By now, most of us have heard of oil pulling.  It stems from the ancient Ayurvedic practice of Kavala Graha or Gandusha - swishing or holding oil in the mouth each day in order to detoxify.

It is suddenly a new trend, perhaps it has something to do with the recent popularity of coconut oil, but the practice of oil pulling has been around for over 3,000 years. 

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine.  The word comes from the Sanskrit terms Ayur (life) and Veda (knowledge).  Ayurvedic treatments aspire to enhance the functionality of the human body and reduce imbalances.

Oil pulling is said to remove bacteria from the mouth and toxins from the body.  This assists with gingivitis, inflamed or sensitive gums, halitosis (bad breath), it even helps to reduce cavities through the reduction of plaque and whitens teeth.  It’s known to reduce dryness of the throat, mouth, and lips.

The bacteria in the mouth which cause these problems are lipophilic, they have a surface fatty membrane and they are therefore drawn to the oil and adhere to it.  Traditionally, sesame oil was used, but pretty much any edible oil can be used, such as coconut, sunflower, olive, and sweet almond.  The oil should be plant-based and preferably organic. 

Normally our body deals with the bacteria in our mouths with saliva.  Our saliva contains lysozyme, which is an enzyme that destroys bacteria.  However, the production of saliva is decreased when we sleep, resulting in an increase of bacteria in the mouth (a cause of morning breath).  This is why it is best to practice oil pulling when you first get up in the morning.  –And before eating or drinking when you can swallow the bacteria that has built up overnight.

To start, take about 1 tablespoon (17 ml) of oil each day and gently swish it all through your mouth for up to 20 minutes.  You might want to start with 5-10 minutes and work up to 20.  It’s best to do while getting ready in the morning, even while showering. Or, why not do it while sitting and relaxing, being mindful of the experience. You don’t have to vigorously swish, and don’t swallow the oil.  It will be full of bacteria.  When finished the oil will be white, spit it out in a trash bin as it might clog the drain of your sink.

After, you can rinse your mouth with warm water and floss and brush as usual.  I find that my mouth feels very clean and my teeth are smooth throughout the day after a bout of oil pulling.

We know that the mouth is the gateway to the body and bad oral health can lead to diseases and illness.  If oil pulling reduces the bacteria that causes these illnesses, why not give it a try?  It’s another way we can help our bodies work efficiently, naturally.

Elderberry Syrup

 

1 cinnamon stick

5 cloves

½ cup dried elderberries or 1 cup fresh or frozen berries.

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (or 2 drops of ginger essential oil)

2 cups water

1 cup wild honey

To a saucepan, add all ingredients except honey.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Once it boils, turn down the heat and simmer covered until it is reduced by ½ (20 to 30 minutes).

Pour the reduced concoction through a strainer into a bowl.  Press down on the berries to get all the juice.

Add the honey and stir well.  Pour into a clean jar.

This delicious blend helps prevent colds and flu or will help if you are feeling ill already. Elderberry syrup is antiviral and helps boost the immune system.   Cinnamon, cloves, and ginger are also antiviral and are warming. The honey helps sore throats and coughs. 

Take up to a tablespoon per hour when ill or take a tablespoon a day to help prevent illness.  You can also add a tablespoon to mug full of hot water as a delicious warming tea.

Can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is an essential oil distilled from the oleo resin of various Boswellia trees.  Boswellia is a deciduous tree that grows in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central Africa, Sudan, Uganda, and Eritrea.  The more common species are:  B. sacra (Oman, Yemen, and southern Saudi Arabia), B. carteri (Somalia), B. frereana (Somalia), B. papyifera (western Ethiopia), B. serrata (western India).  Somalia and Ethiopia produce the majority of frankincense.

The Boswellia trees are not cultivated, the resin is collected from the wild plants.  Incisions are made in the bark which causes a milky-white substance to exude.  This then hardens into a resin and it is this resin that is steam or hydro distilled.

 The name “olibanum” is thought to be derived from the Latin, olium libanum, meaning oil from Lebanon.   And “Frankincense” is derived from the French Franc, meaning free or pure and the Latin incensum, meaning to smoke. 

Frankincense has played an important role in the religious lives of ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Hebrews, and Romans.  The Catholic Church burning frankincense in services for hundreds of years served a dual purpose:  frankincense deepens breathing and clears the mind for contemplation and prayer while also purifying and cleansing the air.  In the United Arab Emirates, frankincense is used to cleanse homes and mosques on a weekly basis.  This is believed to dispel evil spirits.

Avicenna recommended frankincense for many ailments, including tumors.  Modern research is now studying frankincense for the same purpose.  It has been shown that frankincense changes the DNA of the cancerous cells to revert them to their normal state, reducing tumors.

Frankincense also works with the immune system to repair skin damage and encourage new cell growth.  It is regenerative and is effective for mature skin, scars, and damaged skin.

Because of its expectorant action, frankincense has also been used traditionally for respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and coughs.  It is especially helpful for asthma associated with nervousness due to its ability to slow breathing.

 For the same reason that frankincense calms the mind for prayer and meditation, it soothes, relaxes and prepares the mind for sleep. It slows racing thoughts and induces deep sleep.

Natural Deodorants and Essential Oils

The skin is the largest organ of the body. The average adult has approximately 18 square feet of skin, which weighs approximately seven pounds and the skin receives one third of the blood circulating through the body.  If one is ill or unhealthy, it can often be seen in the appearance of the skin.  

The skin is an essential method of elimination of the body’s waste.  Sweating and perspiring result in the elimination of approximately 1/3 of the body’s waste each day.  It is, therefore, an important cleansing mechanism.

It is important not to impede this process of elimination.  If toxins are not eliminated through the process of sweating, these toxins will either be stored in tissue or the kidneys must take on this task and may become overworked.

Antiperspirants inhibit sweating generally by blocking the glands which produce sweat.  As we have seen, this is not a healthful action.  As well as stopping sweat, antiperspirants often contain chemicals that are absorbed into the skin, such as aluminum and parabens.  There have been conflicting reports on whether these chemicals are carcinogenic or contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.  Some studies, such as a 1998 study reported in Molecular Medicine Today ¹ link the use of antiperspirants containing aluminum with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s due to a systemic accumulation of aluminum.  Although there has been no study that can definitively show that aluminum in antiperspirants can lead to Alzheimer’s, there are many links that seem to make it well worth it to avoid the risk.  Aluminum is generally excreted by the kidneys.  However, individuals who have impaired kidney function may develop dialysis dementia due to the fact that their bodies cannot remove the aluminum effectively.²   Aluminum certainly seems to play a key part in dementia.  Why take the chance?

Another option is to use deodorant.  Deodorants do not inhibit sweat production.  They work to stop the smell that people often find offensive that comes with underarm sweat.  However, even deodorants may contain chemicals that have been shown to be toxic, such as parabens.  Parabens have been shown to be able to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen.  Estrogen can increase the growth of human breast tumors.  It must be taken into consideration that parabens are found in an extensive number of body care products and cosmetics.  While the amount in one product may be small, it increases considerably when we take into account how many products we apply to our bodies daily.  Be sure to check the label on your deodorant to be sure that it does not contain parabens.  (These chemicals all end in “paraben”.  Methylparaben, propylparaben, etc.)

Sweat does not have an offensive smell.  Some people may even like the smell.  It is the bacteria combined with the sweat that creates the smell that many people do not like.  Essential oils are perfect ingredients for natural deodorants.  There are many essential oils that have been shown to be antibacterial.  When applied as a deodorant, essential oils inhibit the growth of bacteria.  And they can even kill bacteria that exist.  As opposed to many deodorants that mask the smell with chemical fragrances, essential oils work to stop the bacteria from occurring.

1.     1. ( Exley C (March 1998). "Does antiperspirant use increase the risk of aluminium-related disease, including Alzheimer's disease?". Molecular Medicine Today )

2.     2. http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=99

Hydrosols

Hydrosols are the gently scented waters that remain after the steam distillation of essential oils. These waters contain minute amounts the water-soluble constituents of the essential oils.  Therefore, hydrosols are very safe and gentle. Unlike essential oils, which are extremely concentrated, hydrosols are soft and very pleasant smelling.

Although they are mild, hydrosols contain a wide range of therapeutic compounds which makes them highly effective for treating various health concerns.   Hydrosols are perfect to use as a facial mist prior to applying moisturizer for additional hydration.  They can be misted on the face during the day for a gentle, hydrating lift.  Also, as a room spray, body mist, in the iron, as a bed linen mist, as a rinse for hand washables, and much more.

Neroli Hydrosol has a beautiful, light floral scent.  It is the result of the steam distillation of the orange flower.  It is wonderfully clarifying and uplifting.  It has antimicrobial properties, leaving a clean fresh feeling.

Lavender Hydrosol is a refreshing aromatic water that can be used any time you need refreshment, or when you want to cool down on a hot day. Its calming effects are wonderful for children and can also be used to clean cuts and scrapes. Used as a spritzer it acts as a rejuvenating spray at the home, office, or in the car. Lavender water has a wide variety of therapeutic benefits with many uses. This is one of the more relaxing and balancing hydrosols. It is ideal for oily and combination skin, and is an excellent coolant for minor burns, rashes, and hot sores. Mentally refreshing and marvelous on the emotions!

Peppermint Hydrosol is perfect as a revitalizing and refreshing body spray. Peppermint hydrosol is well rounded and very robust. It can be used liberally on the body as a general cooler, and it is particularly helpful for abrasions, hot spots, and as a facial toner.

Rose Hydrosol is a wonderful toner for all skin types, especially mature skin.  It makes a beautiful body splash, anti-anxiety spray, deodorant, and room freshener. Roses are known everywhere for their link to love and sensuality, and Rose Hydrosol is no different.  It is wonderful for those days when one feels sensual. This is an aphrodisiac with roots dating back thousands of years.

Sandalwood Hydrosol is a steam distilled hydrosol from whole Sandalwood. Sandalwood is exotic, alluring and deeply mesmerizing.  Sandalwood essential oil may be too penetrating for some and certainly too expensive for many.  Sandalwood hydrosol is a fabulous alternative.  It has the full, woody, calming scent of Sandalwood essential oil, but in a milder version. It is great as a body perfume, as an invigorating room spray or as a bed linen, with its aphrodisiac qualities.

Bronchitis

I rarely get sick.  And on the rare occasion that I have a headache or a cold, I generally leave it up to my body to take care of itself.  But, this past week I became pretty ill: fever, chills, cough, very weak, tired, and faint.  And, since my son-in-law had recently been diagnosed with bronchitis, I think it is fairly safe to say I had the same thing.  Since bronchitis is often a viral infection, I did not want to go to the doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics, which are not for viruses.

For a few days I left it up to my body and got some extra sleep.  But, yesterday I was feeling worse than ever, so I got out my essential oils.  I created a blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, & niaouli oils in a base of kukui nut oil.  (The base doesn't really matter too much.  I had this around and it is fairly light and easily absorbed, without a heavy scent.)  I rubbed this over my chest and back (as much as I could) and inhaled the refreshing, cool scent from my hands.  I could immediately feel the warm sensation, and I felt refreshed and uplifted. 

The oils that I chose for this blend were good for a number of reasons. 

Eucalyptus we all associate with colds, flus, & sore muscles because of its decongestant, antibiotic, and analgesic properties.  It is great when massaged onto the skin as well as when inhaled.  It helps to open sinuses. 

Rosemary is perfect oil to use for respiratory issues.  Rosemary was one of the earliest plants to be used medicinally.  It was .used for fumigation and to protect against the plague.  It has a number of beneficial characteristics, including: antiseptic, analgesic, and antimicrobial.

Niaouli is a lesser known essential oil, but it is a relative of the highly popular tea-tree oil.  I prefer the smell.  It is similar to eucalyptus.  This is another oil that is often used for respiratory ailments.  According to the Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia, "numerous pharmaceuticals containing niaouli were made up to the 1980s, such as syrup for respiratory tract infections..."  Niaouli is a decongestant, analgesic, and bacteride.

I applied the blend three times yesterday and again this morning after showering.  I feel so much better already.  I have been also been drinking ginger tea, hot water with lemon and honey, and I might just have a hot toddy this evening.

This blend of essential oils is also great to use in a nebulizer or diffuser or an inhaler.

I also made sure to spray my Cleansing Air Freshener around the house so others will be less likely to get sick.  It is made with a blend of essential oils that are well-researched and have been shown to be antibacterial and antiviral.  Wish I had used it last week!

Be well! 

(And remember, I am not suggesting anyone forgo the care of a healthcare provider.  Always consult your doctor when ill.  blah blah)

Drug Resistant Bacteria and How Essential Oils Can Be Used Effectively Against Them.

Plants have been producing essential oils for millions of years. Early on, humans discovered the benefits of these essential oils, including their antibacterial properties. However, in the 1900s, humans moved to laboratory-produced antibiotics. Although these antibiotics have saved countless lives, they are becoming increasingly problematic in our societies and our environment. Much research has been done showing the bactericidal properties of essential oils. I believe that educating people on the beneficial properties of these oils and how they should be used in the household, work environment, and hospitals will greatly reduce the risk of overuse of antibiotics.

It is not know exactly when plants began producing essential oils, but moss and lichen have existed for 350 million years. Moss and lichen produce chemical constituents that make up essential oils (such as cinnamic acid, limonene and pinene, geraniol, linalyl and bornyl acetates). Therefore, we do know that compounds within essential oils have been produced for millions of years.

Monoterpenes, which are the most common essential oil constituent, have been produced for at least three hundred million years in the ancient conifer trees. Angiosperms (plants with hulled or covered seeds) appeared one hundred million years ago and began producing even more complicated biochemical products, such as phenylpropanoids and aldehydes.

The chemical components of essential oils in each species (and even in different populations of identical species) were varied and evolved to assist the emerging plants to adapt to their particular environment and survive the diverse challenges of the these environments.

As plants developed and evolved over the following millions of years, their essential oil composition changed to include compounds that are medically important today. These essential oils have been used by plants to attract pollinators, repel harmful insects and herbivores, and to protect the plants from bacteria and viruses. When modern humans emerged approximately 120 thousand years ago, essential oil production had been finely tuned. It did not take long for humans to realize the benefits that plants had to offer and to use them in all aspects of their developing civilizations.

Essential oils and aromatics were used medicinally by early Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, and many other early civilizations. This use continued for thousands of years and has only recently been replaced by “Western” medicine. It was in the 1600-1700s that the scientific revolution occurred and people started turning away from the herbal remedies that had been used for so long. And it was in the 1900s that herbal medicine was almost completely replaced by widespread use of antibiotics and other medicines introduced by man.

Antibiotics were first discovered early in the 1900s. Penicillin was discovered and was hailed as a wonder drug. Penicillin is taken from a mold (Penicilliun notatum) which effectively kills bacteria without harming healthy cells. This mold is produced in a form that can be consumed by humans. The antibiotics work by stopping the formation of the cell wall, thereby killing the bacteria. After this discovery, many other forms of antibiotics were found to fight other types of bacteria, such as streptomycin, neomycin, and gentamicin. Unfortunately, many of these antibiotics had hazardous side effects, such as blindness and hearing loss.

After World War II, drug companies in the United States searched for other bacteria and mold that could be created in the laboratory and turned into antibiotics. Many variations of the original antibiotics were created including: Tetracyclines, cephalosporins, erythromycin, and Bacitracin, which is an antibiotic, made from bacteria used as an ointment that is applied directly to the skin.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were discovered within 4 years of the introduction of penicillin. This drug-resistance occurs when bacteria that are mutants (or variants) of the original bacteria can resist the antibiotic and survive and reproduce, creating a new drug-resistant strain. According to a report in the April 28, 1994, New England Journal of Medicine, researchers have identified bacteria in patient samples that resist all currently available antibiotic drugs.

One of the major drawbacks of antibiotics, and one of the reasons that bacteria so quickly build resistance, is that they generally interfere with one function of the bacteria. In the case of penicillin, bacteria are killed by its attaching to their cell walls, and destroying a key part of the wall. The wall falls apart, and the bacterium dies. Therefore, resistant microbes need only to either alter their cell walls so penicillin can't bind or produce enzymes that dismantle the antibiotic.

Erythromycin attacks ribosomes, which are structures within a cell that enable it to make proteins. Resistant bacteria have slightly altered ribosomes to which the drug cannot bind. This is also how bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics tetracycline, streptomycin and gentamicin.

In both of these instances, it takes only one modification for the bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic. Whereas, when an essential oil attacks bacteria, it generally attacks on more than one level. Schnaubelt (1999) states that because essential oils are lipid-soluble, they dissolve in the cell membrane. It is therefore, very difficult for the bacteria to have any resistance to the EO. Many different constituents of essential oils are able to interfere with the energy metabolism (which occurs in the cell membrane) and the formation of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) including, phenols,alcohols, adlehydes, and keytones.

In a 2011 study done on the antibacterial effects of lemongrass essential oil by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 1, it was shown that lemongrass appeared “to have multiple targets in the bacterial cell, depending on concentration used as well as the amount of its components.”

As well as attacking harmful bacteria, essential oils offer, at the same time, other benefits to those who are ill. Essential oils offer immune stimulant properties which assist the body in boosting its own defenses and they have depurative properties which assist in the elimination of toxins and waste material from the body. A 2006 research article Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai – 600 034, India 2 states that:

“Cinnamon, clove and rosemary oils had shown antibacterial and antifungal activity; cinnamon oil also possesses antidiabetic property. Anti-inflammatory activity has been found in basil. Lemon and rosemary oils possess antioxidant property. Peppermint and orange oils have shown anticancer activity. Citronella oil has shown inhibitory effect on biodegrading and storage-contaminating fungi. Lime oil has shown immunomodulatory effect in humans. Lavender oil has shown antibacterial and antifungal activity; it was also found to be effective to treat burns and insect bites.”

Essential oils are incredibly complex compounds made up of sometimes hundreds of constituents. Many of these individual constituents are effective against bacteria. Therefore, if one particular constituent is not effective, it is likely that another will be. Again, from the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy:
“…MID values of the major constituents were closely related to those of the respective essential oils, indicating that most of the activity of these oils was due to their major constituents, with the following exceptions.  Rosemary oil contained numerous components of comparable percentage as shown in Table I, but camphor was assumed to be a major contributor to the bioactivity from the comparison of MID values. A major component of eucalyptus oil in percentage weight was 1,8-cineole, but a major contributor for the bioactivity was assumed to be α-terpineol, which showed eight-fold higher activity than 1,8-cineole against S. aureus. 1,8-Cineole has been reported not to be an active principle in other eucalyptus oils. A similar situation was seen for thyme (geraniol) oil and lavender oil, where the respective major constituents, geranyl acetate and linalyl acetate, were not the active principles of the oils, and active contributors were geraniol and linalool, which co-existed in the respective parent oils. Likewise, limonene, one of the major components, might not contribute significantly to the antibacterial activity of thyme (red) oil.”

This research shows that it is often the combination of the constituents that produce the desired effect, as opposed to a single component of the oil. This is one of the major benefits of using essential oils as bactericides.

As is shown from what research has been done, many essential oils are very effective against bacteria. Essential oils have been used effectively by plants for millions of years to protect themselves from diseases. And, humans have been using plants and essential oils for thousands of years to protect and heal themselves. These oils do not produce resistant strains of bacteria as opposed to the antibacterial products that have been produced by drug companies over the past decades. All of these facts together should make it fairly obvious that humans should return to working with nature and plants to learn how to more effectively and naturally deal with the harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, because of the fact that essential oils are not “patentable”, drug companies do not spend time or money researching the properties or potential medical value of essential oils. It is up to individuals to research these benefits and incorporate them into our daily lives.


References
1. The effect of lemongrass oil and its major components on clinical isolate mastitis pathogens and their mechanisms of action on Staphylococcus aureus DMST 4745. Aiemsaard J., Aiumlamai S, Aromdee C, Taweechaisupapong S., Khuntkitti W, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21316719

2. In vitro antibacterial activity of some plant essential oils, Seenivasan Prabuseenivasan, Manickkam Jayakumar ,and Savarimuthu Ignacimuthu. Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai – 600 034, India.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/6/39

3. http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/47/5/565.full Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact. Shigeharu Inouyea,*, Toshio Takizawab and Hideyo Yamaguchia

4. Battaglia, S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 2002

5. Tisserand, R. & Balacs, T. Essential Oil Safety. Churchill Livingstone, Scotland, 2008

6. Schnaubelt, K. Medical Healing with Essential Oils. Frog, Ltd., USA, 1999