Essential Oil Uses – Zongle Therapeutics
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Essential Oil Uses

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

 Essential oils are derived from stems, leaves, flowers, barks or roots of various plants that make up the botanical wonderland! They are generally steam distilled to extract the aromatic oil. This is a complex process because it takes vast amounts of botanicals to extract just a few drops of oil, which makes these oils precious and concentrated. Organic essential oils come with a vast array of benefits, the can be added to creams, bath gels or even edible oils. But to truly harness the many benefits, buying the right product is key- it is important to choose the best quality essential oil, use less of the high quality product than more of the low quality one!  

  • Relaxation

Some essential oils are great for relaxation, such as lavender, chamomile and rosewater. They can be inhaled or applied in diluted versions on the skin. These oils work by calming the body and ameliorating the mood.

Read the Labels for Topical and Internal Uses

Know your oils, check them for their applications. Not all edible oils are meant to be applied on the skin directly, and not all essential oils are meant to be taken orally.

  • Cinnamon Bark Oil is very sweet and can be used in a variety of recipes. However, it cannot be applied directly to the skin without dilution. Cinnamon Bark oil needs to be diluted in a carrier oil with a 1:1 ratio before it can be applied topically.
  • Also cumin oil can be used in many recipes and adds a lot of flavor to food but can cause irritation if applied directly to skin.
  • Sage oil is very soothing for the skin and may help in strengthening the memory function but it is not be edible.
  • Eucalyptus oil is an excellent choice for diffusers and can be diluted and applied topically. It has a minty cooling scent that helps promote clear breathing. However, Eucalyptus essential oil is not meant for taking internally.

Even though Zongle Therapeutics products are organic, pure and therapeutic grade, some oils have inherent qualities that make them suitable only for either topical or oral applications but not both. So checking labels for proper usage is also very important.

  •  Diluting and Doing a Patch Test

Essential oils are concentrated, so they may be natural but they may not be safe to be applied on the skin or taken orally. This is because natural oils also have properties that may exacerbate allergies or be irritating to the skin. It is best to do a patch test first on a small area and observe how the skin responds to them.

Some oils may also need to be diluted before they can be applied topically; it is better to understand these dilution ratios as well. Vegetable oils like Fractionated Coconut can function as a great carried oil. Carrier oils not only dilute but also can help in the application so less essential oil is used to cover maximum area. Typically for topical application it’s best to follow a 1% dilution rate to avoid over-exposure and sensitivities. Incase of a spot treatment concentrate (intended for a small area over a short period of time) the dilution can be raised to 3-5%.

  •  Check for Expiry

Like most natural products, essential oils can also ruin over a long time. It is best to replace the oils when there is a change in color or smell over a prolonged period. It is very likely the oils have excess oxygen in them and can no longer serve their purpose.

  • Edible and Topical Uses

Know your oils, check them for their applications. Not all edible oils are meant to be applied on the skin, for instance cumin oil adds a lot of flavor to the food but can cause irritation if applied to the skin. And vice versa, sage oil is very soothing for the skin but may not be edible. Checking labels for food-grade quality is also equally important, some may have cosmetic applications only.

  • Essential Oils in the Environment

Diffusing essential oils is a very common usage, some oils promote relaxation and tranquility through the environment the are diffused in. However, the body can become sensitive to these oils if it is exposed very frequently for prolonged periods of time. Adding 3-4 drops of essential oil to the diffuser is the recommended amount, twice a day for about twenty minutes.

Another popular application of essential oils is, adding them to the bath. Directly pouring few drops into the bath is not the recommended method as the oil would cling directly onto the body. It is better to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil and then mix the solution into bath water.

  • Not All Oils are for Everyone

Babies, children under six and the elderly have sensitive skins. Essential oils are not recommended for them, unless diluted with a carrier oil. Same goes for pregnant or breastfeeding moms, who should consult their doctors before using essential oils. If the skin shows irritation or itching stop use immediately, applying more the oil on damaged skin can worsen the issue. Persons under medical care should also seek medical practitioner’s advice before using any oils.

  • Takeaway

Essential oils have a bundle of benefits in them, and in spite of some limitations they are still much safer to use then synthetic products. Essential oils have been used for centuries to promote wellness and overall health. The consumers of today are more aware, so with some knowledge about the proper usage and applications of these oils, they can reap the limitless benefits!