Harvest

Articles by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

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"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

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Adulterated Essential Oils and Their Dangers

October 5, 2010 in Aromatherapy, Chemicals / Toxic, Common Questions, Distillation, Education, Essential Oils, Family Health, Frankincense, Harvest, Lavender, Natural, Quality / Pure, Science, Therapeutic-grade Essential Oil, Using Essential Oils by Evelyn Vincent | No comments

Distilling at the Young Living Farm. Quite often I am reminded that most people do not realize that essential oils are almost always adulterated. The fact is, about 98 percent of all essential oils in the entire world are adulterated. That means only 2 percent are what the term “100% Pure” once meant. Today 100% Pure and even Organic, are not indicators that an essential oil is high or superior quality.

While some may not care if they’re using nothing more than a cocktail of chemicals, others do care. Many do care if that essential oil they’re using or which is contained in a product they’re buying could actually be harmful to their health.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where price point, profits, and share holders dictate what is ultimately put on the market. With little if any care as to the long-term health effects of the consumer. The matter of everything being deregulated leaves the average person in a very dicey position. Below is an excerpt from the Essential Oils Desk Reference that I think explains the matter quite clearly and begins to provide us with the information ‘we’ need to know to make educated choices…

Today much of the lavender oil sold in America is the hybrid called lavandin, grown and distilled in China, Russia, France, and Tasmania. It is brought into France and cut with synthetic linalyl acetate to improve the fragrance. Then propylene glycol, DEP, or DOP (solvents that have no smell and increase the volume) are added and it is sold in the United States as lavender oil.

Often lavandin is heated to evaporate the camphor and then is adulterated with synthetic linalyl acetate. Most consumers don’t know the difference, and are happy to buy it for $7 to $10 per half ounce in health food stores, beauty salons, grocery and department stores, and through mail order. This is one of the reasons why it is important to know about the integrity of the company or vendor from which you purchase your essential oils.

Frankincense is another example of a commonly adulterated oil. The frankincense resin that is sold in Somalia costs between $30,000 and $35,000 per ton. A great deal of time 12 hours or more is required to properly steam-distill this essential oil from the resin, making the oil very expensive. Read the rest of this entry »

Evelyn Vincent

Articles by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

Helping families make informed choices!

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

Bookmark It

Idaho Balsam Fir Essential Oil: the Harvest and How to Use

January 13, 2010 in Application, Aromatherapy, Best Essential Oils, Congestion / Respiratory, Distillation, First Aid tips, Gary Young, Harvest, How do I use, Lifestyle, Muscle Tension / Fatigue, Natural Health, Stress, Testimonials, Therapeutic-grade Essential Oil, Young Living Farms by Evelyn Vincent | No comments

The fir tree, commonly known as the Christmas tree, is renowned for its benefits to the respiratory system, as well as its ability to soothe over-worked muscles and joints. The balsam fir essential oil (Abies balsamea) recently harvested is exclusive to Young Living and contains optimal levels of four important constituents: alpha pineane, beta pineane, camphene, and limonene, which give it many of its soothing characteristics. idaho-balsam-fir-plant-tree

Gary Young has cut, distilled and tested the fir tree during each month of the year, and has found (through testing in the YL lab) that it’s medicinal properties and chemical constituents were most potent during the most frigid months of the Idaho winter.

Essential oils rich in limonene, such as: lemon, orange, tangerine, and Idaho balsam fir have been shown in clinical studies to have potent anticarcinogenic effects. According to a study at the University of Indiana (Crowell P. Prevention and therapy of cancer by dietary monoterpenes. J Nutr. 1999 Mar;129(3):775S-778S.), “monoterpenes would appear to act through multiple mechanisms in the chemopre-vention and chemotherapy of cancer.” Studies using 1-15 grams a day of limonene in very advanced cancer patients resulted in almost 20% of the patients going into remission.

Gary said, “the trees are saturated with essential oil during these coldest months, the oils protect the needles from freezing.”

Gary Young’s hands-on approach during this and other harvests in the Young Living Idaho, Ecuador, France, and Utah farms is what sets Young Living apart from everyone else. Not only do we ensure that the purest, most potent essential oils are harvested and distilled on our own farms, but our sourcing specialists also routinely visit our suppliers to share their expert knowledge. This continued commitment to quality ensures the status as the world leader in essential oils.

Idaho Balsam Fir is a conifer oil distilled in northern Idaho that has a refreshing and uplifting scent. It is harvested during in the coldest winter months when the essential oil yield is highest. Those who have assisted Gary in harvesting have reported unusually high energy, stamina and good mood, the smell of balsam intoxicating during the long cold days. When used in massage, it has a soothing effect on muscle and body discomfort associated with exercise.

Medical Properties: Anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory.

Uses: Throat/lung/sinus infections, fatigue, arthritis/rheumatism, urinary tract infections, scoliosis/lumbago/sciatica.

Balsam Fir is very effective for soothing overworked or tired muscles. Combine balsam fir with marjoram for ligaments, and balsam fir with lemongrass for tendons and joints.

For dietary, aromatic or topical use. When using as a supplement, dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid such as goat’s or rice milk.

Fragrant Influence: Grounding, stimulating to the mind, and relaxing to the body.

How to Use Balsam Fir

Massage: Dilute 4 drops balsam fir essential oil with one teaspoon V-6 Massage Oil, or olive oil.

Directly inhale: Put one drop in palm, rub palms together, cup palms over the nose (without touching face), inhale deeply three times.

Diffuse: in a specifically made diffuser (diffusing therapeutic-grade essential oils eliminates odors, not mask, and is far safer than synthetic/chemical air fresheners). Never use heat as a means to diffuse as it destroys the therapeutic benefits of your high quality essential oil.

Buy Now

How to Get a Free Balsam Fir Essential Oil and Deep relief Roll-On

Until January 31,2010 you can automatically recieve a free 5ml bottle of this prized Idaho Balsam Fir and a free Deep Relief Roll-On (PDF fact sheet) when you place an order of 170 PV (approx. $170 wholesale) - That’s a retail value of $58.56!

Here’s how to take advantage of this free offer:

Get wholesale pricing by selecting “Distributor” (the wholesale customer and distributor member types are combined for ease – share YL if you like or simply be a wholesale customer forever, the choice is yours!) And, order the Start Living with Everyday Oils kit (115 PV / $150) and add a few items like: Thieves Household Cleaner (21.50 PV / $21.50), Thieves Ultra Toothpaste (8.75 PV / $8.75), Thieves Mouthwash (10 PV / $10), Thieves Dental Floss (3.25 PV / $3.75), and Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier (3 pack) (13.75 PV / $13.75) – this will bring your order total to 172.75 PV / $172.75 and that’s enough to get you the free Balsam Fir oil and Deep Relief Roll-On!

Wholesale customers buy whatever they want, whenever they want. Your one-time wholesale membership fee (buying the Start Living with Everyday Oils kit) is maintained by having a total of 50 PV / $50 per year! That’s right, it’s a one time fee and simple to maintain. Learn more about the benefits of being a wholesale customer, or if you prefer, learn more about sharing Young Living and having an additional income – the choice is yours, either way you come out a winner!

Balsam Fir Tips and Testimonials

“I have had such AMAZING experiences with Idaho Balsam Fir. After my thyroid surgery about six weeks ago, I was looking for an oil that would help the pain at the site of the incision. PanAway was working, but not for the DEEP ache I was feeling. I tried Idaho Balsam Fir and within five minutes the pain was gone, as well as the dull throbbing ache.

It also worked great for the tight muscles from “protecting” my incision. You know how you have funny posture to protect an incision?

I remember Gary Young talking about Mary taking it for pain at convention and thought I’ll take it in capsules!” It has helped with general body aches and pains so well that I am using it where I would have used Tylenol in my old life! When my children are achy, I rub a few drops neet down their spine, Raindrop Technique style.” ~ Jessica

Gary Young says that this oil will heal burns faster than Lavender. It also reduces pain as fast or faster than Helichrysum.

Idaho Balsam Fir is found in these essential oil blends:
Believe, BLM, En-R-Gee, Egyptian Gold, Gratitude, Sacred Mountain (one of my favorite blends), Transformation

Idaho Balsam Fir is found in these products:

BLM capsules (Bone, Ligament, Muscle), Animal Scents Ointment (yes, it’s for pets & people!), and Sacred Mountain Bar Soap

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or prescribe. If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Do not use near fire, flame, heat or sparks. These articles ONLY refer to the use of Young Living Essential Oils.

Evelyn Vincent

Articles by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

Helping families make informed choices!

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

Bookmark It

Gardener’s: Look More Closely at the Root’s and Soil

January 8, 2010 in Chemicals / Toxic, Education, Gardening, Green, Harvest, Inspirational, Lifestyle, Natural, Science by Evelyn Vincent | No comments

As a long-time gardener and natural landscape designer I have the greatest appreciation of soil and the microorganisms in it and I want to share some gardening information with you. Most think that tilling, turning over, adding compost and so forth will produce the best soil for your garden seeds and plants. You may want to take a couple minutes and read what Don Chapman has to say about soil (below), his information is no doubt unlike any other you’ve read in gardening books and magazines (which in my opinion, only discusses gardening on the superficial level); this is an often unrealized fact that most don’t even know about. Since plants, soil, and gardening are one of my areas of expertise, and since this is prime season for gardeners making their plans for 2010 I will be posting articles of some of my favorite things and tips in the coming days. Enjoy and have a terrific gardening season! chamomile-plants

Close-Up on a Seed

by Don Chapman, President of Bio-Organics

New Year’s Greetings to you and may 2010 be filled with success.

It occurs to me that my newsletters have often spoken about the many benefits of mycorrhizal fungi and other soil organisms, but there has not been much mention of the details of how those “plant-friendlies” function.

Let’s begin by planting a seed. As a root emerges and begins to extend downward into the soil, it actually starts a complex sequence of actions. If there have not been any living roots in that garden’s soil, as during the winter months in northern climates, then the microbial organisms will have either gone dormant or deposited microscopic spores (fungi “seeds”) during previous growing seasons. A healthy soil will be filled with countless billions of these sorts of tiny organisms patiently lying in wait for a new generation of plant roots to appear.

Also waiting along with the beneficials are viruses, harmful fungi spores, and other plant pathogens. There is always some competition for seeds and roots – good guys versus bad guys – going on underground. Indeed, if a seed takes too long to sprout, as when soil conditions are too cold, some decomposing types of fungi can enter and make mush of meaty seeds before they have a chance to get going.

A growing root has a lubricant coating that exudes chemical signals. Call it a “smell” for sake of simplicity. This smell lets all the soil critters know that a new growing season has arrived – and the effect is like ringing a dinner bell. Mycorrhizal fungi spores activate, quickly attach to the root, and begin fulfilling their dual role of protection/nourishment.

With mycorrhizae, the new root is able to uptake much greater amounts of nutrients than it could on its own, plus there is now a protective zone surrounding it. This “Mycorrhizosphere” consists of sticky fungi root-threads (“hyphae”) that physically block many pathogens from gaining access to the root. There are also anti-viral substances generated by the hyphae.

As the plant roots develop and extend further out into the soil, many other soil organisms are supported. Bacteria populations explode into huge numbers, digesting organic matter and dissolving mineral elements into forms that the mycorrhizal fungi can deliver to their host plants. In return, the plant is kept busy gathering sunlight and sharing the resulting photosynthates (sugars and carbohydrates) through root exudates.

Note that endomycorrhizal fungi actually penetrate into the outer layer of plant root cells, where nutrient exchange takes place. This is a more direct approach than simply feasting on exudates outside the root. Ectomycorrhizal fungi (such as occur on oaks and pines) form more of a sheath around roots, but both types are critically important to the health and vigor of plants.

So a sprouted seed triggers all sorts of soil activity, with the growing tips of the roots being the “dinner bell” mechanism. As the oldest sections of roots nearer the plant age and harden, especially for trees and other perennials, they become more like conduit pipes rather than foraging tools. The real action is always out around the gel-covered new roots.

Plants and their soil associates are far more complicated than most realize. There are many forms of communication that take place, and subtle differences in appearance can prompt insects to destroy “unhealthy” plants, alarms are sounded when an attack occurs, and signals from a stressed plant spur increased efforts from their supportive mycorrhizal fungi. It’s an ongoing battle between “the forces of good and evil” as far as plants are concerned. Luckily for us, the beneficials usually prevail due to superior numbers and/or powerful defensive weapons that can be used to protect their life-giving host plants.

All this is good reason to encourage bio-life in soil and to make sure that seedlings and transplant roots have the right kind of friendly fungi spores available very early in their life. Blending mycorrhizal powder into potting soils, or drenching trays of young plants with water-soluble inoculant, or dipping bareroot transplants (especially fruit trees, grapes, or berries) into a clinging spore slurry, or putting spores under garden seeds will ensure the immediate presence of “good guys.” The new roots will be thrilled to see them waiting (in a silent plant version of thrilled, of course).

Good growing, my friends,

Don Chapman
President
BioOrganics

Previous Bio-Organic Newsletters

Evelyn Vincent

Articles by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

Helping families make informed choices!