The Science Behind Essential Oils
When you hear the word “volatile,” you may think it holds a negative connotation; however, in the case of essential oils, volatility refers to a substance’s ability to change its state quickly. The chemical makeup of volatile aromatic compounds in essential oils allow them to disperse quickly through the air. This is why you can recognise the aroma of an essential oil from the moment you open the bottle—even from a distance.
How do Essential Oils Work?
As volatile aromatic compounds move quickly through the air, you will experience the scent almost instantly. With over 3,000 types of volatile aromatic compounds discovered so far, it is important to note that these compounds greatly determine the benefit, aroma and nature of each essential oil. Because of unique chemical makeup, each essential oil will vary from species to species, and even from plant to plant. The delicate ratio of aromatic constituents found in any given essential oil are what make it unique and give it specific benefits.
Essential Oil Use Throughout History
Essential Oils are Not a New Trend
While some view essential oils as a new trend, the use of plant extracts and plant-based products is deeply rooted in traditions of the past. Ancient civilizations used plants for things like aromatherapy, personal care, health care practices, religious ceremonies, beauty treatments, and food preparation.
How Were Essential Oils Historically Used?
Essential oil use is not a fad, but rather a long-time tradition that began centuries ago in civilisations all over the world.
Egypt: Egyptians used plant-based products in beauty treatments, food preparations, burial rituals, and religious ceremonies.
Greece: In ancient Greece, men like Homer and Hippocrates explored the aromatic uses of plants, building on discoveries made by early Egyptians.
Rome: Ancient Romans often used plant extracts for massage, perfume, and scented baths.
Iran: In medieval times, people in the region of Iran often used and traded spices or resins for perfumery and maintaining health.
India: Ayurvedic medicine, a holistic healing system native to India, has developed over the span of 5,000 years and includes the use of aromatic and plant compounds.
China: For centuries, traditional Chinese practices have included the use of plant materials to promote wellness.
France: Rene Gattefosse, a French chemist, is credited as the first to coin the phrase “aromatherapy” as he studied and researched essential oils thoroughly in the 19th century.
How are Essential Oils Made?
It is important to note that not all essential oils are created equal. The purity of an oil can change depending on geographic location, distillation methods, weather, and other factors. Additionally, no matter how well a plant is selected, cared for, and harvested, the quality of an essential oil can either be preserved or destroyed during the distillation process. Because of the attention to detail and precision necessary in distillation, it becomes less of a process and more of an art form. Distillers must be precise and pay careful attention to harvesting methods, temperatures, time of distillation, the amount of pressure used, etc.
How Does a Plant Become an Essential Oil?
The exact process for producing an essential oil will vary depending on what type of plant the oil comes from. However, the basic idea is that plants go through a specific distillation process using special machinery in order to separate the essential oil from its plant parts. The essential oil hides within different parts of the plant, often in microscopic amounts. During the distillation process, the machinery will separate the essential oil from its original plant part. For example, when citrus oils are produced, machinery is used to separate the essential oil from the rind of the fruit.
Using Essential Oils Today
While essential oils and plant extracts have been used for centuries, essential oils still hold relevant applications today. With advancing technology, improved quality, potency, and safety, essential oils are now more accessible and easy to use in everyday life. Although essential oils were often used as a part of cultural practices and traditions of the past, we now have increasing scientific evidence and research to show the effectiveness and safe nature of essential oils in our day and age.
Essential Oils for Wellness
In ancient times, people used essential oils and plant parts to improve their health and wellbeing. Because essential oils can be used in a range of application methods, they have long been a popular choice for those who want to maintain a life of wellness.
Essential oils offer a variety of benefits and each individual experiences essential oil use in their own way. Since essential oils are so diverse, they can be helpful in maintaining wellbeing, seeking alternative benefits, or to meet personal needs. Using essential oils to support a wellness lifestyle has become popular because it allows the user to tailor the experience to their specific wants and needs, rather than settling for a generic solution.
Meeting Your Needs with Essential Oils
With unique chemical structures, each essential oil holds a variety of benefits for the user. Some essential oils hold soothing and grounding properties, while others are known as energising or uplifting. As we go through an array of feelings throughout a single day, essential oils can help us manage and maintain wellbeing.
The chemical design of an essential oil gives it specific benefits that are unique to each user. Some essential oils provide a soothing sensation to the skin while the aroma of essential oils can also help to produce uplifting feelings.
Our sense of smell can produce powerful, physiologic, and emotional responses.
How to Use Essential Oils
Now that you know what an essential oil is and where essential oils come from, it is time to learn how to use them. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy the wide array of benefits that essential oils hold. All you need is a basic understanding of how to safely and simply use essential oils during your daily routine
Traditionally, certain essential oil application methods have been preferred or used exclusively. However, as the research surrounding essential oils continues to develop, a greater understanding of application methods is now understood. All application methods are safe when used appropriately. One or multiple application methods can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used a single oil at a time or in complex blends, in the following methods:
Topical
Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils*. Because essential oils have low molecular weights and are lipid soluble, they easily penetrate the skin. Once absorbed, they stay in the applied area for a localised benefit.
Although essential oils are readily absorbed, there are many ways to increase absorption. Using a light massage will increase the blood flow to the area of application, in turn improving distribution throughout the body. Use of a carrier oil can also increase absorption, especially in skin that is dry or flaky as it helps moisturise the skin and slow evaporation of the oil.
To decrease the likelihood of developing a skin sensitivity, especially on young or sensitive skin, it is advisable to use a carrier oil (such as Fractionated Coconut Oil) to dilute more potent oils and when trying an oil for the first time. The recommend dilution ratio is typically one drop of essential oil to three drops of carrier oil.
It’s always advisable to use several small doses throughout the day rather than a single large dose. Start with the lowest possible dose (1–2 drops). A topical dose can be repeated every 4–6 hours as needed. Because every individual is unique, the dose will vary for each individual based on size, age, and overall health status.
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 towel or cloth in water, adding essential oils, and then applying to the desired area.
Add oil to a lotion or moisturiser and then apply to skin.
Sensitive Areas to be Avoided:
Some facial areas, such as the skin around the eyes
Eyes and inner ears
Broken, damaged, or otherwise injured skin
Internal
Certain essential oils have a rich culinary history and can be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions*. When you sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal, sip a mug of peppermint tea, or add fresh basil leaves to your spaghetti, you are actually consuming some volatile aromatic essential oil compounds.
Essential oil contributes many health benefits as well as flavouring and aroma properties to foods. When in their concentrated form, essential oils can be used as dietary supplements for health benefits. Internal use is a safe and effective method of application because of the sophisticated physiologic processes of our bodies.
When ingested, essential oils directly enter the blood stream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Essential oils are lipid soluble so they are readily transported to all organs of the body, including the brain. Then, like all things we consume, essential oils are metabolised by the liver and other organs and are then excreted.
The composition of essential oils is highly complex. Each constituent possesses a unique set of biochemical properties that react with cells and organs in different ways. Although these mechanisms of action are not completely understood, the positive end results have been demonstrated. However, the body is only equipped to handle appropriate doses of essential oils.
Proper dosage according to labeling recommendations and other professional guidelines should be strictly followed to avoid toxicity.
Effective Methods of Internal Application
Use oils in recipes for cooking or baking to replace fresh or dried herbs and spices.
Remember that essential oils are much more potent than dried or fresh herbs and spices, so start with a very small amount.
For more potent oils, it may be better to administer them by toothpicks (dip the end of a clean toothpick into the oil and then add to the food) rather than drops.
Add essential oils to water, smoothies, milk, tea, or other drinks.
Take essential oils internally in a veggie capsule or add to a small amount of applesauce or yogurt.
*For all application methods, be sure to read and follow the labels for specific instructions and safety information.
