An Introduction to Essential Oils

by Mindy MacLaren

I was first introduced to aromatherapy 15 years ago and was fascinated by what I learned. I wanted to incorporate essential oils into my everyday life, but wasn’t really sure how to do so. More recently, I have embarked upon an “Aroma Education” and now, cannot imagine my life without them! Using essential oils is easy, cost effective, and fun! In addition, you will support your health and the health of your family while doing so.

What exactly are essential oils? Offering protection from disease, essential oils are found in many, but not all, plants. Research has shown this plant “essence” offers a similar benefit to humans. Essential oils are obtained, most often, through distillation, a process similar to steaming vegetables, but on a larger scale. The oil as well as the condensed water released during distillation is collected. The “flower water” is less concentrated, but can be used as essential oils would be as well as in culinary dishes, skin care products, and with babies. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils. How do essential oils support our health? Every essential oil is made up of many “constituents”. For example, one constituent of Lemon oil is Limonene. Research has shown Limonene to be anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Linalool, a constituent in Lavender, is a pain reliever, a sedative, and is anti-infectious. A combination of many constituents makes each essential oil unique, helps to bring a concentrated focus to a particular health concern, but also allows an oil to be used for more than one health issue. When inhaled, essential oils support us on an emotional level by sending chemical messages to the brain. Think back to the last time you peeled an orange. How did the smell of the essential oils released from the rind make you feel? Uplifted, calmed, happier? The physical body can benefit from the emotional support oils provide.

Did you know it takes 25-30 roses to get one drop of Rose essential oil? This accounts for the high cost of this precious oil and highlights how concentrated essential oils are. A little goes a long way! To offer uncompromised therapeutic benefits an oil must be free of pesticides and chemicals. A process called “GC/MS” testing is done by certain companies to ensure their oils are unadulterated. One such company is Aromatics International (www.aromaticsinternational.com). Many oils sold as aromatherapeutic actually contain synthetic ingredients which can cause headaches and skin irritation.

In her book The Naturally Clean Home, Karyn Siegel-Maier states that household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outside air pollution. Anti-microbial oils like Lemon and Peppermint are wonderful additions to your cleaning routine, and won’t harm your health as chemical cleaners will. In a 32 oz. spray bottle bought at a dollar store, add 2 tbsp. white vinegar and 20 drops each Lemon and Peppermint oils; fill the bottle with water. Give the bottle a shake before spraying and wiping down counters, appliances, tub, tile, and diaper changing pads. I periodically use this spray on upholstered furniture to freshen it up! When dusting, I put a few drops of Lemon oil on a damp cloth. The oil leaves behind a fresh scent while also conditioning any wood furniture at the same time. 15-20 drops of Orange essential oil in one cup of baking soda makes for a dual carpet freshener and abrasive cleaning scrub. Made in a glass jar with a lid, this scrub is fantastic for cleaning sinks, tubs, and showers; used on the carpet before vacuuming, it will leave any room happy and inviting!

A cotton ball sprinkled with an oil of your choice and tossed in the dryer is a great way to scent your clothes naturally while also killing germs. Five drops Lavender and five drops Peppermint in 1 oz. of lotion, rubbed on the temples and back of the neck will do wonders for a headache. Just remember to avoid eye contact and to wash your hands after applying!

Babies can also benefit from the use of essential oils, but there are some precautions to take when doing so. Due to the fact that their young bodies have to process the highly concentrated essential oils, they should not be used directly on young skin. Organic flower waters, or hydrosols, are an ideal choice for use with children, especially those under the age of two. I use German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) flower water in my children’s bath to help relieve rashes, stuffy noses, and indigestion. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a wonderful antispasmodic, antiseptic, and sedative oil to use with babies. No more than one drop in a steam shower can help calm a severe cough. Due to their strong constituents, Eucalyptus and Peppermint are two oils that should not be used with children under the age of five. It’s most important to choose oils tested for purity when using them around little ones! When used with care, essential oils and flower waters can be a great support to your child’s well-being.

We are constantly bombarded by commercial air fresheners, toxic cleaning compounds, and even pesticides…all of which negatively affect our health, our children’s health, and even that of our pets. When we use more natural yet equally-effective (and great-smelling) substances, we can feel good about our choice to use essential oils in our home. It’s a smart and healthy decision!

Guest Post by:
Mindy MacLaren is a nationally certified aromatherapist, home-based business owner of Sweet & Woodsy Aromatherapy in Rochester, NY, and mother to 7 month old twin girls. She specializes in all manner of essential oils use with an interest in pregnancy and baby care. For more recipes or ideas about how to use essential oils, contact her at mgmaclaren@rochester.rr.com or at Facebook/Sweet & Woodsy Aromatherapy

Go to Hip Moms Go Green TV for a great video on the Health Benefits of Aromatherapy.

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