This information is for learning purposes only. We’re not doctors and are just simply sharing what’s worked for us, our friends and families. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are a hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are generally extracted from plants by distillation, most often by using steam. When educating yourself about essential oils, you should know a few key things.

First, the botanical name, like Rosemary is Rosemarinus Officinalis. You’ll find that there are a good many personal care items you’re already using that have essential oils in them. Looking at the ingredients list, you’ll be able to better identify what oils are in your products.

Second, if applicable, the chemotype, which tells you the specific strain of plant for its various therapeutic applications, again referencing Rosemary, there are three different chemotypes of Rosemary. Camphor, Cineol, and Verbenone and each has its specific healthful benefits. Rosemary camphor is good in supporting relief from muscle aches and pains, and circulation and is the best of the three for massage oil blends. Cineol is best for support with respiratory issues and inflammation and is the best of the three for skin penetration. Think of using this kind like Vicks Vapor Rub. Verbenone is best with support of cell regeneration of skin, so it’s excellent to add a drop with your night cream for your face.

Third, you also want to know the origin of the plant, meaning where it’s grown and its extraction method. All these factors play into the quality of each particular essential oil.

History

Now, let’s talk for a few minutes on the history of Essential Oils. I know we’ve all been hearing a lot about essential oils these days. Especially with the recent push to free our lives and homes from the processed foods and harmful chemicals we’ve been using for decades. So even though we’ve been hearing about them constantly lately, there’s abundant references to essential oils and their uses throughout history in various biblical, educational and historical documents. Dating all the way back to the beginning of time when God made Adam and Eve, we have references to essential oils. Essential oils are mentioned in the old and new testament alone, over 200 times. Whenever someone is anointed with oil in the bible, yes, that is a reference to a specific essential oil, just like what we use today. Essential oils are also listed in thousands of texts across dozens of cultures throughout history, the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Chinese, just to name a few, have relied on various medicinal properties and health benefits of essential oils for thousands of years. So, we have a ton of information and ancient wisdom to draw from when using them.

Do’s and Don’ts

Now let’s touch on some important basics of how to and not to use essential oils for yourself and your family. When you’re going to use essential oils, it is of the utmost importance to find a brand that is 100% therapeutic grade essential oil and has a known history of integrity with their product. Anything less than 100%, you run the risk of harming yourself and anyone else whom uses them. With 100% therapeutic grade, you can use them for just about anything under the sun.

There are three methods that you can enjoy the healthful benefits of essential oils. Topically, aromatically, and internally.

Topically, they can be added to most of your personal products. Geranium, ladies, put it in your moisturizer and wrinkles will run for the hills. Carrot seed oil and a carrier oil are great as a 25 SPF sunscreen. And lavender, with a carrier oil, to sooth that sunburn after you spent too much time out in the sun. Now, I know you’re hearing me say carrier oil. This is when you mix which ever essential oils you want to use with a base oil, such as sweet almond oil (which is my personal favorite), coconut oil, rose hip oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil, etc. Here’s my post on which carrier oil to use.

Now, why would we dilute essential oils? Because, for one, some of them are known to be what’s called hot oils. Such as peppermint, black pepper, and oregano. And two, some of us have more sensitive skin then others. To use one of these hot oils on our skin, it would become irritated and red, so we dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil to make it easier for our skin to tolerate. When in doubt, cut it with a carrier oil. I like to use the rule of one dime size of carrier oil, then one drop of essential oil, mixed together in my hands, then apply.

Now, a side note about citrus oils and topical application. Do not, under any circumstances, use any citrus based essential oils anywhere topically on your body before you go in the sun. They are considered phototoxic, which means they will amplify the sun’s rays on your skin and burn the ever-living heck out of you. Wait about 6-12 hours from the time you apply them to when you go out sunbathing or on that walk. So, if you’re using lemon for acne support, put it on before you go to bed and you should be good in the morning. And be careful with the application of oils around your eyes, as the fumes from them may cause watering and irritation and never put any oils directly in your ears. Always on a cotton ball and then put the cotton ball in your ear.

Next and my personal favorite, the use of essential oils aromatically! Not only do essential oils smell fantastic, they are amazingly helpful when inhaled. Check out this post for more info on that. One of the most powerful ways for essential oils to help support your mind and body, is through inhalation. Did you know that your sense of smell is the most powerful sense you have? It’s actually 10,000 times more sensitive than any of your other senses. When you smell something, it stimulates the olfactory bulb in the top of your nose cavity and that in turn stimulates your amygdala which is in control of your limbic system, which is control center for your emotions! Can you see where I’m going with this? Think of it this way, when you smell something familiar, whether good or bad, it triggers a memory and thus an emotional response. I know every time I smell cedarwood essential oil, it immediately takes me back to when I was a little girl in my grandparent’s house, where they had a room completely lined in cedar paneling. One of my favorite memories!  Also, because of the unique molecular structure of a number of essential oils, when putting them in an atomizing diffuser or even a nebulizer, they have been scientifically proven to be able to penetrate the blood brain barrier. Here’s a post with more info on that.

And finally, using essential oils internally. Internally would be using essential oils as an addition to a recipe or adding a few drops in gel cap and taken as a supplement for your health. Just a drop or two is sufficient when cooking, just add as you go until it tastes to your liking. I frequently make my own cocktail sauce using lemon essential oil. And when using them as a supplement, put them in an empty vegetable gel capsule. Any local health food store will carry the gel caps. Use no more than 6 drops total of whatever blend you’re using for in the gel caps. Peppermint is fantastic for upset stomach support and oregano is great for digestive health support and as antibiotic support. Perdue Chicken factories are adding oregano Essential Oil to the chickens’ water supply to cut down on the use of regular antibiotics. You can also try a drop of peppermint in your coffee in the morning or a drop of lemon in your water, but remember that when added to a liquid, essential oils will sit on the surface of that liquid and do not disperse, so you’ll need to stir or shake it well. I personally love one drop each of lemon and grapefruit in my water every day. Not only is it tasty, but it has wonderful health benefits, as well. Grapefruit is an excellent appetite suppressant and lemon helps to support the balance the alkalinity of our blood.

Essential Oils and Our Kids and Fur Babies

First, do not use essential oils directly on the skin of anyone 2 years old or younger. Absolutely, diffuse around them to your heart’s content, but their skin is just too sensitive to use essential oils on them around that age. And between the ages of 2 and 5, take the amount of essential oil that you would use on yourself and double the amount of carrier oil with it. They’re sensitive, too, but not as much. Just be sparing and ease into the use of them topically on your children. And do not let them ingest them at those ages, either. Recipe usage is fine, but not in gel cap form. Please keep all essential oils out of the reach of your kids.

Second, our fur babies. Essential oils are safe to use on and around your pets when used in moderation. Some pets maybe more sensitive to the oils than others. We all know just how sensitive their noses and skin are, so take precaution when using your oils around them. When using oils on them topically, treat them just like little children. Dilute heavily and don’t use any of those hot oils on them. Also, remember not to use any citrus oils on them as most of your fur babies go in and out of the sun throughout the day for potty breaks. I personally haven’t had any issues, but I have had friends whom their pets have had reactions. Pay close attention to their behavior when diffusing oils. Lethargy, disorientation and behavior changes are a few symptoms to look for. When in doubt, put your pets in another room while you use your oils.

Well, that’s all for this post! I hope this info helps you on your start to a healthier holistic lifestyle using Essential Oils! Happy Oiling!

Hey, do you have questions about oils and how to use them? Leave me a comment right here and I’ll get right back with you or email me directly at thecurrentoilco@gmail.com.