Drug Vs. Essential Oil
- Jasmine Hutchinson
- Oct 5, 2017
- 5 min read
So you might be wondering: What is the difference between an essential oil and a pharmacological drug and How does it work in my body?
A drug works by competing with the communication system of the body and interfering with how the neurons of the body naturally send, receive, and process signals. The active ingredient (synthetic agent) found in pain medication, antibiotic/viral/fungal, anti-inflammatory, antidepressants, antipyretic, or antiseptic (any drug) works to either enhances or suppresses some activity in the body. It competes with receptor sites on a cellular level. For example, if you are in pain your body releases chemicals which signal pain; medication works to compete with the chemical and bind to the site not allowing the pain signal to bind to the intended location thus, you have a decrease in pain. Because the body loves homeostasis (balance) this causes the body to be unbalanced thus the reason why you have side effects with medication This is the reason why side effects are a problem, you cannot
Companies that develop drugs find natural substances to mimic and create a synthetic copy of it. This is the reason why they are able to say treat. The active ingredient in the substance has a direct effect and has an intended response. PROBLEM: Our bodies are unique and prefer natural to chemical. Not every drug works with every person, this is their reason for why different drugs work with different people.
An essential oil does not have an active ingredient but is composed of many molecules/ constituents (some have over 300). You might see me write and hear others say “Essential oils work with the body to give it body needs at the time.”
The different molecules found in essential oils have a synergy effect, meaning no one molecules acts alone but work together to “unlock doors” on the cellular level (homeostasis maintained). Essential oils are composed of (not every compound is found in every essential oil and these are only some):
Terpenes: which inhibit accumulation of toxins and aid in removing toxins from the body (work with liver and kidneys),sesquiterpenes- antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, can also help with increasing oxygenation, farnesene- antiviral, limonene- antiviral, pinene- antiseptic, camphene, cadinene, careen, dipentene, phellandrene, terpinene, sabinene, and myrcene.
Esters: have antifungal and calming/ relaxing effect, linalyl acetate, geraniol acetate, bornyl acetate, eugenol acetate, and lavlnduyl acetate.
Aldehydes: anti-infectious and also have a sedative/calming effect on the central nervous system, citral (sometimes used topically on herpes simplex), citronellal, benzaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde, cumin aldehyde, and perillaldehyde.
Ketones: mostly used with respiratory issues i.e. a cough, cold, flu also help stimulate cell regeneration and promote tissue formation (large amounts of ketones can be toxic when ingested), thujone, jasmine and fechone (found in Jasmine and Fennel) camphor, carvone, methane, methyl nonyl ketone, and pinacamphone.
Alcohols: antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, relieve discomfort, and stimulate the immune system, terpene alcohol, linalol-rosewood and lavender, citronellol- rose, lemon, eucalyptus, geranium, farnesol-chamomile, Borneol, menthol, enroll, terpineol, vetiver, benzyl alcohol, and cedrol.
Sesquiterpene alcohols- anti- inflammatory/ bacterial/ mycotic, and thought to be ulcer-protective, bisadolol (Chamomile)
Phenols: give the oil the smell and are antiseptic/ bacterial (oils which have a strong smell- warm or hot oils can be caustic to skin- use a carrier oil), eugenol (clove and cinnamon), thymol (thyme), carvacrol (oregano and savory) look up
Oxides: help remove oxygen free radicals, cineol/ eucalyptol, (rosemary, cinnamon, Melissa, basil, and ravensara), linalol oxide, ascaridol, basabolol oxide, and bisabolone oxide
The constituents listed above give inside to how essential oils work in our bodies. The molecules do not compete with the receptor sites in the body but work together to make their own key- the idea is that this decreases the unbalancing effect and leaves out bodies in homeostasis. Essential oils are not created equal. Pure therapeutic grade essential oils have healing therapeutic properties (antiviral/fungal/bacterial/inflammatory) by using them the body begins to increase your defense against infection. By using them on a consistent basis you can increase your resistance to getting an infection and shorten the sick time.
There is a time and place for everything. Western medicine saves the lives of so many people on a daily basis. I love being a part of figuring out what is wrong with the body and fixing it. BUT, ask, think are our bodies meant to be maintained on drugs. An intervention to fix a problem is not meant to be long terms. We also need to remember people are dying from the side effects of medications and overdoses. There has to be an alternative or a medium. FOOD IS A NATURAL DRUG. There are ways to maintain our health with natural food and supplements and then intervene with western medicine when the time is right. I believe we have lost touch with our bodies and no longer listen to the signs it displays when something is off or wrong; instead, most of us cover it up or hinder our bodies from fixing itself by taking drugs prematurely. Like mother once said, “There is a time and place for everything.” I encouraged you to ask questions and research to make your best decision regarding the maintenance of your health.
We are a community working together to make health and wellness obtainable.
Let’s TAKE BACK OUR HEALTH,
Jasmine Hutchinson BSN, RN, PHN
Here are some links to research regarding essential oils and one on western medicine:
Next post- Why should we use essential oils? What should we be cautious of?
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