The Ultimate Guide to Essential Oils

This guide to essential oils will give you all the information that you need to get started! Get ready to learn about all the health benefits that they can help with!

Essential oils are a hot topic in many natural health circles and beyond. Learn what essential oils are, about their history, and some of their many uses. Many people have heard of essential oils and have no idea what they are. How are they made? What are they used for? Are they really effective?

Guess what, you aren’t alone in those questions. For every question regarding how to apply essential oils, there is an answer in our guide to essential oils!

Table of Contents

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated liquids containing specific aroma compounds, capturing a plant’s essence. Generally, distillation extracts essential oils without chemicals. Alternatively, extraction methods include expression (cold pressed) and solvent extraction.

Essential oils have diverse uses and have been used medicinally for centuries. Widely used in holistic health circles, they are increasingly accessible to everyone. Many over-the-counter medicines contain essential oils due to their effectiveness against virus mutations. Lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus are among the most common varieties.

Use essential oils with caution to avoid danger from improper dilution or concentration. This guide ensures safe and effective use. Many essential oils are toxic in large amounts, so always exercise proper care when using them medicinally.

How do you use Essential Oils?

Topical – Done by applying a drop of oil or two to your skin (not all drops of essential oil are safe to be done topically so do your research!)

Ingest – Swallowing drops of certain oils can aid in digestion (again, you CANNOT do this with all oils so educate yourself!)

Diffuse – Use a few drops in your diffuser to scent the air in your home (make certain that the ones you choose are safe for this as well!)

Aromatherapy treats a range of physical and mental health conditions, from premenstrual syndrome to anxiety and back pain to memory loss.

Additionally, essential oils enhance beauty, health, cleaning products, lotions, and more. You can use them in many crafty recipes.

Buying Essential Oils

Aromatherapy oil quality varies greatly depending on the purchase source. For the best quality, buy essential oils from a qualified aromatherapist. Browne et al. (2007) in 1,001 Home Health Remedies recommend this approach. Qualified aromatherapists provide detailed usage information and safety advice.

In The Essential Oils Handbook, Harding (2008) highlights that it is always best to purchase quality essential oils for aromatherapy from suppliers who source their products carefully. This is primarily because the higher the quality of essential oils, the more effective they tend to be and the less likely adverse reactions may result.

I use Rocky Mountain Oils for the following reasons:

A tad bit about Rocky Mountain Oils:

Shipping – All orders within the United States qualify for free economy shipping. Orders have an estimated delivery time of 2-7 business days! They even have a neat little chart to help you estimate your shipping time if choosing the free shipping option.

Return Policy – Products can be returned for any reason, even if opened, for up to 90 days. Yes, seriously! They even send you a shipping label so you don’t have to pay to return the product. No more worries about “what if it doesn’t work or I am allergic” simply return it!

Safe and Healthy – RMO provides GC/MS (Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry) test results from a verified third party, independent lab for each one of their essential oil products. In fact, on the bottom of your bottle is a batch number. You can go to their site and enter your number. This will give you the results of your bottle’s testing!

Oils and Their Uses:

There are countless varieties of essential oils, but here is a guide to essential oils of the most popular and readily available scents.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the lavender plant and has many uses. It is known to be a relaxant, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-fungal, and analgesic compound. It is commonly used to soothe burns, help with various skin conditions such as acne and eczema, and aid in relaxation and mood stabilization.

Lavender oil, known for its relaxing qualities, enhances many fragrances and blends well with other essential oils. You can diffuse it through evaporation, steam, or cool mist. Additionally, you can apply it topically with a carrier oil for skin conditions or headaches. Due to its broad uses, lavender is called the universal oil. It’s readily available at health food stores or online oil suppliers.

Read more about Lavender Essential Oil Soap here!

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is described as one of the necessities for a “holistic first aid kit.” Its most popular use is to aid digestion; however, it is also known to act as a decongestant and an analgesic. Peppermint can help cure nausea and vomiting, clear the sinuses, and help soothe sore muscles and joint pain. It is also a mental stimulant that helps clear the brain and restore concentration.

Peppermint essential oil can be either cooling or warming depending on the dilution used; however, it is most commonly used together with a carrier oil or lotion to reduce irritation to the skin.

Read all about how to make Invigorating Peppermint Soap Recipe Using Essential Oils here!

The above two oils are recommended by me as part of my free Essential Oils for Beginners Guide.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil acts as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral agent. Many medicines use it today. Manufacturers obtain eucalyptus oil from the fresh leaves of evergreen eucalyptus trees. Australia supplies most of this oil.

Eucalyptus effectively treats colds and respiratory infections due to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties. Additionally, it relieves muscle and joint pain when massaged onto the skin, benefiting arthritis patients.

Its germicidal properties make it popular in mouthwash, helping prevent cavities and plaque. As a room freshener, eucalyptus kills germs and viruses, eliminating unwelcome scents while keeping the environment clean.

You can diffuse eucalyptus oil or use it topically in a carrier oil or by itself, depending on concentration. For congestion, a drop on a pillow provides effective relief throughout the night. Purchase it at local health food stores or online at websites like Rocky Mountain Oils.

More Essential Oils Information:

Be sure to also check out our Recipes Using Essential Oils for health and wellness recipes.
Are Essential Oils Safe for Dogs?
Carrier oils for diluting
How to blend essential oils

Natural Remedies with Essential Oils:

This section brings together expert insights, practical tips, and detailed guides on how to harness the power of essential oils for a variety of needs.

Whether you’re looking to support your child’s mental health, tackle skin issues, or make your summer experiences more enjoyable, our curated articles offer valuable information and advice.

Explore these resources to discover how essential oils can enhance your well-being and daily life.

Essential Oils for Kids with ADHD: Learn how certain essential oils can help manage ADHD symptoms in children, promoting focus and calm.
Essential Oils for Problem Skin: Discover the best essential oils for addressing various skin issues such as acne, eczema, and dryness.
Best Essential Oils to Soothe Summer Bug Bites: Find out which essential oils offer relief from itching and swelling caused by bug bites.
Best Essential Oils for the Beach: Get tips on which essential oils to bring to the beach for sun protection, hydration, and insect repellent properties.
Summer Essential Oil Must-Haves and Their Uses: Ensure a smooth and enjoyable summer with essential oils that keep you cool, comfortable, and bug-free.
Best Essential Oils for Soothing Sunburn: Discover top essential oils for soothing and healing sunburned skin.
Essential Oils for Anxiety: Manage stress and anxiety naturally with essential oils known for their calming properties.

Dive into each article to enrich your knowledge and find new ways to incorporate essential oils into your life for maximum benefit.

Storing Essential Oils

After buying high-quality oils, store them correctly. Oils last longer in cooler conditions. Most oils last a year at room temperature and two years in the fridge. Citrus and tea tree oils typically last half as long.

Practical information on storing essential oils is provided by Harding (2008), to include the following:

Keep aromatherapy oils in dark-glass bottles.
Store away from sunlight – UV rays degrade essential oils.
Place refrigerated oils in a tightly closed box to prevent affecting food.
Buy oils in screw-cap bottles.
Ensure caps are screwed tight in storage to avoid oxidization.
After opening the bottle, write the shelf-life date from this point.
Use out-of-date oils as a room fragrance only.

As highlighted above, essential oils must be purchased from suppliers who source them carefully to be effective in treating physical and mental health conditions such as premenstrual syndrome, memory loss, anxiety, and muscle cramps.

To make them last longer, essential oils must be stored in dark-glass, screw-cap bottles placed in a tightly closed box in the refrigerator.