What Are Essential Oils?
"The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well." – Hippocrates
My introduction to essential oils came quite by accident. I was cleaning up after making lunch one day and sprayed a popular cleaning spray on a sandwich…oops. I started thinking about better ways to clean and care for my family that weren’t filled with a bunch of toxic ingredients. Thus my search began…and eventually led me to essential oils and doTERRA.
What Exactly Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are volatile compounds (or concentrated extracts) taken from various parts of plants like leaves, flowers, stems, roots, or seeds. Known for their aromatic and therapeutic properties, these oils have been used throughout history for medicinal, spiritual, and cosmetic purposes. The rising popularity of essential oils today reflects a global interest in natural alternatives to synthetic products, offering a more holistic path toward health and wellness.
Whether you are new to essential oils or a seasoned user, this blog will introduce you to their extraction methods, benefits, and safe usage, empowering you to integrate them into your daily routine for a healthier lifestyle.
How Are Essential Oils Extracted?
Different plants require different extraction methods to preserve the integrity of their oils. Here are the three primary methods used to extract essential oils:
Distillation: The most common method, distillation, uses steam or water to separate the oil from the plant material. As the plant is heated, the volatile compounds (the essential oil) are released, condensed, and collected.
Expression: Mainly used for citrus fruits, this method extracts the oil by pressing the peels to release the oil sacs within the rind. It’s commonly applied to oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
Solvent Extraction: For delicate or heat-sensitive plants, solvents are used to extract the oils. After evaporation, the essential oils remain. While effective, this method is less common due to its use of chemicals.
The Benefits of Using Essential Oils
Essential oils offer a wealth of physical, emotional, and mental benefits. Here are some of the most notable:
Physical Health Benefits:
Pain relief: Oils like lavender and peppermint have analgesic properties to alleviate discomfort.
Improved sleep: Lavender and chamomile can promote deeper, more restful sleep.
Boosted immunity: Eucalyptus and lemon have antimicrobial properties that support the immune system.
Respiratory health: Eucalyptus and tea tree oils help clear congestion and improve breathing.
Skin health: Many oils, such as tea tree, offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that support the treatment of acne, eczema, and other skin conditions.
Emotional and Mental Health Benefits:
Stress reduction: Oils like lavender and frankincense promote relaxation and lower stress levels.
Mood enhancement: Citrus oils like orange and bergamot are known for their uplifting effects.
Improved focus: Oils such as rosemary and peppermint can boost cognitive function and focus.
Essential oils can provide powerful benefits, but it's important to start gradually. Listen to your body, and consult a professional if needed.
How Essential Oils Work
When you inhale essential oils, they interact with the brain's limbic system, the area responsible for emotions, memories, and behaviors. Here’s what happens:
Change your mood: Oils like lavender can help calm emotions, while citrus oils can lift your spirits.
Help with relaxation: The right oils can slow heart rates and ease tension.
Enhance memory: Oils such as rosemary may improve mental clarity and memory retention.
The effects vary from person to person, but many people report feeling more balanced and relaxed when incorporating essential oils into their daily lives.
How to Use Essential Oils
There are multiple ways to use essential oils, making them highly versatile. Here are the most common methods:
Inhalation:
Direct Inhalation: Add a few drops to your palms or a cotton ball, then inhale.
Diffusion: Use a diffuser to spread the aroma throughout a room, or try wearing diffuser jewelry.
Topical Application:
Dilution: Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, to avoid skin irritation.
Massage: Combine essential oils with a massage oil for a relaxing experience.
Compress: Apply diluted oils with a warm or cold compress to areas in need of relief.
Using Essential Oils Safely
Essential oils are potent and should be used with care. Here are important safety guidelines:
Dilution: Always dilute oils with a carrier oil before topical application. This reduces the risk of skin irritation.
Patch Testing: Before using a new essential oil, perform a patch test on a small area to check for allergic reactions or sensitivities.
Avoiding Sensitive Areas: Never apply essential oils directly to sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, or mouth. In case of accidental contact, use a carrier oil to wipe the area rather than water.
Photosensitivity: some essential oils like lemon, lime, and, bergamot may cause sensitivity
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils. Certain oils should be avoided during pregnancy, like clary sage or rosemary.
Storage: Store essential oils in a cool, dark place to maintain their potency.
Never use essential oils on an open wound.
A little goes a long way.
ALWAYS supervise a child when using essential oils.
Who Can Use Essential Oils?
Another area we want to make sure and cover is, “WHO can use essential oils?” The answer is EVERYONE. When used properly and with care, people of all ages can enjoy the benefits of essential oils. We began using doTERRA’s Kids Kit with my grandson when he was 24 hours old. ALWAYS DILUTE when using essential oils on littles and the elderly!
Most essential oils are pet friendly and can be used on and around any pet. There are some oils that should never be used with a pet and you should always leave a way out for a pet when you are diffusing in a room.
Education is key. Be sure to seek advice from someone knowledgeable in the use of essential oils.
Why do we choose doTERRA Essential Oils?
Do your due diligence when considering which essential oil brand to use. Just because the label says “pure”, it does not necessarily mean it is 100% pure oil. Many companies use fillers and additional ingredients to lower the cost…and purity…of their oils.
doTERRA places an unwavering focus on the safety and quality of their essential oils through a series of rigorous testing protocols. doTERRA performs over 50 tests on each bottle of essential oil. Their Certified Pure Tested Grade® (CPTG) standard ensures that every batch of essential oil is pure, potent, and free from harmful contaminants. Here are some of the tests doTERRA performs:
Gas Chromatography (GC): This test identifies the individual chemical components of the essential oil, ensuring that the oil contains the right balance of compounds needed for efficacy.
Mass Spectrometry (MS): Used alongside GC, this test measures the weight of the molecules in the essential oil, confirming the exact composition and detecting any unwanted additives or impurities.
Microbial Testing: This test ensures that the oil is free from harmful bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms that could compromise the oil’s safety.
Heavy Metal Testing: Essential oils are tested to ensure they do not contain harmful heavy metals like lead, mercury, or arsenic.
Organoleptic Testing: This test involves evaluating the oil’s appearance, color, and scent by a team of essential oil experts to verify its quality.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): This method verifies the oil’s chemical structure, ensuring the essential oil’s purity and consistency.
Chiral Testing: Ensures that each oil contains the proper natural isomer (a specific molecular structure) that occurs in nature, providing the right therapeutic benefits.
Isotopic Analysis: Helps confirm the oil's geographical origin, ensuring the sourcing is legitimate and that the oil has not been adulterated.
Through these tests, doTERRA guarantees that their essential oils are of the highest quality, delivering safe and effective benefits to their users. Each batch is traceable and verified, meaning that consumers can confidently use doTERRA oils for their therapeutic and wellness needs.
The Science Behind Essential Oils
Research increasingly supports the use of essential oils for various health concerns. Here are some examples:
Antimicrobial Properties: Studies show that oils like tea tree and eucalyptus have strong antibacterial and antifungal effects, which may help in fighting infections and supporting the immune system.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Lavender and peppermint oils have been shown to reduce inflammation, making them useful for soothing conditions like headaches or joint pain.
Mood Enhancement: Citrus oils like bergamot and orange have been studied for their ability to boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression.
While more research is still being conducted, many people have already found essential oils to be valuable tools for improving their health and well-being.
Check out these blog posts about various studies done on some of doTERRA’s products and oils:
General article on the research:
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/research
Understanding epigenetics:
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-research-news-epigenetics
The new Serenity Sleep System:
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-research-news-sleep-system-epigenetic-research.
doTERRA’s MetaPWR Assist:
Life Long Vitality - doTERRA’s #1 product packed with so much goodness:
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-research-doterra-lifelong-vitality-pack-clinical-trial
A look at Oregano Essential Oil:
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-research-news-doterra-oregano-oil-study
doTERRA’s Protective Blend - On Guard:
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-research-news-frankincense-study
Closing Thoughts
Essential oils offer a natural, holistic approach to enhancing your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. With a wide array of benefits—from boosting immunity to promoting relaxation and improving focus—essential oils can easily become a part of your daily wellness routine. However, always remember to use them safely and consult a professional if necessary.
Whether you're diffusing lavender to relax after a long day or applying peppermint for a midday energy boost, essential oils offer a unique way to care for your body and mind. With so many possibilities, it’s time to explore how these potent plant extracts can bring balance, wellness, and a sense of calm into your life.
