With their purported therapeutic properties, essential oils are all over the place—from lotions and home cleaning products to massage treatments and integrative complementary therapies for managing cancer symptoms. These potent plant extracts can be inhaled, applied topically or mixed with a carrier oil to be taken internally. But before you start reaching for the lavender and peppermint, make sure you’re using only pure and high-quality oils.
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that contain the “building blocks” of a plant, which give it its scent. Each oil contains phytochemicals that have antidepressant, stimulating, energizing, antiviral and antioxidant properties, according to the Institute for Integrative Healthcare. They’re also known as aromatherapy, a natural therapy that uses the power of scent to influence emotions and improve health.
The most common uses of essential oils include soothing the skin, calming headaches and nausea, boosting energy and enhancing mental clarity. Each oil has unique properties that can help treat specific ailments, including acne and rashes, as well as boost immunity and reduce anxiety, stress and depression.
It’s important to note that while some essential oils have been linked to certain health benefits, there isn’t scientific evidence supporting these claims. And if used improperly, essential oils can cause irritation and may interact with some medications. So if you’re thinking of adding essential oils to your wellness routine, be sure to follow the advice from a trained professional.
Before you start using essential oils, it’s important to know that most of them need to be diluted before applying them directly to your skin. The simplest way to do this is by combining the oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut, olive or avocado. A good rule of thumb is to use a ratio of about two drops of essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil, per the Cleveland Clinic.
In addition to dilution, it’s also important to test a few drops of an undiluted oil on the inside of your wrist to see how it affects your skin. If it causes irritation, dilute it further. It’s also recommended to avoid ingesting essential oils, which can be harmful to your liver and kidneys.
The heaviest molecules in an essential oil are its base notes, which are the initial scent that you detect and typically have the longest lasting smell. Next come the middle notes, which are lighter in weight and are the first to fade, followed by the top notes, which are more volatile and evaporate quickly.
You can also add essential oils to your cooking or to flavor homemade beauty products, like lip balms and hand creams. But be careful, as a few drops can overpower a recipe. You can also try blending them together to create a unique aroma, or mix them with a carrier oil for a soothing massage. Just be sure to read labels carefully and avoid any that say “fragrance,” which could mean they’re synthetic.
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