Essential oils have gained incredible popularity in recent years. While some view essential oils as a new trend or fad, they are really an age-old remedy that have become popular again.
Plants contain non-water soluble compounds within the roots, flowers, seeds, bark, or other areas of the plant. Non-water soluble compounds are concentrated phytochemicals that are distilled to produce essential oils.
Not all oils are created equal and the quality of essential oils is important. This is determined by the purity of an oil which is based on geographic location, selection and harvesting of the plants, distillation methods, weather, and other factors. Many inexpensive essentials oils available commercially are of inferior quality and produced with chemicals and do not pass third party testing due to impurities.
The chemical design of essential oil gives it specific benefits. Essential oils can be used to soothe occasional skin irritations, promote healthy digestion, support good oral health, create feelings of clear airways, and much more. Neurologically speaking, sense of smell has a direct input into our brain and into areas responsible for emotions. Therefore some oils can produce mental, physiologic and emotional responses such as energizing, calming or renewing benefits.
Some uses of essential oils include:
- Topical Use – I highly recommend diluting any oils that are used on skin with a safe carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil.
- Aromatic Use – Essential oils can also be diffused into the air.
One benefit of essential oil usage is using them in DIY beauty products and homemade cleaning products. For example, I use essential oils and other natural ingredients to make my own hand soap, body wash, face cream etc which allows me to safely know what is in the products I use on my body. See example of foaming hand soap recipe below.
I purchase essential oils from DoTerra. There can be a substantial difference in quality between brands, so I always make sure the source is certified organic Organic (as pesticides and harmful chemicals can be more concentrated in essential oils), sourced from the native region for each plant and not altered or adulterated in any way.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unscented liquid castile soap
1 tablespoon Fractionated Coconut Oil
10 drops favorite essential oil
Water
Instructions
- Pour castile soap and Fractionated Coconut Oil into bottle.
- Add essential oils.
- Slowly add water into bottle, making sure to leave room for the foaming pump.
- Add lid, shake, and you are good to go!
- When ready to use, just pump one to two times into hands and wash with warm water.
Order through Innovative Health & Wellness Group today!
Sources:
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/using-essential-oils
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-foaming-hand-soap