FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are Essential Oils and how are they made?
Essential oils are the oil (non-water-soluble) component resulting from an extraction of compounds from one or more parts of a plant. Essential oils may be extracted from the flowers, leaves, fruit, branches, wood or roots of a plant.
The most common extraction method is via steam distillation, in which the plant material is placed in a chamber and exposed to steam, which takes up many volatile compounds from the plant. The steam is then condensed to form water, and the resulting layer of oil on the top is tapped off separately as the essential oil.
Other possible extraction methods are cold pressing, used primarily for the skins of citrus fruit, or extraction using a chemical solvent or carbon dioxide.
Essential oils contain many compounds that have wonderful healing properties. The fascinating aspect of this is that many of these compounds are made by the plant using very similar biochemical pathways to those used in our body to create vital hormones, such as testosterone or progesterone. It is almost as though plants were designed for this purpose, and this is no surprise, since we evolved on Earth alongside the plant kingdom.
The most distinctive characteristic of essential oils is their smell. While many essential oils are known for fragrances that appeal and delight (such as Rose Otto, Jasmine, Orange and Lavender), their scents cover the full spectrum from heavenly to medicinal. Find more information about essential oils and their safety here.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the art, and science, of using essential oils for healing.
There is a common misconception that we are healed by just by smelling the oils. While fragrance definitely plays a role in evoking the emotions, which are a key part of any healing process, there is much more to the story.
Aromatherapy mainly involves “delivering” the healing compounds within the essential oils into the body by various methods in order for healing to occur. Some common modes of delivery include massaging oils into the skin, inhaling them in steam, soaking in a bath containing a few drops of oils, and using the oils in a poultice for a localised effect.
Therapeutic uses of essential oils for physical conditions include relieving pain, assisting in wound healing, recovery from insect bites and stings, relieving swelling and oedema, and assisting the body to “fight” infections, such as colds and flu. As most essential oils are to some degree, and often highly, anti-microbial, they are not only suitable for treating infections, but also excellent ingredients for cleaning and sanitising products.
Essential oils also generally have a very powerful effect on the emotions. Many of them are uplifting and have an anti-depressant effect. Some are stimulating and enlivening; others are soothing and calming, and in some cases, help adults and children safely to sleep. Oils can balance emotional and hormonal highs and lows, and a few are reputed to be aphrodisiacs.
Essential oils can also play a major role in the reduction of stress, tension and anxiety. Oils can also help with behavioural disabilities and problems - for example, Fragonia™ has been used successfully in case of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) and for autism. More information about therapeutic uses can be found here.
Where do our Essential Oils come from?
The essential oils used in the Living Energy products are all sourced from reliable suppliers of high-quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Care is taken to choose oils that are either organically grown or wild-crafted (that is, harvested from the wild). Where this is not possible, essential oils are obtained from sources that are ethically grown and produced.
What are Flower Essences and how are they made?
Flowers have always been universally sought after. They move us very deeply on the subtle finer levels of our being that we do not consciously recognise. And humanity has been naturally drawn to flowers and plants since the beginning of time, for peace of mind as well as for healing. This is because of their subtle energy field, which we sense but do not see.
Flower essences are actually the life force of the flower, collected from its energy field, and placed in a solution. They are vibrational or energy medicines – that is, they contain the vibrational imprint of the original plant which has been “captured” and retained in the water. Used correctly, they are a subtle but powerful way of changing consciousness, even deeply ingrained thought patterns.
Flower essences, like homeopathy, contain no physical plant material – they have been diluted to the point where no actual molecules of the original substance are still present in the final treatment bottle given to the client.
They were first developed in the modern era by Dr Edward Bach, who created the 38 Bach Flower™ remedies in the 1930’s. They can be made via a number of processes. The traditional method is by floating flower petals in water and leaving them in the sun for a couple of hours.
Their power and effectiveness depends on the consciousness of the flower essence creator to tune in and bring through the required healing energies.
They are very safe – precisely because there is no physical plant material. It’s possible to make essences from plants that are normally toxic or poisonous if ingested or applied to the skin.
The flower essences used in the Living Energy range are the New Millennium Essences, which work at all levels of our systems: spiritual, mental and emotional, as well as directly at the physical level — either on the overall physical wellbeing or at the individual cellular level. To read the story of how the New Millennium range came into being, click here.
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How do I use the Living Energy aromatherapy sprays?
The majority of the Living Energy aromatherapy spray blends are for personal use. This includes the Stress Less, Energy Boost, Sound Sleep, Aura Restorer, Tech Protect and Travel Ease sprays. Simply spray 2 or 3 times around the head, then using your hands sweep the spray down along your body through your aura. Click here for a demo of how to use the Living Energy sprays.
The Feng Shui Cleanser is designed to balance and harmonise the energy in indoor spaces. Simply spray 2 or 3 spritzes in each corner of the room. Click here for a demo of how to use the Feng Shui Cleanser.
The Crystal Cleanser cleanses and revitalises your crystals. Spray lightly 2 or 3 times over the crystals.
How do I use the Helpers flower essence blends?
The Everyday Emergency provides physical, emotional and mental relief for shock, acute injury and everyday emergencies. Take 2 or 3 drops on the tongue as needed, or place drops into food or drink. Click here for a demo of how to use Everyday Emergency.
The Animal Helper blends assist cats, dogs, horses and rescued animals with their overall health and wellbeing, as well as helping with specific conditions that various animals experience. Give the animal 2 or 3 drops in food or water as needed, or place drops onto the animal's coat. Click here for a demo of how to use the Animal Helpers.
Are the Living Energy products safe?
The Living Energy aromatherapy spray blends are designed for external use only. When used as indicated above, they are safe for all ages and states of health.
On the other hand, the Everyday Emergency and the Helper flower essence blends are safe to use internally, either directly in the mouth or in food or water, or externally on the skin.
The Living Energy products are a perfect complement to most other natural healing modalities – such as Naturopathy, Kinesiology, Osteopathy, Chiropractic and Reiki.
For information and frequently asked questions about Energy Healing, click here.
Disclaimer
Please note that nothing on this website is to be taken as medical diagnosis or treatment. If in doubt regarding the safety of any treatment or product, then seek advice from an appropriate medical or health practitioner.