Living Magazine English Living Magazine 2017 | Page 4

DR. DAVID K. HILL, DC Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer/Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee Spikenard Essential Oil Spotlight Spikenard is native to the high altitudes of the Himalayan Mountains. This essential oil is steam distilled from the roots of the plant and has been valued for centuries, traditionally used to anoint people of high honor. In ancient times, Spikenard was associated with wellness, sacredness, and spiritual healing. Why is the quality of essential oils so important? As essential oils are becoming more mainstream, this question becomes even more paramount. There is a finite supply of essential oils on the planet, far less in fact than the consumer demand. What this means is that many products out there are impure or even synthetic. The chemistry of an essential oil is greatly determined by its purity and harvesting location and methods, and a wide variety of contaminants or irregular chemistries can find their way into essential oils if they’re never tested for purity. As a result, an oil may not offer its intended benefits, and may even pose unknown risk. The best essential oils are pure, all- natural, and have known chemical compositions. Historically, Spikenard has been used to calm the mind and uplift moods. As one of the most chemically complex essential oils available, it is highly valued still today around the world for its aromatherapy benefits. Sourcing Origin: Nepal Distillation Method: Steam What makes Spikenard so unique? What are the benefits of adding Lemon essential oil in water vs. fresh lemon juice? Plant Part: Roots The essential oil steam distilled from the roots of the Nardostachys jatamansi plant is one of the most unique and diverse we have ever discovered. Unlike most essential oils which have very dominant chemistry with a few primary constituents, Spikenard has nearly 170 basic constituents, some of which we have yet to find in any other oils. While this distinctiveness makes it difficult to categorize, it also provides an amazing spectrum of benefits, many of which we are just beginning to recognize. Spikenard is very grounding and calming when experienced aromatically and topically; diffuse during meditation or rub on the back of your neck to wind down after a long day. It also has many skin-benefitting properties. Add it to a hydrating cream or cleanser for smooth, healthy skin. How to Use Aromatically   Diffuse Spikenard when you need assistance calming your mind.   Put a few drops of Spikenard in the palms of your hands, cup your hands over your face, and inhale deeply for a calming sensation.   Add a few drops to your warm bath for an extra relaxing sensation. Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the rind while lemon juice comes from the pulp, resulting in two very dissimilar substances with unrelated properties. Chemically, Lemon essential oil is very high in limonene, much more so than lemon juice. In particular, the high concentration of limonene is why Lemon essential oils is so cleansing and can aid in digestive and respiratory function when consumed. Essential oils are also highly concentrated; even if the substances were identical in makeup, it would take a large amount of fresh lemon juice to match the potency of two drops of Lemon essential oil in water. Finally, Lemon essential oil may also be easier to ingest for those with sensitive stomachs because it does not contain citric acid, the component of lemon juice that makes it sour. Topically   If you are looking to relax for a restful night’s sleep, then apply a few drops of Spikenard to your feet or temples.   When feeling stressed, dilute Spikenard with Fractionated Coconut Oil and massage it into your temples and forehead.   For a relaxing scalp massage, add 5 drops to your conditioner. LEMON TIPS: ONE Add 1–2 drops to glass of water in the morning to rejuvenate and cleanse your body. 4 / EUROPE LIVING MAGAZINE TWO Add a couple drops to tea for an invigorating citrus flavor. THREE Add 1–2 drop