Outside of her work at ������Ƶ, Zadra helps educate others in sustainable ways to support wellness and healthcare, including the use of essential oils and products.

Essential oils (EO’s) can have numerous beneficial effects on kids as well as adults and can be a holistic solution to health and mood concerns. They can reduce anxiety, increase focus, and have even been shown to have a positive impact in the classroom.

What is an Essential Oil?

An essential oil is a natural aromatic compound found in plant parts. “In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination….Essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits.” (1)

How/why do they work?

Our bodies respond well to natural materials like plant oils. These molecules can penetrate cell walls to deliver maximal benefits, without the side effects many pharmaceuticals can have.

Essential oils can be used aromatically, topically or internally. Most are safe for all three uses, but be sure to check the label to ensure that the essential oil is safe for your desired method of administration.

In his paper Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Terry S. Friedmann, M.D., M.D.(H), A.B.I.H.M., writes, “When essential oils are inhaled, they not only provide exquisite fragrances, but they have also proven to be able to produce physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of people since the beginning of time.”

Our sense of smell influences many physiological pathways, including the stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes. Essential oils have been used in aromatherapy to create a calming effect (lavender), or to stimulate or invigorate one’s energy (wild orange). Studies have shown that certain essential oils may have the ability to prevent the transmission of some drug-resistant strains of pathogen, specifically Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Candida. (2)

Diffusing essential oils can purify air of unwanted odors and some airborne pathogens. They are also natural disinfectants.

What are they used for?

You can use essential oils one at a time or blend several oils together, depending on how experienced you are and what benefit you are seeking. Essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness goals.

Here are some examples of how essential oils can be used:

• Lavender –add a couple of drops to a cotton ball and place beneath your child’s pillow for a calming effect, especially helpful if your child has a difficult time sleeping; apply a couple of drops behind the neck to help reduce anxiety – perfect for right before a big test or project; apply directly to skin irritations such as burns or insect bites to soothe or reduce redness and swelling
• Wild Orange – place drops in the palm of the hand, rub hands together, and smell the aroma to elevate mood; diffuse to increase focus, including in a classroom; add to water for yummy flavor!
• Peppermint – apply to neck for a refreshing, cooling effect if your child has a fever or is affected by extreme heat; diffuse to open airways; apply topically to stomach or drop in water to soothe upset stomachs (Keep in mind: peppermint is a very strong essential oil – a little goes a long way.)
• Lemon – take internally to detox the body; add to water for flavor; use to clean countertops, etc., for its antibacterial effect
• Melaleuca – put on bottoms of feet or apply topically near affected area to use as a disinfectant or for antibacterial or antifungal qualities (Very mild)
• Oregano – put on bottoms of feet for its strong antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial properties or to help prevent infection

What to look for?

When looking for an essential oil, be sure to check for the following to receive the most therapeutic benefits:

• 100% pure – this means there are no additives or fillers
• Complete – the oil is not diluted or missing any molecules
• Therapeutic-grade – for the most potency and safety
• Not synthetic – the best oils are cold-pressed or steam-distilled and are not synthetic. Synthetic oils do not have all the properties that natural plant oils have and will not be as effective
• Be sure to follow all label warnings and instructions

Cautions for using essential oils with children

• Children often have very sensitive skin. It is a good idea to apply a tiny amount of oil to test for sensitivity. To slow the rate of absorption into the skin, you can apply a layer of vegetable oil first and then apply the essential oil afterward. Also, for very small children, avoid putting oils on their hands, as they may rub their eyes or put their hands in their mouths.
• EO’s should never be used in the eyes, ears or nose.
• If irritation or redness occurs, apply vegetable oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, or milk to dilute the oil. Never flush with water, as this will only drive the oil in further and cause the irritation to be more intense.
• It is important to consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor’s care.

Essential oils can provide a holistic option to health concerns and mood enhancement and are a lot of fun!

Questions? Contact Zadra at ������Ƶgifted@educationaladvancement.org.

(1)
(2) Warnke, P. H.; Becker, S. T.; Podschun, R.; Sivananthan, S.; Springer, I. N.; Russo, P. A. J.; Wiltfang, J.; Fickenscher, H. et al. (2009). “The battle against multi-resistant strains: Renaissance of antimicrobial essential oils as a promising force to fight hospital-acquired infections”. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery 37 (7): 392–397.

������Ƶ held its annual fundraiser Thursday night, and we were thrilled with the event. It was a great success! Nita Millstein, the owner of The Peach Café in Monrovia, California, generously donated the space for our event, which included a plated dinner and silent auction. Among the attendees were ������Ƶ Board Members Ken Merchant, Jeff Hudson, Donna Ford and Jonathan Shintaku. The entire ������Ƶ Staff attended as did many parents of program participants. Through the silent auction alone, we raised over $2,000, with items donated entirely by the ������Ƶ staff. We are also pleased to announce that 100% of the auction proceeds will go directly towards supporting the children and families we serve.

The feedback and support we received on Thursday reaffirmed our belief that ������Ƶ’s dedication to creating programs honoring and nurturing the whole gifted child is valuable and important to many people. To further demonstrate this fact, 100% of the ������Ƶ staff had contributed a monetary gift to ������Ƶ before the end of October, and 100% of the ������Ƶ Board has contributed, as well.

When looking at donor trends as reported by , we see that, on average, most donors intend to give roughly the same amounts in 2012 as they did in 2011. However, those donors who reported that they expect to give less than they did in 2011 expect to give significantly less in 2012, while those donors who anticipate contributing more generously than they did last year only expect to give slightly more in 2012.

What does this mean for ������Ƶ? It means that we are relying on a greater number of donors giving small amounts to help the kids we serve in the same way that a few donors giving larger amounts can. No gift is too small. Every gift matters.

This leads us to consider: Why do people give? What compels a person to donate and to donate to a specific organization? ������Ƶ believes in giving back to our community and encourages the staff to support charities including, but not limited to, ������Ƶ. For example, we are collecting canned goods for the local senior services center in South Pasadena, a project started by our own Kate Williams.

Here are just a few of the reasons why I give, personally (in no particular order):

1. To show my support for a friend or an organization I believe in.

Many of my friends work with projects that provide a great service to the community. This can range from arts/culture/humanities to animal rescues to human services-based programs. I enjoy supporting the work of my friends by contributing to these causes.

Of course, I don’t think I’ve ever given a donation to an organization that didn’t ask. Often, I will be searching for information on a website and there will be a request for financial gifts or in-kind donations directly on the page. While no one called and asked me specifically to give, seeing the organization’s need sparks my altruistic intentions.

2. To help change the world or to give others a chance that I didn’t have.

Many contributors want to feel like they are helping to change someone’s life. Many of the organizations they give to provide programs that focus on helping individuals take care of themselves, such as Heifer International or the Boys and Girls Club of America.

3. Wanting to be connected to a community – to be part of the crowd.

Schools often employ this with their alumni programs. At ������Ƶ, we encourage a friendly spirit of competition among our programs and encourage parents from each of our programs to give. In some cases, the alumni have even set up contests to see which class can contribute the most! It is all in good fun and supports a worthy cause.

4. Feeling fortunate or guilty.

Sometimes people give because they feel a wealth and want to share with others less fortunate or just to demonstrate gratitude for something beneficial. I feel this way when visiting museums or the Botanic Gardens. Other times, as in the cases of food drives, I want others to have what I have.

But sometimes, I feel powerless to undo a past wrong and want to make up for it somehow. Once, I ran over a raccoon. It was dark; it was raining; and I didn’t see it. I felt horrible! When I got home, I researched what to do in case of an animal emergency and the Greenwood Nature Center of Colorado had a list of what to do. I sent a donation to Greenwood in memory of Rocky Raccoon. I couldn’t undo the past, and I don’t believe money will buy me peace of mind, but I do feel that I am making a difference to other animals, even if I couldn’t help that one.

5. Tax write-offs.

Yes, this is a major motivating factor for some and is one reason many gifts are received at year end. Another reason is that the holidays inspire giving. For me, sometimes I just forget to give until the last minute. : p

Whatever your motivations for giving, this is the perfect time to support and donate to worthy causes, especially if you feel that they provide value to your day—or to the day of others. To contribute to ������Ƶ, please visit our website.

Why do you give? Please share with us in the comment section below.

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