Call it a pseudoscientific fad or a medical revolution; either way, essential oils are more popular today than they have ever been. Though research on the efficacy of lavender, ginger, and the dozens of other sweet-smelling oils is conflicting at best, people are using them at an astonishing rate. In fact, according to Stratistics MRC, essential oils were a $5.91 billion industry in 2016 and are expected to reach $12.85 billion by 2023. Whether you’re an essential oil acolyte or you fly into a rage at the faintest hint of bergamot, your mind is probably already made up about aromatherapy. The question remains, though: Where does all this delicious-smelling stuff come from? Most essential oils are derived from a process called steam distillation . Soon after harvest, the plants are placed on a mesh inside a sealed still, into which steam is injected. As the steam rises and envelops the plant, it breaks it down and lifts its constituent components up through a tube and into a condenser. The condenser cools the resulting vapor and collects it in liquid form at the bottom. Since essential oils do not mix with water, they float on the surface, where they’re siphoned off, bottled, and shipped off to a distributor. There are other methods, such as expression (aka cold pressing), but because steam distillation is so easy to do, most essential oils you see on the shelf will have gone through this process. BACK ON TRACK Essential Oils Where Come From Sourcing the Sweet-Smelling Stuff
Lavender essential oil is harvested from sheaves of lavandula angustifolia , that purple herb you see all over gardens across the United States. There are lavender farms all over the world, from California to Japan to Brazil, but the biggest world producer of lavender is, interestingly, Bulgaria. Tea Tree oil comes from the leaves of melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as narrow-leaved paperbark, a short, bushy tree that produces white, fluffy flowers in the spring. The trees are endemic to Australia, but today are usually farmed in New South Wales or Queensland. Bergamot is distilled from the peels of lime-green bergamot oranges, or citrus bergamia . Most of it comes from coastal areas around the Ionian Sea. Whatever you do with it, use it sparingly on your skin — it can amplify skin damage from the sun!
I “inherited” Dr. Chris Colby, and I have to say that it was a very fortunate inheritance, indeed. Let me explain. I had not been to my chiropractor in about 10 years — NOT the smartest thing to wait that long, and I would
About a month and a half with Dr. Colby has eliminated my sciatica and knee pain and improved my upper back and neck pain almost 100 percent. I actually
Hear from one of our happy clients!
NOT recommend it. Over those years, I had been slowly developing issues with my sciatica, upper back, neck, and knees. These issues increased in severity as each year passed. For years I kept saying, “I gotta get back to my chiropractor,” but I never made the call. Finally I could not stand it any longer — sciatica, knees, upper back — the pain had become unbearable! I FINALLY picked up the phone and made the call. To my dismay, I was told that my chiropractor had sold his practice to another chiropractor, Dr. Chris Colby. I was completely bummed! The friendly woman on the other end of the phone offered to make an appointment for me with Dr. Colby, and I did, although I was hesitant about starting over with a new guy. I figured it had been 10 years since I’d been anyway, so why not, right? I am SO GLAD I gave him a try!
felt a positive difference after the first visit — seriously! He took the time to explain what was causing my pain and how the adjustments were going to correct the “causes,” while addressing every question and concern that I had. He is very passionate about what he does, and it shows in his knowledge and abilities. He is very laid back and creates a very comfortable and stress-free vibe, so essential for a productive chiropractic session. I am moving into the maintenance phase of my treatment and trust Dr. Colby to keep me aligned and pain-free! If you’re looking for a chiropractor, check out Dr. Chris Colby … he’s THE BOMB!
–Diane K.
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