A Guide to Essential Oils

Essential oils are becoming a household staple, with 34 percent of Americans believing in their therapeutic properties. Thousands of people around the world use these products for a wide range of purposes.

If you're thinking of getting into essential oils, good for you! These amazing oils can provide you with tons of benefits, no matter how you use them. 

So, are you ready to learn more about these amazing and unique substances? Keep reading and get all the information you need from this guide to essential oils!

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated compounds that producers extract from plants. Essential oils have unique aromatic compounds that make up the plant's overall essence. These oils capture the flavor, scent, and essence of the plant itself. 

Producers create essential oils through distillation methods or mechanical methods. An example of a mechanical method is cold pressing while a distillation method could involve steam. 

After producers remove the aromatic compounds from the plant, they combine those compounds with a carrier oil. This creates what we know as essential oils, which can then be sold to stores around the world. 

What's important to note about essential oils is that the production method is what characterizes these products. When producers create essential oils through chemical processes, the resulting essence is not considered a true essential oil. 

Essential Oil Uses: What To Know

Now that you know what essential oils are, let's talk about how to use them. There are several different ways that you can use essential oils around the home. 

Diffuser

One of the most popular ways to use essential oils is with a diffuser, which is a device that disperses the oils into the air via steam. 

You can use tons of different types of essential oil diffusers, including ones that are lamp rings, reed diffusers, candles, electric, or ultrasonic. 

Inhalation

Another way that you can use essential oils is through inhalation. The easiest way to do this is to open a bottle of essential oils and inhale the scent of the oil a few times. 

Alternatively, you can add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Then, place a towel over your head and the bowl and breathe in the steam for a few minutes. 

Dry Evaporation

You can also dry evaporate essential oils using a cotton ball or a piece of fabric. To do so, just add a few drops of the oil to the cotton ball and hold it to your nose. 

Then, inhale the oil. Or, you can simply place pieces of the material around your home, car, or belongings to let the scent slowly evaporate into the atmosphere.

If you ever come across essential oil jewelry, they work with this method. With these pieces of jewelry, you simply dip a piece of oil or porous volcanic rock into the essential oil to slowly diffuse it throughout the day.

Topically

You can also use essential oils topically. These are typically used for massages or for skincare purposes. 

For this method, dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil, such as orange or sesame oil. Then, apply the mixture to your skin. You can use a rollerball blend or develop your own recipe for making delicious essential oils. 

Another option for using essential oils topically is to add the oils to your favorite toners, muscle rubs, and serums. Just make sure you dilute the oil before adding it to these products. 

Baths and Showers

While you should store essential oils outside of the bathroom to protect them from humidity and heat, you can still use them in the bathroom. One great way to do so is to add a couple of drops to your favorite body wash, conditioner, or shampoo. 

Another method is to place a few drops of essential oils on the shower walls or onto a warm washcloth while you clean yourself in the morning. Or, you can add a few drops of essential oils to your bathwater. 

As always, just remember to dilute your essential oils before you use them. This helps ensure that the concentration of the oil isn't too strong and doesn't cause harm to your body. 

Humidifiers

Another great way to use essential oils is to add them to your humidifier. Just make sure to check the manufacturer's instructions before you do so, as some humidifiers can't accommodate the addition of oils. 

To use this method, add a couple of drops of essential oils to the water tank of your humidifier. The oil will naturally diffuse throughout the room during the day. 

Are Essential Oils Animal-Friendly?

Some people who benefit from essential oils want to use their products on their pets. However, it's important to note that not all essential oils are safe for animals. 

There are specific essential oils for animals that you can use. For dogs, these oils include: 

• Ginger
• Myrrh
• Rosemary
• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Frankincense

For cats, the list is much shorter. In general, if you have cats in the home chamomile, frankincense, and lavender oil are the only oils that are truly safe for use.

Benefits Of Essential Oils

There are tons of different benefits of essential oils. The exact benefits that the oils provide depend on which type of essential oil you diffuse. 

A few benefits that essential oils may offer include: 

• Improved mood
• Reduced stress
• Increased attentiveness
• Improved quality of sleep
• Combat viruses, fungi, and bacteria
• Reduced discomfort
• Alleviated symptoms of anxiety
• Reduced inflammation
• Provide relief for headaches
• Reduced feelings of nausea

The exact benefit* you're looking to take advantage of should be matched to your essential oil. Since each oil has different properties, it can be used in special ways depending on what oil you're diffusing.

Common Types Of Essential Oil

Now that you've got a better idea of essential oils, let's go over a few common types of oils you might come across. These are all great oils for daily use. 

Rose

Rose oil has a sweet, floral scent that's pleasant for diffusing or using topically. This oil is associated with improved complexion, helping you look younger and healthier.

Ylang Ylang

A popular essential oil that many people diffuse is Ylang Ylang oil. You'll usually find this oil in cosmetics since it's associated with hair growth and good complexion.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood has a pleasant, earthy, and woody smell to it. This oil can help lessen dandruff and is also just a wonderful aroma to diffuse within the home. 

Peppermint

If you love minty scents you may want to invest in a bottle or two of peppermint essential oil. This oil feels col on the skin, which can help alleviate any discomfort. 

Spearmint

Another minty oil option is spearmint. This is a great alternative to peppermint if you want something similar but slightly sweeter than peppermint oil.  

Basil

Basil essential oil has tons of benefits associated with it. And, this oil has a delightfully herby and aromatic scent because it's diffused from the popular basil plant.

Tea Tree

One of the most common types of oil you'll find is tea tree oil. This oil has a slightly medicinal scent, and many people use it for anti-bacterial or anti-inflammatory uses. It's also commonly associated with deterring lice, making it great for keeping in the home if you have young kids.

Lemon

For those who love citrusy scents, this is a great oil to choose. Plus, lemon oil is associated with lessened nausea as well as boosted energy, making it a great oil to perk you up during the afternoon slump. 

Sweet Orange

Another popular oil that you'll find that's closely associated with lemon oil is sweet orange oil. This oil is packed with vitamin C. You'll most commonly find sweet orange oil in beauty products to help brighten and smooth your skin. 

Oregano

Last on our list of common oils is oregano oil. This oil has a spicy scent with slight herbal notes. It's an oil that people use both topically or in diffusers for aromatherapy purposes.

Get Started Using Essential Oils Today

Now that you know all about essential oils, you're ready to start using them in your daily life. These incredible oils are great for tons of different uses and are easy to start enjoying no matter how you choose to diffuse them. 

So, are you ready to purchase some essential oils? Browse our essential oils for high-quality essential oils that are perfect for a wide range of uses. 

*Legal Disclaimer: Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.  We recommend that you read labels, warnings and directions before use and not rely solely on the information provided on our site.