Health

Essential oils are natural oils that come from botanical sources, like flowers, bark, seeds, stems and roots of plants. Integrating essential oils into personal care products can have a strong influence on well being, as long as they’re used appropriately. So we asked for some tips from Danielle Sade, the president of the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists, about the safest ways to use essential oils at home.

The delivery of essential oils into the body works specifically in three main systems:

1. Olfactory (smell) system:

Essential oils aren't just natural air fresheners, they're also effective for boosting or calming our mood.

• Benefits: Immediately affects the nervous system and influences our mood.  
• Recommended essential oils for calming the nervous system: Clary Sage, Citrus oil, Neroli, Rose Lavender.  
• Recommended dosage and methods: 4-6 drops of one of these oils in a diffuser, nasal inhaler or bath.

2. Respiratory system:

Remember when you were stuffed up with a cold and mom would get you to breathe in the steam from a bowl of hot water? Essential oils can help with congestion and other symptoms in the same way.

• Benefits: Inhalation of essential oils for the common cold or flues can help prevent germs from spreading, may shorten the lifespan of the virus or bacteria, and prevent complications.
• Recommend essential oils: Eucalyptus Radiata, Niauoli, Ravensara, Tea Tree
• Recommended dosage and methods: 4-6 drops of one of these oils in a diffuser, nasal inhaler or bath.

3. Integumentary system (skin):

Essential oils are a good way to introduce natural ingredients into your skin. *Important note: When using essential oils on the skin, they should always be diluted with a carrier (base) oil to avoid skin irritation and achieve maximum results.

• Benefits: Some essential oil constituents have the tendency to absorb into the skin and enter the body, which can lead to a therapeutic effect.
• Recommended essential oils: Rose Otto, Neroli, Geranium, Ylang Ylang
• Recommended dosage and methods: 4-6 drops of the above oils in 15 millilitres of a carrier oil or base. Use as fragrance-free creams, massages, and bathing.

Some of the carrier oils Danielle recommends are jojoba, almond oil, grapeseed, and sunflower. You can also use milk, or any vegetable oil you have at home (as long as they’re cold-pressed) to dilute your favourite essential oils for topical use or in baths.