I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but essential oils are taking the world by storm. As more and more people grow skeptical of using pharmaceutical and synthetic products, essential oils are becoming the go-to natural remedy, free of any chemicals or unwanted side effects. They can offer plenty of benefits for the mind and body, including detoxification, improved sleep, reduced anxiety, better mental alertness and the list goes on. Unfortunately, a lot of people jump into buying essential oils without much previous knowledge on how to choose and use them.
I commonly hear folks complaining how they tried essential oils and found it was just a waste of time and don’t work. But almost every time I’ve heard that story, it turns out the person was buying some kind of cheap unknown brand from a local food store. Truth is, when it comes to essential oils, you get what you pay for. Therefore, be wary of oils which are unbelievably cheap as they may contain synthetic ingredients that can lead to skin irritation and allergies.
On the other hand, there are many reputable companies that sell high-quality, powerful oils. The secret to the effectiveness of an oil is directly related to its purity. If it was properly distilled from an organically grown plant and handled correctly, the properties of the essential oil will be more concentrated. Through personal experience, I’ve found that currently one of the best companies on the Australian market is DoTerra Oils. But since everyone’s taste and needs differ, I encourage you to experiment with a few different brands besides DoTerra Oils and discover what you really like and what gives you the best bang for your buck.
However, even the most expensive and purest essential oil won’t benefit you unless you know how to use it properly. Generally, there are three ways people use essential oils: aromatically, topically, and internally. Aromatherapy is essentially inhaling essential oils dispersed into the air which helps you reap their emotional benefits. The easiest and safest way to do so is by using a diffuser. The diffuser will break apart the oil into tiny particles that fill the air with a pleasant therapeutic scent which is safe for your lungs to breathe in.
Another way you can benefit from essential oils is by applying them topically on your skin to help heal injuries, treat sore muscles and painful joints, or simply as part of a relaxing massage. Because of their concentrated form and great potency, essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin and even reach much of the cells in the body. This means that you should be very careful when using them this way. The key is to properly dilute them with some sort of carrier oil. Generally, any regular cold-pressed vegetable oil can do the trick, such olive, coconut, almond, jojoba, or avocado. The usual formula is to add 1-2 drops of essential oil to a single teaspoon of carrier oil.
And finally, there are some essential oils which can significantly benefit your health when ingested. However, you need to be very careful as oils are highly concentrated. For instance, a single drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to 26 cups of peppermint tea. For this reason, ingesting essential oils is best done under supervision of a healthcare professional or someone experienced in using essential oils internally.
