Essential Oils
What are ensential oil
The oils are compounds extracted from plants. The oil capture the plant's scent and flavor, or "essence" Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence. Essential oils are obtained through distillation (via steam and/or water) or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with a carrier oil to create a product that's ready for use. The way oils are made is import ants, as essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.
How do essential oils work
Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy, in which they are inhaled through various methods. Essential oil are not meant to be swallowed. The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways. when applied to your skin, some plants chemicals are absorbed. It's thought that certain application methods can improve absorption, such as applying with heat or to different areas of the body. However, research in this area is lacking.
Inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which is a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions behaviors, sense of smell, and long-term memory. Interestingly, the limbic system is heavily involved in forming memories. This can partly explain why familiar smells can trigger memories or emotion. The limbic system also plays a role in controlling several unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, hear rate, and blood pressure. As such, some people claim that essential oils can exert a physical effect on your body.
How To Choose The Right essential oil
Many Companies claim that their oil are pure or medical grade. However, these terms aren't universally defined and therefore hold little weight. Given that they're products of an unregulated industry the quality and composition of essential oils can vary greatly. Keep the following tips in mind to choose only high-quality oils.
Purity - Find an oil that contains only aromatic plant compounds, without additives or synthetic oil. Pure oils usually listed the plant's botanical name.
Quality - True essential oils are the ones that have been changed the least by the extraction process. Choose a chemical-free essential oil that has been extracted through distillation or mechanical cold pressing.
Reputation - Purchase a brand with a reputation for producing high-quality products.
Other Uses
Essential oils have many uses outside of aromatherapy. Many people use them to scent their home or freshen up thinks like laundry. they are also used as a natural scent in homemade cosmetics and high-quality natural products. What more, it has bee suggested that essential oil could provide a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to man made mosquito repellent such as DEET. However, results regarding their effectiveness have been mixed
The Bottom Line
Essential Oils
Essential Oil are generally considered safe to inhale or apply to the skin, if they've been combined with a base oil. They should not be eaten, However, evidence supporting many of their associated health claims is lacking and their effectiveness is often exaggerated. For minor health problems, using essential oil as a complementary therapy is likely harmless.
However, if you have a serious health condition or are taking medication, you should discuss their use with you health practitioner. While the most common side effect is a rash, essential oil can cause more serious reaction
The oils that have most commonly been associated with adverse reactions are: Lavender, Peppermint, Tea Tree, and Ylang - Ylang. Oils that are high in phenol, such as, Cinnamon, can cause skin irritation and shouldn't be used on the skin without being combined with a base oil. Meanwhile, essential oil made from Citrus fruit increase the skin's reaction to sunlight and burns can occur. Swallowing essential oils is not recommended, as doing so could be harmful and in some dose fatal. Very few studies have examined the safety of these oils for pregnant or breastfeeding women, who are usually advised to avoid them. Just because something is natural doesn't mean its safe.
However, when inhaled or combined with a base oil for use on your skin, most essential oils are considered safe. But sure to consider others in your environment who might be inhaling the aroma, including pregnant women, children and pets. Just because something is natural doesn't mean its safe. Plants and herbal products contain many bioactive compounds that may harm yourself. Furthermore, the properties of essential oils indicate that some of them could be used industrially for extending the shelf life of food.