A minor ailment – not serious enough to attend a doctor for, but annoying enough to bother you – could benefit greatly from essential oil. In an article about the forms of supplements, I described essential oils because some are suitable for internal use. However, there are many more applications.
If you have visited this website before, then you know that I am a big believer in organic products. So you understand, only natural organic essential oils qualify for me.
Years ago I was looking into methods to sleep better and one of the things that improved my sleep hugely was a quality Lavender Oil. Since I found that one, I have extended the use of essential oils to other aspects of my life as well.
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Table of contents
Natural organic essential oils
An essential oil should be organically grown, GMO-free and toxic-free, to give ourselves the best treatment with it. Unfortunately, there is a lot of counterfeiting and artificial oils on the market. Invest in a certified brand.
What are essential oils?
An essential oil contains the essence of a plant’s fragrance. The most common way to extract aromatic compounds (essential oil) from a plant is steam distillation. Another method is cold pressing, which is used for citrus oils.
Essential oils are also called ethereal, volatile or aromatic oils. We have a saying in the Netherlands, buying cheap is buying expensive. That’s certainly the case with essential oils. You can even buy them in the supermarkets. Is that wise?
Growing and harvesting plants for essential oils, the production of the oils, and the quality controls are time-consuming processes. As an example: for one drop of rose oil, the petals of 200 roses must be distilled. This high concentration ensures that little oil is enough for application.
Check whether the oil is guaranteed pure. So not mixed (unless with another essential oil, which is called a blend) and not diluted, otherwise, the oil has little or no therapeutic value and can even be dangerous.
Most used method for essential oils is diffusing
I guess most people have heard of essential oils as part of the aromatherapies.
The first time I heard about those oils was at a marketing seminar years ago. The lecturer said that department stores used their air conditioning to diffuse fragrances on the floors, which changed according to the products sold on that floor. The aim was of course to sell more.
Our sense of smell is most directly linked to our limbic system. This system produces all kinds of unconscious messages. At the time I considered the diffusion of fragrances in stores a very sneaky method. Times change – nowadays I have a diffuser myself. 🙂
What are good diffusers?
Diffusers come in all types and sizes. If you are going to buy one, look for an easy to clean one. Although essential oils are not greasy like, for example, olive oil, after using the inside needs to be swapped with a moist cotton cloth.
Other considerations are:
- the size, not too big, so you can switch fragrances whenever you want. And not too small, because than it will need refills all the time;
- does it have different time settings, some have intervals, some can be put to a set duration;
- what kind of power supply do you want, you can choose an electricity plug, a connection for car or caravan, USB or batteries. Make sure the connection fits in your country;
- does it automatically switch off when it’s empty.
Individual tastes play a significant role in the choice of material, model and colour. There are models with coloured light. How about the sound?
Related: What are the Best 10 Ways to Diffuse Essential Oils?
Sniffing
If you have never used essential oils before and don’t know if you will like it, you’d better not invest in a diffuser right away. You can simply start to put drops of oil on cotton balls and place them here and there.
Methods you’ll use anyway, in addition to the diffuser, is to open a bottle and sniff intensely. Or drip some into the palm of your hand and put your hands in front of your nose while you sniff.
The aroma burners are better not used with high-quality essential oils. Essential oils shouldn’t be heated to maintain their power. The lower quality oils may even contain harmful substances when burned.
Related: The 8 Most Important Essential Oils Everyone Should Have
Apply directly to the skin
Herbs and plants have a lot of medicinal characteristics. The essential oils are very concentrated in comparison with herbal ointments or tinctures. Your skin might be sensitive to it, so you always need to start slowly with 1 or 2 drops. And make sure not to put it in the eyes or in your ears.
Lavender or chamomile oil is wonderful for a relaxing massage. You will need to dilute it with a so-called carrier oil, a plant-based oil like olive oil or sesame oil. Each brand will have a specific carrier oil of its own as well.
Rubbing the bottom of your foot with lavender oil relaxes greatly and enhances your sleep as well.
Intake (check the label, not all oils are for consumption)
Lemon and peppermint oil add flavour to the water. If you drink a lot of water, as I do, it’s nice to have a different flavour at times, without grabbing the sugar bowl.
Lemon contains vitamin C, and hence adds antioxidants to my daily diet. Peppermint calms an upset stomach and helps me with my allergy to pine trees. Other oils that add flavour are orange, basil and others.
Some people add it to their food. I haven’t done that (yet), but it can surely be a good addition.
In cleaning products
I am in the process of making my own cleaning products. It actually started because I am sick and tired of all the plastic that is used, but the more I know about it, the more I am getting convinced that I don’t want all those chemicals in cleaning products either.
The first cleaning product I made is toothpaste. I am trying different recipes, so I don’t have a final verdict about it yet, but I’ll write about it once I know. I add peppermint oil to it, which smells good.
Lemon and orange oil are marvellous in cleaning products for the house. For the smell, but also for their cleaning capacity.
Essential oils can also be used in shampoo, soap, and creams, so there is a lot on my to-do list. 🙂
Maybe not quite fitting in this paragraph but I also use essential oils in organic pest control in our garden and to keep bugs away when I am sitting outside.
Your body deserves the best
As essential oils are on the rise in popularity, a lot of junk is also hitting the market. Choose a quality brand. If you are not sure which one that should be, write me an email to book a coffee chat with me.
Have you used essential oils? Tell us in the comment box below.
Hi Hannie.
I have never actually thought about the use of essential oils in cleaning products, but had always associated them with diffusers.
However, thinking about it, well it makes a lot of sense.
I am extremely impressed that you’re currently in the process of creating your own cleaning products.
In fact, the mention of your toothpaste creation blew me away.
I have to ask, how did you go about this?
I’m guessing there has to be certain ingredients for a product (mass produced or homemade) to be classed as a toothpaste?
From the top of my head the most obvious ones are flouride, which I know is the ingredient that typically fights tooth decay.
Plus, all those chemistry lessons at school were definitely not wasted, as I’m aware of the uses of calcium carbonate.
But, I wouldn’t even know where to begin in order to start producing these.
Or are you creating a completely natural toothpaste with your very own ingredients?
You have me intrigued Hannie.
Partha
I wish I was that resourceful, Partha, but no, I am not starting my own production line here. 🙂
It’s early days, so I don’t have my definite recipe yet, but it’s pretty easy. At the moment I use green clay powder, baked soda (bicarbonato), coconut oil and peppermint essential oil. No fluoride involved. In Holland fluoride is under discussion, so I hadn’t even thought about it until you brought it up now. The baked soda is too salty to my taste, so in the next trial I’ll skip it. It’s far from the usual very white toothpaste as you can guess!
Hi, like your article, I love essential oils. I put some in my bath, and my daughter makes our soap for laundry and the softener with essential oil and it smells so good when we do our laundry. I’m going to share your post with her so she can read this.
Thanks
Lyne
That’s lovely, Lyne, thanks for the sharing. There is a whole world to discover once we get into making our own products, isn’t there? For me it definitely feels like the right way as well.
Hi Hannie,
Years ago I used to make my own cleaning products with essentials oils, but then I stopped. Since the local store where I bought my oils moved to who knows where and I have not found other stores yet, I may have to start ordering them online. I think I will start making my own cleaning products again. I also make my own toothpaste, it is so easy 😉
I love the tip of applying lavender essential over the soles of your feet. It came at the right time for me! Over the last few nights I have been waking up continuously at night and I am so craving a good night’s sleep. I was thinking of meditation before sleep, but now I will add the lavender oil treatment as well. Thanks for the tip!
That’s such a pity, Christine, the shop quit their business. It’s so much handier to be able to see what you are buying and get expert advice, than ordering online. But once you know what you are looking for, online shopping is great of course. Especially in these times of lockdowns!
Hi Hannie,
I LOVE this article because I can relate a lot. I was a light sleeper since I was 13-year-old, so I’ve tried many ways to improve my sleep quality. Using Lavender oil helps me sleep, and I like to put some on my pillow covers so that I can smell it & relax & sleep better.
Thanks for letting me know other essential oils; I need to try them as soon as possible.
Cheers,
Matt
The amazing thing is, Matt, that if you put a drop on the bottom of your big toe and sole of your foot as well, you will sleep even better. At least, that is my experience. I thought they were pulling my leg when someone told me that. It sounds so hocus-pocussy, don’t you think? 🙂
Hi Hannie,
I was reading the conversation you had with your visitor Partha. You mentioned that in Holland they now are discussing Fluoride in drinking water. Dear Lord, that took a long time.
In the early 1950 my Father was the director of a private water company in Veenedaal. This company gave water to 7 cities. The news came from America; you have to put Fluoride in the drinking water. My Father said no way I am going to mass medicate my clients. If they want Fluoride, they can buy toothpaste.
Now we know it is absolutely wrong to put it in drinking water. Besides ruining your teeth, you can get brittle bones and more niceties. I am happy I have my own water on the farm. It was recently tested, and it turns out it is of very good quality.
Regards, Taetske
Your father was way ahead of this time then, Taetske, wow! I have no idea whether they put fluoride in the Spanish water. Do you? Anyway, as I left Holland 3 years ago, I am not sure how the situation is exactly. I only know that another problem nowadays is all the residu from the medications people use. That won’t be the case in your natural well either! Lucky you. 🙂
Hannie,
Love your post! I am into essential oils and I agree with you on everything you said. It’s important to buy from a reputable company and yes organic is the best. I usually have a diffuser going and lately I’ve been using immunity oils to help build up our immune systems. I also make hand sanitizer, bug repellent, fabric softener and several other things. I haven’t tried the Lavender on the feet yet, so I think I’ll do that tonight. Thank you for your post.
Good to hear, Lynn. I am still amazed by how well I sleep lately, as I so often had nights I woke up a lot of times. I do wake up nowadays as well (to have to go to the bathroom!), but more often than not sleep right away afterwards.