Essential Oils and the Endocrine System

Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes. In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth.

The foundations of the endocrine system are the hormones and glands. As the body's chemical messengers, hormones transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Although many different hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream, each one affects only the cells that are genetically programmed to receive and respond to its message. Hormone levels can be influenced by factors such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood. Too much or too little of any hormone can be harmful to the body. Controlling the production of or replacing specific hormones can treat many endocrine disorders. 

Essential oils are uniquely able to support the endocrine system. Through their fragrance and unique molecular structure, essential oil molecules can easily pass through our tissues into our very cells. Any essential oil placed anywhere on the body is trans-dermal and can reach every part of your body within minutes. The molecular property (small size) that enables essential oils to penetrate human tissue and pass through the cell membranes is also the property that makes it possible to smell them and take them into our bodies through the olfactory system. In so doing, the molecules not only reach all parts of our body via the blood stream accessed through our lungs, they also go directly to the brain, crossing the blood-brain barrier.

When you breathe oil molecules into the back passages of your nose, they go straight to the limbic lobe of the brain. The limbic lobe is a group of brain structures that includes the hippocampus and amygdala and can directly activate the hypothalamus (the hormonal control center of our brain).  The limbic system is directly connected to those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance. Because the limbic system part of the brain does not understand words or written language and responds to smell only, essential oils can have profound physiological and psychological effects.

If you are looking for a natural alternative to correcting a hormone imbalance and for general endocrine support, there are many essential oil singles and blends for you to consider; Clary Sage, Fennel, Majoram, Nutmeg, Spearmint, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Myrtle are just a few.  I hope this information is encouraging to you and as always please seek the advice of your trusted health care professional before incorporating essential oils into your treatment plan.

Emotional Health & Essential Oils

Are you emotionally well? I pray yes but statistics say otherwise... from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than 1 out of 10 Americans over the age of 12 are on some kind of anti-depressant. Maybe you are one of these people and are feeling better but according to NIMH your chances of ever going into remission are not good. And what if you are like me and prefer not to take anti-depressants?

Praise God we have His original medicine, essential oils, to turn to for emotional support and healing.

Isaiah 61:3 -NKJV
...to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

One of the most powerful healing aspects of essential oils is their ability to penetrate the so called "Blood-Brain Barrier." When you breathe oil molecules into the back passages of your nose, they go straight to the brain in the central part called the amygdala. The amygdala is the central headquarters of the limbic system, which manages your storage and filing system for all your emotional experiences. The limbic system part of the brain does not understand words or written language. It responds to smell only. Hence essential oils provide a powerful means to contact that non verbal portion of our brains that stores our feelings and emotions.

Inhalation of essential oils communicates signals to the olfactory system and stimulates the brain to exert neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and dopamine) thereby further regulating mood. Most studies, as well as clinically applied experience, have indicated that various essential oils, such as lavender, lemon and bergamot can help to relieve stress, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.

I have personally experienced the emotional healing benefits of essential oils and am grateful to God for designing and providing His medicine for us to be emotionally well. For more information about essential oils and their healing benefits please contact me.

In Christ,
Sue

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.


References
Healing Oils of the Bible, Dr. David Stewart, Ph.D.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

Be Still and Listen

For me being still and listening is a big part of enjoying wellness. Maintaining a disciplined habit of doing this is not easy but I am continually amazed at what a difference taking the time to be still and listen really makes in my health. I am more focused and organized in my thinking, I feel stronger and more energized in my body, and my spirit is at peace which is the best part.

Our lives are ever filled with busyness and noise and constant activity. When was the last time you slowed down long enough to really listen?  I have found that stopping to really listen is best done when you are alert and rested and able to calm yourself enough to turn off the volume in your own head.  The part of the day that is best to do this is different for each person but for me I have found the morning time to the best time.  It isn’t always the first thing I do but the earlier in the day I do it the better.  

Be Still:

I don’t think it really matters where you choose to be still. I like to sit on my porch looking out over my front yard to the sky and trees across the street.  I get settled into a comfortable place in my seat and I don’t move. Sometimes I close my eyes to keep from moving around to look around at my surroundings.  I don’t try to time myself mentally but the longer I avoid moving the better for me. The hard part comes when I try to stop thinking and turn the volume down in my head so I can listen.  I like to use aromatherapy to help myself do this. There are lots of essential oils and blends of essential oils that can help you calm down and focus. Some of my favorites are Frankincense, Cedarwood, and Peppermint. Concentrating on my breathing also helps me to focus on something so that the rest of my thoughts can fade away.  When I am having a day where I can’t seem to settle my mind down, I will get out my prayer journal and right down names of all the people I know that need a prayer and any decisions  or problems I am struggling with.

When I am ready I pray to God the Father and creator of all things.  My prayers include thanking Him for various things and then asking Him to forgive my sins and hear my prayers. Then I ask Him for whoever and whatever needs come to my thoughts.  I then ask Him to speak to me about whatever decisions I may be considering, problems I am facing and how He would use me this day.  

Listen:

Before I jump up and start moving around I try to “tune” into the Holy Spirit and wait for any ideas or thoughts that are new to come in my mind about the answers I requested from the Lord about. Sometimes a scripture will come to my mind. Whatever thoughts I have I then go to the Bible and read His Word to listen. It doesn’t really matter what part of the Bible I read, sometimes it is a very specific book or verse, or a teaching that I know I need to examine more carefully for direction. Sometimes I just randomly open it up and see what the Lord has to say. Whatever I read I am never disappointed and because I know the Lord is sovereign, I trust that He will show me exactly what I need for the requests I made.  

I am sure it is the promises of…

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

and…

Matthew 11:28

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

and…

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

that taking the time to be still and listen is why I feel more organized and focused in my thinking, my body has the strength and energy needed for the day, and my spirit is at peace.

Resting in Him,

Sue

Could Rosemary Scent Boost Brain Performance?

Hailed since ancient times for its medicinal properties, we still have a lot to learn about the effects of rosemary. Now researchers writing in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, published by SAGE, have shown for the first time that blood levels of a rosemary oil component correlate with improved cognitive performance.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is one of many traditional medicinal plants that yield essential oils. But exactly how such plants affect human behaviour is still unclear. Mark Moss and Lorraine Oliver, working at the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre at Northumbria University, UK designed an experiment to investigate the pharmacology of 1,8-cineole (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2,2,2]octane), one of rosemary's main chemical components.

The investigators tested cognitive performance and mood in a cohort of 20 subjects, who were exposed to varying levels of the rosemary aroma. Using blood samples to detect the amount of 1,8-cineole participants had absorbed, the researchers applied speed and accuracy tests, and mood assessments, to judge the rosemary oil's affects.

Results indicate for the first time in human subjects that concentration of 1,8-cineole in the blood is related to an individual's cognitive performance – with higher concentrations resulting in improved performance. Both speed and accuracy were improved, suggesting that the relationship is not describing a speed–accuracy trade off. Meanwhile, although less pronounced, the chemical also had an effect on mood. However, this was a negative correlation between changes in contentment levels and blood levels of 1,8-cineole, which is particularly interesting because it suggests that compounds given off by the rosemary essential oil affect subjective state and cognitive performance through different neurochemical pathways. The oil did not appear to improve attention or alertness, however.

Plasma 1,8-cineole correlates with cognitive performance following exposure to rosemary essential oil aroma by Mark Moss and Lorraine Oliver was published February 24, 2012 in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.

For a copy of the article please contact: ashley.loar@sagepub.com