Working with Essential Oils
Photo: Janine Joles
We humans evolved with nature, and most of us are attracted to the sounds and scents of the forest. Plants provide us with food, but they also produce phytochemicals to protect against insect attacks and diseases. These biologically active compounds have been used as medicine for thousands of years. Today, essential plant oils are widely available in health food stores, integrative pharmacies, and online. Perhaps most commonly, they are used in diffusers to add scent to a room. They are a great addition to the home medicine cabinet and can be used to make house cleaning and personal care products.
Essential oils are made from plant materials, such as bark, flowers, fruits, and leaves. The most common method of production is to steam-heat plant parts in an enclosed chamber. Two liquid products are created and separated from each other: essential oil, and hydrosol (“plant water”). Another common method is expression, where plant parts are pressed to extract the oil. The oils are bottled in small portions, commonly containing 75 drops of oil (1/8 ounce) to 600 drops (1 ounce, or 30 ml). It is important to remember that these compounds are highly concentrated and must be used carefully. They should never be taken internally by the home user.
Getting Started
These two books are great for beginners:
The Beginner’s Guide to Essential Oils by Christina Anthis (Althea Press, 2019).
The Aromatherapy Companion by Victoria H. Edwards (Storey Publishing, 1999).
You’ll also need to purchase some essential oils. It is crucial to use oils from a reputable company. Here are a few:
Mountain Rose Herbs Quality essential oils, hydrosols, carrier oils, herbs, storage containers, and more. Direct to consumer. Website also has product recipes and helpful information.
Snow Lotus Mostly essential oils and hydrosols. Direct to consumers and health care professionals.
Aura Cacia An affordable yet reputable brand. Widely available (Target, Whole Foods, many drug stores). Bottle size is 7.5 ml, which is smaller than most. Some oils not certified organic (check the label), but all are 100% pure.
Here are some basic precautions to take when using essential oils:
Use in a well-ventilated area.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes when working with essential oils. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when finished.
Remember that essential oils are highly flammable.
Avoid inhaling them while creating products.
Store them carefully, in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children and animals.
Do not use them straight out of the bottle on your skin. They need to be diluted in a “carrier oil” (some examples of carrier oils are jojoba oil, olive oil, and almost any oil you would use in the kitchen). Essential oils used in topical products typically make up 1% or 2% (6 or 12 drops of essential oil per ounce) of the total blend.
If an accidental spill occurs on your skin, use milk or any oil in your kitchen to dilute and remove the oil.
Use particular caution if you are allergic to any type of plant.
After creating a skin care product, test a nickel-sized amount on your arm for several hours or overnight to make sure it does not cause any adverse reactions, especially if you have allergies.
Citrus oils produced by expression (not heat distillation) can cause photosensitivity, meaning you can burn after only a short period of sun exposure.
For more on safe use of essential oils, see this helpful blog post by the American College of Healthcare Sciences.