Essential Oils
Essential oils have been rising in the ranks of “natural remedies” to various physical and mental health concerns for some time now. Everyone from mommy bloggers to celebrities seems to be hopping on the essential oil bandwagon.
The more skeptical among us are still wondering if essential oils are worth the time of day. Are they useful? Are they effective? Are they safe?
Let’s get into the details on what essential oils are, how they’re made, how they’re used, and the ways in which they can help promote better health.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are compounds that have been extracted from various plants with the intention of capturing the “essence” of the plant (whether scent or flavor). Because each plant from which the compound is extracted differs, each essential oil smells different and has a different possible effect for a user.
They’re typically sold in very small bottles (about one ounce is common) because they’re so potent that not much is needed — no matter how you’re using them — and they’re often diluted using a carrier oil. Therefore, the essential oil in that little bottle is likely to last for quite a while.
How Essential Oils Work
, Acupuncturist and Alternative Medicine Specialist says the olfactory nerves go directly to the brain. “The olfactory nerves (cranial nerves that register smell) go directly to the brain so the response in the nervous system is immediate and thereby influences mood and our immune system.”
The area that is most significantly impacted by this biological connection is the amygdala, which is the emotional center of the brain. This is why essential oils are wonderful for aromatherapy and massage — our brains are literally being influenced by the scents around us.
According to Moy, “essential oils are a form of ‘plant medicine’ and have properties that are psychoactive — that is they tap into the and interact with chemicals in the brain,” which means that while the aromatherapy element is important, the essential oils are actually causing chemical reactions in our bodies. “An example of this would be how cats react to catnip, the properties in catnip are similar to pheromones (sex hormones) and that stimulates arousal in the brain.”
Moy is a big advocate for essential oils in her practice. “How we benefit from essential oils, herbal medicine and plants has to do with our with plants. Plants produce chemicals for their own use (survival) and evolved in the same environment as humans and animals and we use them for ourselves.”
The bottom line is that — as long as you’re using them properly — essential oils are quite safe. Some would argue that even if you only get a simple boost in spirits from using essential oils, it will be beneficial for your well-being.
How Are Essential Oils Made?
A few different methods can be used to make essential oils, and it’s important to note because the production method can affect the oil’s purity.
Distillation
Distillation is the most commonly used method for producing essential oils, and is considered one of the most effective ways of maintaining purity standards. The equipment used is quite similar to the distillation equipment used to make alcoholic spirits like gin or vodka.
Once the plant (i.e. lavender, chamomile, peppermint) is ready to be harvested, the distillers pack a piece of equipment called a “still” as tightly as possible with the leaves, flowers, and stems of the plant (this varies according to the exact plant being used). The tighter the plant is packed, the less likely that air pockets will form in the still, and the more oil they can extract.
After the still has been sealed, steam is pumped into it from the bottom — typically created in a boiler. As the hot steam heats the plant, the glands containing the oil burst, releasing the oil into the steam.
Cold water is pumped through a pipe, which hits the steam and condenses it back into water, but now, the water contains the oils extracted from the plant. When the process is complete (timing varies according to plant), the tap at the bottom of the still is opened and the water and essential oil mixture is siphoned out into a holding tank.
Because oil and water don’t mix, the holding tank does the rest of the hard work. The liquid is left alone to separate, with the oil naturally rising to the top. When that process is finished, the water is siphoned out the bottom of the holding tank, stopping when they first begin to see oil remnants appearing in the water.
Another distillation method that can be appropriately used is called hydrodistillation, during which the plant is submerged in water in order to extract the oil. This isn’t very effective for every type of plant, but it’s a viable method, nonetheless.
The essential oil can be sold in this pure form, or it can be sent to a laboratory, where it can be filtered and used in other , such as massage oils, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and facial scrubs.
Solvent Extraction
While distillation is a wonderful method for many plants that produce essential oils, some plants (such as jasmine, linden blossoms and vanilla) are too delicate to be put through the process — in the case of jasmine blossoms, the heat from the steam would simply break down the petals, rather than burst pockets of oil. For these plants, a process called solvent extraction is often used instead, and it’s a bit more complicated, so we’ll try to simplify it as much as possible.
During solvent extraction, once again the petals are packed as tightly as possible in a vessel. First, they’re washed with a solvent to extract fat-soluble compounds from the petals. The product from this process is a thick wax called a “concrete.”
The concrete substance is then washed with a different solvent that helps to extract the aromatics. At that point, the product is more liquid than waxy, and a pressurized vacuum is used to remove the solvent, leaving only the pure essential oil.
Carbon Dioxide Extraction
Carbon dioxide extraction uses pure carbon dioxide to capture the essential oils. This method requires special equipment and is therefore expensive — though it is very effective in maintaining purity.
Carbon dioxide most commonly exists in gas form, but can also be turned into a liquid. This compound is also unique in that there is a “supercritical” phase in between its gas and liquid forms in which it exhibits properties from both forms, and becomes a natural solvent that can be used to extract essential oils.
In order to achieve this state, the carbon dioxide gas is heated and pressurized until it becomes a viable solvent. The plant is then washed in the solvent and filtered to remove any excess plant material. Then, the pressure and temperature in the chamber are reduced to normal levels, at which point the carbon dioxide returns to its regular gas form and the essential oils are left in their pure form in the chamber.
Cold Pressing
One of the best ways to extract citrus essential oils is through cold pressing. If you’ve ever made zest from a lemon or lime, you’re likely familiar with the spray of liquid that comes out when you zest, twist, or squeeze the rind. It’s this same principle that is used during cold pressing for essential oils.
As the name may suggest, cold pressing doesn’t involve a heat source. Essentially, the citrus fruits are run through a machine that roughs up the rinds by scraping them, causing the tiny pockets of essential oil to burst open. Water is typically poured onto the whole fruits to capture the essential oils, and then filtered to catch any pieces of fruit that may have made their way into the mixture.
The oil is then separated from the water (sometimes with a centrifuge), leaving the pure essential oil.
Enfleurage
The final method of extracting essential oils from plants is also one of the oldest — it was used most often before modern distillation and carbon dioxide methods were invented. Because of the materials used, essential oils created through enfleurage may not be preferred (i.e. for those living a vegan lifestyle).
In this method, the plant is placed in a layer of fat on a non-reactive plate (typically glass). The fat — which could be pork or beef lard, or vegetable oil — absorbs the fat-soluble compounds from the plant. Once the fat is completely saturated, it essentially creates a pomade, which can be sold as hair care products or beard oils. Alternatively, it can be further processed to extract the pure essential oils.
In order to extract the essential oils, the mixture is washed with a solvent to help separate the oils from the fat, and then washed again with ethanol, which dissolves off, leaving the pure essential oils behind.
Beware of Synthetics
Some companies make synthetic chemical compounds that may smell like pure essential oils, but they are not. Because these products are far from natural, putting them on your skin (which absorbs the oil in as little as ) can be at best, an irritant for your skin and at worst, an introduction of potentially harmful chemicals into your bloodstream.
For this reason, Emerson Ecologics only offers natural essential oils. The fewer chemicals you’re absorbing, the better. On our product pages, you’ll even see the method in which the essential oils were extracted from the plant.
How are Essential Oils Used?
Essential oils can be used in many ways, including aromatherapy, topical applications like massage oil and personal care products (i.e., lotions and deodorants), and even in oral health products (like ).
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Essential oils are often used in cosmetics such as lip balms, body lotions, scrubs and facial care — particularly in home-made products — because they can be both soothing and healing for the skin. For example, essential oils can be in the summer when people tend to spend more time outside in the sun.
For those who want to apply essential oils directly onto their skin for a specific purpose, they should be mixed with a carrier oil first. This could be almond oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, etc. Remember that olive oil and coconut oil may have a strong scent in and of themselves, so if you find the scents battling with each other, you may want to choose a more neutral oil, such as grapeseed.
Aromatherapy
“Humans have a highly developed sense of smell which means we are affected by scents that in turn influence our brain chemistry and activity,” says Moy.
Some people use a device called a to distribute essential oils into the air in their homes. Oftentimes, this involves adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a vessel of water, which then evaporates into the air, or is pushed out via a fine cool mist (like a humidifier).
Massage therapists may use essential oils along with massage to help stimulate circulation, or help soothe aching muscles, and of course for their relaxing aromatherapy benefits, which is why essential oils are frequently added to massage oils. Peppermint, wintergreen and eucalyptus oils are used to help bring blood circulation to the skin. Cinnamon and ginger oils are warming and relaxing to the muscles. Of course, the calming scents of and chamomile are commonly used essential oils for relaxing aromatherapy. .
A great way to use essential oils is in the shower or bathtub. A few drops of your favorite essential oil in bathwater, or on the shower walls prior to turning the water on can make you feel like you’re at a spa instead of your own bathroom.
Alternatively, some people simply open the bottle and inhale the scent. A few deep breaths may help calm feelings of stress or worry.
Essential Oils For Stress
and chamomile are often used in situations where people are trying to calm down or relax, so those are common go-to essential oils. Whatever scent is most calming to you (perhaps something that smells like a favorite memory) will be best. If you don’t like the smell of lavender, it might not help you feel less stressed.
The same will go for something to help you sleep. Some people report that applying a drop of peppermint or lavender essential oil to their foreheads or temples helps (of course, be sure to use a carrier oil). Badger makes an organic sleep balm with lavender and bergamot oils that is particularly lovely.
According to Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert at , “one of the best ways to utilize essential oils is to put a few drops on your pillow before bed. The soothing and calming properties of essential oils like lavender and ylang-ylang ease the nervous system and help induce relaxation and sleepiness.”
There are actually many sleep blends created specifically as aromatherapy to help you sleep, which can be added to a diffuser in the bedroom. This has become very popular both for adults who have trouble getting to sleep and for parents with active children that have difficulty settling down to sleep at night.
Around the House
Other home uses include spraying the oil into shoes and slippers, carpets, rugs, clothes, or bed linens in order to freshen the fabric. You can also add a few drops to a piece of fabric to use as a scented dryer sheet. Many people use essential oils to create their own natural cleaning products.
Some essential oils have been thought to , so gardeners who try to avoid chemicals have been known to create mixtures from neem, lavender, basil, cedarwood, and peppermint.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
First and foremost, it’s extremely important to know that most essential oils are not meant to be ingested. Essential oils are very potent and not intended for internal use. Under no circumstances should you intentionally swallow them.
Some oils are edible, but they are specifically labeled as such. In his book Fix it With Food, Iron Chef Michael Symon shares a homemade oregano oil recipe that is not an essential oil — it’s oregano-infused grapeseed oil made by heating the oil with fresh oregano in the pan, and is specifically made for use in cooking. He also shares that he sometimes rubs his homemade oregano oil on his aching joints and feels a difference within a few hours (obviously, this won’t work for everyone).
Second, because they are so potent and concentrated, they can easily cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. If you are especially sensitive, certain oils may irritate your eyes, your sinuses or lungs if inhaled. It’s easy to be allergic to natural plant oils (think poison ivy!) so always test individual oils carefully for any personal sensitivity by trying only a little at a time. Anyone can have sensitivity to a particular oil.
Third, essential oils are not meant to be a replacement for medical care. “While essential oils don’t cure diseases, they certainly help people live healthier and more natural lives,” says Backe. “I like to think of essential oils as natural alternatives to many everyday products that we use to improve our lives.”
To that end, Backe also points out that essential oils “are all inherently different and therefore have specific wellness benefits.”
Getting Started with Essential Oils
If you’re interested in trying out essential oils, it doesn’t take much to get started. You could start by getting your favorite scent and simply opening the bottle to inhale the scent when you’re feeling stressed or frustrated. Feel free to put some drops on your pillow at night, as Backe suggested, or put a few drops on your shower walls or in your bathwater.
As you get more comfortable, you could add a few drops to a carrier oil and rub it onto the back of your hands or on your wrists to see if you have a positive experience. If you go this route, pay attention to the ratios you’re using. Backe says that the ratios can vary from oil to oil, but that “the general rule is that essential oils should account for between 0.5%-2% of the mixture, or approximately 3-12 drops per ounce.”
And of course, don’t be afraid to reach out to seasoned vets of essential oils to ask questions. They’re always happy to share information about their favorite diffusers, uses, and brands. Lisa Murray, RDN, Medical Education Manager at Emerson Ecologics shared how she uses essential oils: “I use ylang-ylang and jasmine essential oils as a natural personal fragrance instead of commercial perfumes. I mix the combination into avocado oil and use it daily as a moisturizing body oil. To make the simplest, most natural, effective deodorant, I add 20 drops of lavender oil to 2oz of water in a little blue spray bottle. And, you can use different oils of all kinds, like grapefruit oil, peppermint, or tea tree oil to make wonderful scented foot sprays which can be used both morning and night. Lastly, I would never be without my tea tree and neem oil toothpaste.”
Are you interested in learning more about essential oils? Check out these articles with additional pro tips: