Essential Oils are great ways to take advantage of nature’s healing qualities. Did you ever notice how a scent can transport you back in time, right to the place you first experienced it? Aromas can affect the body and mind in more than just a pleasant way. Essential Oils have a significant effect on your emotional well-being and having amazing physical qualities too.
Essential Oils
What are they?
Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants for medicinal purposes. The oils come from various parts of the plant, including leaves, seeds, flowers, roots, and bark. Steam distillation is the most common way to extract the oils from plants. If done properly, it will retain the full potency offered by the plant.
Essential oils are therapeutic-grade oils and are not to be confused with perfume. Ancient cultures made perfume from essential oils, but modern perfumes are generally chemical imitations. In fact, any skin or beauty product that lists “fragrance” without specifying the source of the fragrance likely has chemical boosters to “stretch” the scent. These boosters are chemicals like phthalates that are known to disrupt hormone function in the body.
Quality & Purity
The quality, purity, and authenticity of essential oils should be of prime importance to anyone using them. The quality starts with a strong, healthy, and thriving plant in their natural habitat. The plants must be harvested at the correct time of year and even the correct time of day. The best extraction method differs depending on the plant. Afterward, the oils must be carefully stored—bottled in glass and protected from heat and light. Essential oils made with these methods will be higher in price, but far better in quality. Pure, undiluted oils can be kept for years if they are properly stored in a cool, dry place and kept tightly capped. Improper storing of oils can cause them to oxidize and go rancid.
Safety Considerations
Certain essential oils naturally contain phenols and ketones and can be hazardous if used incorrectly. Phenols are powerful antiseptics and bacteriocides and oils containing them should be used in small amounts for short periods of time. Some oils that have phenols are basil, clove, oregano and thyme.
Ketones, conversely, are cell-regenerative and break up congestion and fats. They may have safety considerations so should be used in small amounts and avoided during pregnancy. Some oils that contain ketones are sage, cedar leaf, peppermint and fennel.
Since quality oils naturally contain these powerful constituents, they should be kept out of the reach of children and away from the eyes. Likewise, they should be used with caution around pets, especially small ones.
Using Essential Oils
Essential oils are used in a variety of ways. You can disperse the aroma with a diffuser or inhale it directly from the bottle. They can be used in the bath or shower.
A few oils can be applied directly to the skin, but make sure you check a knowledgeable source before doing this. Essential oils are typically diluted in carrier oils such as grapeseed, jojoba, almond, apricot kernel, and coconut for use on the skin. The combination can then be used for a massage, chest or foot rub, or as a body oil. Many of the oils can also be used as perfume.
In addition to their beautiful, comforting scents, the oils also have therapeutic properties. Below are some common conditions and the oils that can be used for them:
Antivirals—Tea Tree, Thyme, Cinnamon, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus, Lemon, or Lavender.
Antibacterials—Oregano, Thyme, Eucalyptus, Clove Bud, or Cinnamon.
Stress Relief—Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender, Sandalwood, Rose, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Fir, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood Atlas, Rose Geranium, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, or Vetiver. Some great combo oils for stress are Stress Relief, Cultivate Bliss, Uplift, Meditation, and All Is Well.
Fatigue—Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Ginger, Tea Tree, Lemon, or Thyme.
Motivation—Rosemary, Clove, Tea Tree, or Thyme.
Mental Clarity/Concentration—Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemon, Eucalyptus Globulus, or Thyme.
To read Part 2 of this article on Flower Essences, click HERE.
