Free Radicals are generated by the immune system to attack foreign bodies. The problem occurs when there are two many free radicals. What are some causes which can lead to excess FR? Stress (emotional and physical), poor diets (as in most processed foods), pollution, smoking, inflammation, man made chemicals, drugs (prescription & recreational), radiation and depletion of the ozone are some.
Free radicals are chemically active atoms or molecular fragments that have a charge due to an excess or deficient number of electrons. Basically a free radical is a molecule with missing parts that then go around snatching away pieces from other molecules to replace those lost, which can in turn injure and damage the DNA strands inside your cells. This damage to your cells speeds up the process of disease and aging. It has been proposed that all disease processes in the body are either linked to free radical damage or inflammation, or both. Another term is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when the production of these harmful molecules (free radicals) is beyond the protective capability of the antioxidant defenses.
So what is an antioxidant?
As the name implies, an antioxidant is something that helps prevent oxidation or oxidative stress and damage by free radicals. Antioxidants block the process of oxidation by neutralizing free radicals. In doing so, the antioxidants themselves become oxidized. That is why there is a constant need to replenish our antioxidant resources. That is one of the reasons why our diet is so important in our health and well being and why people often report being "cured" by eliminating foods and things that cause oxidation at the cellular level, and implementing foods (vitamins, fruits, vegetables, etc) that contain antioxidant properties, and taking herbs known for their antioxidant properties.
USDA researchers at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, have developed a laboratory test to measure the oxygen radical absorption capacity of different foods and natural substances. Known as the ORAC score, it is one of the most sensitive and reliable methods for measuring antioxidant capacity. The first test of its kind, the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale measures both the time and degree of free-radical inhibition.
So Where Am I Going With All of This?
Well, we all know the common, talked about antioxidants. But did you know that some essential oils have the strongest antioxidant properties available? In fact, Essential oils have the highest ORAC scores of all the substances in the world. And we're not talking about by just a little; they beat out the competition by leaps and bounds!
Here is a list of some of the strongest antioxidant foods and their ORAC score listed in a quantity per 100 grams:
Wolfberries (the highest food source) 25,300
Vitamin E oil 3,309
Pomegranates 3,037
Blueberries 2,400
Kale 1,770
XanGo juice 1,644
Tahitian Noni 1,506
Strawberries 1,540
Spinach 1,260
Raspberries 1,220
Brussels sprouts 980
Plums 949
Broccoli florets 890
Beets 840
Garlic 1,939
Vit C (1.89 Orac units / mg) 189,000.
Clove oil (Syzigium aromaticum) 10,786,875 (Yes, over 10 MILLION)
Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris) 159,590
Oregano oil (Origanum compactum) 153,007
Cinnamon Bark oil (Cinnamamum verum) 103,448
Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) 24,157
Orange oil (Citrus aurantium) 18,898
Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogen flexuosus) 17,765
Helichrysum oil (Helichrysum italicum) 17,420
Spearmint oil (Mentha spicata) 5,398
Lavender oil (Lavendula angustifolia) 3,669
Rosemary oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) 3,309
Juniper oil (Juniperus osteosperma) 2,517
Roman Chamomile oil (Chamaemelum nobile) 2,446
Sandalwood oil (Santalum Album) 1,655
Myrrh 379,800
Coriander 298,300
Fennel 238,400
Clary sage 221,000
Marjoram 130,900
Melissa 134,300
Ylang ylang 130,000
Wintergreen 101,800
Geranium 101,000
Ginger 99,300
Black Pepper 79,700
Vetiver 74,300
Basil 54,000
Patchouli 49,400
White fir 47,900
Peppermint 37,300
Dill 35,600
Lime 26,200
Cypress 24,300
Grapefruit 22,600
That means a drop of Clove essential oil contains 400 times more antioxidant per unit volume than wolfberries, the most powerful of all known fruits.
This means that:
An ounce of Clove Bud Oil has the antioxidant capacity of 450 pounds of carrots, 120 quarts of blueberries or 48 gallons of beet juiceA 15 ml bottle of Clove essential oil has the antioxidant capacity of 150 lbs of carrots, 40 quarts of blueberries or 16 gallons of beet juice.
And 2 drops is equal to the power of
2.5 pounds of beets
4 cups of raspberries
2.5 cups of blueberries.
Wow, that's crazy! But what does this mean? How could we use these oils to help with free radicals and oxidative stress? Well doTERRA does have a supplement series call Lifelong Vitality, The series has one capsule that utilizes some of the listed oils in it, another that is a whole food multivitamin and mineral, and another that is an omega fatty acid supplement. This trio supplement has an ORAC score of 6,800 per serving.
Another way capture some of the antioxidant goodness of essential oils is by taking Clove (or the OnGuard Blend which has clove oil in it), putting a couple drops in an empty veggie capsule, and taking it internally that way. For immune support and strengthening, you could do this even once a week and would see a difference.
Of course topically and aromatically through diffusing the oils are the other ways to use oils. Applying the oils topically, the oils can be absorbed into your blood stream, and be effective that way. But you also can see the antioxidant effect on your skin if you are applying Clove for aging or wrinkles, and applying directly to the troubled spot. Just be aware clove oil is very strong, and your skin may be sensitive to it- it's always recommended to dilute clove oil. Diffusing is the last way you can get the benefit of oils. Clove and Cinnamon are not recommended to be diffused by themselves, because they are hot oils, and the individual compounds in the air have the possibility of causing burning. But both Clove and Cinnamon in a blend with other oils are safe to diffuse.
I just LOVE how amazing essential oils are! They are such a gift to us, and the more I learn, the more I am amazed.