Product History

• History
  Natural plant medicines have been used throughout history. They deserve serious study, for their potential as a healing therapy is enormous. Unfortunately, the public today is still largely unfamiliar with how to use traditional plant medicines. Traditional plant medicines are safe, comparatively inexpensive, practical to use, quick acting, and effective against infections. The use of traditional plant medicines to combat infections is adequately documented in medical and scientific literature. There is now sufficient clinical experience to show how plant medicines can be effective for a wide range of health problems. Unfortunately, much of the relevant research and medical literature on this topic is available only in other countries. The Native American ceremonial traditional healing copals are the essence or the fragrance of the plant.
  There are many Biblical references about the oils and the one most remembered is the Frankincense and Myrrh that was brought to the Christ child. Another mention, I like is in Proverbs that says "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwellings of the wise." Interesting how oil in one's house was a sign of wisdom. I can understand this because of the healing benefits we have received from the copals (essential oils) in our home.
  The French pioneers brought back this ancient art of essential oils. In the 1920's R. M. Gatefosse had an accident in his lab that left his hands severely burned. He plunged his hands into a vat of what he thought was water and was amazed how the pain stopped. When he examined the vat he found it held Lavender essential oil. To Mr. Gatefosse's amazement his burn healed without scarring. He told his friend Dr. Jean Valnet about the accident and the wonderful healing properties of Lavender and they decided to research it. Dr. Valnet taught other doctors about the findings on the essential oils and their healing properties. Because of this accident to R. M. Gatefosse essential oils are very easily to aquire from a pharmacy in France. Before World War II, the Philippines was the largest producer of essential oils. Then the drug industry took over. The farmers have been reluctant to grow the crops again because they took large losses after the war when nobody would buy their oils.
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• Copal Purity
  The plants are placed in very large cookers usually holding several tons of plants and hot steam is pushed into the cooker from the bottom. As the plant material heats up the essential oils are released and carried to the top of the cooker in the steam. The steam is then channeled into a smaller pipe and cooled down. As the steam cools down it returns to a liquid that empties into a vat. In the vat the water falls to the bottom and the essential oils rises to the top where they are skimmed off and bottled. In this whole process it is very important that the plant maturity, the right pressure, temperature and time the plant is in the cooker be followed to yield quality essential oils.
  It is very disturbing to me to see so much adulteration and fraud going on in the essential oil industry. Thousands of tons of essential oils are used each year by the flavor and fragrance industry. They are inferior in quality to the copals we use in our traditional healing and should not be used for that purpose.
  Because of the limited amount of plants grown in the world each year, many commercial growers will use various methods to make it more profitable for them. They will use chemicals for growing the plants and extreme heat, pressure, or chemical solvents to squeeze more essential oils from the plants during distillation. These processes not only cut production time and reduce costs, but they also greatly compromise the quality of the essential oil being produced. The result of such practices is oil with very little (if any) life force left in it. Many times the very small trace constituents that are lost are the ones important for healing. Dead essential oils (copals) are to be avoided in our traditional healing. They may still have a flavor or fragrance to satisfy the perfume and food industry, but they are not the quality oils necessary for healing. In fact, this lower standard is very acceptable for flavoring or fragrance. Since the demand for unadulterated copals comprises less than 5% of the market, it is the suppliers that buy the food and perfume grade essential oils and sell them as "therapeutic" grade who are committing fraud. God makes the copals. All we can do is extract it as lovingly as possible and find a producer who is willing to leave them untouched. God's gift of essential oils can never be copyrighted, trademarked, or patented for profit. Every person has the right to experience true essential oils.
  There are those who would argue that there are only minor differences between essential oils and reconstituted oils, but who can duplicate the quality of natural essences with all the unknown healing properties! There is more to the copals than its aroma. They are the high-grade fuel of plants, and by applying them to our body we receive the best the plants have to offer. They are so flexible and delightful to use it is easy to incorporate them into every lifestyle. No synthetic reconstruction can replicate natural plants. Synthetic fragrances limit brain activity while pure essential oils increase creativity and productivity. Brain circuits are triggered like a light switch with the inhalation of essential oils. Copals should always be purchased in protective dark glass bottles (blue bottles being the better choice) with airtight seals. Some scientists believe dark blue glass bottles protect the oils from light that will destroy the capability of the oils to penetrate the skin and bring about healing. The airtight seal prevents oxidation and keeps the volatile components of the oils in the bottle, therefore retaining their therapeutic properties.
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• Benefits
  All the copals have antiseptic properties. Some of the copals that are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal are Black Cumin, Tea Tree, Clove, Oregano, Melissa, Eucalyptus and Helichrysum. The copals that are anti-tumoral are Clove, Frankincense, and Black Cumin. The copals that are known to be anti-inflammatory are Birch, Helichrysum, Black Cumin, Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Lavender with Chamomile. Some copals that are adaptegens they adapt to what the body requires are: Hyssop - tends to normalize blood pressure (high/low); Lemon - a tonic or sedative depending on what the body requires; Peppermint - a relaxant or stimulant; and copals containing coumarin are natural hemostats. They thin the blood to promote circulation or clot the blood to stop bleeding. Helichrysum, Cypress and Frankincense contain coumarin.
  Other benefits of our traditional copals are that they assist in delivering nutrients and oxygen to the cells. They contain trace elements such as hormones, minerals, vitamins and antibiotics. The copals of Lavender, Rosemary, Ravintsara and Black Cumin are considered to be "Universal" or beneficial in almost everything. That means they assist in many areas. If you are not sure which oil to use, use one of these four. If you can have only one copal, it should be Lavender. If you haven't the copal you need for a specific problem, use what you have - you still will see benefits. We do not cure anything. We assist the body to heal itself.
  It is important to know about the traditional healing copals (essential oils). Japanese research has shown that the Immune system is stimulated by the inhalation of essential oils. Dr. Asawa, of Japan, showed combining inhaling and massage with essential oils increased the immune function by 32%. But, Dr. Asawa said, "You must have pure quality copals (essential oils) to get these results".
  Stress is known as the number one killer today by the way it breaks down the immune system. Dr. Asawa has not found one drug that is as effective against stress as copals. Drugs are only 1/10th as effective as the daily use of traditional healing copals.
  It has been shown that antibiotics cause pathogens to mutate and the body produces false antibodies. Essential oils do not cause pathogens to mutate.
  Dr. Jean Valnet said," antibiotics are a chancy business at best. Use only in life threatening situations". The use of antibiotics is one of the main causes of candida; they both originate from a fungus. The antibiotic Tetracycline is food for candida.
  The essence of the ceremonial healing copals can alter our moods. The sense of smell has a greater effect on us than any of our other senses and fragrance is the greatest tool to create an emotion. All body systems are interrelated. When you have a problem you need to consider the whole body - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. An emotion may be triggered without a thought.
  The healing copals may be used for depression. Some copals that soothe and uplift are Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Rose, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Celebrate, Inner Essence and Simplicity. Drinking more water and using minerals has been known to assist also.
  The copals that bring out loving feelings are Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Rose, and Neroli. The copals that are calming are Lavender, Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, Cedarwood, and Tranquility. The Japanese have experimented with diffusing lemon oil in a room of people working on computers. They reported their accuracy went up by 20%. Skin problems are often the surface manifestation of a deeper condition (build up of toxins in the blood, hormonal imbalance, nerves, or emotional problems). Dr. Asawa, a Japanese researcher, showed how essential oils inhaled daily balanced the skin. He found acne and skin rashes are a direct result of the physical and spiritual body being out of balance. At the World Health Conference held in 1995-Dr Asawa said, "Copals (essential oils) take the chaos out of human life and restore it to a state of harmony".
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• Usage
  Here are some cautions when using the copals:
  There are some copals that are considered hot and always use diluted. They are the copals of Cinnamon, Oregano, Cloves, Ginger, Lemongrass, Thyme and Peppermint. Remember, everyone is different and a copal that may not be hot on you may be very hot on another person. If a copal becomes hot on the skin always apply carrier oil until the burning stops. Never use water to try and wash off hot copal, this will only drive it in deeper and burn more.
  When first using the traditional copals it is recommended you dilute them in carrier oil at least until you know if you are sensitive to that oil.
  Some phototoxic copals are Lemon, Bergamot, Orange, Grapefruit and Mandarin. This means they may cause a rash or darker pigmentation if applied to skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays within 3 to 4 days.
  Women who are pregnant need to use caution when using the copals and use them diluted. The mild copals such as Lavender, Chamomile, Lemon, Orange, Black Cumin and Frankincense. Clary Sage may be used when ready to deliver.
  For young children and those who are very sick - use half the recommended amount for adults. Example - in ¼ ounce of carrier use 3 drops of neat copal and for infants even less.
  Using too many healing copals at once may cause the body to cleanse.
  It is important to use the traditional healing copals with intent. Expect the results - have faith. Faith is the creative force. Here is a quote I like. "Faith is the ability to see the invisible and believe in the incredible and that is what enables believers to receive what the masses think impossible." Abandon being helpless - take responsibility it is your health. It is your life. The doctors always ask you what is wrong - do the same. Ask yourself that same question and then listen.
  Study the copals and apply the knowledge. But always work with intuition when determining which oil to use. There are no magic bullets. The body heals itself if given the right tools. If there were such a thing as magic words the following three would be them "Try another way" or if the copal you are using isn't working just "Try another one".
  I discovered I can learn more about the traditional copals by observing and learning from a multitude of people since everyone is so unique. I challenge you to do the same. You will find as you share your knowledge with others your own knowledge will increase. But, on the other hand, if you keep the knowledge and benefits to yourself, you will soon lose this knowledge.
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