A ROOT Awakening: The Essentials of Essential Oils: Tips, Tricks and Treats
Essential oils have been used throughout the world as one of nature’s more powerful tools to support our bodies’ healing systems. Even before there were expensive high-end oil diffusers, or the fun HSN segments to sell them, people were stocking up on their oils for relief from pain and discomfort. But contrary to popular belief, the benefits of essential oils extend far beyond just aromatherapy. Essential oils can be used for daily household use like cleaning and cooking as well has personal use like skin care. Whether it’s simply an individual oil like “lemon” or a blend of propriety oils like doTerra’s “breathe” (a combination that includes eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, and cardamom), incorporating oils is a great way to boost your physical and emotional wellness.
About a year ago, a fellow yogi and dear friend introduced me to doTerra essential oils. I must admit that I felt like I already knew everything about oils. Like many yogis, I liked to rub a little lavender or chamomile on my hands for a comforting practice; eucalyptus for cleansing. But after reading case studies and books, and of course buying all sorts of oils and blends, I began to truly understand and experience how these natural solutions worked.
At the time, I was on the battlefield with adult acne and was tired of applying medical cream after medical cream on my face and seeing nothing but more acne! From all of my research, I learned that oils like frankincense and myrrh (yup, the ones from the Bible) carried anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, and melaleuca (otherwise known as tea tree oil) had anti-bacterial properties, I was off like a mad scientist making blends.
I began slowly by using oils (always diluted with a carrier oil) on my skin each night and within weeks saw results! That escalated into adding ginger oil to my morning smoothies for a digestive boost and shortly thereafter sleeping with various oils in my diffuser to promote relaxation and soothe nighttime allergies. I was (am) hooked! And it’s not because it’s a hot trend but because I’ve seen them heal my skin, ease my gut and keep me from catching that last nasty cold that went around.
It was only a matter of time before I started sharing oils and their benefits with my private clients and in group classes. I quickly learned that most people, like (the former) me, would buy any oils from wherever and put them in or on whatever with no rhyme or reason. Education about oils and the power of their use was missing in my community and frankly is still missing in most communities. As general interest in integrative medicine has risen, the popularity of essential oils has risen too. It seems like you can’t go to a spa, yoga studio or althleisure store without seeing an oil diffuser steaming away at the front desk.
So, for wherever you are on your oil journey – beginner, intermediate, or a convert like me – here are a few important things to consider when brining oils into your home and daily life.
#1. Quality Matters:
Just like you read the nutrition facts on the food you buy to ensure natural, chemical free ingredients and quality, the same thing goes for oils. If the field which the plant is growing on is sprayed with toxic chemicals or if chemicals are added into the soil, it will absolutely effect on the oil that comes from that plant. The use of toxins effect the purity and potency of the oil. Much like our food, regulation of oil quality is limited and standards are low. Many suppliers are self-regulated which can make things tricky for us consumers. Be sure to read the labels and look for the following:
- Watch out for words such as “fragrance oil,” “nature identical oil,” or “perfume oil.” These words indicate that what you see is not a pure oil.
- Just because a supplier promotes their oils as being “therapeutic grade” or “aromatherapy grade”, doesn’t mean it is. Remember, there is no governmental regulating body that grades or certifies essential oils. So, choose your supplier wisely.
- Keep in mind, quality oils are sold in sizes of 4 oz. or smaller and are stored in dark colored glass. Be cautious of vendors that sell oils at these sizes in plastic or clear glass containers. If you order oils online and they shipped in plastic or clear glass, be sure to transfer the oils immediately to dark colored glass bottles. This preserves the oil.
#2. Usage (the fun part!):
Oils can be used in so many ways and we don’t have the time to list them all but we will talk about a few of the most popular uses.
- Direct Inhalation and Diffusing: The easiest way to aromatically use oils is to literally open the bottle and take a whiff! You can also place a small drop in the palm of your hand, rub them together, and then cup the hands around the nose and breathe it in. Diffusing essential oils requires the use of diffuser which you can easily purchase online or through your essential oils supplier. Using a diffuser evaporates the oils into the air and can be beneficial for killing airborne pathogens, stimulating or relaxing the mind, and of course changing the aroma of a space. I personally find that diffusing oils is one of the most effective uses to impact respiratory conditions like asthma or snoring.
- Topical: As mentioned, oils are safe to use topically. Now, I use oils to help with acne/blemishes and skin repair. However, you can also use oils to help with joint pain, muscle aches, bug bites, scars, etc. When using oils topically, I ALWAYS recommended diluting the oil with a fatty carrier oil like coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, or avocado oil. Remember, every drop of high quality essential oils contains a variety of potent compounds to deliver its powerful effects. That means that applying oils directly onto the skin for topical use can cause irritation and/or (depending on the oil) can cause the skin to be sensitive to light.
- Internal: The million-dollar question – are oils safe to ingest? The answer is yes! In fact, I don’t leave home without adding a few drops of lemon oil into my water to help alkalize my blood and energize my body. Oils can be taken internally for therapeutic effects or used to flavor food. Again, these oils are packed with potency. A small amount of oil is all that’s needed when using them internally. Because essential oils are fat soluble, they are ready to be delivered to all your vital organs including your brain! Internal use methods include placing 1-2 drops under your tongue, swallowing a veggie cap, or placing a few drops directly in drinks or food.
#3. Safety Tips:
Oils come from plants and (ideally) these are in pure form, so what could go wrong? Well, let’s not forget that just because something is natural does not mean it isn’t powerful and can have harmful effects if used improperly. With essential oils, it only takes a small amount to receive the benefits and it’s important to be aware of the previously mentioned do’s as well as a few don’ts.
- Never apply oils directly to the eyes or ear canals. If an oil gets into your eye use a drop of your carrier oil (not water, because water and oil don’t mix) to help with dilution.
- Start slowly when using oils for topical or internal use. This will give you the opportunity to observe how you react to an oil or supplement and determine what dosage is safe. For topical use, I suggest spot testing on a small area first to see how your skin reacts. For internal use, recommended dosages are listed on all supplements, but everybody is different. Note that some recommendations may be too strong for an individual.
- Always use a carrier oil when applying topically (especially for those with sensitive skin or compromised systems).
- If you have a critical health condition or are working with someone who does, the user should always consult a healthcare practitioner before using the oils.
- As with anything, it is always encouraged to do your own research prior to use.
If you are interested in learning more about how to start adding oils into your life and what oils you need to meet your holistic goals, contact me for a free 15-minute consultation. I’m also working on an essential oil webinar to share my recipes and techniques. Who’s in?
My Essential Morning Smoothie (adapted from doTerra):
- 1 heaping cup fresh spinach (or leafy green of choice)
- 1 heaping cup diced fresh or frozen pears or apples (cut fresh fruit and freeze for 1 hour)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 cup unsweetened almond or flax milk
- 1 -2 drops of Ginger essential oil
- 1 drop Lemon essential oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon raw honey or a few drop of stevia (to sweeten if desired.)
Reference:
2015, The Essential Life 2nd Edition, Total Wellness Publishing LLC
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