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Benefits of Essential Oils Discussed at Library Workshop

Apr 30, 2015 09:50AM ● By Kathryn Nulf
Did you know essential oils have been used throughout history in medical practice, beauty treatment, food preparation, therapeutic massage, aromatherapy, and the promotion of health and personal hygiene? Independent Wellness Advocate Jennie Backstrom and her assistant Ashley Daige presented “Living Naturally with Essential Oils,” a class discussing the uses and health benefits of essential oils in our modern world, at the Bellingham Library on April 7.

Essential oils are natural extracts from the seeds, stems, roots, flowers, bark, and other parts of plants. Backstrom shared with the group that she originally became interested in essential oils 12 years ago when she worked at a spa that sold essential oils. Over the years she learned more about the importance of quality oils and now works as a Wellness Advocate for dōTERRA, a company known for their pure therapeutic grade essential oils, which means they represent the safest, purest, and most beneficial essential oils available today. The oils are skillfully distilled from plants around the world in order to provide the most benefits. Essential oils can help with issues such as acne, dizziness, depression, colds, asthma, allergies, toothache, stress, and weight loss.

Backstrom said that the use of essential oils has grown rapidly as scientists and medical practitioners research and validate the numerous health benefits of pure and natural essential oils. She stressed the need to always look for pure therapeutic grade essential oils because they are the most effective and safest to use. They can be used topically, internally, and aromatically. Essential oils enter the bloodstream within 30 seconds when used topically, and have systemic localized effects. When taken internally, essential oils can detoxify the body and improve the digestive system, plus they can have benefits on the mouth, throat, liver, and urogenital tract.

“Because essential oils are compounds from nature, your body works synergistically with them,” Backstrom said. Essential oils can also be used aromatically to cleanse the air and enhance mood.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbs. They have a wide range of uses, from cosmetics to foods to natural health solutions. They provide a variety of health benefits without any side effects or addictions that may be associated with prescriptions medications. Backstrom shared that antibiotics cannot penetrate the cell membrane, while essential oils can penetrate cells to kill viruses and bacteria.

Some common essential oils are lavender, lemon, peppermint, melaleuca, and frankincense. Lavender can be applied topically to soothe irritated skin and lips, or applied immediately to help calm a reaction to a bee sting or bug bite.

Backstrom said that only a drop of lemon or peppermint oil is needed in your water to experience a refreshing flavor along with detoxifying benefits. She said that frankincense is one of the most powerful essential oils and can be applied to the bottom of the feet or taken internally in capsules to support immune function.

Backstrom can be reached at 508-523-9325 or through her website www.mydoterra.com/jenniebackstrom.

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