There has been a wellness boom in the past year and a half as more and more people care about their wellbeing and general health.
One aspect of wellbeing that has been widely praised for its lifestyle benefits is essential oils, but it is important to make sure that you invest in quality to reap the full benefits.
Kotanical founder Karl Murray founded the essential oils company in 2017 after an injury inspired him to find a more natural healing method.
There has been a wellness boom in the past year and a half as more and more people care about their wellbeing and general health. Image: Kotanical
The Dubliner has a source of knowledge regarding essential oils, his passion started with his Thai boxing club.
During his exercise, he noticed how people’s levels of relaxation increased with their use during muscle tests.
His Thai boxing club used a peppermint and eucalyptus ointment to improve the team’s performance – and when he injured his wrist after a fight, he used essential oils to help him recover.
Kotanical founder Karl Murray founded the essential oils company in 2017 after an injury inspired him to find a more natural healing method. Image: Kotanical
Regarding what Kotanical did, Karl told Extra.ie, “When I started using essential oils it was very difficult to buy real oil of a decent quality so I started sourcing my own, then i noticed that no one was making essential oils here in Ireland and there is one thing no one else is doing right now, so i started looking for and testing steam distillation essential oil making.
“That was the beginning of Kotanical – the K comes from Kraft paired with Botanical.”
Afterwards he learned more every week in workshops and events, became “a sponge” and soaked up everything there was to know.
Karl noted that while it was originally a slow start for Kotanical, interest and business have increased over the past 12 months.
“Just before the pandemic, it started growing at a decent rate. It has grown exponentially over the past year as people become more focused on their wellbeing and thereby support an Irish company, ”he added.
One of the best ways to enjoy essential oils is with a diffuser; the scent fills the room and creates a wonderful atmosphere.
Another way to hug such an environment is with candles – but Karl says a person won’t get the same benefits as essential oils.
“Although we can mimic the scent of essential oils, they do not have the natural healing properties of essential oils. We are unable to duplicate the benefits, ”he explained.
“Scented oils are ideal for making cosmetics and perfumes to enhance the aroma of these products. However, they lack the therapeutic benefits that are beneficial to the body.
“For example, you can easily find different lemongrass fragrances on the market, they smell the same and have similar or longer lasting power and strength compared to lemongrass essential oil, but have no benefits.
“On the other hand, pure lemongrass essential oil contains toning and stimulating properties that also help relieve headaches. It is an effective insect repellent, antiseptic, bactericide, and deodorant. That definitely distinguishes scented oils from essential oils. “
“Although we can mimic the scent of essential oils, they do not have the natural healing properties of essential oils. We are unable to duplicate the benefits. ‘ Image: Kotanical
Essential oils are not limited to just wellness practices with Karl Telling Extra.ie that some Kotanical products can even be used in food – in fact, the products can be used in almost all areas of life.
‘Peppermint in the morning is a great pick-me-up as inhaling pure peppermint helps increase memory and alertness, which is also a bonus for exercise. I use it to help my breathing right before cardio, ”he said.
“You could bake them with wild orange / lemon or add them to homemade pasta sauces for a little kick.
“Lavender is great for sleeping or black spruce because it can promote grounding and citrus oils such as bergamot / mandarin are wonderful for calming and relieving stress.”
As wellness has become increasingly popular lately, more and more companies are jumping on this trend.
Karl warns, however, that buying a cheap product not only does not have the same advantages as a higher-quality version, but can also harm people.
He said it was “very important” to make sure you are buying “real” essential oils.
“If it’s not real essential oil, you are being misled and paying for a cheap fragrance that may contain parabens and other unwanted ingredients,” he explained.
“You apply this product to your skin or you inhale it into your body. Essential oil comes from the “essential” part of the plant and is not made in a laboratory. ‘
Karl is now Ireland’s first premium essential oil still – he taught himself how to grow an incredible 20,000 peppermint plants to bring the very first Irish made essential oil to market. Image: Kotanical
Karl is now Ireland’s first premium essential oil still – he taught himself how to grow an incredible 20,000 peppermint plants to bring the very first Irish made essential oil to market.
Now, just four years later, Kotanical has 40 products in its repertoire, from high quality essential oil blends and roll-ons to award-winning, handcrafted stone diffusers.
Kotanical’s range of 27 certified, cruelty-free, organic essential oils are 100% pure and free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde and mineral oil; with a shelf life of one to two years.
Practically packaged essential oil blends are also available, which can be rolled onto pulse points to support relaxation, concentration or sports recovery. They are also wonderful additions to improving practices like yoga, meditation, and tai chi.
All products are available along with the brand’s award-winning stone diffusers on Kotanical.de.
