My Love Letter to Essential Oils

LoveLettertoEssentialOilsI am an essential oil enthusiast. I was introduced to essential oils in 1993, while in massage school. I took an essential oils class as a an elective. The instructor studied and was trained in France. I loved learning about aromatherapy, the healing properties of the oils, along with the significance of adding them to a relaxation or therapeutic massage.

Fast forward 22 years- my interest is still piqued. I have had the opportunity to educate myself about essential oil use and have had the opportunity to teach classes. Essential oils seem to be all the rage today and for good reason. They are used for a variety of medicinal purposes and are extremely concentrated. They come from the oil of the plant from which they are extracted. Oil is “essential” in the sense that it contains the “essence” of the plant’s fragrance. Which can include the immune system of the plant.

There are three ways that oils can be used:

  1. Topically on the skin
  2. Aromatically in the air
  3. Internally.

There are some different ways oils can be disbursed aromatically; smelling it right out of the bottle, putting it into your hands and cupping them while inhaling, and diffusing into the air with a diffuser. I wouldn’t recommend using a diffuser with tea light candles that heats the oil. Heat can destroy the healing properties of the oils. I personally take oils internally but there are some oils that are not for internal consumption and it is to be practiced sparingly. Some essential oil companies frown on internal use. If it is safe to take internally the bottle should say.

Because oils are so concentrated, some can have an irritating effect on the skin. It is important to dilute some oils with a carrier oil. There are a variety of vegetable or nut oils that can be used; sweet almond, fractionated coconut, olive, peanut, avocado, apricot kernel, sesame, etc. Some vegetable and nut oils have a heavier viscosity and stronger scents than others. I recommend to experiment to find your personal preference.

Applying an essential oil to your skin without diluting it is called “Putting it on neat”. If someone has a reaction to an oil it can’t be washed off with water. Water and oil do not mix. Water will drive the oil deeper into the skin causing more irritation. It is important to have a carrier oil on hand. This will help dilute the oil and lessen the reaction. There are definitely oils that are mild and can be put on neat. Lavender is one of these oils. I use oil’s every day for myself and with my massage clientele. Essential oils have diverse aromas and uses. There are oils that are fruity, florally, woodsy, spicy, etc. It is fun to experiment and play with the oils to find your favorites that work for your health and your overall sense of well-being. The following are just a few examples of what essential oils can do; some support the immune system, some help elevate mood, some aid in headache relief, some act as analgesics for pain, some disinfect and are good for natural cleaning products, in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry.

Some of my favorite oils amongst many are lavender, lemon, peppermint, melaleuca, frankincense, lemongrass, basil, wintergreen and white fir.

Stay tuned for future posts on how I use these oils in my massage practice!

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