Young Living November 13, 2016
Individuals afflicted with autoimmune diseases know all too well how frustrating, painful, and life-altering these conditions can be. These illnesses, of which there are over 80 types, range from mild to severe, and the limitations and side effects of medications used to treat them leave many seeking a natural solution.
According to the United States National Library of Medicine, “When you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system does not distinguish between healthy tissue and antigens. As a result, the body sets off a reaction that destroys normal tissues.”
Just a few examples of autoimmune illnesses include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, vasculitis, and psoriasis. These illnesses may have both genetic and environmental factors, and often come with “flare-ups”: sometimes symptoms are clear and present, and sometimes they are subdued.
One common factor in autoimmune illnesses is the presence of inflammation. Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to an invasion (or perceived invasion). If this reaction becomes chronic, many of the body’s systems can go awry. As inflammation is an undercurrent in so many autoimmune conditions, treating the root cause of inflammation may have extremely positive effects.
The US National Library of Medicine explains, “Medicines used to suppress the immune system can cause severe side effects, such as higher risk of infections.” If you or someone you know is struggling with the management of an autoimmune disease, it may be worthwhile to talk to a health professional you trust about the following essential oils.
As autoimmune diseases are so varied, there is no “one oil fits all” remedy. However, the following nine are a good start to research:
A Crash Course in Brain Chemistry and Memory Loss
November 4, 2016
The first thing you should know is that the brain uses chemical substances called neurotransmitters, which the brain and nervous system use to process and transmit information from one area to another. When neurotransmitters are flowing smoothly, the brain can do its job, like focus, easily recall, and store long- and short-term memories.
For example, acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter that plays an important part in mental plasticity and focus. Researchers believe that a reduction in this neurotransmitter as we age may contribute to memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
How does this happen? One possible answer is acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE is an enzyme that increases with stress and age, and it stimulates the breakdown of acetylcholine, and can possibly accelerate the onset of AD.
October 29, 2016
Life is full of aches and pains — some minor, some major. After a long day, many people find themselves reaching into the medicine cabinet for some aspirin to soothe the daily stress headaches, joint pains and muscle aches that come with simply being human.Sufferers of chronic pain may reach for stronger medications, and those of us who are highly anxious may choose sleeping pills just to wind down. However, these types of drugs are not innocuous, and often come with dangerous side effects that accumulate the more we take them. Luckily, nature has a solution. One of the most invigorating and enjoyable natural ways to manage everyday aches and pains — and even serious, chronic pain — is the application of essential oils. Essential oils are potent and highly concentrated oils of plants, which many of our modern medicines are actually derived from — without the added chemical content.
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