34 msfocusmagazine.org Symptom Management The use of plants as medicine dates back to prehistoric times, used in teas, salves, ointments, oils, and tinctures, to help with ailments and maladies of all kinds. Plant medicine is still commonly used today to assist with different ailments – for example, aloe is used for burns, ginger for stomach issues, and eucalyptus for sinus problems. Certain essential oils can also help alleviate the symptoms of colds, headaches, and sore muscles. Aside from these medicinal uses, adding essential oils to our daily routine can have a profound effect on our general well-being by tapping into the power of our sense of smell. Think of smelling a rose, or some good food cooking in the kitchen. Smell can bring a shift to our state of mind. Essential oils have the same effect. Whether they are diffused into the air through a diffuser or massaged into our skin, our senses react to help us begin to feel better. Recently, the use of essential oils from plants such as peppermint, orange, rosemary, and ylang ylang has been growing. They are found in grocery stores, farmers markets, and on TV. Essential oils are used with everything fromhouseholdcleaningproductstoshampoos. However, not all essential oils are created equal, so how can we tell the difference in quality? Quality Getting a high quality essential oil is important. Think about other types of oils we get from plants to use in cooking such as olive oil or coconut oil. These have various grades and qualities, depending on how the oil is extracted and the quality of the plant. Before ordering or buying essential oils in a store, do a bit of research on the quality of the brand. You may also want to ask someone who uses essential oils what companies they buy from. Don’t be fooled by marketing. Essential oil use is on the rise and many companies have started heavily advertising their products. They speak of the benefit of essential oils, but not their process of extraction or the quality of the plant material. Be mindful of products labeled as “perfume oil,” “fragrance oil,” or “natural identical oil.” Also, make sure oils are in a dark glass bottle and keep them out of the sun and away from heat. Bottom line – the better quality you purchase, the better outcome for you. The Essence of Essential Oils By Chris Hudspeth