The practice of using essential oils has been around for thousands of years with its first documented use for beauty, culinary and spiritual purposes recorded in Egypt around 3000 B.C. Since ancient times, they have continued to be used for a variety of purposes and have recently garnered significant popularity and attention. Their function has become a topic of both conversation and debate in recent years and prompted many questions. What are essential oils? How do you use them? Do they actually work? Continue reading to learn more about the dos and don’ts of incorporating essential oils into your daily life.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are created through a process of concentrating plant extracts. According to an article from Health Essentials, it takes an immense amount of plant material to create a small amount of essential oil. For example, one pound of lavender essential oil requires upwards of 250 pounds of lavender flower to make. As these oils are so concentrated, experts recommend using them carefully.
How can I use them?
There are a wide variety of ways that people have traditionally used essential oils, not all of which are recommended by health professionals. While ingesting essential oils is widely considered to be risky, safe uses include using essential oil diffusers, other aromatherapy accessories like keychains, necklaces or bracelets, body oils or aroma sticks.
Depending on the type of oil you are working with, it’s important to look up how much to use and how to apply it. In the case of body oils, most essential oils should be mixed with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil so they are safe to put on your skin. You should always consult with a doctor or other health professional if you are prone to plant-related allergies or have other health concerns before using essential oils.
Which oils should I use?
Essential oils can be made from a vast array of plant materials, so luckily there are a lot of options to choose from. Popular oils include lavender which some studies have shown to alleviate stress and improve sleep and relaxation, peppermint which is known to reduce tension headache pain and tea tree oil which is popular due to its antiseptic properties. No matter what oil you choose to use, make sure you do your research beforehand to avoid using it incorrectly.
Like most health and beauty products, it’s also important to note that not all essential oils are made equally. According to an article from John Hopkins Medicine, it’s important to make sure to check the quality of the products you are buying to ensure you are receiving pure, safe oils. Below are a few recommendations experts suggest when choosing what oil to purchase.
- Check the label: The creation and distribution of essential oils is largely unregulated, so it’s important to check the label for relevant info that will tell you what is actually in the product you are buying. As a general rule, check the label for the Latin name of the plant, information on purity or other ingredients added to it, the country in which the plant was grown or other information.
- Look for dark bottles: Essential oils are so concentrated they can often erode or dissolve plastic bottles or containers over time. Due to this, companies who sell high-quality, pure oils package their products in dark blue or brown glass bottles. So, if you’re looking to buy an oil and see that it comes in a clear or plastic bottle, it’s better to stay clear.
