Monthly Archives: November 2010
Essential Oils Quick Reference Chart
This was emailed to me by a YL representative. This information is for educational purposes only and it is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult with the appropriate health professional for any condition you are treating. To purchase pure therapeutic grade essential oils, please visit http://HealWithEssentialOil.com.
- Basil: Anti-inflammatory, helps intestinal problems, muscle spasms, headaches, and mental fatigue. Dilute with carrier oil.
- Bergamot: Analgesic, anti-depressant, anxiety, female hormone balance. Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, allergies, sedative.
- Birch: .Analgesic, anti-spasmodic, natural cortisone, may give relief to arthritis, bone, joint, and muscle pain. Helps back pain.
- Cedarwood: Purifies animal odors. Helps cellulite, bronchitis, hair loss, dandruff, and oily hair. Tones lymph system.
- Chamomile (roman): Skin care, acne, boils, rashes, and hair care. Helps relieve migraine headaches and inflamed joints.
- Cinnamon Bark: Always dilute with carrier oil. Helps with strep and virus conditions. Strengthens circulatory system.
- Cistus: Stops viruses from mutating, anti-microbial, works directly on immune system.
- Clary Sage: May help PMS and hot flashes, helps regulate hormones and relieves menstrual cramps. Use during labor.
- Clove: Used in Egypt to strengthen respiratory system. Improves memory, anti-viral helps toothaches and gum pain.
- Coriander: Cairo University research: lowers glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels, supports pancreas function.
- Cypress: Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, lymphatic decongestant. Used for arthritis, bronchitis, circulation, cramps, parasites.
- Dill: Helps lower glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels. Pancreas support bronchial congestion and liver deficiencies.
- Eucalyptus: Assists respiratory system, sinuses, flu, and allergies. Helps hypoglycemia and Candida
- Fennel: assists the adrenal cortex, helps break up toxins and fluid in tissue. Balances pituitary, thyroid and pineal glands.
- Fir: Known to fight airborne germs and bacteria. Can help reduce symptoms of arthritis, rheumatism and fevers.
- Frankincense: Has helped some cases of cancer. Works on immune system. Has reduced tumors and external ulcers.
- Galbanum: Helps wounds, boils and abscesses. Calms mind for meditation.
- Geranium: Anti-depressant may assist dissolving stones, helps shingles and ulceration, deodorant, bug repellant.
- Ginger: Anti-parasitic, relieves sprains, breaks up chest congestion, colic and indigestion, For motion sickness and chills.
- Grapefruit: Good for acne, flabby arms, reduces cellulite. Relieves water retention.
- Helichrysum: Anti-bacterial, reduces bleeding in accidents, skin regenerator, helps repair nerves.
- Hyssop: Don’t use on children. Thins mucous, for bruises, immune stimulator, anti-viral. May help asthma sufferers.
- Jasmine: Helps childbirth, labor pain, frigidity, and coughs. Anti-spasmodic, muscle spasms and uterine disorders.
- Juniper: A nerve stimulator, natural diuretic and cleanser. Reduces dermatitis, eczema and acne.
- Lavender: Universal oil, can use pure. May help allergies, all types of burns, ulcers, insomnia, diaper rash, to name a few.
- Lemon: Germicide, purifies air and water. Relives heartburn, anti-parasitic, stimulates white and red blood cell formation.
- Lemongrass: Mosquito repellant, helps connective tissue repair and regenerate. Reduces varicose veins. Sedative.
- Marjoram: Especially good for tight muscles, may calm spasms and respiratory problems. Insomnia.
- Melalueca: Used in war for gangrene and wounds. Can be taken before, during and after radiation treatment.
- Melissa: Powerful anti-viral, anti-depressant, skin problems and eczema. Regulates menstrual cycle and calms emotions.
- Mountain Savory: Kills all airborne bacteria and viruses. Discovered in 1996 lab studies. Best to diffuse. Anti-bacterial
- Myrrh: Helps gum infections, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, wrinkles, and hemorrhoids. Can help abnormal vaginal discharge.
- Myrtle: Helps treat hypothyroidism. Used for chronic coughs as an expectorant. Fights colds and flu.
- Nutmeg: Good for chronic bowel disorder. Eases digestion difficulties. Good for circulation, gout, flatulence, neuralgia.
- Orange: Reduces fluid retention, overcomes sadness, calming to children, aid digestion, mouth ulcers and gas.
- Oregano: Strong anti-viral and anti-fungal. It stimulates and helps protect the immune system.
- Patchouli: Helps relieve anxiety, influences physical and sexual energies. Used for centuries for skin care and wrinkles.
- Peppermint: Keeps one mentally alert and awake. Relieves some headaches. Digestion. Reduces fever, nausea, and vomiting.
- Pine: Hormone-like, anti-diabetic, cortisone-like, antiseptic, anti- fungal, used on sore muscles.
- Ravensara: From Madagascar, the oil that heals, helps flu and hay fever, respiratory problems and walking cramps.
- Rose: Anti-aging, anti-depressant. Great for skin.
- Rosemary: Mental stimulant, fights Candida, good for dandruff helps open bile duct. Helps reduce cholesterol.
- Rosewood: Known for slowing the aging process. Used for skin care, acne, eczema, vaginitis.
- Sage: oral infection and skin condition. Asthma, bronchitis, menopause, and menstrual irregularities.
- Sandalwood: Stimulates pineal and pituitary glands to enhance meditation. Helps with cystitis and urinary tract infections.
- Spearmint: Helps to reduce weight. Good for colic, diarrhea, nausea, helps balance metabolism, stimulates gallbladder.
- Spikenard: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, used as a deodorant and skin tonic.
- Spruce: Helps reduce weight. Beneficial for bone pain, arthritis, rheumatism, aching joints, prostatitis.
- Tangerine: Assists dissolving of cellulite, improves circulation, treats dizziness, laxative, cleansing the lymphatic system.
- Tarragon: Relief and balance to intestinal tract. Neuromuscular antispasmodic. Anti-microbial and antiseptic. Colitis, hiccups.
- Thyme: Anti-bacterial. Respiratory problems, digestive complaints, treatment for gastritis, bronchitis, asthma, laryngitis.
- Valerian: Sedative and tranquilizing to the central nervous system. Treats sleep disorders, insomnia, stress, tension.
- Vetiver: Anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory used for arthritic symptoms. Antiseptic, warming properties to help hypothermia.
- Ylang Ylang: Anti-depressant alleviates headaches, hot flashes, and hypertension. Is very calming.
The Fragrant Makeup
Any perfume you buy or make yourself is a chemical compound made from fragrant oils, aroma blends, fixatives and solvents which produces a pleasant or attractive smell. Women primarily use perfume in order to smell nice for work, a special event, or even to attract a mate.
The composition of any perfume starts with base perfume oils, which are natural, animal or synthetic, and are then diluted with a solvent to make them light and applicable. Perfume oils in the purest form can cause damage to skin or an allergic reaction, so the adding of solvent is necessary to make them less potent. The most prevalent solvent used in the manufacturing of perfumes is Ethanol.
Plants are the oldest source for obtaining fragrant oil compounds from flowers and blossoms parts. Other plant parts, such as leaves, twigs, roots, rhizomes, bulbs, seeds, fruit, wood, bark and lichens are also considered for use in perfume making.
Perfumes made using animal sources are normally made from Musk, which is obtained from either the Asian Musk Deer or Civets (known as Civet Musk), as well as Ambergis (a fatty compound). Some perfume makers may also use either Castoreum or Honeycomb in the production of their perfumes.
Synthetic source perfumes are produced through or-ganic synthesis of multiple chemical compounds, in which such things as Calone, Linalool, Coumarin and Terpenes are used to make synthetic fragrant oils. By using synthetic products in perfume making, you can produce scents which may not even exist in nature. In fact, this has become a very valuable element in the making of perfumes nowadays.
A perfume composition will either be used to aug-ment other products, or patented and sold as a perfume after it has been allowed to age for one year.
Unfortunately, fragrance compounds will, after time, begin to deteriorate and lose strength if stored incorrectly. It is therefore important when making your own perfume that you store them in tightly sealed containers and keep them out of light and away from heat, as well as away from oxygen and other organic substances. For best results, store con-tainers in a fridge at a temperature of between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Today more than ever, perfume is popular around the world, because of its use and its application continues to grow.
For purchasing essential oils please visit http://HealWithEssentialOil.com.
Methods of Making Perfume
For more information about essential oils please visit http://HealWithOil.com.
Making perfume is an art that’s been around for many centuries. To many, it’s much more than an art. It’s a creation of thought, inspiration and care, resulting in some of the most beautiful fragrances imaginable.
Although there have been different methods implemented through the years, the general principle and purpose of making perfume is the same: extracting a desired scent. In an earlier chapter we covered many methods of extracting fragrances from various plant parts. There are actually two methods of scent extraction today: effleurage or distillation.
• Effleurage is a process where a glass plates are filled with highly purified and odorless animal or vegetable fat, where petals of your choice are placed. The petals of fresh flowers are pressed into the fat and will stay in the grease for a few days so the essence has a chance to disperse and leak into the compound.
After a few days, the petals are removed and replaced with freshly picked ones. This process continues until the greasy compound is saturated with the essence. This process is repeated several times. Once the saturation point has been reached, the petals are removed and the grease and fragrant oil mixture, also known as effleurage pomade, is washed with alcohol so that extract can separated from the grease.
The remaining grease is used to make soap and, once the alcohol evaporates, you have the essential oil you need for perfume. Effleurage is not only very time consuming but an expensive way of extraction as well. This process is often used for Jasmine and tuberoses.
• Distillation is a process where steam is used to capture the fragrance. The plants or flowers are put in the top part of a sill on perforated trays, with the bottom part filled with water. The water is brought to a boil, as it’s the steam that brings out the fragrances and scent-bearing components, which are transferred into an attached glass-cooling worm to be refrigerated and condensed.
The essential oil and water mixture is placed in bottles, where the essential oils will rise to the top leaving the scented water on the bottom. While the scented water is used for toilette water and other purposes, the essential oil is made into the finest perfumes.
Although technology has provided perfume makers with state-of-the-art equipment to make their perfume quickly and efficiently, the methods are still basically the same. Once they have the desired perfume, they don’t stop there. Being chemists as well as artists of the trade, they’re able to mix them with other essential oils to create exotic and beautiful fragrances.
Art of the Apothecary
For more information about biblical essential oils please visit http://HealWithOil.com.
Apothecary is defined in today’s terms as “a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs.” Derived from the Greek word apotheke, it means a repository or store room and from the Hebrew word raqach, which means to perfume. Some bible translations use the word perfumer instead of apothecary, such as “to prepare spices.” In biblical times, the Levitical priesthood served as apothecaries as well. One of the responsibilities for the priests included preparing the holy anointing oil and incense. In Exodus 30:22 – 28, we read about the instructions the LORD gave to Moses concerning the ingredients of the holy anointing oil:
“Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment com-pound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.”
This highly perfumed formula prescribed by God comprised of the finest spices: flowing myrrh, sweet-smelling cinnamon, fragrant calamus cane, cassia and olive oil. Specific instructions for its use consecrated or set apart articles for Temple worship as “holy.” This included the ark of the testimony, the holy tabernacle, and all of its furnish-ings. Because of its specialness, Yahweh gave an admonition to NOT reproduce the EXACT formula, nor use it on ordinary people. This is something believers should respect as they explore study and create biblical scents.
God not only gave Moses specific instructions for combining these essences for the Holy Anointing Oil, but for also combining them into a pure and Holy confection to be burned as an incense as a testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation before Yahweh. In Exodus 30:34 – 38, it says:
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.”
Apothecaries remained a prominent part of Israel’s culture after being taken into Babylonian captivity and upon returning to Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah and Ezra. In Nehemiah 3:8 it tells how they participated in the rebuilding of the city:
“Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.”
Though the term “apothecary” is not found in the New Testament, the practice of compounding and burning Holy Incense still continued. In fact, this duty was consid-ered such a great honor for those of the Levitical priesthood they had to cast lots for it. Luke 1:9 tells how lot fell on Zacharias:
“According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”
Some may consider the duties of the apothecary and priest to be a lost art since the destruction of the 2nd Temple. However, Yeshua spoke of another temple (His body) in which believers are members of and are to be a priest unto. 1 Peter 2:5 says,
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Today, the ancient art of perfumery and apothecary is being restored.
Ancient Uses for Perfumes and Essential Oils
For more information about the biblical essential oils please visit http://HealWithOil.com.
In ancient times, essential oils and other aromatics were used for religious rituals, as well as for the treatment of illness and other physical and spiritual needs. According to the Essential Oils Desk Reference compiled by Essence Science Publishing, “Records dating back to 4500 B.C. describes the use of balsamic substances with aromatic properties for religious rituals and medical applications. The translation of ancient papyrus found in the Temple of Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile reveals medicinal formulas and perfume recipes used by the alchemist and high priest in blending aromatic substances for rituals performed in the temples and pyramids. As well, Hieroglyphics on the walls of Egyptian temples depict the blending of oils and describe hundreds of oil recipes. Within these writings tell of scented barks, resins of spices, and aromatic vinegars, wines and beers that were used in rituals, temples, for embalming and medicine. Thus, the Egyptians were credited as the first to discover the potential of fragrance and were considered masters in using essential oils and other aromatics in the embalming process. They created various aromatic blends for personal use, placing them in alabaster jars – a vessel specially carved and shaped for holding fragrant oils. In fact, when King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1922, 350 liters of oils were discovered in alabaster jars. Amazingly, because of the solidification of plant waxes sealing the opening of the jars, the liquefied oil was in perfect condition.
In the upper region of Egypt, a sect of Jews, called Essenes, were known for their healing arts and use of essential oils. Both Philo and Josephus writings indicated that at the period in which John the Baptist and Jesus were born, the Essenes were scattered over Palestine, numbering about four thousand souls. The Essenes or Therapeuts (used interchangeably) refer primarily to the art of healing which these devotees professed, as it was believed in those days that sanctity was closely allied to the exercise of this power, and that no cure of any sort could be imputed simply to natural causes. (Source: http://sacred-texts.com, http://bopsecrets.org)
The Holy Scriptures record over 1,035 references to aromatics, ointments, savors, fragrances, plants and incense-most implying essential oils. Twelve of the most highly-praised fragrances in the world mentioned in the Bible include: Frankincense, Myrrh, Spikenard, Hyssop, Cypress, Myrtle, Aloes, Sandalwood, Galbanum, Cinnamon, Cassia, and Onycha. Many were in the prescribed preparation of the Holy Anointing Oil and Holy Incense for Temple services, as well as for anointing and healing the sick. The people of the ancient world understood the importance of maintaining wellness and physical health, as well as the oils’ ability to enhance their spiritual state of worship, prayer, and for the purification from sin. King David alluded to this in Psalm 51:7 when he wrote, “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” While David’s Psalm may have been speaking of a “spiritual purification” from his own sin of adultery with Bathsheba, today we know that the chemical constituents of essential oils including hyssop are able to penetrate the cell wall and transport needed oxygen and nutrients to the cell nucleus. Most essential oils can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled into the lungs where they then make their way into the bloodstream. The sense of smell affects the limbic region of the brain, which controls emotions, memory and the hypothalamus, which regulates the pituitary, which in turn balances the entire hormonal system of the body.
Ancient Art of Extracting Oils – How Essential Oils are Produced Today
For more information about healing biblical essential oils, please visit http://HealWithOil.com.
According to Miriam Stead author of “Egyptian Life” the process of distillation using steam was not known for the extraction of essences but there were three techniques available for producing perfumes from flowers, fruits and seeds. She writes “There was effleurage the Saturation of layers of fat with perfume by steeping flowers in the fat and replacing them when their perfume was spent. In this way, the Egyptians were able to create creams and pomades.
The Original Coneheads
A popular form of pomade was the so-called cosmetic cone which was worn on top of the head. Those frequently represented in banqueting scenes worn not only by the guests but also by the servants. The cone was usually white with streaks of orange brown running from its top. The coloring represented the perfume with which the cone was impregnated. As the evening progressed the cone would melt and the scented oil run down over the wig and garment creating a pleasing scent and no doubt a sticky mess. Throughout the course of an evening it became necessary to renew the scent on the cones and the tomb scenes show servants circulating among the guests replenishing the perfumed cream.
A popular late-night comedy television show called “Saturday Night Live” use to include an skit of a family with Coneheads. I am sure the writers of this routine thought they were being original although ‘cone shape’ heads was all the rage in ancient Egypt.
The second process for creating perfume was maceration that is dipping flowers, herbs or fruits into fats or oils heated to a temperature of about 65 degrees Celsius. This technique is depicted in a number of tomb scenes. The flowers or fruits were pounded in mortars and then stirred into the oil which was kept hot on a fire. The mixture was sieved and allowed to cool. It might then be shaped into balls or cones or if liquid poured into vessels. An alternative process may have been to macerate the flowers in water, cover the vessel with a cloth impregnated with fat and boil the contents of the vessel until all the perfumes had evaporated, fixing them in the fat which was then scraped off the cloth. This technique is still used by Peoples living near the source of the Nile.
Thirdly, there was the possibility of expressing the flowers or seeds. This process was borrowed from the manufacture of wine and oil. The material to be pressed was placed in a bag with a stick attached to each end. The sticks were twisted by a group of workmen. This technique was not used often as most recipes specify either maceration or enfleurage.”
How Essential Oils Are Produced Today
Producing essential oils continues to take a lot of work. It takes sixty thousand Rose blossoms to produce one ounce of Rose oil, whereas Lavender is easier to obtain and yields approximately 7 pounds of oil from two-hundred and twenty pounds of dried flowers. The Sandalwood tree must be thirty years old and over thirty feet tall before it can be cut down for distillation. Myrrh, Frankincense, and Benzoin oils are extracted from the gum resins of their respective trees. While citrus fruits such as Orange, Lemon and Lime are squeezed from the peel of their fruits. Cinnamon essential oil comes from the bark of the tree (and leaf) and Pine oil comes from the needles and twigs. Other flowers must be picked by hand early in the morning before the sun rises and heats up, evaporating the essential oil within its petals.
Hence, you can understand the variation in pricing of various essential oils on the market. There is a variety of ways in which essential oils are extracted. The most common methods steam distillation, solvent extraction, expression, effleurage and maceration.
Steam distillation involves using steam to pull essential oils from the plant by suspending the plant material over water in a sealed container, which is then brought to the boil. The steam containing the volatile essential oil is run through a cooler, and when it condenses the liquid is collected. The essential oil appears as a thin film on top of the liquid, as water and essential oils do not mix.
The essential oil is then separated from the water by collecting in a small vial and the water into a large vat.
Solvent extraction involves using little heat, in order to preserve the oil which would otherwise be destroyed or altered during steam distillation. Plant material is dissolved in a liquid solvent of hepane, hexane, or methylene chloride as a suitable perfume solvent, which absorbs the smell, color and wax of the plant. After removing the plant material, the solvent is boiled off under a vacuum to help separate the essential oil. This can be achieved since the solvent evaporates quicker, which leaves a substance called ‘concrete.’ The concrete is mixed with alcohol to aid in filtering the waxes. The next process is to distill the alcohol away, which leaves an ‘absolute.’ The word ‘absolute’ will appear on the label of some bottled essential oils although they still contain 2-3 per cent of the solvent, therefore are not considered pure essential oil.
Citrus oils is expressed rather than distilled. Within citrus fruits such as Orange, Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit the essential oil is located in little sacs just under the surface of the rind. The oils need to be squeezed out or expressed from the peels and seeds. This is achieved by letting the fruit roll over a conveyor that has small needles coming outpiercing the little oil pockets in the citrus rind. The oil runs out and is caught and filtered.
As mentioned before effleurage is an ancient method of extracting oils that is rarely used today because of its long, complicated and expensive process. Fragrant blooms were placed upon sheets of warm animal fat (or long sheets of vegetable fat) which absorbed the essential oil. As flowers are exhausted, they are replaced with fresh blossoms. This process is repeated until the sheet of fat is saturated with fragrance and is separated with solvents leaving only the essential oil.
Macerated oils are not pure essential oils as they are ‘carrier’ oils. Plant material is gathered and chopped, then added to either sunflower or olive oil. The mixture is stirred for a while, then placed in the sunlight for several days. This process transfers all of the soluble components in the plant material including the essential oil then is carefully filtered. This process leaves a carrier oil infused with essential oil.
History of Perfumery using Essential Oils
For more information about using essential oils please visit http://HealWithEssentialOil.com.
Historical records reveal that people’s use of scents, aromas, fragrances and essential oils have been used in almost every culture for millenniums. The Egyptians used aromatics in embalming, while the Greeks attributed sweet aromas to their gods by burning incense and the Babylonians perfumed the mortar with which they built their temples. In fact, Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt drenched the sails of her ships with the most exotic fragrant essential oils so that their essences would herald her arrival along the banks of the Nile. The Hebrews scattered fresh leaves, twigs, and stems of fresh mint, marjoram and other herbs on the dirt floors of homes and synagogues. By walking on these, the fragrant essential oils would be released into the air. This practice was also common in the temple, where they sacrificed animals where the scent acted as a disinfectant as well as an air freshener.
Both the Assyrian’s and Egyptians used scented oils. Because of this, the demand for the raw materials necessary to produce both fragrances and remedies led to the discov-ery of new ways to extract scents from the plants used. Such techniques as pressing, decoction, pulverization and macera-tion were developed and mastered by both the Assyrian’s and the Egyptians. They even made attempts to produce essential oils by distillation. These methods will be discussed in the next chapter.
Slowly, the use of perfumes spread to Greece, where not only were they used in religious ceremonies, but also for personal purposes as well. When the Romans saw what the Greeks were doing, they began to use fragrances even more lavishly. There are many manuscripts that ascribed to how herbs were brought from all over the world to produce the fragrances they used.
After the Roman Empire fell, so the use of aromas for personal use declined. However, during the Middle Ages, perfumes again were used, this time only in churches in Europe for religious ceremonies and to cover the stench of disease and death which abounded at that time.
When trade with the Orient was reestablished at the beginning of the 13th Century, exotic flowers, herbs and spices became more readily available around Europe. Venice quickly became the center of the perfume trade. It was not long before perfumery soon spread to other European countries. The perfume trade then developed even further, as those returning from the crusades reintroduced perfume for personal use.
By the late 18th Century, the synthetic material for fragrances was being produced, which led to the beginning of perfumery in the modern age. Thus, with the introduction of synthetics, perfumes would no longer be exclusively used by the rich and famous. Now with synthetics readily available to produce perfumes, they could be made on a much larger scale, although natural oils were still being used to help soften the synthetics. Today, natural products still remain a very important part of the production of perfumes in modern formulations.
More and more people today are turning away from the industrial techniques of producing perfume, preferring to make it themselves. Most find it is not only easy to do, but a great source of pleasure and fun.
Cedarwood Essential Oil History and Use
by Rebecca Park Totilo
For more about the biblical essential oils, please visit http://HealWithOil.com.
Cedarwood has been used for over 5,000 years by the Egyptians and the Sumerians for ritual purposes. Other uses included embalming, a disinfectant, and other medicinal purposes.
Cedars of Lebanon is the highest in sesquiterpenes (98%) which oxygenates the brain and supports clear thinking. The Scriptures record that Solomon built the Temple and his palace out of the Cedars of Lebanon—which may be why Solomon was the wisest man to ever live.
Spiritually, Cedar is symbolic of strength and serves as a hedge of protection. In Song of Solomon 1:17, it speaks about the boards of Cedarwood: “The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.” A bride’s trousseau or “cedar chest,” which holds her treasures, protects her valuables from moths, silverfish, and other infestations. A believer’s heart is where God’s treasure is. Yeshua reminds believers to guard their hearts from the enemy, who wants to come in and steal their joy and peace.
For practical purposes, this oil serves well as an insect repellent. Its scent stays in the wood for a lifetime, even after the wood has been made into furniture—and it is this same fragrance which inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Therapeutic/Medicinal Uses
Cedarwood is effective against hair loss, tuberculosis, bronchitis, gonorrhea, urinary infections, acne, and psoriasis.[1] It also helps in reducing the hardening of the artery wall and stimulates the pineal gland to release natural melatonin for deep sleep.[2] Cedarwood clears the mind and eases ADD.[3]
The thumb and big toe are trigger points for clearing fears of the unknown and mental blocks against learning.[4] The big toe is also a point for clearing addictions and complusive behavior. The scent of Cedarwood helps to clear buried emotions, including pride and conceit
The Scent of His Coming
by Rebecca Park Totilo
Please visit Rebecca at the Well Foundation (Http://RATW.org) for more information about the bride of Christ and how to prepare for his return!
When Yeshua returns, the world will smell His coming! His garments will be scented with these biblical fragrances. Psalm 45:7-8 says:
“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.”
These fragrances burn as incense before the throne of Yah and Yeshua’s fragrance fills the Temple. Revelation 8:3-4 says:
“And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
Cinnamon and Cassia Essential Oil Benefits
by Rebecca Park Totilo
For more information about the biblical essential oils please visit Rebecca’s website http://HealWithOil.com.
Cassia and Cinnamon are mentioned in Exodus 30:22-31 as part of the holy anointing oil. The Hebrew word for the spice Cassia is similar to the word meaning “to bow down or to pay homage.” “Homage” in the Scriptures means “to honor another by bending low in deep respect.” Yeshua’s Bride is to be humble toward all people. She is to bow down in homage to God alone.
Cassia and Cinnamon are very similar in fragrance because they are actually of the same genus and the laurel family of plants. Cassia was considered inferior to other plants in the laurel family.[1]
Isn’t that true of Yeshua’s life? The leaders considered Him of little account because He came from Nazareth, but His Father glorified Him, as mentioned in John 8:54.
In the middle ages, the Arabs maintained monopoly of the spice trade by claiming Cinnamon was harvested from the nests of ferocious birds and had to be gathered under their attack.[2]
This prized spice was also used by a band of thieves who stole jewels off dead bodies during the Black Plague in Europe without contracting the disease. When the King of England questioned them, he discovered that their secret was essential oils, which included Cinnamon.
Therapeutic/Medicinal Uses
Both Cassia and Cinnamon are extremely effective in fighting bacteria and viruses. Research has revealed that most viruses, fungi, and bacteria cannot sustain themselves in the presence of therapeutic grade essential oils and it was probably these oils that protected the Israelites from disease.[3]
Benefits of Cassia oil include offering support to the immunity system against colds and flu simply by inhaling them or rubbing them on the soles of the feet.
Cinnamon is being used to cure diabetes, high-blood sugar, and high blood pressure according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.[4] It also calms spasms of the digestive tract, indigestion, diarrhea, colitis, vomiting, and nausea. Many have used Cinnamon for the treatment of depression and stress-related conditions.
These oils may also be used for dry, sensitive skin, but both should be diluted with a carrier oil such as olive oil.
Stop and Smell the Roses
by Rebecca Park Totilo
For more information about biblical essential oils please visit http://HealWithOil.com. If you would like to purchase essential oils visit http://HealWithEssentialOil.com.
Smelling the fragrance of a rose can bring healing and elevate one’s mood. Even when the scent is too faint to notice healing is taking place. The sense of smell facilitated through the olfactory nerve invites the fragrance into certain regions of the brain, enabling the body to process them naturally.
Just inhaling a fragrance will bring healing to the body because with pure therapeutic essential oils the molecules are small enough to bypass the blood-brain barrier and reach down at the cellular level to bring healing.[1] Regular inhalation of essential oils stimulates the limbic region of the brain and encourages the natural release of the human growth hormone (HGH). [2]
With 1,000 sensors in the nose, it can identify 10,000 scents.[3] And because the nose is wired differently that the other four senses, it carries molecules directly into the emotional center of the brain where traumatic memories are stored. Essential oils are a vehicle by which repressed emotions can be released.[4]
The Hebrew word for “smell” is reyach, and this shares the same root word for “spirit,” which is ruach. Yahweh was moved to compassion through the sense of smell as in the account of Noah’s offering after the flood: “And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD… and offered burnt offerings… and the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake” (Genesis 8:20-21).
[1] Stewart, David, Ph.D., D.N.M. The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple: God’s love manifest in molecules. Care Publications. 2005.
[2] Ledoux, Dr. Joseph. New York Medical University.
[3] Cromie, William. “Researchers Sniff Out Secrets of Smell.” Harvard University Gazette.
[4] Stewart, David, Ph.D., D.N.M. Healing Oils of the Bible. Care Publications. 2003. Page 32-33.
Rose of Sharon Essential Oil and its Use
by Rebecca Park Totilo
For more information, please visit Rebecca’s website http://HealWithOil.com.
In ancient times, the Cistus Ladanifer, also known as the “rock rose,” was believed to be the Rose of Sharon. As goats and sheep roamed through the brush, this flower became entangled in their coats. While caring for their sheep, the shepherds would collect it from their wool and rub the resin on their cuts and wounds to soothe them.
This multi-petal flower is found in the fertile plain called Sharon between Jaffa and Mount Carmel in Israel. It has a honey scent from an aromatic gum that exudes from the plant.
The Hebrew word sharon means “meadow-saffron, crocus, and rose (place of pasture).” It is a derivative for Sarai, which means “princess.”
Think of how the thornless Rose of Sharon beautifully mirrors Yeshua’s tender love, as spoken of in Song of Solomon 2:1: “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” The Scriptures tell believers that they are the sheep of His pasture and feed among the lilies.
Therapeutic/Medicinal Uses
Rose of Sharon has been studied for its therapeutic effect on cell regeneration according to Dr. David Stewart, author of “Healing Oils of the Bible.”[1]
Rose of Sharon has been used for bronchitis, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, wounds, and wrinkles. It is also known to be anti-infectious, antiviral, and antibacterial. Rose of Sharon helps to reduce inflammation and acts as a powerful anti-hemorrhaging agent. The Essential Oils Desk Reference reports that it also helps strengthen the immune system.[2]
Rose of Sharon helps to quiet the nerves and elevate the emotions during prayer. Studies revealed that people taking antidepressant drugs found this oil to be mood-elevating by rubbing it on their bodies or just inhaling it.[3]
How Essential Oils Work
by Rebecca Park Totilo
Clinical research has discovered that essentials oils have the highest frequency of any natural substance. Electrical properties and charges of essential oils carry electrons or negative ions, which are healing and healthful.[1]
A healthy human body ranges from 62 to 68 MHz. The air breathed, food eaten, and other factors cause frequency levels to drop. Examples of the Taino Technology study reveal:
At 58 MHz cold and flu symptoms may appear.
At 55 MHz diseases like Candida and arthritis may take hold.
At 42 MHz cancer may set in.
At 25 MHz death begins.[2]
The essence or life-blood of the plant carries a live frequency—ranging from 52 MHz to 320 MHz.
Using therapeutic grade essential oils on a daily basis keeps body frequencies at a healthy level, prevents disease, and even reverses damage.
Research has shown that the number one cause for depression is the loss of oxygen around the pineal and pituitary glands. They have also discovered that with careful application of these oils to the soles of the feet, it enables the oil to reach every cell in the body within 20 minutes.[3] This may be why people in biblical times lived so long.
Principal essential oils contain various constituents, including these three compounds: phenylpropanoids, sesquiterpenes, and monoterpenes.[4] These three constituents are unique to essential oils and are produced naturally by the plant with the intelligence and capacity to do the following:
Phenylpropanoids – cleanse the receptor sites.
Sesquiterpenes – erase the incorrect information in the DNA or cellular memory.
Monoterpenes – reprogram the cellular intelligence back to God’s original plan with correct information.
Sesquiterpenes carry oxygen to the brain and stimulate the pineal and pituitary glands. Three of the four oils in the world with the highest known concentration of sesquiterpenes are biblical oils: Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and Spikenard.
For more information about essential oils, please visit http://HealWithEssentialOil.com.
