Cooking with essential oils can add a new dimension to your favorite dishes. Just be sure to use high-quality, therapeutic-grade oils that are labeled safe for ingestion, such as those with a supplement facts label that looks like the one on a food package.
These fragrant compounds have relaxing, calming and mood-boosting properties. They also can help with a variety of health concerns.
Versatility
The popularity of essential oils has increased in recent times due to their therapeutic properties. The oils are highly concentrated liquids that are extracted from different parts of the plant such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots and resin.
They contain volatile compounds that give them their characteristic scents and contribute to their healing properties. They are usually created using a process of distillation, although other extraction methods like maceration and enfleurage also exist.
Essential oils can be used aromatically, topically or internally. They can be added to diffusers, inhaled directly from the bottle or mixed with a carrier oil to create homemade hair and skin products. Some of them even have pharmacological effects like fighting against disease-causing bacteria, viruses and fungi. However, they haven’t been proven scientifically to have any effect on the human vibrational frequency. It is recommended to use essential oils only with the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare professional. Moreover, patch tests are advised before using any essential oil on babies and infants.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a safe and natural way to alleviate a range of health concerns. It can help reduce the side effects of prescription medications, particularly if used correctly. Essential oils are concentrated plant-based extracts that can be inhaled or diluted and applied directly to the skin. They have antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and calming properties and can be used in conjunction with conventional treatment for a wide variety of ailments.
When inhaled, the molecules travel up the nose and trigger scent receptors in the olfactory nerve that connects to the brain. The brain then sends a message to the organs of the body to produce specific chemicals, such as serotonin, cortisol and dopamine.
The thalamus then separates the information into three different impulses to the motoric physical centre, cortex and hypothalamus. This is why the oil can help to relieve pain, stress and anxiety. The smell also affects the limbic system of the brain, which is responsible for emotional and psychological responses.
Health benefits
Essential oils can be a natural and effective addition to your holistic wellness plan. Adding these powerful volatile substances to your daily routine can boost your mood, relieve stress and lift energy levels. These therapeutic oils can also serve as an alternative to certain medications for a variety of conditions.
The calming effects of lavender oil, for example, can help ease depression and anxiety and promote restful sleep. Peppermint relieves joint and muscle pain, soothes nausea, clears sinuses and wards off infections. Tea tree oil (melaleuca) reduces fungus and bacterial growth, while sandalwood acts as a natural aphrodisiac.
However, be cautious about claims that essential oils can treat specific health issues. The scientific research supporting these claims is often limited and some studies show that inhaling certain oils can aggravate respiratory chronic conditions like asthma and COPD. Also, those with sensitive skin should avoid direct contact with some of the most potent oils. For these reasons, it’s always best to use essential oils in combination with a base oil such as coconut or jojoba.
Safety
Essential oils are highly concentrated, so they should be used sparingly and with great care. They can irritate skin if applied “neat” or without diluting them first. They are flammable, so they should also be kept away from flames.
Ingestion of certain oils can be toxic, especially in children. Oils such as wintergreen, thyme, peppermint and eucalyptus can cause respiratory distress, nausea, vomiting, seizures and even death in extreme cases. This is why it is important to store essential oils out of reach of children, and to always use child-proof lids on bottles.
Those who have a known sensitivity to certain oils can avoid adverse reactions by using an appropriate dilution, diluting the oil more, or changing the application method. It is also a good idea to start with small amounts and gradually increase the quantity of oil being applied or diffused.
Many of the essential oils that have antimicrobial properties have been tested against oral bacteria such as salmonella and staphylococci. They have shown promising results in killing these organisms, and may offer an alternative to antibiotics.
