What are Essential Oils - An Introduction for Beginners
Essential oils have been used by a growing community for years. For some, their gripe is with conventional drugs. They use essential oils as an alternative medicine to escape products laced with synthesized chemicals.
For others, it’s the beautiful aroma and feel-good component that keeps them hooked.
What’s your story?
What has sparked your interest in essential oils? Whatever the story, you’re looking to learn more about them and how they can benefit your family.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are plant derivatives.
These are volatile, concentrated compounds extracted from different plant parts through distillation. Citrus oils are exceptions, as these are cold-pressed from the rind of the fruit.
The essential oil is the very essence or aroma of the plant. They are found in the flowers, flower blossoms, seeds, leaves, bark, rind, and other areas of some plants.
Think about the last time you handled an orange. As the rind of the fruit is removed, vesicles or sacs are broken, releasing the essence. This emits a beautiful, vibrant citrus aroma.
Essential oils are produced by plants as a defense mechanism. Plants do come under vicious attacks from bacteria, insects, and temperature change. The plant’s essence protects it.
Since plant extracts have woven their way into many homes, a question worth considering is: What are essential oils made of?
What are Essential Oils Made Of?
Plants produce primary and secondary metabolites.
Primary metabolites are crucial for the plant’s development and growth. These include proteins, vitamins, enzymes, and other phytochemicals (compounds in plants). Essential oils are secondary metabolites and aren’t produced at the primary stage.
Every chemical produced in a plant solves a problem. What does the production of volatile oils solve? As mentioned before, to defend themselves. Plants may not wield a literal weapon to ward of dangers, but they produce chemicals to undertake the work for them.
Secondary chemicals come together to form the essential oils used today. These chemicals include:
- phenolic compounds
- terpenoid molecules
- alkaloids
- coumarins and others
These chemicals play a role in attracting and protecting plants from microbes. But some also have medicinal and therapeutic effects on humans.
Hence, plants are explored today to unravel the science behind essential oils.
The Science Behind Essential Oils
There’s a science behind essential oils and how they work.
Some essential oil may contain more than 100 different chemical compounds. These work in unison to relieve different ailments and make you feel better.
Compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, phenols, hydrocarbons, terpenes, and others combine to give the oil its rich aroma and therapeutic benefits.
Menthol, for example, is an alcohol found in peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita). This alcohol, along with menthone, gives peppermint essential oil its minty, stimulating, and refreshing aroma. The oil’s chemical structure makes it powerful and useful today. In fact, research hints at its effectiveness in relieving irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders.
Another famous extract is lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia). The chemical structure of this sweet, floral note endows lavender oil with its sedative and calming properties. The oil sports over 100 different chemical compounds, with linalyl acetate making up about 40%. Combined with another chemical, linalool, lavender wears a tall hat as an essential oil for sleep and mood disorders.
The scientific details of aromatherapy oils can become overwhelming, and that’s understandable.
Our goal at Positive Essence is to breakdown information into bite-sized, digestible pieces. We want you to leave feeling confident about your choices, whether you’re looking to buy essential oils for diffuser use or learn about their benefits.
As a takeaway from the science behind essential oils, remember that each oil has its chemistry and uniqueness. The chemistry of an oil will determine its pharmacological effects and possible contraindications to watch out for.
What are Essential Oils Used For?
To experience the healing power of plant-based extracts, they must be used for their intended purpose.
If you’re given a prescribed gel to prevent acne, where would you use it? Would you ingest that product or apply it to the affected area?
Use your volatile oils in a similar manner.
They aren't one-size-fits-all. Determine the problem you're looking to solve and use your oils accordingly. If you want relief from muscle aches, don't apply these concentrated lipids to your bellybutton. Apply them to the affected muscle area.
Practitioners of aromatherapy use plant essences to provide relief for a range of physical, emotional, and physiological symptoms. These include:
- Mood disorders (irritability, anger, anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Insomnia and restlessness
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Exercise performance
- Musculoskeletal problems such as spasms, inflammation, and pain
- Skin dilemmas such as acne, rashes, itching, inflammatory skin conditions.
- Respiratory issues such as coughs, sinusitis, congestion, etc.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but you get the idea.
Since essential oils can be used for many situations, let’s pinpoint a few popular oils and what they are good for.
What are Essential Oils Good For?
When a woman uses contraceptive pills, it’s easy to conclude what they’re being used for.
Similarly, certain plant-based extracts are well-known for specific conditions. Although a single essential oil like lavender may be best suited for peaceful sleep, it’s also worthwhile for individuals who seek to calm the mind.
Also, neroli essential oil (Citrus aurantium) is big on providing emotional support. This essence is luxurious and blends well when used to create DIY, high-class perfumes.
If you’re big on earthy, musky fragrances, another note to consider is vetiver essential oil (Chrysopogon zizanioides). It’s a rich base to stabilize perfumes, holding its tenacity so that the aroma doesn’t fizz out easily. This is because essential oils are highly volatile (evaporates easily).
How to Buy Essential Oils
You may have concerns about how to buy essential oils that are pure. You’re not alone. Most users of aromatics want to ensure they aren’t using substandard and contaminated products.
So, before parting ways with your pennies, here are a few tips to consider:
- The botanical details of the plant should be listed on the bottle. Be wary of vendors that only list the common name of the plant. This should always be followed by the plant’s Latin binomial.
For example, lavender (true) is the common name, but Lavandula angustifolia is the botanical name of the plant. This is important, as different species (angustifolia) exists of the genus (Lavandula). A bottle only labeled with lavender could also be spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) or French or Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas). Ensure you know what you're getting.
- Pure oils should not be bottled in plastic or clear containers. Buy them from a vendor who distributes their essential oils in either dark, amber, green, or brown glass-colored bottles. UV rays from the sun may alter the chemistry and aromatics of oils. This process is minimized when appropriate containers are used. As essential oils are highly concentrated, their chemicals may also interact with plastic containers and contaminate the oil.
- Buy plant essences from a company that’s committed to educating their customers on safety and proper essential oil use. You want a company that’ll hold your hands, especially as a beginner to aromatherapy.
At Positive Essence, we aim to take our customers on a life-changing journey. When you use our essential oils, you’re in safe hands. Do you need help choosing an essential oil for a specific situation but are unsure of what to do? Leave us a comment and we’ll try our best to help your situation or point you in the right direction.
