April is National Stress Awareness Month

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and research has linked chronic stress with life-threatening illnesses such as heart attacks, stroke, depression, and chronic pain. For many of us, stress and the anxiety it causes are an unavoidable part of our daily lives. A low level of stress is indeed often necessary to motivate us, but it is important to keep its impact within a level you can tolerate. If allowed to dominate, stress can cause intense anxiety and a general deterioration in health. It can also increase the risk of more serious ailments developing, such as stomach ulcers. Inhaling certain aromas help to reduce stress by promoting relaxation.

Not all scents are created equal however. Synthetic fragrances found in most commercial perfumes, body care, and candles are petroleum based and can cause allergic reactions, one of which is irritability, headaches, and brain fog. Pure, natural plant oils such as Young Living Essential Oils contain carefully preserved therapeutic molecules without any fillers, pesticide residues, or synthetic ingredients.

Lavender is universally most well known for its relaxing properties. For relief from sudden stress, sprinkle 4 drops of Lavender on a tissue and inhale deeply. Other single oils that soothe stress are Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood, Idaho Balsam Fir, Clary Sage, Cedarwood, and Geranium. Any of these oils are wonderful in a cold air ultrasonic diffuser, which is the best method for dispersing a microfine mist into the air.A few drops may be added to a bath with sea salts and baking soda or in a little jojoba oil for a shoulder massage. An excellent remedy for stress is to simply ask someone who cares for you to hold you close!

My favorite blended oils are Young Living's Tranquil and Stress Away which are packaged in no fuss, easy to use, and portable roll on applicators. These are a must have for on-the-go stress relief! Valor and Peace and Calming blends are very popular choices among my massage clients.

To learn more about therapeutic essential oils, subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter . To order pure aromatherapy products call Jennifer at 715-381-6979 or use my ID #329194 on YoungLiving.com. Ask me about private consultations, spa/wellness parties, and workshops at your home, office, or event!

World Autism Awareness Day

As a wellness educator, I believe that promoting "awareness" about a disorder or disease is not enough to make an impact in the healing process. First, belief that healing is actually possible (vs managing symptoms) is the first hurdle. Second, investigation of contributing factors that may indicate the origin of the disorder and disease is key. Then, the faith to take the road less traveled on the quest for restoration of health. Little mainstream research money is spent on drug free methods of healing. So, as we think about autism "awareness", let's dig a little deeper to avoid it becoming a meaningless cultural buzzword that makes society feel better about how little we may really embrace our personal health care responsibilities. Here are some previous Oils For Wellness posts about following the natural path in addressing autism. Be well, Jen

A Holistic Approach To Autism

Aromatherapy For Autism and ADD/ADHD

If My Child Had Autism.....

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The Joy Of Spring

Sometime after toasting the New Year, you find your self restlessly anticipating warmer weather. You're wishing, hoping, praying for spring to come--and you're not alone.

A time of renewal and rebirth, many of us look forward to spring as a time of new beginnings. Spring is the time to open your windows, breathe the fresh air, plant a garden, and enjoy budding flowers. It is a time to set aside any weary winter emotions and experience joy.

Spring is a great time to rid yourself of any negative feelings that can hinder you from progressing. To combat disparaging emotions, Young Living developed Joy essential oil blend, which is uplifting to all the senses.

JOY IN A BOTTLE

In addition to bergamot, lemon, palmarosa, rosewood, and Roman chamomile, Young Living's proprietary Joy essential oil blend contains a springtime bouquet of ylang ylang, rose, geranium, and the absolute or essence of jasmine. Each oil in this blend is specifically chosen to offer you a potent and effective aromatherapy experience. Learn more about Joy's remarkable flowers and learn what they can do for you!

Ylang Ylang is a small flower of the cananga tree that is native to the Philippines and Indonesia.

The name ylang ylang is Tagalog for "flower of flowers", and its oil is believed to normalize oil production in the skin, and is also considered and aphrodisiac.

Rose has long been valued for its intoxicating floral aroma. Rose oil's stimulating properties may produce a greater sense of well-being and self-confidence. Rose is also perfect for dry or aging skin.

Geranium orginated in Africa, but can be grown almost anywhere in the world. Traditionally used to support the circulatory and nervous systems, a great deal of geranium's strength lies in its ability to revitalize body tissues. It is also excellent for the skin and its aroma may help release negative memories.

Jasmine was thought of as the queen of flowers in ancient India, and its name was derived from the Persian word yasmin meaning "fragrant flower". Its warm exotic fragrance has been used throughout history for romance and attraction and it is also beneficial for the skin.

Combined with other key oils, these flower oils found in Joy create a luxuriously exotic blend with uplifting overtones and promote happy feelings to the heart. As a new season approaches and spring is in the air, use Young Living's Joy essential oil blend to enhance your springtime experience this year!

Useage Tips

• Diffuse Joy to freshen a room and uplift your spirit
• Sprinkle a few drops of Joy in a cup of baking soda, shake well,use for carpet powder
• Wear a drop on your wrists or behind ears as perfume
• Add to bathwater to promote relaxation and improve your mood
• Mix 2-3 drops of Joy with water or vodka in a spray bottle as air freshener

Safety tip: Do not apply Joy to skin that will be exposed to prolonged direct sunlight or tanning booths, as the blend contains citrus oils that can create photo sensitivity.

Happy Oiling!

Jen

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The Marketing of Madness

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Bi-Polar Challenges

"I have an 8 year old son who is Bi-polar. His oil of choice is Peppermint. He puts it on his temples for headaches, around his belly button for his stomach aches, and on the back of his neck to regulate his body temperature. His body overheats with his Bi-polar medicine, and this is all we can find to comfort him."

~Tammy Eirdam, Kalispell, MT

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AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

"My 22 year old daughter's birth mom drank alcohol during pregnancy, leaving my girl to deal with the effects of FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). One of the most difficult symptoms is emotional "meltdowns" when she is unable to control her emotions. I have found that Tranquil aromatherapy blend roll on has been helpful in relaxing her, so I keep one in my pocket or purse for that purpose." Carol Van Pelt, Fulton, IL

***Jennifer's note: While the healing influence of essential oils is very beneficial, it is important to consider the structural imbalance of the cranial bones and membranes in an individual with FAS. This imbalance is a huge factor in emotional control as well as overall health. Craniosacral therapy is often helpful to address brain function through structural balancing.

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter for more information about the healing benefits of therapeutic essential oils. To order essential oils please call Jennifer at 715-381-6979.

Can Hate Make You Sick?

Whenever I visit a church, one of the first things
I look at in the church bulletin are the number of
people on the sick list requesting prayer. Often
the list is quite long. This is very troubling to me,
because over the years I know many of my brothers
and sisters in Christ have died from sickness. Others
remain sick and unhealed even after much prayer.

Why is that? Why is it so many Christians remain
unhealed after so much prayer and anointing with
oil. It's not only frustrating to everyone involved,
it challenges whether spiritual healing is real or
not...even ones faith in God.

Like in so many other things in life, it all comes
down to what's really going on within our heart and
soul. I mean people are really good at playing games
with themselves and others. This includes our
relationship with God.

I'll never forget what one of my Bible Professors
mentioned one day in class on the subject of loving
God. He said:

"We love Jesus only as much
as we love the least of men."

What he said, of course, is very true. Here's a
sampling of verses you may want to review on the
subject.

Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:39
I John 3:10, 3:23, 4:19-20

This is a hard teaching for some people who claim to love
God. For they may still carry deep-seated hatred and
unforgiveness in their hearts toward others who have
wronged them. Sometimes this hatred lies so deep within
their soul, it is overlooked in their daily lives. I mean
their hatred lies so deep within it is part of who they
are as human beings. They don't give it thought unless
they are personally confronted in a way they must deal
with it. Otherwise the subject is unconsciously dismissed.

I have no doubt this is one reason why many Christians
remain unhealed and wonder why. God is not a respecter
of persons, nor will He be mocked or fooled (Galatians 6:7)
We simply cannot be right with God and harbor hatred
toward those who wrong us (Those God loves as much as
He does us) if there is to be healing.

But there's another side of this truth which teaches we
must love one another. That other side is self!!!

As much as the roots of hatred toward others can run
deep within hearts and souls, hatred toward self
can run as deep and be even more complex.

This is why forgiveness lies at the root of healing.
For unless our heart and soul is free of the sin of
hatred, there can be no healing, physically or
spiritually. This applies as much to hatred of
self as it does toward hatred of others.

We need to understand Godly love is the opposite of
hatred. We need to understand love is only made possible
through Jesus Christ. For without God's love for us,
there can be no love in this world. This is why the
Bible says...

"We love because God first loved us. If anyone says,
"I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar.
For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has
seen, cannot love God. Whom he has not seen."
- I John 4:19-20

Again, this is a hard teaching for some to accept
and live by. However, without forgiveness, there is
no salvation, no healing, no eternal dwelling with
God. All of us know John 3:16. But it is John 3:19-21
that explains why. I hope you read those verses.

The process of healing involves cleansing. Hatred is
an evil. It is a sin of the heart and soul, be it
toward others or self. No man can walk in the light
of God's truth and hate others or him or herself.
Neither can he or she be spiritually healed of
physical sickness.

Deep-seated hatred destroys the body as much as it
does the soul. Hatred (an emotion) interrupts the body's
ability to maintain homeostasis. This, in turn, creates
conditions within the body for disease to take hold.
Our body is very complex and works in ways doctors
even to this day can only marvel about.

God, however, is our creator. He knows you and your
body like no one else can or ever will. The Psalmist
wrote:

"...You created my inmost being; you knit me together
in my mother's womb...My frame was not hidden from you
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth."
-Psalm 139:13-16

Only God can heal and restore our once innocent souls
on such deep levels. Why then should we dismiss Him
or His ability to spiritually heal us physically?

Satan knows our every weakness and propensity. He
works full time to corrupt them for our eternal
destruction...even to the point of self-deceit.

Folks...I'm not saying unforgiveness and hatred explains
every case why someone remains unhealed. There are numerous
causes that must be examined. But what I am saying is
it is our worldly nature to be the master of our souls.

Giving ourselves over to God and letting go of controlling
our lives will not happen unless we are completely broken
of that selfish spirit. That is the crux of the matter.
That is what lies at the center of the great spiritual
battle for our souls.

God mends broken spirits. He cannot mend self-centered
spirits bent on hatred and deceit of self or hatred
toward others. Before you come to the Lord of life
for healing and salvation, know yourself and where
you stand.

A woman who suffered with breast cancer sought spiritual
counseling. The disease was in stage III and she was
scared to death. She said she and her church had prayed
for her healing many times, but that she had never
received spiritual counseling. It wasn't until then
when she received counseling that she realized and
confessed hated toward her now dead mother. She said
she had done so for the way her mother had treated her.

She said she knew hatred is a sin, but had never
reflected upon it in her own life. She never realized
that she was leading a self-centered life, even
though she had long ago obeyed the Gospel of Christ.
Neither had she connected her hatred with the cancer
in her breast.

In prayer she repented asking God for forgiveness, and
renewed her commitment to Christ (to live for Him
and not for herself). She did so, first and foremost
not to be healed physically but to be healed spiritually.
It was an emotional time and she cried. Tears poured
forth amidst her sobs.

Her emotional release signaled healing had begun. God
was healing her both spiritually and physically in that
moment of release. With hatred gone from her heart and
soul, her body could heal and it did. The very next
test she took showed no sign of the cancer previously
documented. May God be praised! Amen!

I'm not saying healing will happen for someone else
like it did with this woman. But, this is the power
of God to save (heal). If we as a people of God are
ever to reach others outside of Christ, we must first
know who we are and how God's power will only work
with broken spirits to heal the sick. For the proud
and haunty He will not.

All men must die. Death is God's judgment for sin
(Ezekiel 18:4). But those of us in Christ should
die from old age (free of sickness), not from a
disease supported by sin in our life.

May the God of healing fill your life with
blessings, and Peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jim Lynn
Director
God's Healing Word

Essential Oils And Emotional Roots Of Disease

Whatever goes on in our heart or mind definitely affects our actions and ultimately rules our whole lives. What usually precedes or follows a thought? A feeling. And the feeling is what rules our mind-heart. Dr. Christian Bernard is reported to have made the statement that a person would not be able to live for a very long period of time on an artificial heart as it does not have brain cells. In order for person's heart to function on a continual basis, it must have brain cells.

Why is this? It has to do with the DNA and RNA. In order for the harmonious flow of life to continue in a human being, the part of the cell that contains the blueprint or intelligence (DNA) and the part of the cell that carries out the instructions (RNA) has to have directions. An artificial heart is void of this intelligence (DNA).

The Scriptures give us clear indication and appreciation that the heart and the mind are inseparable. Points of interest are references the Bible makes to the heart-mind connection, indicating that DNA is involved in this process.

"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he...

Proverbs 23:7

"The good man brings good things

out of the good stored up in his heart,

and the evil man brings evil things

out of the evil stored up in his heart.

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

Luke 6:45

"Repent therefore of this your wickedness,

and pray God if perhaps

the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."

Acts 8:22

One of the unique aspects of essential oils is the fact that, when inhaled, they go directly to our emotional and spiritual centers of the brain. These are organs that respond only to aroma. They do not respond to spoken words or to substances that cannot pass the blood-brain barrier. Talk therapy and most prescription drugs cannot reach the emotional center of the brain. The molecules of essential oils are of the right composition and size to pass through the blood-brain barrier.

Even water does not pass through the blood-brain barrier, which is a good thing, or else our heads would all swell up like watermelons every time we got caught in a rain storm. But essential oils do pass through, which is one of the secrets to their amazing therapeutic abilities. They can reach into our emotional brains and unlock forgotten feelings that are the roots of many of our physical problems.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart...

Proverbs: 27:9

"A merry heart does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

Essential oils also address the roots of our problems at cellular levels, right down to the DNA inside the cells. They cleanse the cells, protect them from hostile microbes, delete incorrect information in cellular memory, and reprogram proper information so that cells have a correct job description and can function as God intended.

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How Essential Oils Release Cellular Memory

The perception of smell consists not only of the sensation of the odors themselves but of the experiences and emotions associated with these sensations. Smells can evoke strong emotional reactions. In surveys on reactions to odors, responses show that many of the likes and dislikes of scents are based purely on emotional associations.

The association of fragrance and emotion is not an invention of poets or perfume-makers. The effect of smell is instant. The olfactory receptors in our noses are directly connected to the limbic system, which is thought to be the seat of emotion. Molecules arrive at receptors in the limbic part of our brain within seconds, triggering off a multitude of complex reactions. Smell sensations are relayed to the cortex, where ‘cognitive’ recognition occurs, only after the deepest parts of our brains have been stimulated. Thus, by the time we correctly name a particular scent as, for example, ‘lemon’ , the scent has already activated the limbic system, triggering more deep-seated emotional responses.

Smell is the only one of the five senses directly linked to the limbic lobe—the emotional control center—of the brain. From anxiety to depression, fatigue to stress, essential oils have long been appreciated for their uplifting, calming, and clarifying effects on emotional wellness. By diffusing essential oils or applying them topically to targeted areas of the body, therapeutic constituents reestablish balance where stress, depression, or mental discomfort has disrupted healthy emotional function.

Here is how it works thanks to Dr. David Stewart, Ph.D who has a wonderful way of putting scientific jargon into layman's terms. I find the human DNA structure so fascinating, and again, the intelligent handiwork of a loving Creator!

1. Essential oils are extracts from the natural juices of plants that circulate through the leaves, stems, roots and flowers their lifeblood.

2. The molecules of essential oils are small enough to circulate through human tissue bringing nutrients to the cells and carrying waste products out of the cells.

3. Essential oils carry electrons and oxygen into human tissue.

4. Essential oils also carry coded information that can be translated by cellular DNA and which can be of great therapeutic benefit to people-physical, mental, and emotional.

5. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different compounds found in essential oil molecules each with an affinity for certain cells of the human body.

6. In addition to the electrical nature of the human body by which it functions, the intracellular communication system of the human body also consists of thousands of compounds (called ligands) manufactured within the cells and sent out as messages and messengers to other cells in other parts of the body.

7. Ligands are composed of amino acids of which there are twenty known. Ligands consist of chains of amino acids. Consider the amino acids as an alphabet of twenty characters that can form and unlimited variety of words (ligands) by which cells send messages between themselves.

8. On the surface of all cells are thousands (even millions) of receptor sites, each designed to accept only certain types of ligands and to reject the rest. This is how a ligand released by one set of cells (say the liver) finds its way to the specific cells of the organ or tissue (say the pancreas) that was intended by cells sending the message.

9. This how a ligand, like insulin, can circulate throughout one’s body and yet only be picked up by the cells that need the information that it carries.

10. In one sense, ligands are like keys that fit only certain locks (specific receptor sites).Ligands of the right shape (molecular structure) are accepted by cells with matching receptor sites(matching locks) while ligands of another shape are rejected ( the key that doesn’t fit).

11. The molecules of essential oils are like enzymes, hormones, vitamins, and ligands.They carry information that is pertinent only to the cells with receptor sites able to accept that specific ligand.

12. Hence, some oil molecules gravitate to muscle tissue, others to nerves, others still to the digestive system, and others to the heart, etc,each administering benefits, including the removal of toxins and the opening of emotionally stored memory in the DNA.

13. Not only can oils help release cellular memories stored anywhere in the body, depending on the oils applied, they also directly stimulate the limbic system or emotional brain, which is in the center of our heads.

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Be well, Jen

If My Child Had Autism....

Spring is finally here in the north, so I have been out basking in the sunshine and green landscape instead of blogging dutifully in my basement. No, I have not lost interest in my Blog Sweet Blog, just temporarily detoured by the glorious reawakening of the earth which beckons me outside my office walls!

I've been thinking of a way to close out the topic of autism for April (which is National Autism Awareness Month) in a way that would give parents and caregivers a "checklist" of natural healing methods to explore. From the vast amount of information I have gathered, I decided it might be helpful to simply post a hypothetical checklist that I would use if my child had autism.

Please click on the highlighted links to learn more details about the products mentioned. Feel free to use the Ask The Aromatherapist message box on my side bar for personal consultation or product ordering information.

Prayer: Daily, without ceasing! (we parents should be vigilant about this for all of our children)

Diet: I would incorporate KidScents Mightyzyme Chewable Enzymes, Mineral Essence, essential fatty acids, Ningxia Red antioxidant juice, probiotics, and B vitamins with whatever diet recommendations made by our family health practitioner.

Heavy Metal Detoxification: If my child would sit or stand still long enough to have an IONcleanse foot bath session, that could be done weekly to help pull out heavy metals. I would definitely explore other biomedical options such as those highlighted at Generation Rescue. Essential oils are also great chelators of heavy metals. I would use JuvaCleanse Blend and non-fluoride (heavy metal by-product of aluminum) toothpaste such as KidScents Bubble Gum Flavor Toothpaste.

Note:Clinical studies show that an essential oil blend of Helichrysum, Ledum, and Celery Seed (JuvaCleanse) dramatically amplified the elimination from the body of heavy metals, especially mercury, one of the most toxic of all non-radioactive metals. Mercury is particularly damaging to the brain and nervous system because it can pass through blood-brain barrier and accumulate indefinitely in motor neurons. A 2003 clinical study involving a group of four patients tested the effect of three essential Oils on the urinary output of mercury.

Four healthy individuals (ages 27-69) took two capsules per day (approximately 1, 500 mg) of a blend of Helichrysum, Ledum, and Celery Seed (JuvaCleanse). The first urine collection occurred prior to essential oil therapy, with the second and third urine collections occurring two and four days after essential oil therapy had begun. The results showed that all four participants more than doubled their urinary elimination of mercury over the four days of evaluation.

Mood Balance/Attention Deficit: I would diffuse Peace and Calming Blend, Clarity Blend, and Brain Power Blend or Vetiver throughout our home daily to calm anxiety and promote concentration.

Sleep Issues: I would give him/her a nightly bath with Kidscents Bath Gel and diffuse Cedarwood or Sandalwood, both of which help promote proper melatonin production necessary for restful sleep.

Note: Children with autism generally have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep. Body temperature dips before sleep, which normally causes the pineal gland to release melatonin. But a sluggish gland (such as with autism) may not respond to this subtle change. Soaking in the bathtub for 10 minutes before bedtime has proved helpful since skin temperature will take a dive when out of the tub, jolting the gland into action. According to Daniel G. Amen, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, a warm bath reduces sleep-sabotaging electrical activity in the brain's basal ganglia.

Schooling: I would contact those involved in my child's education about diffusing essential oils in the classroom or put a drop of the mood enhancing oils (listed above) on each foot before leaving the house.

Cranial Sacral Therapy: This healing touch modality is phenomenal for physical and emotional unwinding. I would learn this technique or schedule weekly appointments for my child.

You may visit my website for ordering any of the Young Living products listed in this post.

Aromatherapy For Autism and ADD/ADHD

This information (which I have edited for length), was compiled by Amanda at Healthlineonline, a forum on essential oils. Below is a list of Young Living Essential Oils helpful for ADD/ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. In the next post I will spotlight some of these single oils and blends as well as beneficial nutritional supplements with more details for practical use.

According to Dr. Stephanie Cave in her book titled What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Children's Vaccinations, "The biggest improvement comes when the toxic metals are removed from the children's bodies. We have seen nearly complete recovery in many of the two to seven year old children."Therapeutic essential oils have the ability to detoxify and remove metallics from our bodies!

For both ADHD/ADD and autism, stimulation of the limbic region of the brain may also help treat these disorders. The aromas from therapeutic essential oils have a powerful ability to stimulate this part of the brain, since the sense of smell is tied directly to the mind's emotional and hormonal centers. As a result, the aroma of an essential oil has the potential to exert a powerful influence on ADD/ADHD and autism.

In a two year case study (1999-2001) Dr. Terry Friedmann M. D. found significant results when children that had previously been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD were administered therapeutic essential oils by inhalation.The essential oils of Brain Power, Vetiver, Lavender, and Cedarwood were used.

The oils were administered in this fashion: one oil was administered by inhalation 3 times per day for 30 days. An inhalation device (diffuser) was also used at night to administer a continuous inhalation of oil.The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the children's brain waves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns.

The final results were:

Lavender increased performance by 5%,

Cedarwood increased performance by 83%

Vetiver increased performance by 100%.

Essential oils have the ability to detoxify and oxygenate the body, something that research has been found to help these special children .

YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR USE WITH AUTISM AND ADHD/ADD:

Brain Power: Supports concentration and mental clarity.

Frankincense: Very stimulating to the limbic system of the brain.

Cedarwood: Calming and purifying.

Lavender:Calming and relaxing to nervous system.

Peace and Calming: May reduce anxiety, stress, depression.

Valor: Detoxifying, promotes courage and self-esteem

Vetiver: Sedating, grounding, mood stabilizing

Joy: Uplifting, may help for depression.

All of the Young Living KidScents bath and body products are also beneficial since they do not contain petrochemicals and other toxic ingredients as most commercial brands do.

The products listed above are available at retail customer, preferred customer, and wholesale prices and are available for purchase on my personal Young Living website. Use Enroller #329194 if you log into the main Young Living website.

Feel free to use the Ask the Aromatherapist box on my sidebar if you have any questions!

A Holistic Look At Autism

Like any other dis-ease, malady, or disorder a person may experience, mental and emotional health challenges must be addressed with a holistic approach to truly begin a journey toward healing. The whole person is affected by mental and emotional disorders, so it isn't just a matter of modifying behavior or pharmaceutically "fixing" up the brain to discontinue inappropriate behaviors or improve function.

Because essential oils have the innate intelligence to bring the body into balance, they can be a priceless tool for addressing autism and many other neurological disorders on a holistic level. I am very excited about the potential of integrating aromatherapy into educational programs and biomedical treatments to help those suffering from these illnesses. Like the motto for Jenny McCarthy's autism awareness organization, Generation Rescue, states--"Autism is reversible". I wholeheartedly believe that!

Let's look at some of the known contributing factors in persons experiencing autism.

Gastrointestinal disorders: Some researchers believe that gastrointestinal disorders may be linked to the brain dysfunctions that cause autism in children (Hovath et al.,1998) In fact, there have been several cases of successful treatment of autism using pancreatic enzymes.In the human body, essential oils stimulate the secretion of antibodies, neurotransmitters, endorphins, hormones, and enzymes.

Heavy metals: Ingredients like mercury and aluminum are especially concentrated in vaccinations and antibiotics, but also other environmental sources such as high fructose corn syrup, soda cans, cookware, antiperspirants, baking powder, aluminum foil, etc. Read a comprehensive list of heavy metal sources here, pretty shocking! These metals can build up in the body over time and be transferred to the developing fetus by the mother. These chemicals lodge in the fatty tissues of the body, which in turn, give off toxic gases that may cause allergic symptoms.

European scientists have studied the ability of essential oils to work as natural chelators, binding with heavy metals and petrochemicals and expelling them out of the body. Some success in reversing autism has resulted through heavy metal detoxification along with nutritional supplements.

Yeast overgrowth and parasites: In her book, He's Not Autistic, But...,Tenna Merchent describes how yeast and parasites are a byproduct of heavy metals in the body. Aluminum kills the body's natural bacteria, which allows yeast and parasites to flourish and as a result wreak havoc on digestion and mental function. Essential oils have powerful yeast, fungus, and parasite fighting properties as well as the ability to break down mucus plaque where these things like to multiply.

In the following posts, we will look at specific essential oils that are helpful for autism and the ways they can be used to achieve increased balance and well-being.

Emotional Response with Essential Oils

The following excerpt from The Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th edition by Essential Science Publishing provides some excellent basic information as we delve into the subject of emotional wellness this month.

Essential oils play an important role in assisting people to move beyond emotional barriers. The aldehydes and esters (naturally occurring plant chemicals) of some essential oils are very calming and sedating to the central nervous system(including both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems). These substances allow us to relax instead of letting anxiety build up in our body.

Anxiety creates an acidic condition that activates the transcript enzyme which then transcribes that anxiety on the RNA template and stores it in the DNA. That emotion then becomes predominant in our lives from that moment on.

When we encounter an emotionally charged situation, instead of being overwhelmed by it, we can diffuse essential oils, put them in our bath, or wear them as cologne. The aromatic molecules absorb into the bloodstream from the nasal cavity to the limbic system. They will activate the amygdala (the memory center for fear and trauma) and sedate and relax the sympathetic/parasympathetic system.

The oils help support the body in minimizing the acid that is created so that it does not initiate a reaction with the transcript enzyme.

Because essential oils affect the amygdala and pineal gland in the brain, they can help the mind and body by releasing emotional trauma and sharpening focus.

Essence of the Season: Scents of Comfort and Joy

Nothing takes us instantly to a memory like our sense of smell. According to The Smell Report by Kate Fox of MCM Research, “The perception of smell consists not only of the sensation of the odors themselves but of the experiences and emotions associated with these sensations. Smells can evoke strong emotional reactions.”

The festive decorations and sparkling lights may come and go from our memories, but the scent of spicy cinnamon baked goods, minty candy canes, or the woodsy sweetness of a real Christmas tree seems indelibly etched into our minds. Often the holiday season can be very emotionally charged with memories of joyful times with loved ones gathering together, painful recollections of family strife, or tinged with the longing for those who cannot be near. All of these experiences are reflected in how we respond to the scents of the season. Because essential oils can activate the deepest emotional center of the brain, they not only can calm the stress associated with yuletide hustle and bustle, but also help soothe and heal the past emotional trauma which often results in anxiety, even depression, around what is expected to be the most joyous and peaceful time of year.

Need a way of taking a break from the holiday pressures, expectations, and tasks that leave you feeling overwhelmed? A nice relaxing aromatherapy bath! Believe me, it is a great healthy excuse to sit still for a few minutes and BREATHE! There is no fancy concocting of bath salts necessary. I just pour in a cup of Epsom salts and a tablespoon of baking soda, then drop in a few drops of pure essential oils while the tub is filling. Lavender, Believe Blend, and Peace and Calming Blend are among my favorites for relaxation.

Diffusing essential oils throughout your home is a wonderful method to create a calm and inviting atmosphere while purifying the air, killing cold and flu germs, and increasing indoor oxygen. Cold air diffusers work best for maintaining the therapeutic properties of essential oils. Avoid candle burners and light bulb rings, keeping in mind that E Os are extremely flammable and should not be allowed to scorch. Interestingly, pure cinnamon oil, whose fragrance is most commonly associated with the holiday season, is also one of the most antibacterial of all essential oils. Christmas Spirit Blend (orange, spruce, and cinnamon) is my top choice for diffusing during the holiday season.

“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts , gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

Since childhood, whenever the Christmas story was read, I would be left pondering why frankincense and myrrh were included as gifts for the newborn King. Gold, that is extremely valuable and understandable, but why the smelly stuff, I wondered? I was pretty excited to lay my hands on the missing piece of that mystery when I became an aromatherapist! In ancient times, frankincense was often used as a currency equal to, or in some cases, considered more valuable than gold. It was used to anoint the newborn sons of kings and priests which is why it was a very appropriate gift for Baby Jesus. The value was not purely symbolic, however.

According to Egyptian writings, Frankincense was considered a powerful and versatile substance used to cure everything from “gout to a broken head” , in other words, it was healing from head to toe. Very spiritually uplifting as well and could be found in temples, chapels, and cathedrals for centuries. Researchers are now discovering in recent studies that frankincense contains properties that may inhibit tumor growth in certain cancers.

Kind of a “first aid” oil in Biblical times, Myrrh is highly antiseptic in nature, excellent for skin conditions, oral hygiene, and was customarily used on umbilical cords of newborns to protect the navel from infection. Mary would have had many uses for this ointment to help her own post partum healing and for protecting her new baby from illness. Yes, the Wise Men had their reasons for choosing those specific aromatic gifts and we are blessed to be provided with ancient clues that can benefit our own health in the modern world.

Christians are called to be the “fragrance of Christ” in the world, which is a delightful reminder of how we should celebrate the birth of our Savior.