What Are Essential Oils and How Can They Change Your Life?

Essential oils have been around for centuries, used all around the world in many different countries and cultures. Within the last century, the use of these essential oils and many herbal medicines have diminished and been forgotten with the introduction of Penicillin and the building of today's western medicine.

However, with dramatic side effects, allergic reactions, dangerous prescription errors, and rising medical costs; the use of herbal medicines and essential oils in these modern days is making its comeback.

Many people are familiar with herbal, or "home" remedies. But, many people haven't heard about essential oils, or have heard of them, but have no clue what they are and what they do.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in parts of plants, such as: leaves, bark, flowers, roots, seeds, berries, or shells. These oils are located in microscopic sacs all over the plant to protect it from disease and impurities. The aroma of the oils also attracts certain insects and creatures that will help with pollination, and repels others that are harmful to the plant.

A neat thing to try at home: Peel a ripe orange, then squeeze the peel with your hands. The fragrant residue on your hands is full of essential oils.

The photograph on the left is a peppermint plant. The photograph on the right is a microscopic close up of the peppermint plant and its essential oil sacs. 

How Do Essential Oils Help My Health?

Essential oils help the plants fight off diseases and impurities, and since the human body has similar chemistry as plants, the oils can work with our bodies to kill off  harmful bacteria, viruses, and any other impurities that do not belong in us. They also have great effect on improving emotional wellness through aromatic, topical, and/or internal use.There is so much information and research on essential oils that I can't even include a portion of it in this article. www.aromaticscience.com is an amazing website to go to that has a lot of information from researchers and medical professionals about essential oils and how they work.

How Can I Use Essential Oils?

There are three ways to use essential oils: (Note: Before using ANY brand of essential oils, confirm with the brand that the oil is safe to use aromatically, topically, or internally.)

Aromatically:

The stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes are influenced by our sense of smell. Essential oils are often used with Aromatherapy. When diffused in the air, some oils can be very stimulating, while others are soothing and calming. Other than emotional benefits, diffusing essential oils can purify the air of bad odors and some airborne pathogens.

The most popular way of using essential oils aromatically, is with a diffuser. Be sure the diffuser you use is low or no-heat, as they will not change the chemical structure of the oil being diffused. Another way of using the oils aromatically, is to make homemade laundry and surface cleaners to use throughout the home.

 

Topically:

Essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin. Due to their natural molecular composition, essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin and can be safely applied topically. Application of essential oils can have immediate, localized benefit to the target area of application. They have restorative and calming properties and can be used effectively with massage and beauty therapy. They are also natural disinfectants. The chemical structure of essential oils also allows them to be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin for internal benefit throughout the body.

When using essential oils topically, the oils can be applied in two ways: neat or diluted. Neat means applying the oil directly on the skin. Diluted means adding another oil (such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil) with the essential oil when applying on the skin. You will want to dilute if the essential oil will be used on infants, children, people with sensitive skin, or "hot" oils.

When applying the oils, be sure to massage the oil(s) in for about 20-30 seconds, or more. When the oil is massaged into the skin, the bloodstream is able to absorb 80% more of the oils, making the effects of the oils more efficient.

Internally:

Note: Many essential oils are generally regarded as being safe for dietary use, but some oils should not be taken internally. Do not use any essential oil product internally that does not have the appropriate dietary supplement facts on its label. 

Essential oils can be used as a dietary supplement to support health and wellness. Some essential oils can have powerful antioxidant properties, while others help support healthy responses in cells.

There are several ways to take essential oils internally.

Gel/Veggie Capsules: If you don't like the taste of the oils, or if the oil is too hot for your mouth, you can take the oils in an empty gelatin or veggie capsule and wash it down with water. Empty capsules can be found in many health food stores or online.

Shots: A quick and very effective way to take the oils internally is to make a "shot". Using a small shot glass place a few drops of the desired  oil(s) and a small amount of water and drink it down. Be sure to fill the glass up with water and drink one more time to get the extra oils that may be left in the glass.

Under the Tongue: Applying a few drops of essential oils under the tongue is one of the fastest way to send the oils directly to the bloodstream, therefore making the effects happen faster. However, the taste can often be very powerful, so be sure you have a glass of water on hand to wash it down.

If you want more information, or have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at journeytopersonalfreedom@gmail.com