Using Essential Oils

photo courtesy: essentialoilshoppe.com

Using Essential Oils

Over the past few decades, the use of essential oils in the home has grown dramatically. The delightful fragrances are welcome addition to all sorts of home-made items ranging from beauty products and aromatherapy to cleaners and deodorizers. As more people discover the how versatile the oils are, they are giving up synthetic, manufactured products in favor or more natural, homemade ones. But are essential oils really more natural?

Thanks to a lack of industry standards, confusion over the quality and even the very content of essential oils has become rampant. Terms like “Pharmaceutical Grade” and “Therapeutic Grade” only add to the confusion. Even worse, is the fact that companies are allowed to use terms like “all-natural” and “Pure” even if the product is completely synthetic as long as the word “ingredients” doesn't follow the term. So you can find essential oils whose labels say 100% pure Pharmaceutical Grade and the oil may in fact be totally synthetic.

So how does one find natural, quality essential oils? When choosing essential oils, there are a few things you want to look at. First you want to see how the oils are manufactured. Steam distillation is the most natural way of manufacturing essential oils. It uses steam to extract the oils from the plant material. The next method is what's called “cold press”. In this method, the oils are essentially “pressed” or squeezed out of the plant material. Citrus and Olive oils are typically cold-pressed. Both steam distilled and cold-pressed oils are made naturally. Some oils cannot be manufactured this way due to their content. Those oils are extracted via solvents such as benzene. These oils are best suited for perfumes and use in candles, potpourris and cleaners as the solvents can be irritating to the skin and in some cases, even toxic.

The next thing you want to look at when choosing essential oils, is whether or not the oil contains dilutants, carrier oils or other additives such as preservatives. Many companies dilute their essential oils with what's called a “carrier” oil. Carrier oils are cheaper oils such as Jojoba, coconut or olive oils that blend well with the essential oils but still allow them to carry their scent. Some carrier oils, such as olive oil, will reduce the shelf life of the essential oil, so if you're looking to keep the oil around for a long time, it's best to use oils that are not diluted in any way. Additionally, some additives may be toxic and should be avoided if possible. The best way to really know what's in an essential oil or any product for that matter, is to read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on that product. That way, you'll be able to see exactly what's in the product as well as any risks involved in its use. A quick test you can do if you don't have time to read through an MSDS to see if an oil has been diluted, is to place a drop or two on a piece of construction paper or paper napkin. A pure essential oil will evaporate quickly, while oils that have been diluted will leave a ring where the drop was placed. NOTE: this test will not work on oils made from resins or absolutes.

Once you find the oils you are looking for, there are a few guidelines you should follow in their use.

1. Essential oils are highly concentrated. That being said, they can irritate the skin and eyes. Always use caution when using essential oils in beauty/health care. Like anything else, essential oils can cause allergic reactions in people, so it's best to test the oil on a small spot in the inside of your arm before using it.
2. Essential oils may be flammable so use with caution around open flames and other heat sources.
3. Oils that contain solvents, such as tea tree oil should never be disposed of down the drain. Instead, fill the container with cat litter or sand and discard in the trash. Large spills must be treated as a hazardous waste spill.
4. Never use essential oils on babies and children or while you are pregnant or nursing
5. Remember that if you are allergic to the plant or food, you are also allergic to the oil.
6. Never take essential oils internally. Essential oils are for topical use only. Some oils such as clary sage, can cause drowsiness when used in aromatherapy. Use caution driving or operating heavy machinery after using it. In fact, you should give yourself at least an hour before you have to get on with your day.
7. Essential oils should NEVER be used for emergency medical care. Essential oils WILL NOT treat snake bites, sever allergic reactions of any kind, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding or any life-threatening medical emergency . If you or someone you know experience any of these, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.
8. In case of accidental ingestion, call the poison control hotline or go to your nearest emergency room. Poison control number in the US is 1-800-222-1222.
9. Poison control for pets: 1-888-426-4435 Please note that the ASPCA may charge a fee for this service.
10. . There are other numbers that will charge a fee for service, but this one is supposedly free.

Now that we know how to use them, let's take a look at some essential oils and their uses.

Bergamot – is antiseptic, antiviral and antimicrobial. Great for household cleaners

Cinnamon – great for candles, potpourris and room deodorizers. NOT recommended for use on the skin as it is highly irritating.

Clary Sage – soothing scent. Widely used in massage oils and aromatherapy.

Eucalyptus – Mixed with boiling water to clear sinus passages Also good when combined with Camphor.

Frankincense – used for thousands of years in perfumes and incense blends.

Ginger – strong, invigorating scent. Combined with Rosemary in a cream to prevent wrinkles and smooth the skin.

Hyssop – mildly antiviral, it is most often used in combination with either orange or lemon as a mood lifter to treat depression.

Jasmine – beautiful, floral scent. Used in soaps, perfumes and beauty products. Excellent when combined with Gardenia.

Lemon – antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial and antidepressant. Best all-around oil to have in the home. Used in combination with Orange or Hyssop to treat depression. Combine with olive oil to use as a furniture polish and with salt water or Bergamot as a cleaner.

Patchouli – warm, earthy scent. Used in perfumes, soaps, incense blends and room deodorizers.

Rosemary – great as a beauty aid and for treating hair, especially hair that is dark in color.

Tea Tree – anti-fungal. Used to treat fungal infections such as tinnia versicolor. Also combined with citronella oil to repel mosquitoes and ticks.

Essential oils are a great alternative to cleaning and beauty/health products for the home. As with anything, it's always good to do your homework before buying or using a product.

Until next time,

Be Well!