“There are many different oils that have a beneficial effect on your mind.”

Amy Leigh Mercree

What are essential oils?

An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. An essential oil is "essential" in the sense that it contains the "essence of" the plant's fragrance—the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived.] The term "essential" used here does not mean indispensable or usable by the human body, as with the terms essential amino acid or essential fatty acid, which are so called because they are nutritionally required by a given living organism.

Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam. Other processes include expression, solvent extraction, sfumatura, absolute oil extraction, resin tapping, wax embedding, and cold pressing. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and other products, for flavoring food and drink, and for adding scents to incense and household cleaning products. Essential Oils should not be confused with Perfume, Fragrance, etc. as the latter usually include pure chemical components whereas essential oils are derived from plants.

Essential oils are often used for aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine in which healing effects are ascribed to aromatic compounds. Aromatherapy may be useful to induce relaxation, but there is not sufficient evidence that essential oils can effectively treat any condition. Improper use of essential oils may cause harm including allergic reactions and skin irritation, and children may be particularly susceptible to the toxic effects,

Commonly Used (and fairly safe) Essential Oils

Peppermint: used to boost energy and aid digestion
Lavender: used to relieve stress
Sandalwood: used to calm nerves and help with focus
Bergamot: used to reduce stress and improve skin conditions like eczema
Rose: used to improve mood and reduce anxiety
Chamomile: used to improve mood and relaxation
Ylang-Ylang: used to treat headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
Tea Tree: used to fight infections and boost immunity
Jasmine: used to help with depression, childbirth, and libido
Lemon: used to aid digestion, mood, headaches, and more


History of Essential Oils

Aromatic plants, essences and oils have been used for ages in ceremony, religious observances, beauty care, food preparation and preservation, as incense, and for perfumes. Aromatic plants have also been the basis for herbal and botanical medicines and remedies for thousands of years. In fact, they’re the root of today’s pharmaceuticals.

Essential oils have been used in folk medicine throughout history. The earliest recorded mention of the techniques and methods used to produce essential oils is believed to be that of  Ibn al-Baitar, an Al-Andalusian (Muslim Spain) physician, pharmacist and chemist.

Interest in essential oils has revived in recent decades with the popularity of aromatherapy, a branch of alternative medicine that uses essential oils and other aromatic compounds. Oils are volatilized, diluted in a carrier oil and used in massage, diffused in the air by a nebulizer, heated over a candle flame, or burned as incense.

Medical applications proposed by those who sell medicinal oils range from skin treatments to remedies for cancer and often are based solely on historical accounts of use of essential oils for these purposes. Claims for the efficacy of medical treatments, and treatment of cancers in particular, are now subject to regulation in most countries.

 As soon as science has solved one problem, new ones arise.
This is the essence of science, and it applies, of course,
also to the field of essential oils.

Otto Wallach


Dangers of Essential Oils

Aromatherapy; the science of using essential oils to achieve balance and harmony in one’s mind, body and soul, is safe when used correctly,” Jean Liao, a certified aromatherapy health professional and aromatherapist cautions, “It becomes unsafe when essential oils are used incorrectly and inappropriately.”

The one thing to remember about aromatherapy, is that less is more. Essential oils are highly concentrated botanical extracts, so a little goes a long way, Some think that essential oils are natural so there’s no need to be cautious. This is simply not true. Dosage, application method, integrity of the skin, age of the client and quality of oil all play important roles in the oils’ effectiveness.”

Here’s what you need to know about using essential oils safely.

Are you using quality oils? Essential oils are big business. In fact, the global essential oil market is expected to reach $11.67 billion by 2022, according to a new report by Grand View Research. But not all essential oils are created equal.

“The biggest harm in using essential oils is using poor-quality oils,” Dr. Lindsey Elmore, a pharmacist and board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist, tells SheKnows. “Purity is of utmost importance when it comes to purchasing any natural product. Because the FDA doesn’t regulate the [essential oil] industry, it is so important to do your research and seek out a company with a good reputation that you can rely on.”

Elmore suggests looking for absolutely pure essential oils that have not been adulterated or diluted with solvents or extenders. “When you use poor-quality essential oils, they may contain additives, fillers or synthetics that are known to increase the risk of skin irritation,” she says.

According to Elmore, the small molecules of essential oils readily penetrate skin and get into the blood stream, which means every other contaminant inside the bottle does the same thing. “Essential oils are meant to be used in their whole form, and if they have been chemically altered in any way, they may not be as effective and can even pose harm,” she explains.

Do a patch test first! Liao warns that using essential oils incorrectly may result in dermal irritation, such as blotchy skin or redness, or even causing severe burning depending on the dosage applied. This is why it’s not only important to remember that less is more when it comes to essential oils, but to always conduct a patch test beforehand if you are planning to apply the essential oil directly on your skin.

To do this, place a small amount of the oil diluted in the carrier oil (which is typically almond, coconut, olive or jojoba oil) on the arm and wait 24 hours to see if there are any skin irritations. And even if you don’t experience any irritation, you should stick to lower doses at first. “It is best to start small when first using essential oils or trying an oil for the first time,” says Elmore. “Start out with a drop or two diluted in a carrier oil and work up to using more.” She adds, “Essential oils should never be applied directly inside the ears or eyes.”

Caution: You need be careful and avoid certain essential oils. Some oils, such as citrus oils, are phototoxic, which causes burning or skin pigmentation under UV ray exposure. It is suggested you should avoid UV ray exposure for at least 24 hours after application of phototoxic oils.


Plants and Herbs Links

Plants and Herbs
Incense
Essential Oils