6 Reasons Why Essential Oils Must Be Part of a Health Assessment
It occurred to me, with all the attention I personally bring to integrating essential oils with conventional medications, it seemed only fitting to say more about the ‘why’.
Beginning with number 6 …
6 Reasons Why Essential Oils Must Be Part of a Health Assessment
6. according to Grand View Research, the essential oil market is currently a 3.4 billion dollar industry and growing. In 2018, the market demand was 226.9 kilotons and projected to expand at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 8.6% from 2019 - 2025
5. the U.S. market is approximately 40% of the global business
4. there is a rising interest in natural substitutes over conventional medications for colds, congestion, physical pain, fever and the effects of stress
3. the demand for essential oils as flavorings in exotic cuisine and beverages is growing, which currently accounts for approximately 24% of the market
2. the fragrance segment is projected to generate the highest product demand which includes the spa and relaxation category
1. they are concentrated lipophilic chemicals, making them nonpolar and much like steroid hormones, with an ability to bind to various receptor sites and influence cellular activity
Essentially, we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals on a daily basis with many of them being confirmed endocrine disruptors which can decrease, increase or alter the natural production of hormones; this goes for both natural and manmade chemicals. There was a time when I advocated for the use of natural over manmade; however, we are the first generation to be exposed to so many different kinds of chemicals, the message is clear .. it’s time to cut back where we can and learn about the ones we are using, regardless of their origin.
With the health care spending expected to rise at a CAGR of 5% between now and 2023, and more consumers seeking natural solutions either as CAM (complimentary alternative medicine) or adjunctive treatment, it makes sense to know the trends and offer professional guidance for the sake of safety and good health.
The definition of chemical is ‘a compound or substance’, consisting of matter i.e. carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen which makes nearly everything but light, heat, sound, thoughts, dreams, gravity or magnetism a chemical. These compounds are solid, liquid or gas and made up of elements in the form of molecules. Therefore, the word chemical does not mean poison or toxic; it simply means an influential substance.
With the essential oil market growing, a lot of it being led by such direct marketing companies as Young Living and doTerra, more and more consumers are buying into a market for business purposes; expanding market exposure and vulnerability. These ‘business owners’, while well intentioned, are operating on the information handed to them through their ‘up-lines- which includes an old-world mindset as well as the FDA regulation of GRAS due to being categorized as bath and beauty. This is an understandable classification; however, science fully recognizes the mechanism of action of many plant constituents, including those found in essential oils, which means the time has come to update our common assertions
If you’d like to see what I’m saying, head over to Science Direct or Sigma Aldrich and look up such chemicals as bisbalolol, linalool, limonene, and alpha phellandrene, to name a few. Each one of these is found in various essential oils and extensively studied.
Yes, some are fragrant, and others offer taste; yet, it doesn’t stop there. They have the ability to bind to matching receptor sites and influence cellular activity. As I mentioned in ‘The Psychology & Chemistry of Wellbeing’ scientists have determined that such chemicals as beta-caryophyllene and methyleugenol influence either acetylation and phosphorylation, respectively …the pathways the DNA relies on for repair and communication with the environment. Other constituents are recognized for their ability to modify the activity of the sulfation pathway along with a number of the CYP450 enzymes. In other words, these studied chemicals have the ability to support cellular activity in an advantageous way and are often the model for pharmaceutical development.
Please keep in mind the phrase … communication with the environment .. this is how the body responds to chemical threats, inside and out, and the precursor for degenerative disease with chronic exposure..
Now, it is next to impossible to screen for the full scale of chemicals every patient / client is exposed to. Then again, to assess these people on their use of essential oils, is highly doable and recommended, given our scientific understanding of the way these chemicals influence systemic activity; although, not for healing purposes, but to help prevent adverse reactions with medications as well as potential setbacks.
There is no question that every chemical has the ability to affect the body in one way or another, especially the lipophilic ones; hence, chemical sensitivities and other diseases. Yet, to support the mindful integration of essential oils into a treatment protocol promises to improve a patient’s outcome. Again, this is not about essential oils healing the body; this is a simple acknowledgment of their actions and benefits when thoughtfully used.
It’s a fact, we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals on a regular basis through the air, water, personal care products, household cleaners and deodorizers, clothing, and often times essential oils. Knowing what we know about them, investigating a patient / client’s use and offering guidance not only enhances their medical treatment, it supports the body’s ability to metabolize and eliminate the harmful ones.
One final thought … if your patient / client is not currently using essential oils, offering a consult with recommendations for why it’s wise to include them, gives them options for improving their treatment.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again … we have the intelligence to produce powerful medications …we’re also getting this knowledge through the study of plant constituents. At the same time, the body and world has adapted so much, we can no longer follow in our fore-father’s footsteps when it comes to medicine. We must upgrade our approach and integrate the knowledge with the wisdom.
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