Essential Oils 101
When you think of essential oils, what comes to mind? Maybe you’ve had a friend give you lavender bath salts for relaxation? Or possibly a peppermint infused compress?
If you have wondered about what is in these tiny amber bottles, you’re in the right place. Satly Peak essentials provides a crash course in essential oils and aromatherapy. We journey into the aromatic world of what nature so lovingly gifts us.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are derived from plant extracts. They are highly potent oils that come from the plant leaves, flowers, stems, bark, roots, or even fruit peels. They are the “essence” of the plant. The aroma, therapeutic or medicinal properties, and all the benefits are captured in liquid form to benefit us in so many ways.
The strong odor that accompanies each essential oil is generally mirrored in how that scent operates in plant form. The scents can protect the plant from invading organisms. It can heal it from injuries and prevent water evaporation. The scent can attract certain insects while repelling others. It even provides an energy back-up system. All of these traits are mirrored when we use essential oils for ourselves, on our own bodies.
When using pure, unadulterated essential oils, you can take advantage of the chemical molecules that give therapeutic benefits in various degrees. All essential oils provide some degree of antibacterial properties. Depending on the oils used, you can also benefit from other properties such as: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, decongestant, and antiseptic, just to name a few.
How Are Essential Oils Made?
Extracting essential oils is both science and an art. Most of the oils are created in a steam distillation process. This is where steam is pushed through the plant to separate the oil. Citrus oils are extracted using a cold-compressed process on the peel. There are a few other ways, but these two are most common.
The process is quite labor-intensive. It takes a lot of plant matter to create one small bottle of essential oil. This is why essential oils are so potent (up to 100X more potent than their herb form!) You are getting an extremely concentrated dose of each of the plant’s power in each drop.
Why Are They So Popular?
Essential oils are not new. They have been used in all parts of the world throughout history. From ancient cultures in Egypt and China to more modern European influence, the benefits of these oils are acknowledged. They are, however, experiencing quite a comeback, and there are a few reasons why that might be.
Essential oils provide a natural alternative to conventional western ways of life. People are increasingly looking to clean up the ingredients in their every-day lives. From medication to cleaning to self-care, there is a big push to reduce our chemical footprint. Essential oils can fill in, where synthetic chemicals are being removed.
There is so much versatility to using essential oils. They can be enjoyed in countless ways. One small bottle of tea tree can be used to spot-treat blemishes on your face, cleanse small scratches and burns, refresh your laundry, or invigorate the mind.
Another concept that has been in the forefront lately has been mind-body connection. Aromatherapy is more than just a nice smell. With the olfactory system directly connected to the brain, your sense of smell can literally influence your mood, energy, and even your physical well-being.
How To Use Essential Oils
There are many ways the power of essential oils can be unlocked. If you are new to essential oils, don’t worry, you don’t have to overcomplicate it! Here are a few ways to get started:
- Aromatherapy: Adding a few drops to a diffuser or even a cotton ball that you can sniff throughout the day can create a calming, energizing, or uplifting environment.
- Topical: Mixed with a carrier oil (such as coconut or jojoba) you can target the benefits of an essential oil by applying them to the area on your body that needs the benefits.
- Cleaning: With their antibacterial and antiseptic properties, certain oils (like lemon or tea tree) can be used as a powerhouse against household germs.
- Self-Care: From bath salts to a scalp scrub, essential oils can elevate any pampering routine.
Essential Oil Safety
We are all about exercising oil safety here at Salty Peak. Essential oils are extremely powerful! There are ways to use them and ways to avoid. Proper dilution with correct ratios is important. It is also important to avoid ingestion of oils unless guided by a qualified professional (certified clinical aromatherapist).
As a rule: respect the potency of these plants!
Final Thoughts
Essential oils are more than just a passing trend. They have been around for a long time and will continue being relevant in the future. They are a timeless way to support one’s well-being, elevating their space, and bringing mental benefits into the everyday.
So dust off your diffuser, take a deep breath, and enjoy the journey. Your senses will thank you!
Explore more on Salt Peak Essentials for tips, safety, and recipes that dive into the world of essential oils and natural-living. We are just getting started!