Essential oils have been getting a lot of buzz recently for helping with everything from headaches to sleep to sore throats. But do these concentrated plant-based oils work? "Essential oils don't work for everyone, but there's no harm in trying them as long as you use them in a safe way," says Harpreet Gujral, program director of integrative medicine at Sibley Memorial Hospital. "Even if they just boost your mood, it can make a positive impact on your health and well-being." What Are Essential Oils? Essential oils are basically plant extracts. They're made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant (flowers, bark, leaves or fruit) to capture the compounds that produce fragrance. It can take several pounds of a plant to produce a single bottle of essential oil. In addition to creating scent, essential oils perform other functions in plants, too. What Is Aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. "Aromatherapy has been used for centuries," says Gujral. "When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain." Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin. A massage therapist might add a drop or two of wintergreen to oil to help relax tight muscles during a rubdown. Or a skincare company may add lavender to bath salts to create a soothing soak. What Are Essential Oils Good For? Although people claim essential oils are natural remedies for a number of ailments, there's not enough research to determine their effectiveness in human health. Results of lab studies are promising — one at Johns Hopkins found that certain essential oils could kill a type of Lyme bacteria better than antibiotics — but results in human clinical trials are mixed. Some studies indicate that there's a benefit to using essential oils while others show no improvement in symptoms. Clinical trials have looked at whether essential oils can alleviate conditions such as: Anxiety Depression Nausea Insomnia Low appetite Dry mouth How Can You Use Essential Oils Safely? The quality of essential oils on the market varies greatly, from pure essential oils to those diluted with less expensive ingredients. And because there's no regulation, the label may not even list everything that's in the bottle you're buying. That's why Gujral says essential oils should not be ingested. She also advises against using essential oil diffusers, small household appliances that create scented vapor. "Diffusion in a public area or household with multiple members can affect people differently," Gujral explains. "For example, peppermint is often recommended for headaches. But if you use it around a child who's less than 30 months old, the child can become agitated. It could have a negative effect." Additionally, someone with fast heartbeat can react adversely to peppermint. The safest ways to use essential oils include: Aromatherapy accessories: Necklaces, bracelets and keychains made with absorbent materials you apply essential oils to and sniff throughout the day. Body oil: A mixture of essential oils with a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba or coconut oil that can be massaged into skin. Because essential oils are concentrated, they can cause irritation. Avoid using them full-strength on skin. Aroma stick: Also called an essential oil inhaler, these portable plastic sticks have an absorbent wick that soaks up essential oil. They come with a cover to keep the scent under wraps until you're ready. Allergic reactions to essential oils A small number of people may experience irritation or allergic reactions to certain essential oils. You're more likely to have a bad reaction if you have atopic dermatitis or a history of reactions to topical products. Although you can experience a reaction to any essential oil, some are more likely to be problematic, including: Oregano oil Cinnamon bark oil Jasmine oil Lemongrass oil Ylang-ylang oil Chamomile oil Bergamot oil Because pure essential oils are potent, diluting them in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction when applying directly to the skin. If you get a red, itchy rash or hives after applying essential oils, see a doctor. You may be having an allergic reaction. Which Essential Oils Are Best? There are dozens of essential oils, all with different fragrances and chemical makeups. Which essential oils are best depends on what symptoms you're looking to ease or fragrances you prefer. Some of the most popular essential oils include: Lavender oil: Many people find the lavender scent relaxing. It's often used to help relieve stress and anxiety and promote good sleep. Tea tree oil: Also called melaleuca, this essential oil was used by Australia's aboriginal people for wound healing. Today, it's commonly used for acne, athlete's foot and insect bites. Peppermint oil: There's some evidence peppermint essential oil helps relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms when taken in an enteric-coated capsule (from a trusted health supplement provider). It may also relieve tension headaches when applied topically. Lemon oil: Many people find the citrusy scent of lemon oil a mood booster. It's also often used in homemade cleaning products. How to find quality essential oils The most important thing to consider when shopping for essential oils is product quality, says Gujral. But figuring out which oils are the best is challenging, since there's no government agency in the U.S. that provides a grading system or certification for essential oils. A big problem? Many companies claim their essential oils are "therapeutic grade," but that's just a marketing term. There are lots of products you might find online or in stores that aren't harvested correctly or may have something in them that isn't listed on the label so its important to know what to look for. Here are some tips to help you shop for pure essential oils: Look at the label: It should include the Latin name of the plant, information on purity or other ingredients added to it, and the country in which the plant was grown. Evaluate the company: Purchase products from a well-known and reputable aromatherapy company that's been around for several years. Choose dark-colored, glass containers: Pure essential oils are highly concentrated. They can dissolve plastic bottles over time, tainting the oil. Most companies package essential oils in small brown or blue glass bottles to protect the quality. Avoid "fragrance oils": Fragrance or perfume oils are made from essential oils combined with chemicals or entirely from chemicals. They're not suitable for aromatherapy — instead, look for bottles that contain a single essential oil in its purest form (100% essential oil with no other fillers). Compare prices: Essential oils range in price, depending on how involved harvesting and production are. Within a line, there should be a wide variety of prices — rose absolute or sandalwood oils will be more expensive, while sweet orange oil will be on the less expensive end. If you find a rock-bottom price for an expensive essential oil, it probably isn't pure. Essential oils can lift your mood and make you feel good with just a whiff of their fragrance. For some people they may even help alleviate the symptoms of various conditions. For more information on how to incorporate them into a healthy lifestyle, consult an integrative medicine expert. Are you using essential oils? Please share! I am using a few. Mostly I use peppermint oil for nausea and lavender for sleep. Pretty benign but my cousin is an integrative medicine doctor, so when I have a need I just call her! LOL

So I started the whole food plant based diet a month ago and I feel a ton better! Can’t say I’m losing weight super fast but it is coming off slowly.

Hi all! I have been remiss in my duties to our lovely White Ajah and the WT&WG and I do so miss you all! I have been working now, 6 months, in my new position as a Nurse Practitioner in a rural cancer center in southwest MN and love it! Its been crazy with everything going on and in my search for healthy alternatives that would boost my immunity and help prevent cancer I stumbled on a documentary recently and was blindsided by the revelations that it hit me with! Have you seen the FORKS over KNIVES documentary on Netflix? No? If not then I challenge you to watch it NOW! ---> https://www.forksoverknives.com/the-film/#gs.7qo69c Once you watch it please post your thoughts! I would love to discuss!!!

Same. Love you all. Im also working in a new job as a Nurse Practitioner in a brand new Cancer center that is 2 hours away from my home. So I am commuting and trying to stay safe and healthy for my patients and my family.

This is too funny! So my love is my husband, good thing that worked out! The song that goes with the one I love is Hotel California! I’m trying to figure that one out! The song that I sometimes feel about myself is Back In Black! Haha! The song that says how I feel about life is Shake It Off! Mashi...you are my lucky star!

*Arrives fashionably late* I made it!

Have you ever taken a CHINESE HOROSCOPE? well.... THE YEAR OF THE RAT, WISHING YOU PROSPERITY AND GOOD FORTUNE IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS - As they come up. Don't cheat, because you'll miss out on something fun and accurate. 1st. Get a PEN and PAPER 2nd. remember-WHEN CHOOSING NAMES, MAKE SURE THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE THAT YOU ACTUALLY KNOW 3rd. GO WITH YOUR FIRST INSTINCTS !!!!! It's very important for good results. 4th. SCROLL DOWN ONE LINE AT THE TIME DON`T READ AHEAD otherwise YOU WILL RUIN THE FUN . READY? GO!!! On a blank sheet of paper, WRITE down the NUMBERS 1 through 11 in a COLUMN on the LEFT. BESIDE the NUMBERS 1 & 2 , WRITE DOWN ANY 2 NUMBERS YOU WANT. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE NUMBER? BESIDE the NUMBERS 3 & 7 , WRITE DOWN TWO NAMES OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. CAUTION: DO NOT LOOK TOO FAR AHEAD or IT WILL NOT TURN OUT RIGHT WRITE ANYONES NAME (like FRIENDS or FAMILY, of any gender.) next to the numbers: 4, 5, & 6 WRITE down FOUR SONG TITLES in 8, 9, 10, & 11 Finally, MAKE A WISH ARE YOU READY? HERE IS THE KEY TO THE GAME THE NUMBER of PEOPLE YOU MUST TELL ABOUT THIS GAME is found in SPACE 2 (you can send this to them, mention it, in person, on the phone etc) THE PERSON IN SPACE 3 IS THE ONE YOU LOVE THE PERSON YOU LIKE but your relationship CANNOT WORK is in SPACE 7 (remember-it might not be the dating kind of relationship, maybe it's the friend kind) YOU CARE MOST about the PERSON you put in SPACE 4 THE PERSON YOU NAME IN NUMBER 5 IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS YOU VERY WELL. THE PERSON YOU NAMED IN 6 IS YOUR LUCKY STAR THE SONG IN 8 IS THE SONG THAT MATCHES WITH THE PERSON IN NUMBER 3 THE SONG IN 9 IS THE SONG FOR THE PERSON IN 7 THE 10TH SPACE IS THE SONG THAT TELLS YOU MOST ABOUT YOU and how YOU sometimes feel about yourself. AND 11 IS THE SONG TELLING HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT LIFE NUMBER 1 IS YOUR LUCKY NUMBER If you didn't cheat, and went with your first instincts, your wish will COME TRUE. SHARE YOUR RESULTS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO! Not required of course! ~RHEA~

Great work everyone! I saw Oprah on this morning too! Positivity is really helpful. sometimes it is hard to stay positive but I think it really helps with getting that consistency too. I am starting a food log. I have a coach that is helping me with both my diet and exercise. I really need the support and accountability!

I'm here! My biggest struggle is consistency! I am trying to eat healthy, exercise and get plenty of sleep, but its so easy to slip back into bad habits! I definitely need this!

*sneaks a peek* ❤️ I wish I was around more too!!

Congrats! AS is a noble path! Welcome my dear!

Hedwig, from Harry Potter! Firstly, I love owls. Secondly, I love HP. I have always wanted to have an owl as a pet but that isn't a reality irl so I have to live vicariously through HP. I also love that Hedwig was a gift from Hagrid. That makes her even more special. She is devoted to Harry and even a comfort to him when he is upset or lonely. https://tenor.com/view/hedwig-harry-potter-daniel-radcliffe-owl-night-gif-13986816

I wish I liked pecan pie. It always looks yummy and smells so good, but it tastes terrible for me. I stick with pumpkin!

Good for you @Calindra ! And YES! Individualized programs are important. I really wanted someone that I could count on to keep me accountable as I really don't have anyone in my life that is reliable that way. Plus my coach, Sandi, is an amazing person all around. This is the program I signed up for and I got a great discount! Body and Mind Transformation

I know you to be caring of everyone and concerned for those who go missing!