Not all essential oils are created equal. Many are little more than "fragrance oils", and many have solvents, petrochemicals and alcohol in them. Other factors are important; i.e., the time of day the plant is cut, the type of soil, climate, altitude and the distillation process. If distilled with solvents, or at a high temperature, with high pressure, you will not have a true therapeutic grade essential oil that includes all the necessary constituents. For example, Cypress requires 24 hours at a maximum of 245 degrees at 5 lbs. pressure in order for all of the active constituents and properties to be released from the plant.

True organic therapeutic grade essential oils, such as found in Young Living Essential Oils (YLEO), have the properties of being immune stimulating, anti-viral, anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-tumoral, and anti-fungal. Much research has been done documenting the benefits of essential oils. For example, in 1985 Dr. Jean Lapraz reported that he couldn't find bacteria or viruses that could live in the presence of the essential oils of cinnamon or oregano. Oils, such as peppermint, have been reviewed for their ability to block pain, reduce headaches (Gobel etal., 1995) combat indigestion, enhance mental alertness (Dember et al., 1994) induce weight loss (Hirsch, 1995) and kill and repel lice (Veal, 1996). Melaleuca (sometimes called Tea Tree) has been used to treat acne (Bassett et al., 1990) and combat fungus (Nenoff et al.,1996); lavender oil has been examined for its role in inducing relaxation (Hirsch, 1991), conteracting travel sickness (Bradshaw et al., 1998) reducing blood cholesterol (Nikolaevskii et al., 1990), and protecting blood vessels (Nikolaevskii et al.,1990). Clove oil has been researched as a dental antiseptic (Cai et al., 1996), antifungal agent (Covello et al., 1966), blood anticoagulant, and anticonvulsant (Pourgholami et al., 1999). Volumes of other research findings have been reported, particularly in utilizing essential oils with a treatment method called Raindrop Technique.

The benefits of essential oils can be experienced in several different ways. True therapeutic grade essential oils (YLEO) have frequency that has a positive effect on the body. Dr. Royal Rife found that disease has frequency. He found that certain frequencies can prevent the development of disease and that others would destroy disease. Substances with higher frequencies will destroy disease of a lower frequency. Essential oils frequencies range from approximately 52 MHz to 320 (Rose oil). In today's chemicalized, stress-filled world the frequency of essential oils can be an important factor in maintaining wellness. Essential oils also have a high rate of penetration. They will penetrate into the body when applied to the skin. Essential oils placed on the foot (with 76,000 nerve endings) will be distributed to every cell in the body in 21 minutes. They will even penetrate a finger or toenail to treat fungus (Melaleuca is good for this). The aromatic qualities of essential oils are well known. When tiny molecules of aroma are inhaled by the nose, these are trapped in the nose by hairlike nerve endings that pass the aroma on to receptors that then carry the molecules to the Olfactory Bulb. From the Olfactory Bulb, the aroma molecules are transported to the limbic system in the brain. The Olfactory nerves react as other nerves in the body do, responding to electrical signals and impulses and dispatching information to the rest of the body. This is how and why some oils can produce increased antibody production, as well as endorphins. Often just inhaling Peppermint or Lavender will alleviate a headache.

In a time when "superbugs" and the flu are prevalent, diffusing essential oils can be a wonderful way to clean and purify the air. When diffused, essential oils will remove toxins from the air, increase atmospheric oxygen, increase ozone and negative ions in the house that inhibit bacteria growth, as well as being important for those in buildings with no fresh ventilation and/or technology such as computers and fluorescent lights. Essential oils, when diffused, also destroy odors from mold, cooking, cigarettes and animals and fill the air with a fresh, aromatic scent. Diffusers should be the type that disperses the essential oils into a micro-mist that remains suspended for several hour-- effectively reducing bacteria, fungus, and mold. Pot burners or the rings on light bulbs do not do this. In fact, they destroy the properties of the oils with their heating action. Once produced, essential oils are highly volatile (evaporate quickly) and need to be kept from temperature extremes.