Why Essential Oils?
Essential Oils have changed how our family approaches our health and wellbeing. They have up-levelled how we clean our home, what we use on our skin, what we wash our clothes with, what is in our first aid kit - how we ‘do’ products around our home and for our general and ongoing health.
They have truly changed our lives. But why essential oils? What are they? What can they do?
You know when you suddenly get a whiff of something and you’re transported back to a moment in time, an old memory? Your sense of smell is more powerful than you may believe, and the way that some scents can impact both your health and emotions is diverse and incredible.
Nearly 3 years ago I deep-dived into the world of essential oils and quickly learned of their benefits and power, experiencing them first-hand. The first thing I had to understand?
‘What are essential oils?’
Essentially, they are simply are compounds extracted from plants. Aromatic compounds give each essential oil its unique essence and scent. Obtained through distillation or mechanical methods such as cold pressing, the extracted aromatic chemicals are combined with a carrier oil. The way the oils are produced is fundamental, as essential oils made through chemical processes are not considered to be true essential oils (not the dōTERRA way, that's for sure!)
Essentially (excuse the pun), essential oils can offer unique purposes when used correctly, such as respiratory and digestive health, a stress reliever and hormone balancer, and a replacement for chemical cleaners and synthetic beauty products including deodorant and perfumes. Here are 7 reasons why I use and love dōTERRA essential oils:
1. They're natural
The oils are derived from natural, aromatic compounds in plants, in not just the flowers or the leaves, but the stems, roots and bark too. They’re incredibly potent – some oils only need a single drop to work their magic (for example, one drop of peppermint oil can equal more than 25 cups of peppermint tea – how crazy is that!?)
2. They protect plants
Essential oils play an important role in plant pollination and protect plants in the process. Beyond the environmental benefits, the composition of the oil varies depending on where it’s sourced, at what time of day, and the method and length of distillation.
3. They improve your mood
Scents enter the brain directly, leading to intense emotional responses. Through breathing in particular essential oils, this can invoke your brain to feel a certain way - for example, a citrus oil like lemon or wild orange will ensure you feel positive and energised. An oil such as lavender or frankincense can help you feel calm, centered and relaxed.
4. They help relieve pain
Did you know that essential oils can assist with the reduction of pain when rubbed on your skin? That's right, the topical use of essential oils in the treatment of pain is safe and effective. I love the use of Peppermint for head tension, Copiaba for joint soreness and Ice Blue for muscle relief.
5. They help you sleep
Struggling to sleep? Yep, you guessed it – essential oils can help with that too. Aromatherapy is very useful in treating psychological disorders such as stress, depression, and anxiety, and depending on your choice of oils, their relaxing properties will help you drift off to sleep - a deep REM sleep, might I add.
Using essential oils in your day-to-day.
Essential oils can just about replace anything in your household or beauty routine – and even your first-aid kit. Think outside the box with this one and start implementing a cleansing routine of your typically ‘chemical’ products throughout the home. For example:
Turn your all-purpose cleaner all-natural with a few drops of lemon and tea tree oil mixed with filtered water and vinegar. Bottle up in a squirty-style spray bottle and start cleaning.
If you already have coconut oil in your pantry, combine lemongrass, citronella and eucalyptus to create a natural bug spray and rub into your skin.
Spice up your washing with around 5-10 drops of your favourite scent – I recommend lavender for that fresh, flowery smell.
The beauty world is fast transforming into a health-focused hub. With all the benefits of essential oils for your skin and hormones, swap out your current products for anything infused with natural scents. Some great uses of essential oils for beauty include:
A moisturising body butter made with coconut oil, shea butter and your essential oils of choice.
Create a delicious lip balm from coconut oil, beeswax and a flowery oil, such as lavender, to help heal your chapped lips.
Don’t love your cellulite so much? We’ve got the perfect remedy for you – five drops of grapefruit oil mixed into coconut oil.
Perfumes can often be hidden with nasties that leave your skin feeling dry. Nourish your body with a perfume made from jasmine and vanilla and you’ll have people asking what scent you’re wearing all day long.
When you’re not feeling so fresh, whip up some homemade deodorant using coconut oil, beeswax and a musky-scent such as cedarwood oil or tea tree oil.
Beyond beauty, essential oils have health benefits that will have you throwing away the paracetamol.
Next time you’re cursed with a migraine or a headache, combine lavender oil, peppermint oil and wild orange oil and apply to your temples.
When winter swings back around, reduce your cough or flu with eucalyptus oil – simply add a few drops to hot water and inhale before bedtime.
And lastly, any insomniacs out there should try adding Lavender or Vetiver into their daily routine. By rubbing a drop or two into the soles of your feet, you’ll be falling asleep before you can spell ‘lavender’.