Essential Oils 101: Everything You Need To Know

Essential oils are the liquids that have been extracted from any part of plants. The oil can be extracted from the leaves, flowers, fruit, stems, roots, bark and seeds.

According to John Labows, a fragrant technology consultant in Philadelphia, the oils are called "essential" because they are the concentrated essence of a plant.

The oils have the same benefits as the plants but in a more potent way. For instance, a single drop can be equal to several spoonfuls coming from the plant.

One kind of essential oil can be used, or a combination of two or more will be even more powerful. It depends on the reason you are using the oil.

Essential oils have been around for thousands of years. They have been considered to be the world's first medicine. Priests and physicians have used essential oils since the beginning fo time. They are included in Chinese manuscripts and in Egyptian drawings.

There are also over 500 references to essential oils in the Bible. Two of them are found in the story surrounding the birth of Jesus when he was given gold, frankincense, and myrrh as gifts. Also, the women prepared his body with essential oils for his burial.

There are so many different uses for essential oils. It would be safe to say that if you have a problem of any kind, there is more than likely an essential oil for it.

Essential oils have a lot of benefits that include using them for cosmetic, dietary, and even spiritual and religious purposes. They are often used for relaxation, beauty care, home cleaning and most often used as natural medicine.

When you think of many of the essential oils, think of them as having "anti" properties. For instance, they are antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibiotic.

The beauty of essential oils is that they can be considered multitaskers in that one oil can help with more than one problem. Also, more than one oil can be used for the same problem.

Add essential oils to your medicine cabinet, your cosmetic bag, and on your spice rack.

There are three major ways to use essential oils.

1. Aromatically – Smell essential oils. They are absorbed into the bloodstream when they are inhaled. The large blood vessels in the lungs absorb the oils and then circulate them throughout the body. Inhaling essential oils is a convenient way to get immediate results for a problem you might have.
2. Topically – Apply essential oils directly on the skin. They will enter and penetrate the skin and pass into the bloodstream and into different parts of the body for internal benefits. Essential oils can be added to creams and lotions or massaged directly on the skin.
3. Ingestion – Eat or drink essential oils. They are safe for internal use. Just remember that a little bit goes a long way. Usually, 1-3 drops can be enough when mixed with water or food.

No matter which way you use essential oils, remember a little goes a long way.

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils. It is the one to start with when you just begin your collection.

Lavender reduces both insomnia and depression, according to a Korean study done with female college students.

Another study published in Phytomedicine in 2010 showed that when lavender oil was administered orally, it was as effective as the drug Lorazepam that is used to get rid of anxiety and depression.

When you begin to use essential oils more often, you will discover which ones can go together in at least four categories.

1. Skin and Beauty Essential Oils
2. Mind and Body Essential Oils
3. Focus and Awaken Essential Oils
4. Kitchen Essential Oils

People who are new to purchasing essential oils might need help in doing so. Essential oils can range from inexpensive to very expensive. However, the effectiveness of essential oils might not depend on their prices.

If you are just starting out, you will probably have to use trial and error to find a brand that you like. Therefore, it is best to buy single bottles at first rather than purchasing an entire set. If the single bottle satisfies your needs, then you can purchase a set of that brand.

Experts suggest that one clue to buying genuine essential oils is to make sure you never buy inexpensive brands in clear bottles. Make sure you buy essential oils that are in dark bottles with a label that shows all the ingredients.