What are essential oils? Essential oils are simply the oils found naturally in the flowers, leaves, bark, stems, seeds, fruit rinds, and other parts of plants. Normally, these oils are extracted from their plant sources through either a steam distillation or cold press process. The resulting highly concentrated oil maintains the natural essence of the plant, which is where they get the name “essential oils.”
I just recently heard about essential oils. Is this a new thing? Essential oils and their whole-plant counterparts have been used for centuries to support physical and emotional heath. Historical references suggest that ancient cultures from all over the world used herbs and essential oils for their powerful aromas as well as to promote wellness. Today, many people use essential oils in the same way as a natural wellness alternative. A good place to start The oils you buy will greatly depend on the benefits you are looking to get from them. Certain oils can have a calming effect, some are energising, and others can help you feel more grounded. If you’re looking for a good starter set of oils, we recommend the following six: Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Frankincense, the Peace Calming Blend, and longtime favourite Melaleuca Oil.
Using essential oils: To get the most out of essential oils, there are several ways to experience their versatile properties:
• Topical application • Inhalation • Aromatic diffusing • Bathing • Massage
Safety tips: Before using essential oils, familiarise yourself with their properties and recognise which are best used in a diffuser, which are best for topical use, and which should be used with a carrier oil to reduce concentration. You can learn more on each of these topics at Melaleuca.com.
100x
Essential oils are up to 100x more concentrated than dried herbs.
Ingestion: Essential oils are highly concentrated and very powerful. The internal use of straight essential oils should only be administered under the supervision of a health-care practitioner. This recommendation follows the guidance of professional aromatherapy organisations and independent essential oil safety experts.
Dilution: For topical application, oils cannot be diluted with water— they must be diluted with another oil, called a carrier oil. Carrier oils do not evaporate as fast as essential oils do, making it easier to spread the oil evenly on your skin.
Read labels: For responsible use, read oil labels and follow commonsense guidelines.
31 MARCH/APRIL 2016 | MELALEUCA.COM
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