Essential Oils 101
What is an Essential Oil?
An essential oil is a naturally occurring plant essence. These naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants.
Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, that help protect plants and play a role in plant pollination.
The plants use nutrients from the soil, water and light which makes sourcing of the plants very important.
What exactly is a volatile aromatic compound?
In short, these compounds are small organic molecules that tend to change
quickly from their solid or liquid state to a gas at room temperature.
They are called volatile because they change state quickly and can evaporate very quickly.
Essential oils can be light, clear and non-greasy or they can be lightly coloured and very viscous.
They all share one important characteristic, they will only dissolve in fatty oils.
They are concentrated, powerful and very volatile.
An essential oil is a naturally occurring plant essence. These naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants.
Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, that help protect plants and play a role in plant pollination.
The plants use nutrients from the soil, water and light which makes sourcing of the plants very important.
What exactly is a volatile aromatic compound?
In short, these compounds are small organic molecules that tend to change
quickly from their solid or liquid state to a gas at room temperature.
They are called volatile because they change state quickly and can evaporate very quickly.
Essential oils can be light, clear and non-greasy or they can be lightly coloured and very viscous.
They all share one important characteristic, they will only dissolve in fatty oils.
They are concentrated, powerful and very volatile.
Quality and Why it Matters
There are many components involved in making a Quality Essential Oil, such as:
Sourcing, Supplier, Authenticity and Processing.
There are many components involved in making a Quality Essential Oil, such as:
Sourcing, Supplier, Authenticity and Processing.
Sourcing
The purity of Essential Oils are affected by where the plants are grown.
The terrain and soil of origin make a huge difference.
Even with pure essential oils the composition of the oil can vary depending on the time of day/year,
geographic location, method/duration of distillation, and the weather.
These factors make every step of the production process a critical part
of the overall quality of the essential oil product.
Having an Essential Oil sourced where from where it is a native plant means
that you are getting the benefit of the grower's expertise and wisdom as well.
The purity of Essential Oils are affected by where the plants are grown.
The terrain and soil of origin make a huge difference.
Even with pure essential oils the composition of the oil can vary depending on the time of day/year,
geographic location, method/duration of distillation, and the weather.
These factors make every step of the production process a critical part
of the overall quality of the essential oil product.
Having an Essential Oil sourced where from where it is a native plant means
that you are getting the benefit of the grower's expertise and wisdom as well.
Supplier
The supplier of a quality Essential Oil must know each of the oil's specific components and therapeutic effects.
A supplier's biggest task is to search the world for the highest quality plants
to source top quality Essential Oils.
This can necessitate sorting through dozens of species of a specific plant source,
many geographical locations to find the right combination of compounds.
The plants used must be harvested by those who are knowledgeable, honest and committed to gathering only the one species and who allow the plant proper maturation time.
The supplier of a quality Essential Oil must know each of the oil's specific components and therapeutic effects.
A supplier's biggest task is to search the world for the highest quality plants
to source top quality Essential Oils.
This can necessitate sorting through dozens of species of a specific plant source,
many geographical locations to find the right combination of compounds.
The plants used must be harvested by those who are knowledgeable, honest and committed to gathering only the one species and who allow the plant proper maturation time.
Authenticity
The current regulation of Essential Oils is limited to non-existent.
A company can grow any plants, anywhere in the world and extract "Essentials Oils".
These oils are generally too cheap to be possible and will not withstand any type of testing.
These oils are mixed with petrol chemicals and other synthetic components.
True Holistic Healing requires pure, unprocessed oils that are sourced
directly from where the plants are indigenous.
The current regulation of Essential Oils is limited to non-existent.
A company can grow any plants, anywhere in the world and extract "Essentials Oils".
These oils are generally too cheap to be possible and will not withstand any type of testing.
These oils are mixed with petrol chemicals and other synthetic components.
True Holistic Healing requires pure, unprocessed oils that are sourced
directly from where the plants are indigenous.
Processing
After the plant has been harvested it is ready for distillation. It is transported to a distillery where its oil is captured. Extracting essential oil is an extremely delicate process.
If done improperly, distillation can dramatically alter or destroy a plant's aromatic compounds.
If distillation is completed with customized care, the resulting essential oil retains
a strong chemical profile to provide therapeutic benefits to its users.
This process must be done slowly, gently and skillfully.
Quality distillation requires exacting standards to avoid oxidation or heat damage.
The most common type of processing is steam distillation, steam from boiling water passes through the plant and carries the volatile aromatic compound into a collecting tube. In the tube the steam is cooled and condensed into water. The Essential Oil then separates from the water and is collected.
The next type of processing is called expression. A lot of citrus oils are processed this way.
Using mechanical pressure, the oils are separated from the rinds of the citrus fruit. As the fruit passes over sharp rasping blades, water is sprayed over the fruit. The water is collected and the oil is separated from the water.
The last type of processing that is of concern is called enfleurage. Enfleurage processing creates a product known as an Absolute.
A lot of floral Essential Oils are actually an absolute, for example, Jasmine!
Enfleurage is one of the oldest methods of extracting essential oils
and is rarely used these days because of its high cost.
The flower petals are placed on a layer of glass that is first spread
with a thin layer of fat called "chassis". The volatile oil diffuses into the fat,
then the fat is collected and the oil is extracted from the fat using alcohol.
Once the alcohol evaporates what is left behind is called the absolute.
After the plant has been harvested it is ready for distillation. It is transported to a distillery where its oil is captured. Extracting essential oil is an extremely delicate process.
If done improperly, distillation can dramatically alter or destroy a plant's aromatic compounds.
If distillation is completed with customized care, the resulting essential oil retains
a strong chemical profile to provide therapeutic benefits to its users.
This process must be done slowly, gently and skillfully.
Quality distillation requires exacting standards to avoid oxidation or heat damage.
The most common type of processing is steam distillation, steam from boiling water passes through the plant and carries the volatile aromatic compound into a collecting tube. In the tube the steam is cooled and condensed into water. The Essential Oil then separates from the water and is collected.
The next type of processing is called expression. A lot of citrus oils are processed this way.
Using mechanical pressure, the oils are separated from the rinds of the citrus fruit. As the fruit passes over sharp rasping blades, water is sprayed over the fruit. The water is collected and the oil is separated from the water.
The last type of processing that is of concern is called enfleurage. Enfleurage processing creates a product known as an Absolute.
A lot of floral Essential Oils are actually an absolute, for example, Jasmine!
Enfleurage is one of the oldest methods of extracting essential oils
and is rarely used these days because of its high cost.
The flower petals are placed on a layer of glass that is first spread
with a thin layer of fat called "chassis". The volatile oil diffuses into the fat,
then the fat is collected and the oil is extracted from the fat using alcohol.
Once the alcohol evaporates what is left behind is called the absolute.
Quality Does Matter
An Essential Oil needs to be tested and certified as pure, potent, genuine and authentic.
This tests should be conducted by an independent testing laboratory.
Being put through the highest standard of rigorous and
thorough testing sets the bar for quality, purity, efficacy, and consistency.
This means that the Essential Oil is free of fillers, pesticides, and any foreign contaminants.
An Essential Oil needs to be tested and certified as pure, potent, genuine and authentic.
This tests should be conducted by an independent testing laboratory.
Being put through the highest standard of rigorous and
thorough testing sets the bar for quality, purity, efficacy, and consistency.
This means that the Essential Oil is free of fillers, pesticides, and any foreign contaminants.
Storage of Essential Oils
- Keep from light, heat, air and moisture
- Store in airtight, dark, glass bottles
- Keep clear of open flame, sparks or fire hazards
Safety
Dilute! Dilute! Dilute!
The number one rule of Essential Oils is dilution.
These are pure, potent and authentic oils and dilution is the key!
They will only dissolve in fatty oils. Hence carrier oils. Carrier oils also offer some therapeutic benefits as well.
It only takes a small amount to produce a powerful therapeutic benefit.
Dilute! Dilute! Dilute!
The number one rule of Essential Oils is dilution.
These are pure, potent and authentic oils and dilution is the key!
They will only dissolve in fatty oils. Hence carrier oils. Carrier oils also offer some therapeutic benefits as well.
It only takes a small amount to produce a powerful therapeutic benefit.
ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY DILUTION CHART:
For children- 3 mos to 24 mos: 0.25% 1 drop per 4 tsp
2-6 years: 0.5% 1 drop per 2 tsp
6-12 years: 1.0% 1 drop per 1 tsp
For adults- 1-4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil
For pregnancy- 1 drop per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil, after the first trimester only!
For seniors- 1 drop per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil
Carrier Volume 1% 2% 3%
5 mL 1 drop 2 drops 3 drops
10 mL 2 drop 4 drops 6 drops
15 mL 3 drops 6 drops 9 drops
30 mL 6 drops 12 drops 18 drops
50 mL 10 drops 20 drops 30 drops
For children- 3 mos to 24 mos: 0.25% 1 drop per 4 tsp
2-6 years: 0.5% 1 drop per 2 tsp
6-12 years: 1.0% 1 drop per 1 tsp
For adults- 1-4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil
For pregnancy- 1 drop per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil, after the first trimester only!
For seniors- 1 drop per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil
Carrier Volume 1% 2% 3%
5 mL 1 drop 2 drops 3 drops
10 mL 2 drop 4 drops 6 drops
15 mL 3 drops 6 drops 9 drops
30 mL 6 drops 12 drops 18 drops
50 mL 10 drops 20 drops 30 drops
- Essential oils come with labels for a reason. Respect them.
- Essential oils come labelled for aromatic, topical or internal use. Pay very close attention to these labels.
- Avoid all contact with the eyes, inside the ears, nose and the delicate mouth area.
- Most of the citrus oils are photosensitive, which means that they react to the UV rays of the sun. They should only be used in areas that will not be exposed to the sun, or with the appropriate waiting period. Cumin, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Wild Orange wait at least 12 hours. Bergamot wait at least 72 hours.
- Some oils are very warm, they create a heat-like sensation on the skin. Always Heavily Dilute: Cassia, Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano or Thyme.
Always Dilute: Black Pepper, Birch, Citrus oils, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Ginger, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Wintergreen. - Pregnancy and Breastfeeding have specific cautions and are covered in a separate section.
- People with critical health problems should ALWAYS consult with their primary Health Care Provider prior to using Essentials Oils.
- Children - always make sure to use the appropriate Dilution, see the above chart.
New to Essential Oils? Common Topical Essential Oil Uses
- Temples or Back of the Neck - Peppermint, Lavender, and Basil are great for stress, nausea, motion sickness, insomnia or headaches
- Behind the Ears - Peppermint, Lemon, and Eucalyptus are great for headaches, dizziness, anxiety, fatigue and Lavender or Chamomile for insomnia
- Over the Heart - Ylang Ylang and Bergamot are great for depression, stress and high blood pressure
- Abdomen - Clary Sage is great for menstrual cramps, Peppermint, Ginger, or Fennel are great for digestive issues or nausea
- Wrists - Vetiver, Basil, Lemongrass or Myrrh are great for carpal tunnel pain
- Sole of Foot - Peppermint, Eucalyptus or Lemon are great for asthma, bronchitis or coughs and Ylang Ylang and Bergamot are great for the heart and high blood pressure
- Bottom of the Big Toe - Peppermint, Rosemary and lavender for headaches
- Base of the Big Toe - Myrtle is great for metabolism, thyroid and pituitary support
- Base of the Pinky Toe - Ylang Ylang, Clove and Wintergreen for shoulder or joint pain
- Bottom of the Pinky Toe - Lemon, Lavender and Basil for earaches or vertigo
- Base of the Middle Toes - Peppermint, Frankincense and Chamomile are great for eye health or eye strain
- Bottom of the Middle Toes - Sandalwood, Frankincense and Clove for breast health
- Outer Arch of the Foot - Grapefruit, Juniper Berry and Lemongrass support the colon, bladder and liver
- Inner Arch of the Foot - Wintergreen, Marjoram, Cypress or White Fir for back pain and Clove, Grapefruit, or Rosemary to support the kidneys and adrenal glands
- Heels of the Foot - Clary sage or Myrtle for the reproductive organs
- Chest - Eucalyptus, Peppermint or Lemon for chest congestion, coughs, bronchitis or asthma
- Shoulders - Ylang Ylang, Clove or Wintergreen for shoulder or joint pain
- Outside of Ears - Juniper Berry for tinnitis and Lavender or Basil for earache or swimmer's ear