Turbulent times and hectic, sometimes overwhelming schedules take a real toll on our bodies and minds. Prolonged elevated stress levels can adversely affect organ and brain performance, depress mood and significantly reduce sleep – all of which can have devastating effects on a person’s general health over time. Traditionally, the essential oils in aromatherapy have been a true respite for many who are wary of today’s often over-prescribed antidepressants and anxiety medications.

Aromatherapy at its basis, like the word implies, works by stimulating nerves inside the nose to produce responses in the brain, primarily in the limbic system. Creating a calming effect in the limbic system is crucial because that area of the brain regulates emotion, motivation, and the release of chemicals and hormones. It also plays a large part in controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Scientists are not sure exactly how essential oils work to improve health, but they do say that aromatherapy ingredients are complementary modalities that likely trigger responses inside the body and brain to help the body heal itself.

Many essential oils have actual direct pharmacological effects when ingested or used as a part of a healthy meal plan.

A bit of caution is required when ingesting or cooking with essential oils however. Some oils, such as eucalyptus, hyssop, sage, lavender and others can be toxic when ingested or even applied to the skin in sufficiently large doses. Proper dilution of the ingredients can make them safe and beneficial however. Check labels or seek advice from a pharmacist or physician, or consult the many essential oil low calorie recipe books available.

Another organic compound is now being widely used with essential oils to create naturally sweet recipes that have tremendous health benefits, in addition to being great tasting. Xylitol, which is essentially sugar alcohol, is created by hydrogenating natural sugar, and the result is a sweetener with a third of sugar’s calories and a host of tremendous health benefits. Oral health issues, diabetes, infections, and bone health can all be improved with the ingestion of xylitol.

Foods incorporating xylitol and aromatherapy ingredients are really beginning to take hold. There are countless recipes incorporating essential oils, and products are springing up everywhere. Syrups that can be put on breads and pancakes or added to recipes make featuring essential oils in your diet easy. Cancer patients and survivors can especially benefit from the syrups because the xylitol actually reduces blood sugar levels and does not feed cancer cells like regular sugar.

Owen Walcher lives in Glenwood Springs, CO where Sophisticated Syrups were invented.

What makes Sophisticated Syrups unique is that they are sweetened with US grown organic xylitol from Birch trees, and they are flavored with therapeutic grade, ingestible aromatherapy essential essences. The syrups contain the aroma and effect of the aromatherapies they contain. All ingredients are of the highest quality obtainable and are bottled in glass. Currently there are 5 flavors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owen_Walcher

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