Essential Oils - how to buy and how to use

I used to think that essential oils were a scam, but I ended up finding out that they are a great resource for my natural medicine cabinet for issues such as headaches, muscle tension, menstrual pain, and for my emotional wellbeing. I eventually felt I needed to figure out where to buy essential oils that I could trust and that I could reasonably afford. Essential Oils have always been around but have won more popularity in the people that want to transform from using traditional medicine for their health and chemicals for cleaning. With the rise of toxins and chemicals in our environment, the need for natural alternatives is becoming increasingly important. I see more posts about adding a few drops here and there of Essential Oils, I use them daily myself, a holistic health approach with natural remedies for a range of health and lifestyle purposes.

What are Essential Oils

Essential Oils are concentrated extracts of plants from roots, barks, stems, flowers, seeds, and other parts that are separated by steam distillation. In them, most of the plant ingredients are contained in concentrated form. They contain the concentrated life force of the whole plant and can smell both pleasant and intense. In many cases, their composition is still not fully explored. Nevertheless, essential oils are well-tried home remedies and are used very successfully for countless problems.

Essential oils act directly on the brain and can positively affect both physical and mental processes in the human body. They can lighten the mood, calm the senses and cause intense feelings.

Depending on the plant, between 150 and 5000 kg of plant material is required to produce 1 kg of Essential Oil. Rose oil, for example, is one of the most precious oils. For one kilogram of Rose Oil between 3500 and 5000 kg of rose petals are needed. This is a good example to make clear how important the careful handling of Essential Oils is.

Health

Essential Oils have played a vital role in health for hundreds of years. It is important though to only use oils sparely. Never use them highly concentrated. A guide here is to use not more than 20 drops or 1 ml in 100 ml fatty plant oil. Start with only a few drops and increase the amount later, if desired.

Oils are famous in massage therapies. It is advised that before you apply any Essential Oil to your skin for the first time, you should always test it on a small area of skin, and if you tolerate the oil then it's safe for you to use. However, should you experience and unpleasant reaction on your skin within 5-10 min (burning sensation, itching or redness) do not apply it again. Perhaps using this oil in a vaporiser suits you more, (if you really want that smell) and you can try a different oil for topical use.

It is also recommended to use a carrier oil for topical use. Carrier oils are often Coconut, Jojoba, and Almond oils. The treatment of infants, the elderly and pregnant women with Essential Oils should be done cautiously, you may want to consult an aromatherapist or your GP before using them.

What can I use Essential Oils for?

Essential oils can be diffused in the home, used to make home made natural cleaning products and applied topically to the skin (always diluted in a carrier oil first if not stated otherwise). Essential oils are pure, potent and highly concentrated and should be treated with the utmost respect and care when using them. I always recommend my customers to read essential oil safety before using.  Essential oils can be applied in topically in a very wide range. Be it for healing purposes, in aromatherapy, for emotional well-being, but also in your DIY cosmetic products (for example, deodorant, in your bath products, perfumes, skincare), and for insect repellent and much much more. We recommend a patch test with the oil you picked before applying it largely topically and do not advocate for any essential oils to be taken internally.

I will share some tips and recipes in more posts :)

Buying Essential Oils There are some important points to note to have the security to buy a pure, unadulterated natural product. Check for website or bottle for these:

• look for 100% pure Essential Oils

• the Latin name of the plant

• the name in your language

• Country of origin

• The Farming

• Ethical Sourcing

• GC/MS tested

• Certified

• Quantity in milliliter

• No synthetic fillers

• No fragrances

Avoid fragrance oils at all costs, if leading a less toxic lifestyle is your aim. Fragrance based oils are basically perfume and, unless naturally derived, full of harmful chemicals.

What brand does Emmi's Wave recommend?

Not all essential oils are equally pure – some can be diluted with other oils or even have artificial ingredients added. Even if an oil states 100% pure doesn't mean it is, as companies only need to add about 5% of purity to claim 100%. I know, crazy huh?! You want the good oils, the best, doTERRA is your choice.

We confidently recommend doTerra Essential Oils, nationally and internally. doTERRA source their oils from their native locations around the world. As an example, their eucalyptus is actually sourced from Australia.

doTerra's collection of single essential oils represent the world's best aromatic extracts of this time.

Each oil contains the true essence of its botanical source, and is gently distilled from plants that are grown and carefully harvested in different parts of the world.

Each oil is 100% natural and is tested for maximum purity and effectiveness according to strict standards. They have rigorous tests they put their oils through and they then release all of those data to their customers. A beautiful palette of botanical energies that can be used individually or mixed for oil therapy. Lots and lots of naturopath providers as well as doctors use these oils.

DoTerra have over 50 single oils and close to 40 blends. They also make diffusers, skin care, hair products, toothpaste, deodorant and a range of supplements. They do a lot around the world in terms of supporting regeneration, government environmental projects, small scale farming, child trafficking, women's health, medical health and more. They go into areas where they can get the absolute highest quality of plant and partner with the communities and they provide equipment, training, education, and empower people with industry and jobs in those communities. They source directly and pay the farmers upfront so the plants are being left until their best. No middle men for sourcing are being used, so doTERRA has full control of the quality. If this resonates with you, then doTERRA is a the best oil company to support with your purchases.

If your oils of choice are doTERRA we will help you to make the most of your membership. We will help you earning points towards free oils in your next order which effectively will drive down the cost of your oils even further. Monthly Emails with information on the doTERRA "free product of the month" and any specials they have, as well as amazing Ebooks and information on how to use your essential oils.

Are you using essentials oils already? Which scent is your favourite?