What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the immune system of a plant. Plants need certain properties to survive in the ecosystem, including the ability to withstand all environmental threats and the regenerative properties to restore health when a leaf is torn, a branch is broken, or bark is stripped.
Those properties can be obtained when we steam distill plant material, or in some cases compress the plant. When we distill or compress (as in the case of rinds of citrus fruit), we get the liquid form of this immune system and we can put it in a bottle. Plants are carbon; we are carbon based beings, and our bodies can recognize and utilize those properties of essential oils.
Most of our modern solutions are based on the properties of plants, and some actually contain plant material or essential oil at their root. Other modern health solutions are synthetic versions of the plant. Peppermint is a smooth muscle relaxer and aids in digestion. There is a reason you will find peppermints on the counter of restaurants as you exit! When you are able to use the plant without any additives — shelf stabilizers, dye, alcohol, etc., you get a highly potent, highly effective oil with the properties you need at the time you use it.
How Can Essential Oils Be Used?
There are 3 ways to use essential oils. These are general recommendations and you should discuss the particulars of your health and family with your own medical provider or a certified aromatherapist if you have questions or concerns about essential oil use.
Aromatic
You can open up a bottle, inhale deeply, and this is aromatic use. This is a very effective way to obtain the effects of an essential oil. You can also add a drop to a cotton ball or cloth and carry it around with you or put it under your pillow. You can put a few drops in a diffuser which disperses the oils throughout the room you’re in. These are all aromatic uses.
Two precautions to keep in mind: when diffusing oils around cats, leave the door to the room open so they can leave if they choose. Cats are more sensitive than dogs, and may not want to be in the area. Second, do not diffuse near the faces of infants. They are more sensitive than older children and adults. A safer place to diffuse is across the room from an infant or young child.
Topical
Essential oils can be used on the skin. When making this choice, a good quality carrier oil is necessary to dilute the essential oil. A carrier oil is any vegetable based oil, typically oils that you’d use in cooking: olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil to name a few. Since EOs are so potent, dilution will help spread the effectiveness over a larger portion of skin, slow evaporation, and prevent your skin from becoming sensitive to these potent plant medicines.
Carrier oils also make your oils last longer, saving you money which is always a good thing! Since our skin absorbs most of what is on it, you can also use EOs topically that you want to circulate inside your body. For example, in times of digestive distress, you can add (diluted) essential oils that help with digestive support right over your abdomen. They will be absorbed and get where they need to go. Also some subscribe to reflexology where points on our hands, feet, and ears correspond with major body system and organs. You can apply essential oils to those areas to affect various organs if you choose. Essential oils can also be added to a bath. Use an emulsifier, like a cup of Epsom Salts or any sort of milk. Drop the oil into the salts or milk first, then add to the bath. Precaution: If you get any essential oil in your eye, or another sensitive region, avoid your first instinct which will be to run for soap and water and splash that area. Water and oils repel each other, and the water will drive the oil deeper into the affected area. Instead, grab that carrier oil and put it all over the eye/area, and that will dilute and tone down the burning sensation.
You can use that same precaution to your advantage if you have a deep muscle soreness or tissue discomfort and you want the oil effects to go deep. Put the (diluted) oil on your skin, then a warm wet washcloth over it and that will drive it in.
Internal
Essential oils can be used internally. The safety and effectiveness of this method depends on how you choose to use them. A pure essential oil can be added to a food with an emulsifier like milk, butter, or a carrier oil. One example would be a drop of lime essential oil into an olive oil based salad dressing. Dilution is again key. Essential oils can be added to baked or cooked foods as well, but therapeutic properties will likely be lost if the foods are cooked to a high temperature.
Diluted essential oils can also be applied to the inside of the mouth, vagina, or rectum of ADULTS with guidance from a medical professional or certified aromatherapist, and the application should be well researched as this can also result in a powerful response in a sensitive region.
Ingestion of pure essential oils without dilution is not recommended. Ingestion should be discussed with a medical provider or a licensed aromatherapist.
Safety
Essential oils should be kept out of reach of children.
Essential oils should be diluted when used topically.
Essential oils should be used with caution on or near pets and children, as they are very potent and pets and children are more sensitive than adults.
Diffusing essential oils is the safest way to utilize oils in your home.
How do I know which oils to use for what?
There are many resources for researching which oils to try for various issues. There are many excellent books on essential oils and aromatherapy. There are active Facebook groups, and the internet in general has a lot of info on the personal experiences of bloggers, professionals, parents, coaches, etc. Each essential oil is versatile and most have MANY uses.
This website will share the various uses of many essential oils. Check back in for your favorites, and to read about helpful tips and uses that you may not have yet discovered.
How and where do I get essential oils?
We recommend that you know your oils. Know their source, know their purity, and be comfortable with your choice. We use a highly reputable, high quality essential oil brand and would love to share more information on that with you via email, phone, or an in person conversation. You will not regret incorporating essential oils into your personal and family wellness!
Email us at Holistic Essentials to find out what we use, how, and how you can bring them into your home.