Many within the wellness community have been using essential oils to address a number of concerns, including air quality, mood, and physical health concerns. Those who have spiritual and religious practices also use scents in a variety of ways, including during meditation.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. Extraction methods include pressing or steaming a plant so that it releases these compounds which are then bottled and used for a range of purposes. Compounds are known as “essential” oils because they capture the essence of the plant.

Things that you should know about essential oils:

• They are highly concentrated: A little bit can go a long way.

• Because they are so concentrated, it’s important to be very careful when using essential oils. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. (Even diffusing some oils can be toxic to pets!)

• Essential oils are liquid, or at least semi-liquid, but not all feel or look “oily.”

• Essential oils are sensitive to light and air. Keep them in a tightly-closed container, and out of direct sunlight.

Essential Oils Vs. Fragrance Oils

Essential oils are different from fragrance oils: A fragrance oil is a blend of oils (sometimes natural, sometimes artificial, sometimes containing toxic chemicals, sometimes a blend of all three) that is used for personal and household scenting and deodorizing.

Fragrance oils are often used instead of essential oils used in body sprays, colognes, soaps, candles, and incense. Why? A few reasons: First, essential oils don’t always have a strong fragrance and may even smell somewhat different than what you might expect. Fragrance oils are blended to deliver a very specific scent profile. This is why they are used in body care, candles, and potpourri.

Essential oils are also usually quite expensive, unlike fragrance oils because of this they are not always suited for the mass production of scented items (so always read the labels and search out quality products and companies!).

Which is best? A sustainably sourced, high quality essential oil (some of my faves: Mountain Rose Herbs, doTerra, and Young Living).

Ways That People Use Essential Oils

The safest and most common way to use essential oils is through a diffuser. Diffusers act to hold the oil as it releases itself into the user’s environment. There is no open flame, no smoke, and the oil is usually contained within the diffuser. (If you have pets, please know that they can be sensitive to essential oils)

There are many different types of diffusers, including:

Steam diffusers: Add water and a few drops of oil to the diffuser and plug it into an outlet. The water heats up, resulting in steam that releases the scent into the room.

Nebulizers: Nebulizers use air instead of steam to release oils into the environment. They are more expensive than diffusers, but also provide a stronger release of the oil and its scent.

Personal accessories: There are personal accessories that you can wear, or carry with you, that contain the essential oil of your choice. They typically work either by providing a permeable container into which you can add oil, which is released throughout the day, or a piece of absorbent material that is sealed in a container. Soak the material in essential oil, place it in the container and seal it up. Open when you need to inhale some of the oil.

Many people use essential oils topically, adding them to massage oils, creams, lotions and even hair care products (or in the bath). If you use essential oils this way, make sure read any directions for use: Some oils can trigger skin sensitivities. Use a very small amount of oil and do a patch test to minimize any problems.

(Check out the AromaTouch massage - great for seasonal allergies and boosting the immune system!)

Popular Essential Oils

Below are some of the most popular essential oils and what they are often used for:

• Lavender: Relaxation, insomnia, anxiety, headache relief

• Peppermint: Headache relief, nausea, increased energy

• Orange: Improved mood, indigestion, household cleaner

• Lemon: Addresses fatigue, helps to alleviate anxiety

• Tea Tree: Antibacterial and antifungal

• Thieves: (a blend of several oils): Improved immune system response, disinfectant

• Black Spruce: Respiratory issues, deodorizer, stress relief

(eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang can be toxic to pets)

As with any wellness item, purity and quality matter. Work with reputable dealers and suppliers: If a price for an oil is too good to be true, it likely is.

Also, oil quality can degrade over time. If you are purchasing an oil that you don’t expect to use often, opt for the smaller bottle and replace it when needed. You’ll save money this way and not run the risk of using an oil that is rancid or that has lost its potency.