Many ancient civilisations perfected the art, and it is an art, of extracting the essence of plants and distilling them. Maybe they cold pressed plants ages ago?? They used the oils for healthcare products, beauty treatments, religious ceremonies, food preparation and much more. Remember frankincense and myrrh? They must have employed ingenious methods in extracting oils and must have understood the nature of the plants and herbs they were using, especially as toxins are byproducts of some plants.
So, as you see, essential oils are not a discovery of modern generations. Nowadays, however, the extraction process has been fine-tuned to ensure a purer, more effective and concentrated oil allowing for a wide range of daily uses. The real beauty of natural essential oils is the absence of any synthetic chemicals to contaminate you or your home.
Essential oils come from the highly concentrated natural chemical components contained in the flowers, seeds, stems, gum, bark and roots of many plants. We are privileged to harvest these natural oils, including their scent, and to use them for our benefit—what a gift of nature.
Just like every plant has its unique flower or leaf structure, so do the essential oils they produce have their own natural makeup. Therefore, each oil will be effective in its individual way – helping you sleep, soothing skin irritability, as a relaxing foot massage or aiding digestion.
Some oils are energising, giving you back the spring in your step, and some are renewing – as if you had just got out of bed after a beautiful night’s sleep. Whatever your needs or concerns, there is an essential oil that will transform your life.
The distinctive aroma of a concentrated, unadulterated essential oil will fill up your senses when you open the bottle. What a perfect way to start using essential oils – there is absolutely nothing complicated or harmful in the process. Let us explain why and how.
Be proactive in selecting the correct oil to use for the concerns you are addressing. We have an exciting range of informative books available on our website which will guide you in making the right choices – an A-Z guide, oils for children, oils for your pets, oils that will help coping with anxiety, how to blend oils and plenty more. It goes without saying that you must follow labelling instructions on oil bottles, and if you have troubling concerns, consult your healthcare professional beforehand.
There are three different ways to apply essential oils.
AROMATIC
Your sense of smell has considerable powers to induce a variety of reactions – emotional, mental and physiological (the scent of vanilla, for instance, could immediately transport you back to being in the kitchen with your Mom, or a foul-smelling item of food would definitely stop you from eating it!!). Essential oils are immediately absorbed by our olfactory receptors, which are directly connected to the limbic system, the most ancient and primitive part of the brain, thought to be the seat of emotion. This is why the aromatic application of essential oils has such a stimulating effect.
A simple application method is by diffusion using either cold air or water. There are various types of diffusers available, and all are effective – take a look at the selection available on our Essentoils online shop. There is bound to be something that will be perfect for your needs, from an ultrasonic room diffuser to a beautiful locket necklace diffuser.
Other methods of application include
- Placing a few drops of essential oil in your cupped hand and breathing in deeply
- Trying some drops on household surface cleaners
- Applying oil to a cotton wool ball and placing it in the air vents of your car
- Mixing oils in a spray bottle with water and misting over carpets, furniture, or linen cupboard shelves
- Adding oil drops to a load of laundry or to dryer sheets, if you use a tumble dryer.
Essentoils make it very easy to use any of the above techniques by having the ideal accessory for the method of your choice. Whether you are in need of glass bottles, stickers, storage or stand options, Make and Take Kits or books which provide insight into how to get the most out of your essential oils -we are here to support you in integrating these powerful oils into your everyday life…We are also here to assist with your business needs, and do offer wholesaler discounts.
TOPICAL
Because essential oils can dissolve in the fatty tissue beneath our skin, they are easily absorbed through the skin and remain in the area for a localised benefit. For better and extended penetration into the affected tissue, a light massage will increase the blood flow to the site, improving distribution throughout the body.
Mixing with a carrier oil like Fractional Coconut, Jojoba, Sweet Almond or Witch Hazel (and others) will also help increase absorption, moisturise the skin and decrease evaporation. Diluting an essential oil with a carrier oil (1:3 drops) vastly reduces the likelihood of succumbing to any skin sensitivity, especially in young children.
Small doses (1 to 3 drops), repeated every 4 to 6 hours, are recommended. Obviously, this dosage depends very much on age, weight and health. You can apply essential oils topically to your neck, forehead, temples, chest, abdomen, arms, legs and underneath your feet.
There are other effective methods of topical application. Add a few drops of oil to a warm bath; make a hot or cold compress by soaking a cloth in water, adding essential oils, and then applying to the desired area or adding oil to a lotion and then using on the skin.
Avoid applying oils to sensitive areas such as the skin around the eyes, eyes, inner ears, or injured skin.
There is a wonderful range of dropper bottles available on our website, making the job of dispensing the correct dose of oil for the purpose straightforward. It is also helpful to dilute essential oils into small bottles to avoid bothering with this process each time you use the oils. Our range of amber, blue and coloured glass bottles come in various shapes and sizes so that you can choose which meets your needs best.
INTERNAL USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are easily transported to all organs of the body, including the brain, when taken orally, as they directly enter the bloodstream. Be careful to adhere to label recommendations and other professional guidelines for dosage when using essential oils internally.
The most effective internal application method is to add essential oils to water, smoothies, milk, tea, or other drinks. You can put a drop under your tongue or take in a veggie capsule – veggie capsules are available from our online shop and are easy to fill using one of Essentoils filling stands. Otherwise, add your drops to a small amount of applesauce or yoghurt.
One of the exciting uses of essential oils is replacing fresh or dried herbs and spices in your favourite recipes. Essential oils are much more potent than dried or fresh herbs and spices, so start with a minimal amount. Visit our blog to find delicious recipes using essential oils.
These are by no means the only ways to use essential oils, and you can research or devise your own aromatic, topical, or internal application methods.
We are delighted to be able to introduce you to the world of essential oils. Make them a part of your daily wellness routine. Essentoils is here to help and guide you through the process of transforming your life through the safe use of essential oils with our extensive range of essential oil accessories.
Disclaimer:
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for seeking qualified medical care from a doctor. Please consult your doctor before replacing any medications with essential oils. Do not ingest essential oils unless they are stated as safe to ingest by the manufacturer.