Morning Brew: A publication by R.I.S.E.

WELLNESS THE NATURAL WAY

B Y: R I C K M A K O W S K I

This is the a follow up on the previous article of Wellness, the Natural Way and will highlight how to use Essential Oils (EOs) safely. A refresh from the first article is that Wellness is a mindset emphasizing remaining healthy or preventing sickness vs. just treating symptoms/diseases. Mother Nature has a variety of natural tools in her wellness “tool kit”; learning how to use them can be an excellent complement to the modern methods we are most familiar with.

First a caution! Today we are constantly bombarded by advertisements and claims of EOs and see many products we use in everyday life (air fresheners/sprays, detergents, candles, soaps) that incorporate EOs and tout their benefits. This marketing fad can be dangerous for several reasons: it gives people a false sense of security they are being healthier by using that product, the EO/natural product is most likely not processed/tested for health effectiveness, and it may actually contain fillers, synthetics, and other chemicals that may be counter to any good health benefits. If you have embraced the Wellness mindset described in the first article, you will proceed with caution on the current fad and use/benefits of these products.

Plant extracts and EOs have been used for hundreds of years to help promote a healthy lifestyle. The first step in safety is the quality and testing behind the product. Many products claim “pure and natural” but also state in the packaging or on the bottle: “for aromatic use only”; i.e. not for topical or ingestion. For example, Orange; if you can only smell a “pure and natural” Orange product, but cannot eat it, that should trigger a caution. Then, if you cannot taste or eat it, why would you even want to inhale the aroma? There are, however, certain plant extracts that are not meant for ingestion, but surely not a real Orange.

The next step in safety is the dosage. A high quality pure EO is very concentrated, so a little goes a long way. For instance, one drop of peppermint EO is equivalent to about 28 cups of peppermint tea. EOs are absorbed and metabolized quickly in the body (within a few hours), so a good rule of thumb is; less is better, then if needed, add another drop within recommended guidelines of the particular EO. Also depending on what you are trying to achieve, frequency of use may be more effective than additional quantity.

Next, dilution is key and depends on age and sensitivity. Since EOs are very potent, precautions are recommended (especially for use with children or older adults). An EO may need to be diluted with a quality carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil, almond, olive, etc.) to increase the surface area of application, to reduce skin sensitivities, or slow down the absorption of the EO.

There are 3 basic methods of using EOs in increasing order of application concentration which also factors into the safety of dosage and dilution; aromatic, topical and internal.

Aromatic: Smelling the EO is a very simple way to experience the benefits either out of the bottle, on a cotton ball, or EO approved diffuser.

Topical: Placed directly on the skin/body for absorption (with or without a carrier oil for dilution).

Internal: Taken internally in a glass of water or a vegetable gel capsule.

The next article will address these further, to include reflex points. This article is intended for your personal use and informational purposes only. You should consult with a physician before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet, or nutrition routine, especially if pregnant or have pre-existing health conditions. Nothing contained in this article should be considered as medical advice or diagnosis.