A Short Guide to Essential Oils
Essential Oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor, or “essence” of their source. They’re distilled from shrubs, bushes, flowers, trees, rinds, resins and herbs. Oils consist of over 100 different natural, organic compounds. Keep in mind, the way the oils are made is very important, as essential oils can be obtained naturally or through a chemical process. Make sure when purchasing oils, that the bottle says “100% Pure Essential Oil”. Commonly, oils for a diffuser come in “blends”. The same goes for these, make sure pure essential oils are being used in the blend. High-quality oils will come in dark glass bottles, so stay away from anything plastic or clear colored glass.
How Do I Know If An Essential Oil Is “Good”?
Essential oils come in four different “grades”.
Grade A- therapeutic, made from organically grown plants and distilled at low temps.
Grade B- food grade, but can contain synthetics, chemical extenders, and carrier oils.
Grade C- perfume oils that often contain synthesized chemicals, can be diluted 80-95% with alcohol.
Grade D- called “floral water” which is aromatic only and is usually a byproduct of Grade A distillation.
Grade A is the only true pure oil and it should be the only type of oil you apply topically or in your diffuser. To compare, Grade D would be like walking to the fridge, taking a glass of orange juice and diluting it 95% before you drank it. You wouldn’t get the full benefits from the orange juice. That’s why you want Grade A oils. Making sure the oils have a pure quality seal, come in a dark bottle and are made by a reputable company are ways of ensuring your oils are of the best quality.
How Can Essential Oils Be Used?
There are two mainstream ways to get oils into your system: topically and by diffusing them. For the purpose of this post, we will be focusing on essential oil blends that you can use in your oil diffuser, but let’s take a quick look at how to use them topically.
To use an essential oil topically, it is highly recommended that you mix it with a carrier oil. A carrier oil is a skin-safe naturally occurring oil that slows down the rate of absorption and dilutes the oil.
The type of carrier oil that should be used and the dilution rate varies based on the essential oil choice and skin sensitivity. It’s always a good idea to test a small amount of the blended oils on the back of your hand before applying to any other area of your body. Make sure to never apply essential oils containing lemon to the body, because it is photosensitive. Meaning, that when exposed to sunlight, the oil will react and can cause irritation to the skin.
Now, to diffuse your essential oils into the air, you’ll need an oil diffuser. There are many styles and types on the market. Keep in mind the quality of diffusion into the air is proportional to the price of your diffuser. Higher quality diffusion usually means a higher price tag. Diffusers are relatively easy to use. You add water to the diffuser to the fill line and a few drops of the oils of your choice. The oils sit on top of the water and the diffuser emits a cool mist through ultrasonic vibrations. The oil particles ride on those water molecules through the air, where they then make into the body through the respiratory system.
Remember every diffuser is a little bit different, so make sure to read the instructions before attempting any of these blends. Also, always unplug your diffuser before leaving the home and never leave it unattended.
Let’s get started!
Spring Essential Oil Blends
Fresh Bouquet: 3 Drops Jasmine 2 Drops Ylang Ylang 2 Drops Lavender Spring Morning: 3 Drops Bergamot 2 Drops Grapefruit 1 Drop Ylang Ylang Allergy Relief: 3 Drops Peppermint 3 Drops Lemon 3 Drops Lavender Clean Laundry: 3 Drops White Fir 3 Drops Cypress 2 Drops Wintergreen Fresh Rainshower: 3 Drops Vetiver 3 Drops Lemon Perfect Peach Rose: 4 Drops Rose 2 Drops Grapefruit 2 Drops Orange 2 Drops Sandalwood 1 Drop Bergamot 1 Drop Jasmine Blue Skies & Butterflies: 2 Drops Elevation 2 Drops Frankincense 2 Drops Siberian Fir 2 Drops Tangerine Fruity Pebbles: 2 Drops Lemongrass 2 Drops Grapefruit 1 Drop Bergamot Clean Spring Kitchen: 3 Drops Lime 2 Drops Lavender 2 Drops Rosemary 3 Drops Lemon Outdoor Wedding: 1 Drop Clary Sage Outdoor Wedding: 1 Drop Clary Sage 2 Drops Lime 2 Drops Juniper Berry