Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Way before there were multilevel marketing companies selling essential oils by the pound, there were wise healers accessing the benefits of essential oils by making poultices, salves, and medicinal teas from the raw plants. In fact, plant medicine was the only medicine for thousands of years until the pharmaceutical industry began to provide other options. Now, as the pendulum swings from the prescription pad back toward the power of plants, it’s a great time to make sure you understand what essential oils are, how they’re made, and how to use them safely and effectively.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants.
The oils capture the plant's scent and flavor, or "essence."
Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence.
Essential oils are obtained through distillation (via steam and/or water) or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing.
Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with a carrier oil to create a product that's ready for use.
The way the oils are made is important, as essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.
SUMMARY:
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor, or "essence," of their source.
How do essential oils work?
Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy, in which they are inhaled through various methods.
Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed.
The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways.
When applied to your skin, some plant chemicals are absorbed.
It's thought that certain application methods can improve absorption, such as applying with heat or to different areas of the body. However, research in this area is lacking.
Inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which is a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long-term memory.
Interestingly, the limbic system is heavily involved in forming memories. This can partly explain why familiar smells can trigger memories or emotions.
The limbic system also plays a role in controlling several unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. As such, some people claim that essential oils can exert a physical effect on your body.
However, this has yet to be confirmed in studies.
SUMMARY:
Essential oils can be inhaled or diluted and applied to the skin. They may stimulate your sense of smell or have medicinal effects when absorbed.
How to Use Essential Oils.
Essential oils have been used for centuries in aromatherapy, perfumery, medicine, and skin care. There are a lot of recent health claims out there about essential oils, especially as they become more available in the mainstream marketplace. While there’s still much research to be done on the healing potential of essential oils, it’s clear that they are powerful, and need to be used with caution. Here are a few easy, effective ways to use essential oils in your daily life:
1. Inhalation and diffusion.
Inhalation is one of the easiest ways to use essential oils in your home. You can use a diffuser, sprinkle oils on the shower floor as you bathe, or drop them into a tissue and inhale them. There’s mounting evidence to show that certain inhaled essential oils can help with conditions like migraines and anxiety.
2. Topical application.
Most essential oils are too acidic to be applied undiluted, directly to the skin, with a few exceptions. One exception is lavender essential oil. There is evidence to support the use of lavender essential oil as an analgesic (pain reliever), anti-inflammatory, and topical antibiotic, making it very handy to keep around for burns and bug bites.
Essential oils can also be applied to the skin in the form of skin care products. Of course, not all oils are appropriate for skin care, and the concentration is important, so make sure you’re buying from a company with an educated formulator.
3. Household cleaning products.
Some essential oils, like lavender, cinnamon, geranium, and thyme, have powerful antibacterial properties, making them excellent choices for DIY home cleaning products. Plus, you’ll reap the emotional benefits of inhaling these beautiful scents!
Want to start using essential oils? Here are the best ones for combatting stress and anxiety.