Essential oils have been around for thousands of years and are now in the spotlight with so many companies popping up everywhere, How do you know what oils are pure, therapeutic grade or what that even means?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. They're made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant (flowers, bark, leaves or fruit) to capture the compounds that produce the oil. It can take several pounds of a plant to produce a single bottle of essential oil. In addition to creating scent, essential oils perform other functions.

What Are Essential Oils Good For?

Some studies indicate that there's a benefit to using essential oils while others show no improvement in symptoms. Clinical trials have looked at whether essential oils can alleviate conditions such as:

• Anxiety
  
• Depression
  
• Stress
  
• Aches / inflammation
• Sinus / colds

How Can You Use Essential Oils Safely?

The quality of essential oils on the market varies greatly, from pure essential oils to those diluted with less expensive ingredients. And because there's no regulation, the label may not even list everything that's in the bottle you're buying. That's why essential oils should not be ingested unless you’re working with a certified aromatherapist that knows the makeup of the essential oils they’re using. Because pure essential oils are potent, diluting them in a carrier oil is the best way to test before using. avoid a bad reaction when applying directly to the skin. If you get a red, itchy rash or hives after applying essential oils, talk to a certified aromatherapist. You may be having an allergic reaction.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin, when blended with a carrier oil essential oils are great to use in a massage.

Finding Quality Essential Oils

When shopping for essential oils the most important thing to consider is product quality. But figuring out which oils are the best is challenging, A big problem? Many companies claim their essential oils are "therapeutic grade," but that's just a marketing term.

Unfortunately, there are lots of products you might find online or in stores that aren't harvested correctly or may have something in them that isn't listed on the label, adulterated oils have been blended with other compounds or chemicals which means they’re no longer a pure essential oil.

Here are some tips when shopping for pure essential oils:

• Look at the label: It should include the Latin name of the plant, information on purity or other ingredients added to it, and the country in which the plant was grown
• Research the company: Purchase products from a well-known and reputable aromatherapy company that's been around for several years.
• Choose dark-colored, glass containers: Pure essential oils are highly concentrated. They can dissolve plastic bottles over time, tainting the oil. Most companies package essential oils in small brown or blue glass bottles to protect the quality.
• Avoid "fragrance oils": Fragrance or perfume oils are made from essential oils combined with chemicals or entirely from chemicals. They're not suitable for aromatherapy — instead, look for bottles that contain essential oils in its purest form (100% pure therapeutic essential oil with no other fillers).
• Compare prices: Essential oils range in price, depending on how involved harvesting and production are. There should be a wide variety of prices — rose absolute or sandalwood oils will be more expensive, then a sweet orange or lemongrass essential oil which is less expensive. If you find a rock-bottom price for an expensive essential oil, I can guarantee it probably isn't pure.

Essential oils can lift your mood and make you feel good with just a sniff of their fragrance. For some people they may help alleviate the symptoms of various conditions. For more information on how to incorporate them into a healthy lifestyle, give us a call and we can help, consult a certified aromatherapist or integrative medicine expert certified in aromatherapy.

Remember Plants are medicine.

Be Aware and Take Care!