A User's Guide to Essential Oils
Essential oils, the concentrated oils of plant leaves, flowers, seeds, barks, roots and the rinds of some fruits, have been part of our culture for thousands of years. Since ancient civilizations, people have enjoyed use of these botanical distillates for everything from cooking and colognes to insect repellants and aromatherapy.
Aromas affect us in powerful ways, and essential oils offer tremendous therapeutic properties which are capable of promoting emotional and physical well-being.
Essential oils should be used sparingly because they are 100 percent pure and extremely potent. Per quart, essential oils contain the equivalent of 50 pounds to several tons of plant material. And a word of caution: Not all essential oils are safe for consumption. In fact, some may be harmful or fatal if taken internally. Before using essential oils for cooking purposes, check to be sure the oil is suitable for ingestion. (Oils determined not safe for internal use include balsam peru, camphor, cedarwood, cypress, fir needle, frankincense, myrrh, patchouli, pennyroyal, vetiver and wintergreen.
Essential oils are best known for use in massage oils, bath products, hair and body care products, candles, potpourri and aromatherapy. Aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of scent, has triggered the majority of recent attention, serving as the subject of numerous medical and clinical studies on the effects essential oils have on mood, hormones, appetite and stress levels. Consumers can buy individual oils -- everything from anise to ylang ylang -- or blends of oils with properties combined to produce a desired effect.
If you're just learning about the many benefits and uses of essential oils and aromatherapy, how do you go about selecting which oils to use? Michael Scholes, president of Aroma Therapy Seminars, recommends:
- Lavendar, tangerine and/or marjoram for stress reduction.
- Peppermint, basil and/or lemon for fatigue.
- Rosemary for mental stimulation.
- Jasmine, ylang ylang, sandalwood, orange and/or nutmeg for romantic moods.
When choosing essential oils, be certain you're buying pure botanical oils rather than a synthetic, diluted or reconstituted product. These substitutions may smell wonderful and cost less, but they won't offer the true therapeutic benefits of a true essential oil. Keep in mind that a pure essential oil is very strong and can be irritating if applied directly to the skin. Most essential oils are mixed into a carrier oil or other product.