What are essential oils

All aromatic vegetables contain essences and pure essential oils are the most potent extract of essences . Thus, essential oils are extracted from aromatic trees and aromatic plants , both from their stems and roots, as well as from their leaves and flowers.

The smell that the different parts of an aromatic plant give off, especially the flowers and fruits, is the essence itself. It contains aromatic molecules, which are those that confer the odor itself, and other molecules that make up chemical substances with different properties and not just odorous ones. Thanks to this, pure essential oils contain a variety of properties that can help us if we know how to use them well. These same properties are those that protect the plant against attacks and, in this way, can protect against fungi, bacteria, viruses and other pests or even close a lesion on the stem or leaves faster.

As we have indicated, pure essential oils are contained in vegetables and, thanks to their composition, they have a variety of properties that we can take advantage of. But how do these oils work? The truth is that they manage to function in our body thanks to the complex and powerful chemical composition they have, since they have a great diversity of molecules that confer different properties, since some are more effective against bacteria, against viruses, etc., and thanks to This composition and in suitable doses, we can benefit by improving the immune system, improving circulation, etc.

They can act easily in our body because they can easily penetrate our skin and, in this way, enter the bloodstream and reach the different organs .

Sure you have heard of the use of essential oils for aromatherapy , but what is aromatherapy? It can be defined as the use of these in a therapeutic way, that is, to cure or alleviate conditions and health problems or to keep the body in balance. In fact, the essential oil obtained from vegetables is the concentrated essence and, therefore, it is a very active product and with a small amount a great effect can be achieved in the body. It is for this reason that it is necessary to know what are the uses of essential oils and how to use them well taking into account certain precautions and knowing the doses, for this it is necessary to use them under the indications of a specialist.

We can also indicate that more specifically, aromatherapy is considered as a branch of phytotherapy , that is, the use of the different parts of the plants for therapeutic purposes . These can be used in different ways such as including them in food, infusions, teas, macerates, essential oils, and so on.

Essential oils have an immense variety of properties and each of them has several. However, in general, all are antiseptic, although some much more than others, since their main function within plants is to protect them from external agents such as parasites, viruses and other diseases.

These are some of the main ones according to the properties of the essential oils we are looking for:

• Essential oils with relaxing properties: lavender, lavender, rosewood tree, exotic basil, frankincense or frankincense, tangerine, Roman chamomile, marjoram, bitter orange, sweet orange, camphor rosemary, ylang-ylang, etc.
• Essential oils with anti-cellulite properties: juniper seeds, bourbon geranium, lemon, mandarin, camphor rosemary, clary sage, thyme linalool, etc.
• Essential oils with anti-wrinkle properties: rosehip, rosewood tree, sticky rockrose, lemon, tangerine, etc.
• Essential oils with analgesic properties: cloves, lemon, marjoram, Roman chamomile, lavender, lavender, bitter orange, camphor rosemary, wintergreen, peppermint, clary sage, etc.
• Essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties: Roman chamomile, marjoram, bitter orange, peppermint, clary sage, wintergreen, etc.
• Essential oils with antibacterial properties: tea tree, thyme thymol, thyme linalool, rosemary, cloves, niaouli, garlic, sticky rockrose, lemon, tangerine, blue eucalyptus, eucalyptus radiata, laurel, etc.
• Essential oils with antifungal properties: garlic, lemon, tangerine, niaouli, thyme thymol, thyme linaol, tea tree, blue eucalyptus, eucalyptus radiata, laurel, etc.
• Essential oils with antiviral properties: tea tree, garlic, sticky rockrose, lemon, thyme thymol, thyme linalool, ravintsara, bay leaf, niaouli, etc.

Next we will tell you how to use essential oils for our benefit, as there are different ways to do it. They can be used both externally and internally:

• Inhale them: for this you can make steam or hot water vapors with a few drops of the chosen oil or you can use an essential oil diffuser to be able to breathe these beneficial substances more regularly.
• Ingest them: they can be taken ingested with other foods. However, it must be taken into account that they do not mix in water, so it is better to take the indicated drops in a tablespoon of vegetable oil, for example olive, or a tablespoon of honey.
• Apply them topically with massages: this is one of the best known ways to use them. Apply the product to the skin to massage or rub. This is a very useful way to use oils for muscle aches, for relaxation, to improve circulation, to treat cellulite, among other uses.
• Baths: adding a few drops of these products to bath water is another very effective way to apply them, especially for relaxation and to soothe the skin. In this way they act both by penetrating the skin, through a massage, and by inhalation, for example using an essential oil diffuser.
• Compresses on the skin: this other way of using these products is good for treating specific areas of the skin. It is best to apply a few drops, alone or mixed with a vegetable oil, on a sterile compress or a very clean cotton cloth, in order to give gentle touches to the affected skin.
• G eles, creams and lotions: the latter way is suitable for use when you want to apply these products most commonly in the skin or hair. By adding a few drops of what we need in a cream, a gel, a shampoo or a lotion that are neutral, we can benefit from the properties of essential oils in a simple way, on a day-to-day basis, while further hydrating the skin. dermis or hair.

In general, these are the recommended doses, however, we must always consult with the specialist who monitors our health.

• Bath: to use them in the baths, a dose of 10 drops mixed in a tablespoon of vegetable oil or milk for bathing is recommended. This option is good for treating skin conditions, muscle aches, joint pain, breathing problems, stress, and anxiety.
• Intake: in this case you have to use 2 drops 3 times a day in each dose mixed with a food base, such as olive oil, honey, jams, a little sugar, etc., but never with water, which can be taken after a few minutes but not at once. Adults can take up to 8 drops daily, in four doses. They are used like this for digestive disorders, intestinal problems, pain, stress, sleep problems, respiratory problems, and so on.
• Inhalation: if you inhale dry, that is, without mixing the product and using an essential oil diffuser, use 2 drops on a handkerchief to smell it or on the pillow to inhale while sleeping. If you want to do it with wet inhalations, you have to mix 6 drops in warm or hot water, but never boiling, to breathe near the bowl for about 10 minutes and then leave it to moisten the environment by evaporation. In this case, it can be done up to 3 times a day. This way of use is good for respiratory problems, stress, lack of sleep, to reduce fever, to relax, and so on.
• Massages: you have to mix 6 drops with a tablespoon of vegetable oil if it is for an adult and 4 drops if it is for a child. Used in massages, they are effective to treat the skin, muscle and joint pain, to alleviate digestive problems when massaging the belly, sleep problems and stress, improving relaxation, to improve blood and lymphatic circulation, and so on.

The extraction of essential oils is not easy, because you need specific machines and tools and know how to use them very well, in addition to the raw material in greater or lesser amounts depending on a variety of factors. For example, we may require an essential oil distiller and know well how it is used in order to obtain the essence of the desired plant or vegetable.

So, how is the extraction of essential oils carried out ? Well, there are a variety of ways to do it, since depending on the raw material that is going to be used, one method or another is more effective. These are the different methods:

• Steam distillation
• CO2 extraction
• Extraction with a solvent
• Expression
• Flowered
• Maceration

At this point, you may be wondering where you can buy essential oil . The truth is that it is very easy to buy essential oils, as you can buy them through physical and online stores such as pharmacies, parapharmacies, natural product stores, herbalists and herbalists, among others.

You will see that there are very variable prices between the different types of oils and their brands. The reason, apart from the value of the brand itself, is that depending on the main component it costs more or less to obtain its essential oil, that is, there are some seeds from which a lot of oils can be extracted with a small amount of seeds and others that the opposite happens, and in the same way it happens with the fruits, the petals, the leaves, and so on.

How can you tell if you are buying a quality essential oil ? Well, there are different types of stamps to indicate that they are authentic and of good quality. When you go to buy one, look for the initials AEQ (chemotyped essential oil), BIO, HEBD ( huile essentielle botaniquement et biochimiquement défine ) or indications such as 100% pure essential oil and natural essential oil. Aspects such as the Latin name of the plant are also usually indicated on the packaging, as well as the name of the part of it from which it was extracted.

This is another common doubt, since many products once opened require specific care to be well preserved. In the case of essential oils, in general, they keep well between 3 and 5 years if they are stored properly.

The best thing to do is to make sure that the jars are not open, that they are not in a very hot area and that they are not given direct light on a regular basis, which is why jars made of dark, non-transparent glass are often used. A good idea is to store them in a closet at room temperature .

It is vital for health to know whether or not to use these products depending on the case. For this reason, we insist on consulting a professional before using them, but we also want to inform about the most basic cases, such as pregnancy, children or even animals.

Essential oils in pregnancy

During the first trimester of pregnancy their use is totally contraindicated , as they are too powerful for such a delicate moment and with so many changes in the body. However, some of them can be used during the second and third trimesters, but always under the supervision and advice of the specialist. In the case of breastfeeding, the same thing happens, it is best not to use them at this time, but if it is done it should be towards the end of that period, when the child is somewhat more developed, and always under the prescription of a doctor or pharmacist specialized in aromatherapy.

Essential oils for children

Regarding children, they can take essential oils but not of any type or route. There are some that are prohibited for children under 6 years of age , others even more powerful are prohibited for children under 3 months and the dose must always be adjusted according to age, something that the specialist doctor will have to indicate. The most frequent route of application of the doses in children is the skin.

Finally, there are many people who also choose to use them on their pets, in general to offer them a better quality of life and even to treat disorders or relieve their symptoms.

Essential oils for animals

As for us, these products can also be very beneficial for animals if used well. Again, the doses should be indicated by someone who is specialized in aromatherapy and in this case, who has specialized even more in essential oils for animals. Of course, it will not be the same amount of the same product for a horse as for a dog or a rabbit, since neither their body works exactly the same nor their size has anything to do with it.

The most common ways to apply them to animals are topically mixed with vegetable oils, gels, balms and ointments. You can also use water-based sprays for the environment, for example to spray on the areas where they sleep, or to spray on their body (avoiding the face). Hydrosides and essential oil waters are also often used, as well as in people.

As we have already mentioned, these products are very powerful and a small amount is enough to use them well. However, sometimes they are misused due to ignorance, for example using them in greater quantities, mixing some in an inappropriate way, applying them the wrong way or using them previously suffering from some condition or condition that contraindicates it.

Thus, like any natural element, as well as any synthetic or artificial, they can have both positive and negative effects on the body. These are some of the side effects of improper use of essential oils :

• Allergies
• Irritation to skin and mucous membranes.
• Changes in hormone levels.
• Epilepsy episodes.