Essential Oils - An Introduction

Essential Oils! I've been incorporating oils into different areas of my daily life for a few years now. They're great tools to support you in using more natural products as they can replace those nasty synthetic fragrances, whilst making your home smell divine and enhancing a calming or uplifting mood. I love them and hope to share with you all of the ways I use them. But, I thought it was important first to share a little more about using oils wisely.

---

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are a pretty hot topic at the minute. Over the last few years or so, there's been a growing wave of interest and they seem to be becoming a very popular commodity. I was intrigued by this popularity and have been a part of the growing interest - essential oils have given me another natural tool to turn to for a variety of reasons.

An essential oil is the essence of a plant that is extracted via steam distillation. Essential oils have an ancient history - dating back to the Egyptians and Greeks, where they were used for their health benefits and often beautifying properties. I love the freedom they give to explore, try new scents, use them in all areas of the home and just have fun creating new things!

---

Why and how do I use Essential Oils?

Growing research, suggests that Essential Oils have a whole host of supporting benefits. From sleep support to skin healing, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties to mood boosting benefits. The Tisserand Institute is a great place to turn to if you want to discover more about the research and properties of oils.

Below are the main ways I like to use essential oils, but I am still learning about their many benefits!

Diffusing

Swapping candles for an electric diffuser has saved me a lot of money in the long run! You find many gorgeous diffusers, even with a candle flicker so you get those cosy vibes. With oils, you can swap scents to suit your mood and their are so many options!!!

Skin Support

I make and buy (from Neals Yard Remedies Organic) many skincare products with essential oils in. So far I have used oils to support and clear up my eczema, condition hair, treat athletes foot (instantly!), soothe insect bites and more!

Sleep Support

For the last few years, I have really struggled with sleep - particularly falling asleep. Oils have helped me create a calming atmosphere and routine, which helps me to drift off in minutes. Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Copaiba and Vetiver are just a few of my favourite choices. Very soon, I will be sharing a blog post all about sleep support!

I really have discovered so many amazing ways to use essential oils. They are so versatile and have a whole host of benefits. Our house is completely free from synthetic fragrances and it has made a huge difference to our wellbeing and health! More on this later!

---

Do a little research...

My main tip would be to check out the companies you're buying from too. I highly recommend choosing a company that specialises in essential oil production. Oils are made different - you don't want the terribly cheap ones with lots of synthetic fragrances. If it is a single oil, there should only be one ingredient.

For me, it's important to buy from a company who shares information on their farming practices as well as production process. I enjoy being part of a community and learning about the science behind these - information for proper use should always be available. I love to use Neals Yard Remedies Organic for all of these reasons!

I hope you have fun exploring the many helpful properties of essential oils!

Rachel x

If you have any specific concerns around the use and research into essential oils then you should consult a medical professional or qualified practitioner or aromatherapist. The opinions I express are simply from my own experience and research.