All About Oils
By Amy Cassels
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What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are aromatic, concentrated plant extracts that are lovingly harvested from farm-grown and wildcrafted plants, herbs, and trees. They are carefully obtained through steam distillation, cold pressing, or resin tapping. These pure essential oils are more potent than dried herbs and far more powerful than the botanicals from which they are extracted.
Essential oils are stored in small, glandular like sacs found on the plant’s surface or the inside of the plant material. For example, the lavender oil sac is found on the surface of the lavender petal, while citrus essential oils are found on the inside of the fruit’s peel.
Young Living offers hundreds of single oils, blends, and oil-infused products, each containing the optimal levels of specific, naturally occurring constituents to maximize their potency. Whether you use oils for aromatherapy, personal care, or household solutions, every aspect of daily life can benefit from a drop or two of essential oils!
- Each essential oil contains hundreds of constituents which make them very diverse in their effects. Each constituent offers its own unique health benefits. No two oils are alike.
- Essential oils are fat soluble, this means they are attracted to fat and mix readily with other oils.
- They are a highly concentrated form of the source plant. Essential oils are 100 to 10,000 times more concentrated than the herb.
Know your oil company:
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When selecting essential oils, quality is very important. When essential oils are cut with synthetics or when fillers are added, they can quickly become risky for use around humans and pets. One of the reasons that I chose Young Living is because of their commitment to distilling high quality essential oils.
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This commitment is called Seed to Seal, and it ensures that Young Living sources with integrity, tests extensive with the most cutting edge science, and creates industry leading standards to which we hold our partners. These are the 3 pillars of Seed to Seal: Sourcing, Science, and Standards.
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There is no other company with this level of commitment, no other company that owns their own farms, and no other company that has as many essential oils. This is another reason that I decided to go with Young Living instead of any other essential oil company.
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We also are the only essential oil company in the world that owns their own farms, and we have them all over the world.
What part is distilled?
Essential oils come directly from plants. Each essential oil is extracted from different parts of the plant. Some essential oils are found in the flowers, while others are found in the leaves or stem. This is also a contributing factor to each oils’ unique benefits.
Innovative Process
Steam distillation is the most common way to extract essential oils and Young Living is an innovator in essential oil distillation. Gary Young’s years of research and innovation have led Young Living to their delicate distillation process which sets us apart from all the other oil companies. Young Living uses an innovative, gentle, and proprietary steam distillation process that involves using just the right amount of heat and pressure to extract each essential oil. Distillation has to be done correctly and very carefully to ensure each oil has the proper chemical constituent profile. The essential oil constituents are easily destroyed by too much heat or pressure, therefore we use gentle techniques to extract our oils without causing any damage or loss. Variation in temperature or pressure alters the oil. The beneficial compounds are just as potent and powerful in the essential oil bottles as they are in their plant source when distilled properly.
Steam Distilling
Steam distillation has been practiced for over 5,000 years! In steam distillation, freshly picked plants are suspended over boiling water. The steam from the hot water rises through the plant material and subsequently pulls the oil from the plant. As the steam and oil mixture rises, it gets captured in a vessel; it then travels through the condenser and is rapidly cooled. This causes the steam/oil mixture to condense back into water. Since water and essential oil do not mix, the two separate, and the essential oil is then collected. If you visit our farms, you can see this process firsthand!
Cold Pressing
Cold pressing is how we extract citrus essential oils like lemon, grapefruit, lime, orange, and tangerine. Historically, cold pressing was done by hand. People would press down with their bare hands on presoaked citrus rinds until a mixture of water and oils was obtained. Thankfully, a more modern method of extraction (and less labor-intensive!) allows us to obtain our beloved citrus oils. During cold pressing, the rind of the citrus fruit is placed in a container with spikes that puncture the peels while the device is rotated. The puncturing of the rinds allows the release of essential oil, which is then collected and separated from the natural juices. The rind of the fruit is pressed and the essential oil is separated from the fruit.
We use this process for obtaining citrus oils because using other methods can break down and damage the delicate citral molecules. Steam distilled citrus oils may have a bitter aroma because the heat breaks down the delicate citral molecules.
Other fatty oils like olive, almond, and coconut oil are cold pressed from the plant to obtain the oil.
Resin Tapping
Absolute Oil Extraction
Absolute oils are obtained from the grain alcohol extraction of a concrete, which is a solid, waxy residue derived from the extraction of plant material, usually flower petals.
Simply put, absolute extraction requires a solvent to extract the oil because the plant material is so delicate. The essential oil would not be able to be extracted without the use of a solvent. Young Living only uses absolute extraction to distill Jasmine essential oil.
3 Ways to use oils
Essential oils can be used in so many ways. Most people think of inhaling them or placing them on their skin, but they can also be ingested in capsule, made into a DIY, diffused, or worn on diffuser jewelry.
1. Inhalation
Ways to Inhale
- Directly from the bottle: As you inhale, cover one nostril and inhale and then do the other nostril. Most people notice a difference in the smells nostril to nostril.
- From the Palms: Drop one drop in your left hand and rub your palms together. Once you have oil rubbed into your palms, cup your hands over your mouth, taking care to avoid your eyes, and simply inhale for many breaths
From a Diffuser: See third picture
Jewelry: Look at Etsy for all kinds of essential oil diffuser jewelry made from leather, felt, lava beads, natural wood, clay and more! Pretty much anything that is porous can be made into lovely jewelry.
Spray Bottle: Simply add 10-20 drops of oil + water + vodka to a glass or stainless spray bottle and mist the room for quick and easy air freshener
When you inhale
Believe it or not, there is a lot going on when inhale. Odors in the air float past our nose, and hit tiny hairs in our noses, and they begin to vibrate. This vibration generates an electrical signal, that travels into our olfactory bulb, and then further into the brain into ancient structures buried deep in the brain. These structures are collectively known as the limbic system and this part of our brain is (at least in part) responsible for memory, emotion, body temperature regulation, hormone regulation and so much more. Importantly, the limbic system does not speak language, it can only communicate in smells with the outside world.
Picking a diffuser
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When you are selecting a premium starter kit, you have the option of 4 different diffusers. The Rainstone, the Dew Drop, and the Aria and the Desert Mist Diffuser.
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Which diffuser you choose really comes down to the price and style that you like. They each have unique features to choose from.
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These are ultra-sonicating diffusers. At the base of them is a metal disk that vibrates very fast, and these vibrations send water and essential oil into the air. Once in the air, you are more likely to smell them throughout the room.
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The Dew Drop and Desert Mist are light weight and easy to carry on a trip, and you can create different moods with the light settings.
Room & Linen Spray
Here is an example of a DIY with Lavender. This is my Lavender Linen Spray. This spray creates a relaxing atmosphere for the bedroom and is so easy to make. Simply combine 4 oz of water with 4 oz witch hazel and 1 tsp of jojoba oil. Then add 1 drops each of Lavender and Stress Away. Whisk all ingredients together and then store in a glass spray bottle. Shake well before each use, and spray on bedsheets, bedspreads, pillows, and drapes.
2. Topically
Topical Application
Start slow and go low. That means on the bottoms of the feet first. Kids are very sensitive to smells, so starting at the bottoms of the feet is a great idea.
You can apply them by themselves or with carrier oil. Carrier oil is a fatty oil like almond, jojoba, olive, or coconut oil (among many others). These are used to ensure that essential oil on the skin is comfortable. If you ever get an oil on your skin that feels too hot, too cold, or uncomfortable in any way, simply add carrier oil.
When you use oils on the skin, it is important to remember that some essential oils contain ingredients that make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Be sure to use caution when applying citrus oils to skin that will be exposed to the sun, as you can be more at risk for a burn.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, are new to essential oils, or are worried about how your skin may react to an essential oil, do patch test prior to use.
Dilution
Why should you dilute an essential oil and how do you do it?
- Dilution recommendations can be found on the back of each essential oil bottle and should be followed, especially by those new to essential oils and when using on children. Diluted means mixing an essential with a carrier oil. Carrier oils ensure that essential oils applied topically are comfortable to the skin. Dilution with a carrier oil does not dilute the effect of the essential oil, it allows the essential to go farther.
- It is important to remember that oils are fat soluble. This means they are attracted to fat and repel water. The skin is made up of fat which essential oils are attracted to. If an oil causes any type of discomfort on the body, washing the skin off with water will only drive the oil deeper into the skin.
Great Carrier Oils
- A carrier oil is a fatty oil that gives added benefits to your skin and can be used to dilute essential oils. Good carrier oils are organic unrefined coconut oil, olive oil, or any of the fatty oils above. Young Living’s V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex is an excellent carrier oil for diluting and massages. It contains coconut Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Olive Fruit Oil.
- Oils like canola oil, baby oil, or any mineral oil derived from petroleum by-products are not considered good carrier oils because of their negative health affects.
Plant Butters
- You can also add essential oils to plant butters before application. Plant based butters are a great option to use when wanting to dilute an essential oils. Butters are not technically an oil, but they are fat-soluble and can provide many additional benefits for your skin.
- Make sure to look for organic, unrefined butters to work the most synergistically with your oil.
Hot (to the skin) Oils
- Some oils are more “hot” than others. “Hot oils” are oils that may cause a hot or burning sensation when applied to the skin. For those with sensitive skin, Young Living recommends doing a patch test prior to first use. Examples of “hot” oils include Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint, Oregano, Thyme, Thieves, and blends that include these oils.
- Be sure to dilute hot oils with a carrier oil before applying and continue to dilute if discomfort occurs.
Wearing Oils in the Sun
What is photosensitivity?
- Citrus essential oils contain molecules that can cause a sensitive reaction to the skin when exposed to direct sunlight. Citrus oils like orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime, tangerine, bergamot, and blends containing these oils may cause discomfort to the skin if you are exposed to the sun within 12-48 hours of application.
- All Young Living essential oils and essential oil blends that contain these compounds are labeled with a warning to avoid sun/UV light for 12 to 48 hours after applying.
- If you are planning on going out in the sun, the best way to apply citrus oils is to dilute and apply the oil to area of the skin that are protected from sun/UV exposure to reduce the risk of sensitivity.
Pregnancy & Nursing
Can you use essential oils while pregnant or nursing?
Pregnancy and nursing is a time when you should take caution in everything you are using. Always consult your health care provider and follow label instructions. Listen to your body and use what you are comfortable with. Be smart, make empowered decisions, and use common sense.
It is recommended to avoid the over and excessive use of Clary Sage, Sage, Idaho Tansy, Hyssop, Fennel, and Wintergreen as well as the blends and supplements that contain these oils.
For Children? YES!
Essential oils can be used with children.
Essential oils are a great way to enhance your entire family’s wellness. Essential oils also make great plant-based options for children, just make sure to dilute. If an adult uses 2 drops of an essential oil, a child will only need a fraction of that. By diluting an essential oil with a carrier oil, you can dilute it properly for a child.
Lemon, Frankincense, Tea Tree and Lavender are great examples of gentle and family friendly essential oils.
Make it Yourself!
Another way to use essential oils on the skin is in a do it yourself personal care product. Essential oils are very versatile, and you can create everything from face masks, balms and creams, soaps, and hair tonics to play dough. The list goes on and on!
3. Internally
Internal
The Vitality line offers over 40 essential oils that you can use in your cooking, to flavor your favorite beverages, or even to create your own veggie capsules. Vitality essential oils are a great way to keep yourself healthy!
You can also use essential oils internally. Young Living’s line of Vitality oils are specifically labeled for internal use. Taking oils internally is a great way to support your different body systems. Try adding a few drops of essential oil to a glass of water, veggie capsule, or try baking with them to enhance your favorite recipes.
Essential oils’ rich, bright aromas can add a delicious kick of flavor to your favorite recipes. Try adding a drop or two of lime to fresh salsa or to your favorite Mexican-inspired marinade, lemon to grilled fish, peppermint to hot cocoa, or basil and oregano to homemade pasta sauce. Get creative and enjoy all the culinary possibilities of essential oils. Remember essential oils are potent, one drop goes a long way when cooking.
If adding oils to a drink, be sure to use a glass or stainless steel bottle because oils will eat away plastic. Use caution when using an oil on any soft, plastic surface.
Body System Support
These are just a few of the many ways you can utilize Vitality to support your body.
•Thieves vitality is an excellent way to support your immune system. It includes Lemon, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Clove and Eucalyptus Radiata essential oils.
•DiGize Vitality was specially formulated to support your digestive system. Try putting a few drops in a glass of water and drinking before large meals.
•Incorporate Grapefruit Vitality into your weight management routine. Put a few drops into a veggie capsule and ingest daily. Don’t forget to follow label instructions.
•SclarEssence™ Vitality can be used for mild mood changes and cramps associated with the menstrual cycle.*
Body System Support
• Lemon Vitality has antioxidant properties and provides immune and circulatory support.*
• German Chamomile Vitality provides mood support and can help calm occasional nervous tension.*
• Nutmeg Vitality supports cognitive function.*
• Peppermint Vitality supports normal digestion.*
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Amy Cassels
Yoga & Aromatherapy
Wellness Educator
Email: amysoilsforwellness@gmail.com
Website: www.amycassels.com
Phone: 9365374212
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amy.elwood.cassels