Most of us have heard of Essential Oils. Many of us have probably used them at some point. But I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not that familiar with them. But thankfully, I have the resources to research them and learn more. And lucky for all of you, I can hopefully share some new tidbits of information with you. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and/or flavor of their source.
It’s important to know how your essential oils are made, if you do it yourself, you know exactly what plants you are using, and how you process them. Most of us do not have that option. You want to be sure you are working with a provider that isn’t using chemical processes to obtain the oils, as these are not true essential oils.
The most commonly used practice with essential oils is with Aromatherapy, in which the oils are inhaled in a variety of ways. Essential oils should never be ingested, and some should not be used on the skin, please follow your aromatherapists advice on how to apply and use your essential oils.
There are over 90 commonly used essential oils, each with certain health claims. Your body can benefit with different oils for things ranging from stress, anxiety, headaches, and depression. There is some claims to the benefits of essential oils, however more research is needed and ongoing. You can use essential oils for your home as well. The overall scent in your home, laundry applications, cosmetics and mosquito repellants.
Essential Oils are an unregulated industry, so that means you need to do your homework before purchasing oils. Use a reputable source, get recommendations from people you trust. The success of essential oils, depends on your body and how it responds to them. Some people claim essential oils have helped them cure migraines, heal rashes, and assisted with other ailments.
When looking at brands or sources for your essential oils it’s important that you remember to check on the Purity, Quality, and Reputation before purchasing.
- Purity: Find an oil, that contains only aromatic plant compounds without additives or synthetic oils. Pure oils will usually list the plant’s botanical name rather than terms like “essential oil of plant” If you need clarification, the seller should be able to explain it completely to you, if not, perhaps find another vendor.
- Quality: True essential oils are ones the least changed by the extraction process. Choose a chemical free essential oil, that has been extracted through distillation or cold pressing. If unsure, ask the seller, if they can’t tell you, then purchase from another source.
- Reputation: Purchase a brand with a good reputation for producing high quality products. Don’t be afraid to ask around, you need to do the research for yourself.
Overall essential oils are considered safe to inhale or apply to your skin if they are combined with a base oil. They should not be ingested. As with all health applications, please consult your doctor or health care professional when adding remedies to your life. Do not change orders or medications from your doctor without speaking with them first.
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Amateur Connoisseur 