Essential Oils got you curious?

Let’s talk about what they are and how to use them!

An Essential Oil is the substance extracted from a plant. There are various methods of extraction, and the method used is determined on the plant, and where this beneficial substance is found within the plant.

To become a pro on all things essential oils, I highly recommend taking some time to peruse the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), and Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA).  These associations are setting the standards and lead the education and research movement for all things essential oils.

Are Essential Oils a Fad?

No, but mass marketing will have you believe they are!

I don’t consider essential oils to be a fad, because they’ve been around for thousands of years!

Plants and flowers have a well documented history of being used for medicinal and healing purposes. Even modern medicine uses the parts of plants they want to create the same effect in a more controlled environment. For example, chemists are able to isolate certain constituents to create different medications – like taking Willow Bark to create Salicylic Acid (aka Aspirin).

There are even historical links to using oils for healing that can be found in the Bible, and ancient times. Click here for an article I found referencing that information. AIA also has a brief description of its history, here.

Extraction methods have obviously changed. We now have scientists that sit in labs all day doing this stuff…they’ve perfected and enhanced extraction methods. These advanced methods have surely allowed essential oils to be mass marketed like they are today.

They do have a documented history of being beneficial and useful to our health. It just happens to be that as methods improve, more companies jump on the bandwagon.

This is exactly why it’s so important that you do your research and choose a company that is exceeding standards, like Rocky Mount Oils.

How do I use Essential Oils to benefit my health?

There are three ways to use Essential Oils… Aromatic, Absorption, and Internal.

Taking EO’s internally, are NOT recommended, unless you’re under direct supervision of a trained and qualified aromatherapist. Because of this, I won’t even discuss this method in this article.

Aromatic (aka breathing in)…

Diffuse , Steam inhalation, or Direct Inhalation.

Steam inhalations are great for sinus infections, asthma, or even bronchitis. It’s more like a quick hit. I love to do sinus bombs with Peppermint, Oregano, Frankincense and Bergamot! But if you’re in a pinch and can only get one, buy Breathe Ease. It’s a pre-made blend of oils that will have the same effect.

Diffusing is a great way to get longer exposure. Make sure your oil is safe to diffuse, and always dilute to the recommended amount.

Once we inhale something, it binds to receptors in the olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulbs are filled with receptors that send messages directly to your brain (the limbic system).

Some studies theorize that essential oils provide therapeutic effects, which improve the “physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being”. In other words, for the most part, it is believed that there is a psychological benefit rather than a physiological benefit. HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean that they don’t actually work in the body, it just means that they’re not publishing the research on it. Besides, whether it’s psychological or physiological, there is a benefit…it has been proven that the immune system works better and more efficiently when a person is more emotionally stable.

Now, you might be asking yourself, “well, why not just spray a bunch of fragrances in my room? Same thing!”

Nope, totally not the same thing! The difference between those deodorizers you find in the market, and pure essential oils, is that essential oils ARE NOT synthetic. There are plenty of studies that show the synthetic odors contain irritants, carcinogens, and can even “trigger sensitivities in some people.” So, why risk it?

Topical use…

Your skin is your largest organ, and very permeable. Essential Oil molecules are small, and pass through the epidermis easily. Once it is absorbed by your skin, it makes its way into your body, and eventually your bloodstream, allowing it to circulate throughout your entire body.

There are so many ways to do this…acupressure, massage, cold/hot packs, in a warm bath, and compresses.

One complaint that I hear quite often is that after applying your oils, the “smell”  disappears within a few minutes. Essential oils are quickly absorbed by your skin, so the smell will not stick around like synthetic fragrances (aka perfumes). This is a good sign! If you can still smell your oils hours after you applied it over two hours ago, it might have adulterants, contaminants or synthetics. That being said, some oils are thicker than others, and therefore have a longer lasting smell on your skin, or even in the air (if you diffused them).

Your body will quickly absorb, use, and discard what it doesn’t need.

Studies have shown that using oils topically, can provide antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects.

Always use a carrier oil, like any of these, so that you don’t irritate your skin. There are so many options for carrier oils. Personally, we like to use the following  Jojoba oil, and Argan oil.

Besides using a carrier oil, you want to make sure you dilute the oils properly…don’t just douse yourself in your oils, no matter how pure they are! As a matter of fact, your oils being pure can actually cause even more irritation, since they are so potent.

Of course, we are all different, and with time, you’ll learn if your body requires a different potency to have more benefits.

But, as a general guide when you first start, stick to this Dilution chart.

I’ll keep this short and sweet! My top 5 reasons to love Rocky Mount Oils!

1 – S.A.A.F.E. PromiseTM    

(Satisfaction, Authentic, Analysis, Free of adulterants, Effective & Pure)

Quality and Purity testing!

Under every bottle, a batch number is printed. This is a unique tracking number for every batch that is bottled. There’s a place on their site where you can enter this batch number, and you’ll get full access to the GC/MS test results.

What is GC/MS test results?

GC/MS stands for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This tests for specific constituents to determine the purity of the oil.

I know, now you’re thinking, “what the heck… I don’t know what all this even means!”

I bet you do! It’s really not that difficult. Constituents are just everything that makes up that oil, you know, like it’s building blocks (molecules, atoms, etc). Much like what the human body is made up of, like water, oxygen, carbon, etc.

I ran a quick batch test of my new Bergamot bottle to show you guys. You can get a summary or the detailed report. Here’s what the summary report looks like.

 

Their quality control includes in-house and third party testing, monitoring, and analysis.

2 – Source country. This is important! Sometimes for plants to be of the highest quality, they should be in their native locations. For example, Oranges don’t grow well in North Carolina. So when you buy oranges, what places do you typically think of? That’s right! California and Florida!

3- Free shipping on ALL order regardless of amount ordered! That’s right, only need to stock up on 1 oil? No problem…buy what you need, ZERO pressure to overspend.

4- Oil’ty Rewards program called Club Oil’ty.

Earn points by creating an account = 30 points;

Earn points by placing orders = 2 points per every $1;

Earn points by referring friends = 60 points.

5- Amazing Customer Service! Any questions, or concerns, their customer service team will always be there to help you. No judgey sales people on the line. These people truly care about their customers, and they know their stuff.

So, there you have it! Give essential oils a try, you just might be pleasantly surprised!

References:

PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Aromatherapy and Essential Oils (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2017 Nov 28. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65874/

National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)

Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA)