We have grown up with essentially one approach to health; however, times are changing and until we understand we actually have options, how can any of us make different choices?! This is my life and the following is an offering of clarity as well as an apology for anything I may have said that could have possibly been considered offensive at any given time.
My expereince started over 30 years ago as a pharmacy tech. I remained in medicine and dentistry for a majority of that time while studying and practicing plant medicine which included aromatherapy.
Pharmaceuticals are a part of our daily life due to centuries of research conducted on plants and their essences. Pllants were a medicinal part of our life for thousands of years and with the dawn of science, came the identification of active ingredients. In fact, the research continues today because dis-eases evolve and new ones appear which means we need to stay ahead of the game, if not at least keep up. What scientists are missing is the body's NEED for everything a plant has to offer; vitamins, minerals along with all the other ingredients. It is this synergy between plant and body that restores wellness by encouraging / stimulating a healing response. Medicines are devoid of nutrition, something the body needs. As a result, the body becomes weakened by the gradual depletion of nutritients which leads to further health issues and additional medications.
While using natural remedies lessens our chances of bigger problems, they do not necessarily protect us from future health concerns, especially in the presence of genetic mutations. Therefore, making herbal remedies another form of medicine. Interestingly enough, the definition of medicine includes the word 'cure'; however, I have yet to see anything be cured. In all fairness, we have successfully eradicated cancer and held it at bay with treatments and strict guidelines; as we've done with other illnesses; although, that doesn't mean they won't come back or we won't get something else. Consider that any dis-ease is a symptom of chemical imbalances. The body is designed to repair and restore balance; therefore, an illness is an immune response. We can come at each issue, increasing the number of remedies while restricting and limiting our way of living as a means of protection; and, to what end?
I practiced like this for a long time; chasing and addressing symptoms. Sadly, the results were no different than going to the doctor and the client was consistently disappointed because the truth of the matter was they wanted to be over their illness. I took each and every one of these incidences to heart and vowed to find a way to get to the root of the problem. In other words, I pursued and discovered the path of personalized wellness. These days, there are scores of websites offering information on which herb or oil to use for this ailment. I call these 'cookbook' remedies; and yet, there is no such thing as a 'one size fits all' solutions when it comes to health or life.
This is where the road truly splits when it comes to working with a genomic specialist versus a healthcare professional that looks at genetics and possibly does genetic counseling.
There are several types of DNA tests currently being done in the U.S.; all of which look at parentage, ancestry, a person's vulnerabilities to specific disorders as well as whether or not he or she is passing on a genetic condition. I have to say, I am not very familiar with how these tests are conducted or for that matter interpreted; yet, wonder about the validity. I recently spoke with 2 different people having undergone genetic testing due to his and her health conditions. Both people reported to me that there were no genetic issues related to their dis-ease. Oddly enough, when I put my researcher's cap on, I find all kinds of reports linking specific genetic mutations to both of these conditions. Just like I found a common gene variation between Fibromyalgia, Celiac, Epstein Barr, MS, Cancer, Type 1 Diabetes, RA, Kawasaki, Sjogren's, and so on. Which disorder a person devleops depends on their own individual genome as well as lifestyle AND thought process.
Professionals working with the aforementioned testing will make the necessary medical, dietary and lifetyle recommendations as a means to offset or slow the progression of the dis-ease; always with the best of intentions. I firmly believe these practitioners mean well by offering hope while making life a bit more tolerable.
Genomic specialists, on the other hand, address the genome head with nutritional therapies. The theory is by increasing the nutrient load, the gene expressions can be modified. The drawback to this is without careful monitoring of other natural remedies being used, the body can get too much of a good thing, leading to further problems down the line (much like taking cocktails of medications).
As for me, I am a firm believer in 'less is more'. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, there are certain essential oil constituents that do, in fact, modify gene expression, assisting the body's uptake of nutrients, and lessening the need for high supplement doses. With this in mind, including essential oils alongside allopathic therapies is a wise and beneficial move. My way is not better; it is simply a different approach and offers opportunity for leading a fuller, rather than restricted, life with less ..... including expense.
Please note the following points:
- I do not speak about anything I do not know. if I don't know something, I will say I don't know or not say anything at all. Therefore, when I say using personal essential oil blends alongside medications enhances the patient's improvement, it really is true
- Certain genetic defects are like little time bombs, setting the body up for dis-ease at some point as well as potentially causing adverse reactions to medications and other chemicals. These particular mutations are not swapping nutrients so overdosing on supplements is not going to alter their expression. In fact, at this point, it is not within our grasp to identify which genes are doing what; therefore, addressing all variations is overkill. Besides, how do you know if the adverse reaction you are experiencing is not a result of a compound in a supplement?
- The way human DNA and plant DNA repair themselves is very similar and why the inclusion of certain oils improves the body's response, especially with time.
- Working or at least consulting with a professional is to your benefit. Herbs and oils cause chemical reactions in the body, just like foods, medications, perfumes, cleansers, etc. Everything we consume triggers chemical reactions in the body and allowing someone to oversee what you are doing is strongly encouraged.
- There are no governing bodies or organizations that certify or approve of essential oil quality. 'Certified Therapeutic' is a marketing ploy, and nothing else. Essential oils are notoriously adulterated and it is the duty of anyone calling them self an Aromatherapist to do his or her due diligence and either know the growers / producers or obtain the certificate of origin of the batch of oil, compositional data as well as an MSDS for the protection of the client. Please note: the oils I work with come from the growers I met back in the late 1980's. They are genuine and authentic; not therapeutic.
It is the differences in practice that I felt compelled to distinguish. I find many people don't understand what I do and want to do as much as possible. This is more problematic than imaginable and I've had to let a couple people go. Our health is our wealth and not to be taken lightly. I fully understand our desire to do as much as we can for ourselves due to not knowing who to trust as well as the need to save money. However, it is important to note, we possess chemical imbalances no matter how good we feel and every time we are exposed to the environment or consume something, our chemistry is affected. I realize we are not getting out of this life alive; however, while we are here, our comfort is priceless. My best advice is to know your genome or at least include certain essential oils into your life. Not all are safe and not just because of the adulterations. They trigger chemical reactions and if hormones or neurotransmitters are an issue as they would be with nearly everything i.e. depression, anxiety, pain, blood pressure, thyroid etc then knowing which oils to use is important ..