chapter 1
Essential Oils and the
Emotions: Basic Use
Essential oils and the emotions have a huge impact on one another. This book will explain to you how the oils work on the emotions and how they can counteract or increase certain emotional responses in our systems—from “anger to worship.” Using essential oils for emotional and spiritual needs dates back thousands of years.
Essential oils are created from plants, trees, herbs, fruit, and flowers. They are distilled, usually by steam distillation. The process involves placing the flowers or other plant material over steam. The steam releases all of the moisture and oils from the plant that then rise into the air. This moisture is captured and cooled. Since oil and water don’t mix, the oil is separated from the water as it settles and cools. The oil is bottled and sold as essential oils. This is a simple explanation, but the process is quite involved and detailed. This is the most common process for making essential oils. There are actually several ways to remove the oils from the plants such as cold distillation, alcohol absorption (effleurage), and expression.
Essential oils are made up of molecules that contain various therapeutic properties. These properties have been studied, researched, and cataloged by scientists so that we can understand which healing actions are produced by which essential oils. I have listed the prominent therapeutic properties that work with each essential oil in the appendices of this book.
These molecular wonders enter our body through the limbic system by the aromas and through our skin when we apply them. Hair follicles, sweat glands, and pores are very receptive to transmitting the oils from our skin directly into the bloodstream and into our very cells. At this point they are transmitted to the sites of need, much like aspirin or medicine is transported through the body.
When essential oils reach our brain, certain parts such as the hypothalamus, glands, neurotransmitters, and hormones are affected by the introduction of the cells containing the therapeutic properties. Our memories are sparked, our emotions are changed, and our brain reacts accordingly.
Therefore, when you are feeling stressed, sad, hyper, or any number of emotions, you can counteract those emotions with essential oils. Diffuse them, rub them on, or add them to the bathwater. It only takes a few drops to stimulate your limbic system and provide you with the needed responses. Even just opening the bottle and inhaling the wonderful aromas can have quick responses by our brains.
The main problem these days is trying to decide which brand to purchase, not how to find them. The age-old adage of “you get what you pay for” applies largely to the quality of essential oils. If you see a huge 16-fluid-ounce bottle of frankincense oil for $4 and a ½-fluid-ounce bottle for $34, you can pretty much guess which one is the real deal. Essential oils are usually derived from plants from the countries that the plants grow in naturally. Sometimes this can be extremely expensive, but well worth the price, as the oils in the plant grown in the native country will have better oils, more oils, and more therapeutic properties than if you grow them in your own backyard.
If you are purchasing oils for the aroma or to run in your diffuser, then a cheap oil will work well for you. If you are purchasing an oil for healing, then you would want to pay a little more to ensure you get a better oil. I buy all brands of oils and have them separated into various groups: cheap ones to run for aromas, medium-priced oils for everyday needs, and expensive oils for healing. I never turn down an essential oil. I can use them all for one thing or another.
Essential oils are fun. If you heed warnings and experiment cautiously, then you will be on your way to health, healing, and happiness with your aromatherapy. Before we dive into the main section of the book focused on oils for specific circumstances, we will first explore some of the basics. The unique warnings that may be present for individual oils can be viewed in the References section at the end of the book. There you will also find a glossary of definitions for technical terms that will come up throughout the book.
• I am not a licensed physician or a diagnostician and have had no medical training. I cannot condone using essential oils with any medications or illnesses without your doctor’s or medical team’s consent. Many medications and essential oils counteract each other or can cause serious consequences if used together. Consult with your doctor before beginning any essential oil regimen if you are on any medications or have been diagnosed with any diseases.
• Essential oils come in various strengths, potencies, and price ranges. Check with your friends, read reviews, and find outside sources to help you determine which brand is best for you. I like to use cheap essential oils in my diffuser, medium-grade and average-priced essential oils for my moods and minor ailments, and expensive clinical-grade essential oils for any more serious medical needs.
• Before you take any essential oils internally, ensure that the brand you are swallowing was made for ingesting. Some essential oils can burn a hole in your esophagus and stomach and even lead to fatal consequences. Please do your research before ever taking an essential oil by mouth. Some manufacturers state that their oils are safe for internal consumption, but most do not. If you decide to ingest essential oils, you should be under the guidance of a certified aromatherapist.
• Lock your essential oils up and away from children. Some essential oils can poison, burn, or scar a child, or cause devastating consequences and even death. Always ensure when giving some essential oils that you have the manufacturer’s assurance that the oil will not harm the child. Never, ever, leave essential oils out and unattended or where a child can get to them. Never use essential oils on infants or toddlers without professional guidance.
• Essential oils should always be handled with care. Never apply to mucus membranes, sensitive areas such as eyes, genitals, or inner ears, and never apply directly to an open wound. Use caution at all times when using essential oils.
• Store your essential oils in a cool, dark area, such as a medicine cabinet or a cabinet that you can lock if there are children in the home. I like to use dark amber or green bottles to store my oils in. Sunlight can destroy the therapeutic properties in essential oils. Most oils will last for years if stored properly.
• Always use a carrier oil, milk, or some other recommended substance when diluting essential oils. Carrier oils can include (but are not limited to) sesame oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, apricot seed oil, coconut oil, or any oil good for the skin and body. Some essential oils can be used neat (without carrier oil), but these are few. Always use extreme caution when handling essential oils.
• A patch test is the best way to determine if you are allergic to essential oils. Combine a mixture of 3–4 drops of essential oil with one teaspoon of carrier oil. Apply a small amount to an area of your skin. Do not bathe or get the area wet during the 12-hour waiting period. At the end of 12 hours look at the spot; if it is red, swollen, itchy, or looks unlike the rest of your surrounding skin, then you can assume you are allergic, or at least have a sensitivity to that particular oil and should not use it at all. If you have allergies to certain plants, you can be assured that you are also allergic to the essential oil from that same plant.
• If you are pregnant, nursing, think you might be pregnant, experience high blood pressure or low blood pressure, suffer from kidney issues, epilepsy, seizures, asthma, liver issues, heart problems, or any other illness or condition, you should check with a physician before taking any essential oils, to ensure that they won’t affect your medications or your condition. Before taking an essential oil, read appendix 1 and do some online research to ensure your particular condition will not be affected.
• Essential oils contain therapeutic properties that can be damaged by heat. Use a diffuser that does not use heat to make steam, but uses a type of sound wave or vibration method. Ensure other oils, or water that your essential oils are added to, have been allowed to cool slightly to preserve the integrity of your oils.
• Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of essential oils. Ensure that milk is always added to their bath time rituals with essential oils. Milk will disperse the oils throughout the bath water and helps to prevent the oils from adhering to the skin and possibly causing a burn. Never use essential oils on a child under the age of four years, unless specified to do so by your physician.
• Never give essential oils to pets, as some oils that are safe for humans are toxic to pets. Ensure through your veterinarian that the oils you wish to use on your pets are safe for them. Never leave oils unattended where pets can reach them.
Where to Purchase
Essential oils can be purchased from a wide variety of places. When I first started using essential oils, they were very hard to locate, and once you found a place that sold essential oils, it became a frantic effort to purchase every one of them before the business was gone. Today, essential oils are sold online, in retail outlets, health food stores, and even huge chain department stores.
It is easier than ever to research the companies that sell the oils. Do they practice organic farming? Do they work entirely with essential oils or do they mass produce a variety of products? You can find all the information about a company online and determine if this is the right place for you to purchase your oils. Many countries around the world use false advertising to sell their oils. Ensure that the company you choose is ethical.
Many more essential oil companies are selling their products through home-based services. There are essential oil parties, essential oil product catalogs, and every town in America has people who sell essential oils through home-based marketing. Check them all out. You may find your newest favorite brand.
Labels
Learn to read labels on any oil that you purchase. Just because the label says “100 percent pure” does not necessarily mean 100 percent pure essential oil. It could mean 100 percent rose oil AND olive oil. Read the ingredients as well. There should only be one ingredient, and that would be the essential oil.
Occasionally, you will want to buy an essential oil that has been diluted with another oil. In these instances, the pure essential oil may be too expensive to purchase as a 100 percent straight oil, such as rose oil. Rose oil can cost upwards of $800 for a fraction of an ounce. So, buying this oil in a blend would be the best economically; otherwise, most of us could not ever afford to own a bottle of rose oil or some of the other pricier oils.
Buying blends that are already diluted with a carrier oil and ready to use right out of the bottle is very popular today. Many essential oil companies use their own recipes and add the carrier oil to the bottle for you. Just be sure when you are buying a blended or a straight essential oil that you differentiate between the two. Most blends can be applied directly to the skin from the bottle, but straight essential oils must be diluted before being applied.
The labels should direct you on how to use the oil, how often, and if it is 100 percent oil or if it has been mixed with a blend. Ensure that you are not using “fragrance oil” in your recipes instead of essential oils. Fragrance oils use chemicals to develop the aromas of the oils, and they do not contain therapeutic properties.
You can learn a lot about an oil from reading the label. Essential oils are fun and easy to use, as long as you are aware of what you are using and heed all of the tips and warnings associated with that particular oil.
Brands
There are hundreds of brands of essential oils. The government does not regulate labeling of essential oils that are to be used topically. Any company can put the words “100 percent essential oils” on their label, especially if they don’t have strict advertising policies in their countries. You do want to make sure that you are buying 100 percent pure essential oils, so the best way to do this is to check the ingredients. It should only have one ingredient, and that would be the oil. If it has another word on there, then it is not 100 percent essential oil.
In the essential oil world market, you do actually get what you pay for. If you find a giant bottle of lavender essential oil, for example, and it is $5, then you are pretty much assured that you are not getting true essential oil. Many companies cut their essential oils with another, cheaper oil or use chemically derived fragrance oil. In these cheaper oils, you will not get the therapeutic properties that you are looking for.
Choosing a particular brand of essential oil is a personal preference. I personally use all of them. I use the cheap, off-the-shelf essential oils for my diffuser every day or for mixing up blends just for the aroma. I use the medium-grade essential oils for monitoring my moods or for simple everyday ailments. My very good essential oils I use for more serious situations. I never turn down an oil. I find a usage for all of them.
I often research companies that sell essential oils. I look for the plants to be indigenous to the areas of the world where they commonly grow. I like to buy oils that are organic and wholesome. Of course, I want clinical grade oils that can be used for healing. Some of my favorite brands of essential oils include Ovvio Oils, SunRose Aromatics, and Florihana. They meet all of my requirements for top-of-the-line essential oils and they are of true clinical grade and are ethically produced.
Try various brands of essential oils for your needs. Make notes about how the brands worked for you. You will soon find yourself turning more and more to a particular brand, or to multiple brands. There are some great oils on the market today, but there are some bad ones as well. What works well for one person may not work for another. Use your own judgment and get to know the companies that sell the oils.
Storage
Essential oils should be stored away from direct sunlight and heat. Sunlight will decrease the preserving actions in the oils. Using dark-colored bottles to store your oils and blends in is considered to be the optimal storage solution. Certain products, such as vitamin E oil and benzoin, can preserve your recipes and blends. That is why these are included in so many of the recipes in this book. Refrigerate your blends when requested in the recipes, otherwise they can have a great shelf life if stored in a cool/dark area. I have a shelf in one of my closets that is devoted entirely to the storage of essential oils. I can shut the door, and my oils reside in total darkness. I also like to pick up medicine cabinets at flea markets, and I store my ready-made blends in them. Then they are easy to locate when I need them, and I can control the light that gets to them.
If an essential oil is stored properly and is a good brand, some of them can last many years. Take care of your oils, and ensure that they are out of reach of pets and children. Essential oils should never be left out on a counter or where pets and children can reach them. You and your essential oils can last many years together with proper storage.
Carrier Oils and Their Uses
A carrier oil is the oil we use to dilute the essential oils before applying them to our bodies. Essential oils are often too strong for the direct application to the skin. The oils must be diluted by mixing with an agent that will be readily absorbable by the skin, and the oils listed below are perfect for combining with essential oils. The carrier oil must be good for the skin, absorbable, and not have an overpowering aroma.
Essential oils can be applied to just about any area of the body, once they are diluted with a carrier oil. Studies were carried out by placing an essential oil mixed with a carrier oil onto the soles of the feet. Within a few minutes, the essential oil was detected in every cell in the body. Never apply essential oils on mucus membranes, open wounds, eyeballs, genitals, inside ears, or other sensitive areas.
Below, I am listing my favorite carrier oils. Experiment with your carrier oils and see which ones you like best! My general rule of thumb is to use ½ teaspoon carrier oil per 5–8 drops essential oil. Mix it, rub it on, and you’re good to go!
Essential oils can burn as the properties are very strong, and must be cut with another substance. I have given a particular type of carrier oil in some of the recipes, but in most of them I leave it up to you to decide which carrier oil works best for you and your situation.
Take the same precautions with carrier oils that you would with essential oils. Read the labels to determine if it is 100 percent pure oil, or if it has been cut with a cheaper oil. Note the expiration dates, the ingredients, and use your eyes to determine if the oil looks clear or cloudy. Always smell your carrier oil before adding an essential oil to it. Carrier oils give a bitter aroma once they have turned rancid. Ensure your carrier oil is fresh and pure before mixing with your precious essential oils.
Sweet Almond Oil
I like sweet almond oil because it is cheap, readily available, and I use a lot of it! It’s loaded with vitamins, so it’s good for your skin. Almond oil will last a year on the shelf. It has lots of protein and is great to use in massage oils.
Apricot Kernel Oil
This oil is great for dry, aged skin (like mine). It works wonders as a moisturizing lotion and is used in antiaging products worldwide. It’s loaded with vitamin A and is a good base for healing products.
Grape Seed Oil
One of my favorite carrier oils. Very inexpensive. It doesn’t have as great of a shelf life as most of the other oils, but I use it up within 6 months of buying it, so that’s OK. It has vitamins A and E, so it’s perfect for your skin. The molecules are very tiny and are absorbed by the skin rapidly.
Jojoba Oil
This oil is amazing for all skin types, and it’s especially good for skin conditions. It will keep forever on the shelf and mixes beautifully with essential oils and other carrier oils. It’s great for the hair, scalp, and skin. I am crazy for jojoba oil, even though it is a little pricey. I use this oil for more serious ailments or skin issues.
Olive Oil
I really don’t like using olive oil, as it is thick and greasy, but I have been known to use it in a pinch. It will last 1–2 years on the shelf, so it has a pretty good shelf life. It does have an odor that will come through when mixed with essential oils, but it will work to transmit your essential oils into your body and brain! Read the ingredient label thoroughly, as olive oil is often cut with cheaper oils. The label will indicate if it is 100 percent pure olive oil.
Sesame Oil
This oil works well for lowering the vata dosha (which I am most in abundance of, therefore, I use it almost every day). It has protein, vitamins, and minerals, so it is very good for the body and the skin. Sesame is also what I use for oil pulling, which is gargling and swishing the oil through the mouth. The oil is a magnet for toxins, which adhere to the oil. Spit the oil out after swishing. Sesame oil has a pretty long shelf life; it never has gone rancid on me, even after a year or two.
Methods of Using Recipes
The numerous recipes in this book are easy to make and use and they usually contain items that can be found throughout your home. The basic recipes are formulas that I have worked with for many years and found to be the most effective at dispersing oils to the home or body. The following is a brief description of the various methods of the recipes used throughout this book. These methods correspond to the recipe list at the beginning of the book.
Bath
This is one of the most enjoyable ways to use your essential oils. The oils can enter through your skin and nasal passages and provide you with a beautiful healing experience. Never fill the tub with extremely hot water, as the heat can destroy any therapeutic properties in the oils. A lukewarm bath is the best method to use to maintain the integrity of the oils. The oils will float on top of the water, adhering to the skin; to help disperse the oils, it is common to add a tablespoon of milk to the bathwater. This step will allow the oils to mix with the water.
Bath Bombs
Bath and shower bombs are fun and easy to make. They are made from ingredients that harden after the essential oils are added. Once you settle into the tub, they can be placed in with you, and they give off a fizzing action that releases the essential oils into the water and air. Shower bombs can be placed onto the floor of the shower where the water will cause them to fizz and release their aromas into the air. Bath and shower bombs make great gifts and can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes.
Bath Salts
Bath salts are a fun way to get healing salts into your bath. They are inexpensive to make, beautiful as gifts, and give a spa-like atmosphere to the bath ritual. Depending on the type of salts you use, you can get different healing benefits from the salts. Epsom and pink Himalayan salts provide great muscle pain relief due to the minerals inherent in these salts. Discover what salts bring the effect you desire. Ensure that the water is not so hot as to destroy the beneficial effects of the properties in the oils.
Compress
A compress is an age-old healing method whereby the oils are mixed with either a carrier oil or water and applied to a large square of gauze or linen. The compress can be left on until it is no longer comfortable or applied as directed.
Diffuser
A diffuser imparts healing and delightful aromas throughout the home, office, or wherever you plug one in. Ensure that your diffuser does not use heat to make steam. Cold diffusers are the only type of diffuser that won’t hurt the oils. Only cold water should be added to a diffuser, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Cleaning your diffuser according to manufacturer’s directions can add years to your diffuser. Each diffuser holds a different amount of water and essential oils. Ensure you are using the specified amounts. There are various methods for turning the water and oils into a fine mist that drifts in the air and benefits those who come into contact.
Footbath
A footbath requires a large receptacle, such as a large bowl or pan. Using a footbath can deliver essential oils throughout the body, muscles, tendons, and areas specified in the directions. The feet are considered to be one of the best vehicles to distribute essential oils to the rest of the body. The water should be lukewarm and comfortable. Ensure you have a towel handy to dry your feet on when you take them out of the footbath so you don’t slip and fall. A teaspoon of milk added to the water will help disperse the oils throughout the water, ensuring they won’t adhere to your skin. The recipes indicate which oils, and how much of each, should be used for each various condition.
Hand Rub
The hand rub is one of the most common ways to use essential oils; it is easy and effective. Combining a carrier oil and essential oils, briskly rub the oils into the hands. Use a small amount during the day, as it can be absorbed readily into the skin. At night, before bed, use a thicker application of the oils to the hands and cover with gloves. This way the oils can penetrate the skin all during the night while you are sleeping.
Inhale
Inhaling essential oil aromas can vastly affect the moods and emotions by changing the molecules in our brains and in the limbic system. There are devices that you can purchase, such as nasal inhalers, that are effective and affordable. Other than a nasal inhaler, placing a drop of the oils onto a tissue or into the palm of your hand can be just as effective as any apparatus. Simply close a nostril and breathe in the aroma with the open nostril. The effects are quick, and it only takes 1 drop of oil.
Laundry Detergent
Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl or container. Stir well. I like to add about 16 drops to a ½ gallon container of liquid laundry detergent. It is not recommended to add essential oils to powdered laundry detergent until each usage. Add the manufacturer’s recommended amount of oil-infused laundry detergent to each load in the washer. Store remainder in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dark area for up to 1 year.
Linen Powder
Making linen powder is easy and fun. Various essential oils are applied to the powder to enhance the needed benefits. Using a mason jar with holes poked into the lid is the most common method. The powder is sprinkled under the bed sheets or into the pillowcases to impart the sleep-inducing and calming effects of the oils throughout the night. You can use a small piece of plastic wrap between the lid and the band to cover the holes in your mason jar when not in use.
Add the vitamin E, the essential oils, beeswax, and other ingredients, and stir quickly. With a spoon, drip a drop of the mixture onto the counter and let set for 1 minute. Pull your finger through the drop and check for consistency. If mixture is too thin, add more beeswax; if it is too thick, add more oil. Once desired consistency is acquired, immediately pour into small balm container (glass or metal) with a lid. After mixture cools, cover and store in a cool, dark area for up to 6 months.
Lotion
Add the recommended amount of essential oils to any brand of mild unscented lotion. Whisk until thoroughly mixed. Apply lotion to body as needed. Store unused portion in a jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dark area for up to 1 month.
Massage Oil
Purchasing a massage oil can be quite expensive. Making your own is easy, cost efficient, and can provide you with many healing benefits. In a bowl, just add the essential oils to the carrier oil specified and whisk. Pour into a bottle, label, and date. Warming the oil by rubbing it briskly between the hands before applying will make the recipient feel more comfortable as it is being applied to the skin.
Neat
“Neat” is the term given to an essential oil application whereby the oil is applied directly to the skin, without cutting it with a carrier oil first. Only a few essential oils are recommended to be applied in this manner. Most oils will burn or irritate the skin if not diluted. Ensure through your doctor or a certified aromatherapist which essential oils can be applied neat for your condition.
Ointment
An ointment is a mixture of ingredients, usually containing a small amount of beeswax, that is heated, cooled, and applied to the skin. After heating the carrier oil, beeswax, and the other ingredients, it is best to add the essential oils after the heated oil has cooled slightly. Once all the ingredients are whisked together, it should be poured into smaller containers quickly, as it will thicken into a gel-like consistency. Ointment can be applied with or without a bandage or covering, depending on the site area and how it comes into contact with clothing and furniture.
Roller Bottle
Essential oils can be mixed with carrier oils, or other ingredients, and poured into roller bottles for easy access, usage, and storage. Roller bottles are convenient to carry in a purse, car, or to leave in a medicine cabinet or office desk. It’s important to always label your bottles so that you can tell which bottle works for what need.
Rub
Pour the essential oils, carrier oil, and any remaining ingredients into a small glass container, bowl, or jar. Swirl or whisk to mix the ingredients, and apply lightly to the area desired, such as pressure points, neck, soles of feet, temples, or chest. Protect furniture and clothing from stains by wearing an old T-shirt. Keep the essential oil mixture away from open wounds, mucus membranes, genitals, eyes, and sensitive areas. Repeat application as needed, usually 2–3 times daily. Store unused portion in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dark area for up to 6 months.
Salve
A salve is a very thick ointment that stays in place on the skin when applied. Beeswax is the optimal way to thicken the ingredients. The carrier oil and beeswax are heated until the wax is melted. After cooling slightly, the essential oils are added, and the mixture is poured into containers with lids. When applying to the skin, a bandage or linen is usually used to cover the area, as the salve can sometimes damage clothing or furniture. Salves have a long shelf life if vitamin E oil is added as a preservative.
Smelling Salts
Smelling salts bring back ancient days when ladies would carry a vial of smelling salts in their “reticules” and take a whiff when they felt they were going to faint. In actuality, smelling salts are a great way to quickly get the essential oils to pass the blood/brain barrier and get those healing molecules straight into our systems. The salts preserve the oils and keep those healing properties active for a long period of time.
Spray
Sprays are an easy and effective way to impart the aromas into the air or onto the body. The important thing to remember about sprays is that they must be shaken vigorously before each usage, as the oils and water will definitely separate when sitting. Sprays are one of the most common ways to use essential oils because of the readily available ingredients, water and oils.
Spritzer
A spritzer is made with fewer oils than a spray, thereby lending themselves as the perfect vehicle for spraying the body or hair. Spritzers must be shaken well before using, as the oils and water will separate during sitting.
Sugar Scrub
Combine ingredients without mashing too much. Spread paste onto skin or area desired and rub in lightly. Do not apply to genitals, eyes, sensitive areas, or mucus membranes. Sugar scrub should never be applied to the face. Let set for 1 minute, and then gently rinse off. Keep in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dark area for up to 1 month.
Wrap
Mix ingredients together into a small bowl or container. Apply the mixture onto a long, rectangle piece of muslin, linen, gauze, or cotton. Wrap the treated material around the wrist, knee, ankle, etc. Leave wrap on for at least 15 minutes. Store remainder of ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to 30 days.