Essential oils. We have all heard of them. But what do you do with them?? Are they just something New Agey Hippie people use? Are they good for anything other than accosting/delighting the olfactory senses? Today, let’s examine these essential oils and find out what purposes they might serve.

We have all seen the tiny little dark bottles labeled, “essential oils”. But exactly what are they? Essential oils are made by extracting liquid from a plant, usually by distillation. They contain essence from the plant it was derived from and are highly concentrated. Very few essential oils can actually be safely administered directly on the skin. And absolutely NO essential oil should ever be ingested! Most of them need something called a carrier oil to be mixed with before applying. Carrier oils are generally vegetable oils like grape seed, hemp seed, or almond oils. Once mixed together, essential oils can placed on the skin. Because the carrier oil can go rancid, keep them in a cool dry location. Storing them in dark colored bottles is also beneficial.

Now that we know what essentials oils are, how do we use them? There are actually a number of uses for essential oils. The first one I will discuss is, Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is another alternative therapy. The practice utilizes essential oils for things like pain relief or mood enhancements, by either inhalation or topical use. Each essential oil is believed to have its own unique healing properties. For example, lavender oil is supposed to be very calming and soothing. Placing a few drops in an oil diffuser after a stressful day might help calm the mind and bring about some relaxation. Tea tree oil is said to have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Eucalyptus is said to assist in dealing with asthma or treating congestion. There are many many oils out there. If you plan to use them, be sure you are getting quality essential oils and quality carrier oils. Research thoroughly before administering.

Some oils are not safe for children under 10 and some are not safe for children under 6. Very very few are safe for toddlers.

Fact check first! Make sure the oils are safe for inhalation or topical use. Experiment with different scents to see what (if any) benefits you receive from them.

Room spray is another great use for essential oils. We all love a terrific smelling house (especially those of us with pets….). But those canned room sprays are filled with all kinds of things. A safer alternative is using essential oils. After purchasing a spray bottle, fill it with vodka or another mild smelling alcohol, and several drops of essential oils. Spray lightly over the areas you would like to freshen up and voila! a fresh smelling room/couch/chair, etc.

Now it is time to talk about my very favorite use for essential oils; as household cleaners! My children and I suffer from allergies. Two of us suffer from asthma. Commercial chemical cleaners can often trigger our asthma. A solution (lol, get it?? Solution? ) to this was to create our own cleaners. But since the kids have been known to bring home awesome things like pink eye germies, I wanted an effective cleaner. After some research, I found the essential oils I wanted to use. I use a concoction of vinegar and essential oils. Not only is it an effective cleaner, it helps get rid of the yuck, and it doesn’t trigger allergy or asthma issues. Do your own research. Find which oils are the best antibacterial/antimicrobial. There is actually a bottle of essential oil sold that is a combination of several oils, its sole purpose being to kill germs. I use that in my cleaner when winter time flu hits the area. I also fill a smaller spray bottle with vodka and the germ fighting essential oil to use as a natural, less harsh, hand sanitizer.

However you spray it, sniff it, or rub it in, essential oils can be another wonderful alternative therapy. You should always research or even speak to someone certified in essential oils, before using them. Safety first! 🙂

Enjoy!
Posted by Stepping Stones Holistic Health at 7:47 PM