The use of essential oils can be traced back to ancient times when they were used for medicinal purposes as well as to make perfumes.
Essential oils are currently experiencing a resurgence and are quickly becoming a popular natural remedy in these uncertain times.
Most of us use essential oils in our daily life without fully realizing it. We have often used plant-based essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and bergamot for aromatherapy.
You can also find these essential oils in our favorite scented candles, soaps and massage oils.
If you love incorporating essential oils into your everyday life, here are the different ways you can safely use them.
Aromatherapy: By smell
The easiest way to enjoy essential oils is through aromatherapy. You can put a drop of your favorite essential oil on your wrists and inhale the wondrous scent. The essential oil can also be used as a personal fragrance.
For a more subtle way of enjoying the essential oil scents, light a scented candle in the room for a few minutes or disperse a few drops of oil in an essential oil diffuser.
Some prefer small wax melts or wax tablets with which they perfume their wardrobe or suitcase. Essential oils can also be mixed with water in a spray bottle and sprayed over furniture and bedding for a light scent.
Topical: apply to the skin
Topical application of essential oils allows the oil to be absorbed into the skin. Essential oils also work well as massage oils. A light massage with the oil can help increase blood flow to the massaged areas.
To increase absorption, mix one drop of essential oil with three drops of a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Using a carrier oil will help increase absorption on dry, flaky skin and reduce the likelihood of skin sensitivity.
Using lotions and moisturizers with essential oils is another great option. You can also add a drop of essential oil to mix with your favorite moisturizer.
Lotions and moisturizers with essential oils are often used as medicines. For example, moisturizers and lotions with tea tree oil are used to fight acne and treat insect bites, and as an antiseptic for minor cuts and scratches.
Another topical way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils is to add a few drops to a warm bath.
You can also make a hot or cold compress by soaking a towel in water and adding essential oils before applying the infused towel to the area you want.
Despite the many uses of essential oil, some people may be allergic to certain oils. As a precaution, it is always better to start with a low dose (1-2 drops) for each essential oil and leave it on for a day.
You can increase the dose, but only if you are sure that you have not reacted badly to previous doses.
Ingestion: Ingestion of the oil droplets
Although some essential oils can be ingested, they must be taken with great caution. Essential oils can be ingested by adding a few drops of oil to a glass of water, placing a drop under the tongue, or swallowing a supplement capsule.
A few drops of essential oil can also be used when cooking meals to replace herbs and spices.
However, it is extremely important to check which essential oils are safe to ingest. Not all essential oils are safe to consume and if swallowed can result in accidental poisoning.
Always check on the labels and with the manufacturer to ensure that the essential oils sold to you are safe to ingest. Lastly, pay attention to potency and start with very low doses.
Regardless, there are some essential oils that you should never ingest, such as cedar, cypress, eucalyptus, silver fir, wintergreen, birch, and arborvitae.
If you think you have accidentally ingested the wrong essential oil, rinse your mouth quickly with water and seek medical attention immediately.
Other precautions
