Escentsual Oils of Grace

“🌿What's the difference between Frankincense and Sacred Frankincense?🌿
Frankincense is one of the most famous and commonly used essential oils. Frankincense is produced from the resin of the Boswellia genus of trees. The Boswellia tree can grow with little to no soil, blooms with white or pale rose colored flowers, and has papery, peeling bark. Today, we love the essential oil produced from the resin, but in ancient times, the resin was given as a gift and burned to purify the air.
Both Frankincense (bosweillia carterii) and Sacred Frankincense (bosweillia sacra) are produced from the same species of plant but in different regions. Bosweillia carterii comes from Somalia, whereas sacra comes from Oman. Different regions in which a plant is grown can affect an essential oil's biochemical specificity. Besides the country of origin, the chemical composition of essential oils can be influenced by the plant's growing conditions such as light, soil, temperature, moisture, climate and altitude. For some essential oils even the time of day a plant is harvested can impact its chemical composition.
Both Frankincense varieties have skin-supporting properties and both can be used to create peaceful and calm atmospheres. I love to use both for meditation. Frankincense (Bosweillia carterii) has a slightly milder aroma than Sacred Frankincense (bosweillia sacra); however, both have that rich woodsy aroma we all love.
Frankincense was one of the oils when I first got my starter kit that I wasn't sure what to do with it. Then I started reading about all of the INCREDIBLE benefits and realized I needed to start using this oil consistently.
Every night before bed, I apply my face serum, which contains frankincense. Not only is it incredibly grounding and relaxes me before bed, but it is also supporting my skin better than ever! It is helpful for restoring the skin to its natural state. It is amazing for redness, blemishes, wrinkles and giving your skin that dewy glow!
When I am feeling restless, overwhelmed, nervous or worried, I love to apply a drop to my diffuser or palms of my hands and inhale deeply.” ~ Scienceofessentials

For more info and to order essential oils send us a dm. 💚🌱

“A preclinical pilot study investigated how a blend of rosemary EO and castor oil affected hair growth. Researchers shaved a small area on 15 subjects and treated them daily for 28 days with either rosemary oil, castor oil, a 50/50 blend of the two oils, 2% minoxidil (the common hair-growth medication), or no treatment. The combination oil produced the best results among the plant-based treatments, with hair growth that was very similar to the minoxidil group and greater than either oil used alone. Rosemary oil by itself also appeared to support hair growth, while castor oil alone showed little advantage over the untreated group. The authors suggest the blend may work because rosemary contains compounds that may improve circulation, reduce oxidative stress, and potentially affect hormones involved in hair loss, while castor oil may improve scalp conditioning and help reduce irritation from rosemary.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13159087/“ ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath and author

“ A preclinical study evaluated whether bergamot EO could protect against heavy-metal (cadmium, mercury, and lead) induced toxicity caused by oxidative stress in brain cells. Testing bergamot EO on human brain cells in a lab setting showed that the oil reduced damage and the harmful effects of all three heavy metals, with the most pronounced effects seen against cadmium neurotoxicity. This suggests that bergamot EO might be useful in preventing or reducing the brain damage caused by heavy metals (including oxidative stress, which plays a significant role in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease), particularly cadmium.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12024135/“ ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath, author

Rose and lavender oils help to prevent Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and depression. “Utilizing a computational approach called integrative network pharmacology, researchers investigated how Rugosa rose and Taikong Blue lavender EOs might help treat complex brain conditions. By analyzing the constituents of these oils, researchers identified 252 molecular targets shared across twelve neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression.

The study found that specific compounds—notably caryophyllene oxide from lavender and alpha-himachalene from rose—bind strongly to key proteins like CHRM2 (which regulates cognitive function) and NR1H3 (which manages inflammation and lipids). These interactions suggest the oils work through a dual mechanism, influencing both cell-surface receptors and internal metabolic pathways to reduce neuroinflammation and stabilize brain signaling.

Ultimately, the findings provide a theoretical framework for using these essential oils as natural, multi-target therapies for improving mental health and protecting the nervous system.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41985299/“ ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath, author

“Collagen is the main structural protein in the skin and a basic building block of tissues (connective, tendons, bones, muscles, and cartilage). There are currently 28 types of collagen identified in the human body, each of which serves a specific function. Collagen is constantly being repaired and regenerated to heal and strengthen tissues and make them resilient to stretching.

Evaluation of the biological activities of four lavender essential oil varieties (L. angustifolia 'Xinxun-1'-'Xinxun-4') on human skin cells in a laboratory setting showed that each variety possesses significant antioxidant activity and increased collagen regeneration activity. Xinxum2 displayed the highest ferrous ion chelating activity and reducing power, and the greatest collagen regeneration activity. This research suggests that lavender essential oil may be supportive of collagen regeneration and thus the repair and maintenance of the tissues it is found in.” ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360713352_Essential_Oil_Compositions_Antioxidant_Activities_and_Procollagen_Synthesis_Abilities_of_Four_Lavandula_angustifolia_Varieties

“Did you know that about 70% of adults aged 65 or older live with high blood pressure? As a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, managing hypertension is critical as we age—but the solution might be more natural than you think.

A fascinating clinical trial put the power of functional aromatherapy to the test. Researchers evaluated the effects of inhaling diffused lavender essential oil in men and women over the age of 60 who had diagnosed hypertension. To make things even more interesting, many of the participants in the study were dealing with real-world hurdles, including smoking habits and high-salt diets.

The results? Inhaling the lavender essential oil didn't just help them relax—it significantly reduced their blood pressure!

Here is what happened:
- 100% of participants who started with severe high blood pressure dropped down to moderate or mild levels.
- Nearly 20% of the participants saw their blood pressure return entirely to a completely normal range.

It turns out that a simple, non-pharmacological routine like diffusing high-quality essential oil can be an incredibly effective tool for heart health.” ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370786817_Decreasing_blood_pressure_with_lavender_aromatherapy_in_elderly_with_hypertension

“A clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy as a non-pharmacological solution to improve sleep quality among 20 third-trimester pregnant women facing sleep disturbances. The protocol involved administering a dose of 5 to 10 drops of the essential oil into a standard basin filled with warm water, which the participants inhaled before bedtime for 7 consecutive days. The active constituents—specifically linalool and linalyl acetate—stimulated olfactory nerve receptors to produce sedative, relaxing effects and increase alpha waves in the brain. Statistical analysis showed a highly significant improvement in sleep quality, with the prevalence of sleep disturbances dropping from 100% pre-intervention down to 20% after the 7-day routine, proving it to be a safe and practical complementary therapy for maternal health.” ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath
https://ejournal.antispublisher.org/index.php/ijhsm/article/view/6

Geranium oil for feminine healing! 🌸🌸
“A preclinical model investigated the effects of geranium EO on human cells associated with endometriosis, a chronic condition where uterine-like tissue grows in areas it shouldn't. Researchers found that the EO significantly slowed the growth and movement of these diseased cells in a laboratory setting. Rather than just killing cells indiscriminately, the oil appeared to target the specific "mesenchymal" traits that allow endometriotic tissue to invade other areas and survive. It also triggered a stress response within the cells' internal structures—specifically the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum—which further impaired their ability to function and spread. These findings suggest that geranium EO could be a promising candidate for developing non-hormonal treatments for endometriosis, potentially offering a way to manage the condition's progression with fewer side effects than current hormonal therapies.” ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13114720/

“Neroli is among the top essential oils I recommend to women based on research and clinical experience.

A systematic review of 12 clinical trials involving over 1,100 women highlighted the significant therapeutic potential of neroli EO across various stages of reproductive health. The study found that neroli is particularly effective in the "labor room" setting, where it significantly lowers anxiety, reduces the perception of pain, and helps stabilize vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate during delivery.

Beyond childbirth, the research indicates that neroli is a powerful tool for managing hormonal transitions; it was shown to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms of PMS and reduce the intensity of hot flashes and anxiety in postmenopausal women. The oil appears to work by influencing the endocrine system—specifically by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) and potentially balancing estrogen concentrations. Because no significant side effects were reported, neroli stands out as a safe, evidence-based aromatherapy option for improving overall well-being and emotional balance in women's health.

In short, neroli is a great natural solution for women from beginning menstruation to post-menopause.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41936209/

Most commonly, I recommend applying diluted neroli to both inner forearms and spending ten minutes inhaling the aroma, once or twice daily.” ~ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath

“Extreme heat doesn’t just make you uncomfortable—it creates real biological stress, pushing the body into oxidative overload and cellular damage.

A recent preclinical study explored whether frankincense (carterii) EO could offer some protection at the cellular level. Subjects were given different doses mixed into their diet (ranging from 0.025% to 0.1%), while a control group received none.

At the highest dose, key antioxidant defenses surged—IgG (immune support), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), all critical for neutralizing oxidative stress.

At the lowest dose, there was a different but still meaningful effect: increases in IgM, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)—another layer of protection against cellular damage.

The mid- to high-dose groups also showed elevated reproductive hormones (progesterone, LH, FSH), alongside improvements in liver, uterine, and ovarian tissue health.

Across all frankincense groups, two particularly interesting shifts occurred:
• Decreased adipokines (linked to fat storage and metabolic signaling)
• Modulation of ferroptosis pathways—a form of cell death driven by oxidative damage

Translation: less biochemical signaling for fat accumulation, and stronger cellular defenses against stress-induced damage.

Bottom line: While this isn’t human data yet, it points to something intriguing—frankincense EO may help the body adapt to extreme stress by boosting antioxidant systems, supporting hormone balance, and protecting cells at a fundamental level.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40087761/“ Scott A. Johnson, naturopath