Essential oils are liquid extracts from plants. They have unique properties and can treat many common health problems.
Test-tube studies have shown that essential oils can reduce bacteria and may help fight antibiotic resistance. But more research is needed to prove they work in humans. Before using, check with your doctor.
Breathing
Essential oils can lift your mood with just a whiff, but they also help alleviate symptoms of various conditions. They have antidepressant, stimulating, detoxifying, antibacterial, antiviral and calming properties, making them an alternative to costly and side-effect-ridden medications.
Inhalation is one of the most common ways to use essential oils. You can inhale the oil directly from a bottle, or you can diffuse them with devices like humidifiers and vaporizers. You can also add diluted essential oils to baths and rub them on your skin.
Direct inhalation of certain undiluted oils can cause irritation to the skin or respiratory system. This can exacerbate chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, so it’s important to use caution and seek guidance from your healthcare professional before trying these oils.
Topical
Using essential oils topically (applied to the skin) can help reduce pain and inflammation. It is important to use the right amount of oil, and to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil before applying it to the body.
These concentrated plant oils have antidepressant, energizing and cleansing properties. They can be inhaled, added to a carrier oil and applied to the skin or used as an ingredient in household products to clean and sanitize.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, they can cause serious adverse reactions if they are applied at the wrong dosage or in the wrong way. They can also be toxic if taken internally, so they should only be consumed under the guidance of a trained aromatherapist. The best way to ensure the quality of your essential oil is to purchase it from a reliable company that lists its botanical name, batch number and GC/MS test results on the label.
Mouthwash
An essential oil mouthwash is a rinse used to wash or flush the oral cavity. It is generally made up of water mixed with a natural flavouring agent, essential oils or herbal extracts and some preservative. Typically, they contain an emulsifier such as glycerol and a stabiliser such as sodium benzoate.
The main function of a mouthwash is to reduce the formation of plaque, a biofilm that supports the growth of bacteria responsible for dental diseases, such as periodontitis and tooth decay. Typically, the antibacterial agents are chlorhexidine or pyridine compounds.
A natural preservative free mouthwash containing essential oils and botanical extracts may offer superior protection against oral health problems, such as gingivitis or gum disease. These mouthwashes are gentle for sensitive mouth tissue. Patients suffering from medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and those undergoing chemotherapy are particularly susceptible to oral irritation from synthetic ingredients. Essential oils such as clove, thyme and oregano are antibacterial and offer antifungal properties.
Cooking
Using essential oils to make food can be safer and more flavorful than using herbs or spices. However, they can also be dangerous.
It takes a lot of plant material to produce an oil, and these highly concentrated, potent substances can affect us in powerful ways, says the University of Minnesota Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing.
The oil may be too strong to use on its own, so it is usually diluted with a lipid (fat) such as olive or coconut oil. It is then added to the recipe, typically towards the end of cooking or after cooling.
It is best to use a food-safe essential oil and only for cooking purposes. It is important to be aware that some essential oils are more volatile than others and will evaporate more quickly in hot recipes. These include peppermint, orange, lemon and cinnamon oils. Adding them to a liquid such as water or maple syrup will slow down their evaporation.
