Aromatherapy and essential oils go back in time to the most ancient civilisations of China, Egypt and India, but over the last 100 years were almost lost due to the rapid advances in modern medicine. Due to global demand for safe, natural products coupled with the extensive scientific research, published medical papers and the hard work promoting and advancing natural therapies, essential oils are taking their place in the medicine cabinet and pantry of 1000s of homes across New Zealand.
To give us more insight into essential oils and aromatherapy we talked to ex-teacher, natural therapist and co-creator of our new Gre3n Essential Oil Blend, Anna Petley about her experiences and top tips for essential oil newbies.
Growing up in New Zealand with two registered nurses in the family, Anna remembers her mother utilising a range of herbs, natural therapies and traditional medicine to keep her family happy and healthy. Years later while teaching in Japan, Anna rediscovered the world of natural therapies and made the decision to pursue a career as a Natural Health Therapist. Returning to New Zealand Anna retrained in aromatherapy and as a manual lymphatic drainage therapist and lymphasising instructor.
Working at a clinic and helping clients regain their health, Anna was always on the lookout for new treatments which lead her to discover Doterra just over 4 years ago. Impressed by the quality, research and sustainability of the product, Doterra essential oils brought a whole new level to helping detox the body both emotionally and physically.
Essential oils know no bounds! Anna has helped introduce her wider community to the wonderful world of essential oils and is seeing them be embraced in kindergartens, classrooms, rest homes, yoga studios, shops as well as in the home. Aged care facilities and a large number of Anna’s elderly clients have also benefited from using Doterra oils to treat respiratory issues and low immunity. Essential oils like eucalyptus, which is a natural expectorant helps the body to break down and loosen mucus, while peppermint, lemon, tea tree and oregano can be extremely beneficial to naturally support immune wellness.
Traditionally, ingesting essential oils was a big ‘no-no’, however, today scientific research shown in published medical papers coupled with the advances in science and work of companies like Doterra there are a number of oils which can be taken internally to be absorbed by the body safely. In France prescribing physicians give the patient an option to take a prescription for an antibiotic or aromatic medicine, both only available to fill at the pharmacy.
Anna’s Top Oil Picks for Your Medicine Cabinet
- Lavender – the ‘Queen’ of essential oils. The use of Lavender oil is where modern aromatherapy started back in France with the chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé. Lavender is the ‘go to’ oil for generally everything and can be used to reduce anxiety and emotional stress, improve brain function, helps skin regenerate from bee stings, insect bites, burns and wounds, improve sleep, restore skin complexion, reduce acne and relieve pain.
- Tea Tree Oil – the natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of this essential oil make it an oil that should truly be part of everyone’s natural medicine cabinet. You can use tea tree oil to treat acne, bacterial infections, cold sores, ear ache, congestion and respiratory tract infections, fungal infections, and parasites among many more!
- Frankincense – Frankincense has a long and ancient pedigree. It was once considered more valuable than gold which drove the grave robbers to target the alabaster jars of this prized essential oil. Frankincense can offer a variety of health benefits such as helping to relieve chronic stress and anxiety, reducing pain and inflammation and boosting immunity and skin health.
Top Tips for Purchasing Essential Oils
- Aromatherapy is about using essential oils to have a therapeutic effect on the body, for example to sedate or stimulate, so you need to make sure what you are using is of a high quality that is, Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade, beware of cheaper oils with fillers, additives, or synthetics as not all essential oils are created equal.
- A lot of oils are not safe to ingest or use topically, so make sure you get the right advice before you use them, for example, diluted wintergreen essential oil can quickly relieve musculo-skeletal pain when used topically but is extremely toxic to be used in other ways.
- Buy from companies committed to maintaining natural resources through sustainable business practices.
For more information about Doterra Oils check out Droplet Oils – New Zealand Essential Health https://www.facebook.com/doterra.essentialhealth/