Q n A about Essential Oil

What is an essential oil? An essential oil is not infused herbal oil. This is a very common misconception. Essential oils are the volatile  aromatic oils produced by plants. Essential oil is this aromatic substance concentrated through various methods. For example, it takes 60 whole roses to make just one drop of precious essential oil! That's a potent drop of plant material.

How can you find high quality essential oils? First, you want to be sure that the essential oils are pure aromatic plant oils without diluents. Some essential oils on the market are cut with a carrier or diluted with lesser quality products.  To test your essential oil to see how “pure” it is, put a single drop of it on a piece of construction paper. If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it is pure. If you have a ring left, then it is likely diluted by the manufacturer with an oil of some sort (this test will not work for myrrh, patchouli, and absolutes).   Next, to be certain that you are purchasing the right ingredient, look for the botanical Latin name on the product label. For example, Peppermint (Mentha piperita), should be listed clearly. Purchase oils that are certified organic or are sourced from a supplier you trust. Because essential oils are so concentrated, that means that pesticides and other toxins can be concentrated in the oil as well.

How can you find high quality essential oils? First, you want to be sure that the essential oils are pure aromatic plant oils without diluents. Some essential oils on the market are cut with a carrier or diluted with lesser quality products.  To test your essential oil to see how “pure” it is, put a single drop of it on a piece of construction paper. If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it is pure. If you have a ring left, then it is likely diluted by the manufacturer with an oil of some sort (this test will not work for myrrh, patchouli, and absolutes).   Next, to be certain that you are purchasing the right ingredient, look for the botanical Latin name on the product label. For example, Peppermint (Mentha piperita), should be listed clearly. Purchase oils that are certified organic or are sourced from a supplier you trust. Because essential oils are so concentrated, that means that pesticides and other toxins can be concentrated in the oil as well.

Therapeutic Grade This distinction is not an industry standard and is not endorsed or regulated by any government agency. It is purely a marketing claim. You can learn more about this issue by visiting: AromaWeb  and National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.

Buying and Storage Tips Dark colored glass, like amber bottles, is the best packaging. Store your essential oils in a cool, dark cabinet away from heat and light. Don’t store with the glass and rubber-top dropper in the bottle! Essential oils are so concentrated that they can be corrosive. We have seen lemon essential oil eat through and melt a rubber bulb, ruining the entire bottle of oil. Always remove the glass dropper and use the screw cap. The drop-by-drop reducers that come in small bottles are fine and do not need to be removed.

Are essential oils safe? We like to say that less is best and use with care! These highly concentrated aromatics enter through our olfactory system and the skin, leading directly to the brain and our bloodstream. This allows the plant properties to cause therapeutic changes both emotionally and physiologically within our bodies. Great, right?  Yes, but, essential oils also have to be detoxed by our liver and kidneys, and some plant aromatics are hard to process. Even using larger amounts of "safe" essential oils can be harmful to certain populations like children, people with compromised liver or kidney health, animals, and pregnant women. We highly recommend seeking the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner in these cases.

What's a safe way to use essential oils topically? All that said, using essential oils topically can be wonderfully healing! Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. Dilute essential oils with a carrier of some kind this can be organic vegetable oil, hydrosol or witch hazel extract. Any time you are working with a new essential oil and want to make a skincare recipe, do a patch test to make sure you won't have a reaction and the oil is right for you. Always avoid mucous membranes like the eyes and mouth unless you are under the care of a practitioner. These oils can be very caustic and can cause serious chemical burns!  Research the oil’s properties before use to make sure it isn't contraindicated for your health. 1% Dilution: 5-6 drops per 30ml of carrier is appropriate for preparations such as massage, where a lot of product is being used on the skin.  2% Dilution: 10-12 drops per 30ml of carrier is appropriate for aromatherapy applications and body care recipes. There are a few essential oils that are generally recognized as safe to use undiluted. Of course, there has to be a few exceptions to the rule. We refer to Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles, the author points out that the only essential oils that are widely acknowledged as safe to use undiluted (sparingly) are: Lavender, German chamomile, Tea tree, Sandalwood, and Rose geranium. Never use an undiluted essential oil on a baby or child. Children have much thinner, more delicate skin than adults have, and tend to be very sensitive to the potency of essential oils. In fact, even if you do use essential oil in a recipe for children, only use half of the essential oil recommended in the recipe. That’s all they’ll need, anyway.

Is essential oils safe to be taken internally? There is so much misinformation out there about whether or not essential oils are safe to use internally! Along with the international aromatherapy community, we say that you should never use essential oils internally without the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner. While there are some essential oils that can be used safely, this is the safer path to take, especially without skilled supervision. Essential oils can be incredibly caustic, causing burns or irritating the mucous lining of your digestive tract. Many people have asked about using lemon oil in their water or a few drops of peppermint oil in their tea. We always say, why not use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice instead or make a cup of peppermint tea with nature's perfect dosage of aromatics?  We have seen lemon essential oil eat through rubber. One cup of peppermint tea can be a strong remedy by itself. Plant medicine is already very effective when used as gentle support for your body's own natural healing processes – more and stronger is not always better or more helpful. Remember, these aromatics must be detoxed by the liver and kidneys.