What The Heck is an Essential Oil and What Makes it So "Essential"?

Are you one of those who think essential oils are some oily substance that hippies pull from flowers and pray over and do a happy dance and say "Go, flower..... make peace..." .... ? HAHA 

Lets look at what these this actually are... and why they are so "essential". 

Essential oils 101, ready?

What are essential oils? 

Essential oils are extracted from plants using distillation. An essential oil has the “essential” aromatic and chemical properties of that plant.

How do they work?

They are made up of tiny molecules that are very easily absorbed. Each oil has a special chemical composition of (science lesson ready?) terpenes, esters, oxides, alcohols, phenols, ketones, and aldehydes. Each of these interact with bodily systems and, depending on the essential oil, can stimulate the immune system, aid cell growth, help eliminate toxins, kill bacteria and viruses, and more…!!!

If your like me and didn’t pay attention in chemistry class…. Here is what all that means… ;)

•    Terpenes – inhibit toxin accumulation and discharge them from liver and kidneys

•    Esters – anti-fungal, calming, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral

•    Oxides – expectorant, antiseptic, anesthetic

•    Alcohols – antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, stimulate immunes system

•    Phenols – fragrance, antiseptic, anti-acterial, possibly anti-cancerious

•    Ketones – stimulate cell regeneration, loosen mucous

•    Aldehydes – anti-infectious, sedative, topical irritants, calming when inhaled

For example: Lavender essential oil has 40% linalyl acetate which is an ester. Studies have shown linalyl acetate to be anti-inflammatory, sedative, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Amazing right?!  So then it would make sense to take advantage of these properties by using lavender essential oils for sleep and first aid!

                                                                         

How do you use them?:

Smelling them (Aroma): When you smell an essential oil, cilia and receptor cells in the olfactory organ (as I push my glasses up my nose) receive the aroma and send signals to the limbic system of the brain, which is the center of memory and emotion! (right?! Im not just making this stuff up… so cool..)  It also is connected to areas of the brain that control blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, hormone balance, and more! BAM. (lol)

Absorption: When essential oils are absorbed through the skin or lungs, they enter fluids and are distributed throughout the body, where their chemical constituents can interact with other bodily systems.

So, wait… how do we actually use them, Tiff.....?

1. By applying them to the skin! (Some oils require a carrier oil like coconut or Olive oil) Essential oils are absorbed into the blood stream in 28 seconds, yo! The most effective areas are the bottom of your feet, under your arms, head and wrists or palms.

 

2.By breathing them in. When you inhale essential oils, little droplets of oil are absorbed by the lungs.

3. By ingesting them. There is debate about whether this is ok or not…and by debate I mean polar opposite opinions. Here is why we ingest Young Living oils when needed. In other words. QUALITY MATTERS!

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