The French Model

The French Model

Viva la France! Culture, sophistication. Ah, the joys of fine dining. Croissants, whine er .... wine, cheese, escargot, frog legs. >How about French Fries, French Toast, and French Dressing?< (Insert conceited French laugh) Hroh, hroh, hroh, hroh! You stupid Americans! What? What's that? Yes a Grail? We have a very nice one. And just for the record, we do bathe and shave. It's those Germans (remember the Germans) that don't shave. So let us go for a stroll along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. And perhaps later we shall go to the Louvre and then sit in a sidewalk cafe listening to street performers and talking about the French Model.

Yes, the French Model. What is the French Model? you say. No, I do not mean THOSE kind of models. Please allow me to explain.
 You see the French Model is perhaps the most controversial method of use for essential oils. This is for a few reasons. The French model uses undiluted essential oils topically AND internally. Ultimately, the French method of essential oil use seeks to take full advantage of the properties of essential oils, but this is not consistent with the more conservative models that we have previously discussed. Often, in the French Model, essential oils will be added to a teaspoon of honey, a bit of bread, or some other bit of food or drink.  French doctors are trained in the use of essential oils as medical students and will regularly prescribe essential oils as well as conventional medicine in their practice. Because the French method of oil use is internal and often undiluted it is very important that they be of the highest quality. DoTerra's Essential Oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade and are harvested from only the finest plants grown in regions  and harvested at time that guarantee optimal properties.

Even keeping that in mind, read the label before using internally. DoTerra bottles will have a 'Supplement Fact' section on the side if the oil is recognized as safe for internal use. Likewise some oils are strong and some people, particularly the young and old, my have sensitive skin. It seldom hurts to be cautious, particularly if you are uncertain. I myself do not often dilute oils much unless I need a carrier to cover a larger area. The important thing is to understand that the French Model does exist and is a great method for using essential oils. While it has traditionally been less common in the United States than the more conservative and restrained British Model, it is a very well documented, studied, and an effective school of thought. Ultimately there is no one single way of using essential oils. We are each very complex beings that interact with different things in different ways. There will be times that you will opt different methods based on any number of factors, and that zat is alright. Au revoir. 

The British Model

The British Model

Cheerio! I say, I do believe that it is tea time. Shall we we have a spot of tea and crumpets then Govna? Or maybe some fish and chips? Tahleho! For Queen and country and all that. After all, what more does the British Model require than a spot of tea and perhaps one of those cute, little cucumber sandwiches. Maybe a nice round of 'God Save the Queen'. Well maybe a bit more is needed. In this case maybe knowing that the model in question, refers to essential oils would be beneficial. Specifically being aware as to how permeable the skin is would be sterling. The British Model utilizes the permeability of human skin by applying essential oils topically. In the English Model, diluted topical use of essential oils is favored whereas in the other models undiluted application of high quality oils is appropriate. Non the less, conservative, stiff upper lip or not, the British Model favors topical application of essential oils. As already suggested this is with good reason. 

Our skin plays several roles, not the least of which is protection. While the skin is only the first line of defense against external threats it and its products are vital to our survival. The permeability of our skin is something that most people overlook though. We tend to think of our skin as a complete and total barrier separating us from our surroundings making us an island unto ourselves. We often forget how porous it actually is. There are something on the order of 175 pores per square centimeter of the forehead and 200 per square centimeter on the back of the hand. Consider how many pores actually cover your entire body. And that does not include sweat gland which are a different thing altogether. Our bodies are covered head to toe with pores and sweat glands. Consider that for a moment; this largely waterproof and pathogen resistant covering of ours is riddled with holes. Of course that is by nature's design, but it should be understood that we are not the impenetrable fortresses that we would like to believe. More important than all of this is the fact that essential oils have the ability to penetrate cellular walls due to their small molecular size and structure finding their way into the bloodstream in a matter of minutes.

What goes on the body, goes in the body. This is evidenced by decades of research. Sadly the quality of essential oils vary widely leading to a rationale for a more conservative approach to topical use found in the British Model. Low quality essential oils, that do not meet up to the stringent criteria established by companies like doTerra, can be loaded with impurities and toxins. The skin on your body is able to absorb a large percentage of what is placed on it in a matter of minutes. Within ten minutes many of the compounds, good or bad, placed on your skin are coursing through your bloodstream. So using inferior oils on your body is something to be cautious about. Bearing this in mind, a heavy amount of dilution of essential oils with carrier oils is a perfectly appropriate in some cases. Other examples would be that with infants and young children you should always be conservative in the application of essential oils. Babies have very thin and sensitive skin, and while I would not have a problem with applying essential oils on a baby I would do so cautiously. It would also be beneficial to be cautious in the application of 'hot oils' like cassia, cinnamon, oregano, and thyme. These oils can create an uncomfortable sensation on the skin if used undiluted and as such a carrier oil is advised. As with all things, it simply requires a little bit of basic knowledge. Good quality and knowledge are the main tools that you need. So put your sausage and mash where your north and south is china plate. Huh?