  Sesquiterpenes are constituents that help oxygenate the brain helping all body systems work more efficiently.  They can stimulate the pineal gland which releases melatonin and help regulate sleeping patterns.   Vetiver is another essential oil helpful in bringing balance to the whole body.  Vetiver essential oil has over 100 different sesquiterpenes in it!

If you suspect ongoing symptoms of depression in yourself,a  friend or family member consult with your doctor. In my personal experience I have managed to keep depression at bay by eliminating harmful chemicals and toxins in my life that could disrupt my natural chemistry, eating as many whole foods as I can, exercising regularly and incorporating therapeutic grade essential oils to uplift my spirits and keep my body in balance.   Essential oils can boost your mood whether you diffuse them into the air, use them on your skin or drink them in your water (food grade oils only!).