Essential Oil Care and Usage - How to Choose, Use, and Store Essential Oils Safely

Essential Oil Care and Benefits

Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts derived from plants that capture the plant's scent, flavor, and therapeutic properties. With uses dating back to ancient Egypt, essential oils are now experiencing a resurgence in popularity for their many potential health benefits. However, proper care is required in selecting, using, and storing essential oils to harness their power safely and effectively.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds extracted from plants. The oils capture the plants essence, containing compounds that provide characteristic fragrance, flavor, and therapeutic benefits. Popular extraction methods include steam distillation, cold pressing, and solvent extraction.

Common plants used for essential oil extraction include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile, tea tree, rosemary, lemongrass, citrus oils like orange, bergamot, and lemon, as well as many others. The extracted oils are highly concentrated and thus need to be diluted before use on skin.

Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils can provide many potential therapeutic benefits when used properly. Benefits may include:

• Stress relief - Essential oils like lavender and bergamot may help reduce anxiety and depression.
• Pain relief - Peppermint, clove, and ginger oils can reduce headaches, joint pain, and muscular aches.
• Immune support - Oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and oregano have antimicrobial effects against viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
• Sleep aid - Chamomile, lavender, and bergamot oils may promote sleep and treat insomnia.
• Nausea relief - Peppermint, ginger, and spearmint oils can help reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Congestion relief - Eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender oils can open up sinus and respiratory congestion.

However, more research is still needed to fully validate many proposed benefits of essential oils.

How to Choose Quality Essential Oils

With growing popularity, many brands now offer essential oils of varying quality. Follow these tips when buying essential oils:

• Opt for pure, undiluted oils.
• Look for oils derived from plants' leaves, flowers, bark, roots, resin, or peel depending on the oil.
• Choose reputable brands that disclose their sourcing and extraction methods.
• Avoid oils with additives or synthetic compounds.
• Select oils packaged in dark glass bottles to limit light exposure.
• Consider organic and wildcrafted oils when possible.
• Look for oil consistency, color, and fragrance characteristic for the specific plant.
• Avoid purchasing oils with damaged packaging or leaks.

Quality can come at a cost, so be wary of oils that seem too inexpensive compared to the market rate. Checking reviews can help identify trusted essential oil suppliers.

How to Use Essential Oils Safely

Essential oils provide many benefits when used properly, but can cause harm if used incorrectly. Follow these safety tips when using essential oils:

• Dilute before applying to skin - Only use oils at 0.5-5% concentration in a carrier like coconut, almond, or jojoba oil.
• Do a patch test - Test a small amount of diluted oil on your inner arm before wider application.
• Avoid photosensitizing oils before sun exposure - Lemon, lime, grapefruit, and other citrus oils can increase sun sensitivity.
• Watch for allergic reactions - Discontinue use if any irritation or discomfort occurs.
• Keep out of reach from children and pets - Many oils are toxic if ingested, like wintergreen, pine, and ylang ylang.
• Avoid near eyes and other mucous membranes - Oils can cause stinging and irritation.
• Consult your doctor before use if pregnant, nursing, or on medication - Some oils may interact with medications or cause bleeding risk.

Using oils according to instructions from reputable suppliers or aromatherapists can help reduce risk of adverse effects.

How to Store Essential Oils Properly

To maintain quality and effectiveness, essential oils need proper storage:

• Keep in tightly sealed dark glass bottles in cool, dry location away from heat and sunlight.
• Do not store oils in plastic containers which can leach chemicals.
• Avoid storing near perfumes, cleaners, or other chemicals that may absorb into oils.
• Look for labels with expiration or best by dates and discard expired oils.
• Store away from children and pets.
• Consider refrigerated storage for citrus oils like lemon, lime, and bergamot which are prone to decay.
• Decant small amounts into secondary containers for more frequent use while limiting light exposure of main supply.
• Wrap bottles in dark paper or store in dark boxes for extra light protection.

Following these tips can help preserve therapeutic potency and prevent oxidation or spoilage.

Using Essential Oils Safely

While essential oils provide many benefits, certain precautions should be taken to avoid potential hazards. Here are some key ways to safely use essential oils:

Perform a Skin Patch Test

Dilute essential oils and perform a skin patch test prior to wider use. Place a dime size amount of diluted oil on your inner forearm and bandage. Check for irritation after 24 hours before broader application.

Dilute Oils Appropriately

Only use essential oils diluted in a carrier oil. For adults, aim for 0.5% to 5% concentration, which equals around 3 to 15 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier. Use lower dilution for children or seniors.

Avoid Photosensitizing Oils Before Sun Exposure

Citrus oils like lemon and lime as well as angelica root can increase sun sensitivity. Avoid applying these oils before prolonged sun exposure. If using outdoors, cover treated skin or reapply sunscreen frequently.

Never Ingest Essential Oils

Essential oils should never be swallowed due to toxicity concerns. Some exceptions include peppermint, lemon, and orange which can be ingested in tiny doses if adequately diluted and 100% food-grade quality.

Watch for Reactions and Discontinue Use if Needed

Monitor skin and overall health after using new essential oils. Discontinue use immediately if irritation, discomfort, nausea, headache or other concerning reaction develops.

Keep Oils Out of Reach of Children and Pets

Essential oils can be toxic if ingested, especially by children or pets. Keep bottles sealed and properly stored away from curious hands and paws.

Talk to Your Doctor Before Use if Pregnant, Nursing or on Medication

Pregnant or nursing women should exercise extra caution as some oils may cause uterine contractions or pose other risks. Also discuss oil use with your doctor if taking medication as oil compounds may interact with certain drugs.

Using Essential Oils Effectively

Follow these tips to use essential oils effectively and harness their therapeutic benefits:

Choose High Quality, Pure Oils

Look for pure, undiluted oils from reputable brands that use proper extraction methods. Stay away from synthetically produced "fragrance oils."

Use Proper Dilution

Only use essential oils diluted at 0.5-5% in a carrier oil. Using oils "neat" or undiluted risks skin irritation. More is not better when it comes to essential oil dosage.

Consider an Essential Oil Diffuser

Diffusing allows you to fill a room with aromatherapy benefits. Opt for ultrasonic or evaporative diffusers. Follow manufacturer dilution and runtime instructions.

Apply to Specific Areas

Targeting application, such as peppermint oil on the temples for headaches or lavender oil on the neck for stress, may provide more directed effects.

Pair Oils with Lifestyle Changes

Combine essential oil use with additional stress management, improved sleep hygiene, regular exercise, and other healthy habits to enhance benefits.

Keep Track of Effects

Note how you feel after using different essential oils. This can help you discover the most effective oils for your individual needs.

The Bottom Line

When properly selected, diluted, and used, essential oils can provide many potential benefits ranging from stress relief to immune support. However, take steps to choose quality oils, use them safely, and store them properly. With the right approach, essential oils can be a valuable complement to an integrative approach to health and wellness.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.