Episode 231: Utilizing Yarrow|Pom and the Incredible Fennel

doTERRA: The history of yarrow goes back tens of thousands of years, with fossilized yarrow pollen being discovered in Neanderthal burial caves from 60,000 years ago. And it continues to be prized and utilized today. Welcome back to Essential Oil Solutions with doTERRA, the podcast where you'll hear exciting, useful, and simple everyday uses for essential oils from experts in the field.

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Today we're excited to talk to Scott Johnson, Director of Product Management, and Shaunna Sorenson, Sr. Director of Product Marketing, all about how to make the most out of your Yarrow|Pom. Then we'll take a look into the incredible history of Fennel.

Shaunna and Scott, thank you so much for joining us today.

Shaunna Sorenson: Of course.

Scott Johnson: Happy to be here.

Why Yarrow Oil and Pomegranate Seed Oil

doTERRA: Shaunna, to get started, I want to just jump right in with a little bit of background. Why did doTERRA choose to combine the Yarrow essential oil with Pomegranate oil instead of Fractionated Coconut Oil or some other carrier oil?

Shaunna: That's a great question. I really think the unique value in the product is the fact that we blended those two things together. This means there are two different components, and they work together synergistically.

Yarrow's wonderful compounds provide support and other benefits to the cells and tissues, while the conjugated fatty acids in Pomegranate Seed oil provide nutritive benefits. This combination of benefits gave rise to the product's classification as a nutritive duo.

It actually says that on the label, through completely different biological pathways, these two components support the full spectrum. This is the first in this new category that we're exploring, of combining things that work synergistically.

doTERRA: That is incredible. And Scott, can you give us a little bit more about the scientific background of those two oils?

Yeah, you know, Shaunna hit the nail on the head when she used the word synergy, because when you're blending an essential oil with a carrier oil, you often want to use things that have similar properties to promote synergistic activity by combining those two things. And so that's definitely one of the reasons why we combine those two.

I like to say too, that Yarrow is a bit like combining Ylang Ylang with Blue Tansy, because if you look at the chemistry of Yarrow and Blue Tansy and Ylang Ylang, you're getting bits and pieces of Ylang Ylang and Blue Tansy in that Yarrow.

So, it's a very unique chemistry that is found within Yarrow essential oil. And when you combine that chemistry with that punicic acid, which is the major conjugated linoleic acid that's found within Pomegranate seed oil, it just gives you additional benefits, both topically and when you ingest that product.

Using Yarrow|Pom Topically

doTERRA: That is so incredible. And so, Shaunna, one of the most well-known uses for this. Yarrow|Pom is topically. What are some of the best ways that we can integrate that into our routine?

Shaunna: I personally love adding Yarrow|Pom Nutritive Duo to my hydrating cream because it's in a jar. It's really easy to add the product and I just stir it with my finger thoroughly and then it's ready to use every day after that, and it turns it a delightful light blue color. And so, I know that it's in there and it's thoroughly mixed. And then it's super easy for me to use morning and night.

doTERRA: That is amazing. And like you said, such an easy way. You don't have to remember every day to add it. And it's just there. Which if it were me, that's the easiest way for me to do. I never remember little steps.

Using Yarrow|Pom Internally:

Now, like Scott mentioned and you mentioned, there are internal benefits as well from these two incredible oils. How do you recommend that people add Yarrow|Pom internally to their routine?

Shaunna: Well, I can say that as someone who obviously likes to do things the quick and easy way, I don't mind actually just putting a few drops under my tongue before I eat breakfast or before I eat a meal. It's. Really easy to remember. And then it just goes down really easy.

doTERRA: Yes, absolutely. Scott, do you have any ideas for people wanting to add that internal benefit into their lives?

Scott: Yeah, I think that this is a mild enough product that you can definitely put it on or under the tongue and use the direct application method, which has the benefit that you're bypassing first pass metabolism in the liver and you're getting these ingredients absorbed in the buccal cavity, in the mouth and in the capillaries under the tongue. And so that is a great option.

You can also add it to a beverage if you want to, to consume it. Some people even will put it in a capsule, but there's a lot of different ways that you can enjoy it internally.

And I think it's important to not overlook that benefit, too. And the reason I say that is, is because Pomegranate Seed oil alone has traditionally been used to support multiple body systems by ingesting it. And some experts actually consider it one of the key factors in like the Mediterranean diet and why we see them having less conditions than the average person because they consume it as part of their diet.

Why is Yarrow|Pom a must have?

doTERRA: That is amazing. Now, we've talked about a lot of different applications and science behind Yarrow|Pom. And so, I want to hear from both of you on this last question. And Scott, I'll have you go first. If someone has never used Yarrow|Pom before, it's not something they have in their home. Why is it something that they need to start working into their daily routine?

Scott: Well, unless you sit inside your house and are never exposed to the sun, every single person could use it topically. And the reason I say that is because the oxidation of lipids that are found within your skin because of exposure to the sun can disrupt things like the protective skin barrier.

A lot of people just overlook that the skin is the largest organ in your body, right? And one of its primary purposes is to serve as a barrier to not allow things inside the body that shouldn't come inside the body. And that's called skin barrier activity or your skin barrier function.

And when you have these lipids that are exposed to sunlight, they can become oxidized. And these lipids then don't provide that same level of protection against the sun. And so, it causes photo-aging or aging because you're being exposed to the sun.

So, those spots of your body that are exposed to the sun frequently, you ought to be applying the Yarrow|Pom Nutritive Duo to protect it because it provides antioxidant benefits to preserve those lipids and protect them against oxidation so that you won't have that premature aging.

And it can help promote the healthy-looking skin. And again, coming back to the ingestion uses, it's been used traditionally for a lot of reasons, but some of the research shows that the punicic acid that's found within Pomegranate Seed oil will help to support healthy immune system response. And that's really important because our immune system also protects us and keeps us healthy. And it's exposed to various things every day and we want to keep it in its best shape to perform its duties of protecting us.

doTERRA: Absolutely. I love hearing all that science behind these incredible products. Shaunna, what about you? Why do people need Yarrow|Pom in their home?

Shaunna: Well, we've talked about a few of the benefits, and there are many. Some of them that I think are important is, it can provide a calm sense to your mind and body, and it promotes cellular and immune system health, as Scott talked about. And it can help you achieve a youthful or more healthy-looking complexion, which most of us do want that. So, I think Yarrow|Pom is definitely an oil blend that you want to include in your regular routine.

doTERRA: Well, you have definitely convinced me that this is something that I am going to absolutely make sure is part of my routine every single day from now on. Shaunna and Scott, thank you both for sitting down with us for teaching us so much more about Yarrow|Pom Nutritive Duo.

Fennel

doTERRA: Fennel may not be the first thing that springs to your mind when you think of a powerhouse Herb. But in the language of flowers, it symbolizes force and strength. And it has woven its way throughout history as an herb that's legendary for its many benefits. This humble plant has a long, storied history, stretching from ancient Greece to Charlemagne and beyond.

Today we're going to talk about some internal historical uses for this plant, but we want to remind you that various plant parts, such as leaves, bark, flowers, stem, fruit, peel, bud, resin, etc., were often used for many different practices and benefits. These historical uses are mentioned here to offer insight as we explore the history of oils and plants. As such, these ancient uses are solely for informational purposes and are not being advocated or recommended by doTERRA. Proceed at your own risk with such uses.

Fennel is a perennial herb, which in the simplest sense means that it's a plant that lives more than two years. It stands tall and can grow up to heights of eight feet. Fennel is known by more than 100 different names and has been held in high esteem throughout history. In fact, a traditional Welsh saying disparages anyone who would pass by Fennel without picking it. It says, "he who sees fennel and gathers it not is not a man, but a devil."

Fennel in Ancient Greece and Rome

In Greek the name for fennel is marathon or marthos, and fennel is actually associated with the origin of the marathon. The ancient Athenian Pheidippides carried a fennel stock on his 150-mile, two-day run to Sparta to gather soldiers for the Battle of Marathon against Persia in 490 B.C. The place of the famous Battle of Marathon literally means a plain with fennel. And after the battle, the Athenians used woven fennel stalks as a symbol of victory.

Greek warriors also believed that drinking a fennel tea before battle would give them courage. But the significance of fennel in Greek culture goes back even further than the battle of Marathon or Greek soldiers in Hesiod's poem Theogony (meaning the genealogy or birth of the Gods) he mentions the role of fennel in the story of Prometheus, stealing the ember of fire from the gods.

In Greek mythology, Zeus assigned Prometheus the task of forming man from water and earth, which Prometheus did. But in the process, he became fonder of men than Zeus had ever anticipated. Zeus didn't share Prometheus' feelings and wanted to prevent men from having power, especially over fire. Prometheus cared more for man than for the wrath of Zeus. So, he stole fire from Zeus's lightning.

Prometheus concealed the fire in a hollow stock of fennel and brought it down to man.

Roman gladiators had some similar traditions surrounding fennel. They mixed fennel with their food in order to be successful in the arena. And if a gladiator won, he was crowned with a fennel garland. Also, Roman accounts state that snakes were fond of fennel, and when consumed, it allowed them to be restored to their youth. And thus, they were able to cast off their old skin.

Fennel’s Symbolism and Use in Wellness Practices

In antiquity and up to the Middle Ages. Fennel seeds were considered like garlic, a deterrent of evil spirits. People draped little sacks with sprigs and seeds over their doors and stuffed their keyholes with fennel in order to block out ghosts and malevolent apparitions.

Fennel also made an appearance in many ancient wellness practices. It was one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon nine herbs charm recorded in the 10th century. The charm is intended to help with various ailments through a preparation of nine different herbs. The numbers nine and three, significant and dramatic paganism and later Germanic folklore, are mentioned frequently within the charm. Further, the charm directs the reader to sing the charm three times over each of the herbs before they were prepared.

The Anglo-Saxons also held the herb as sacred, and Charlemagne, the Great Emperor, declared in 812 A.D. that Fennel was essential in every garden because of its beneficial properties. He required the cultivation of fennel on all imperial farms.

Additionally, during Shakespeare's time, Fennel had large cultural relevance. It served as an emblem of flattery, and the Italians of the era would say Dare Finocchio (to give fennel) or to flatter.

Many cultures in India, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East use fennel fruits in cooking. It's an essential ingredient in many spice mixtures, including the Chinese five spice powders. In many parts of India, roasted fennel fruits are consumed as an after-meal digestive and breath freshener. Or candied as a confit. Fennel water has also been utilized in many cultures. It has properties similar to those of anise and dill water.

From Greek mythology to fennel tea. Fennel has played a part in innumerable areas of history. This workhorse herb has impacted the lives of people all around the world, and we hope that you have a chance to feel the impact in your home as well.

Thanks for joining us and congratulations on living a healthier lifestyle with essential oils. If you want to try any of the products you learned about, click on the link in the episode description or find a Wellness Advocate near you to place an order today. And remember, if you liked what you heard today, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.