If you’ve dipped your toe
into the world of aromatherapy, chances are that you’ve heard of diffusing essential oils. Diffusion refers to any method or device that disperses the aromatic molecules of your essential oils into the air. It's an easy way to perk up any space and you can get creative by customizing your own blends.
Inhalation by diffusion is one of the simplest and most effective ways to experience the benefits of essential oils. However, there are a multitude of different ways you can use essential oils. It’s also important to know some of the important facts about essential oils in order to ensure you’re using them safely and effectively.
Whether you’re an essential oil enthusiast already or you’re brand new to the world of oils, here are 15 important things you should know about using essential oils.
1. Essential oils and fragrance oils are not the same thing
Although they may seem the same at first glance, fragrance oils and essential oils are quite unique from each other. In a nutshell, essential oils are a natural product and fragrance oils are a synthetic product. This means that essential oils are used for their therapeutic benefits and fragrance oils for perfuming purposes.2. Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin
In most cases it’s best to play it safe and dilute with carrier oils - which are “real” oils such as coconut oil or avocado oil. Because essential oils are so concentrated, direct contact with your skin might give you a bad reaction.3. Enormous amounts of product are needed to produce essential oil
Every essential oil ingredient produces a different yield in the steam distillation process. For example, you’ll need 10,000 pounds of rose petals in order to produce a single pound of rose essential oil. Conifer needles are fortunately more yieldful than rose petals, and steam distillation yields approximately 0.25% to 0.35% of the essential oil. Because the preservation of the Great Bear Rainforest is greatly important to us, we only use sustainably harvested conifer needles gathered in beautiful British Columbia.4. There are many ways you can utilize essential oils in your life
Not only can oils be used in every room, they can each be used in multiple ways. Try adding a few diluted drops to your skin for a customized personal fragrance, or adding some to a spray bottle to naturally clean your home.5. Be mindful of how you store your essential oils
Some essential oils are prone to oxidation. Oxidation is caused by light, heat, air, and moisture and can adversely affect your oils. To avoid this, always store essential oils in a dark glass bottle that is tightly capped. For added longevity, try storing your essential oils in the fridge.6. Not all essential oils are created equally
There are many different factors that can affect what an essential oil is made up of. This is why it’s important to do your research on the company producing your oils. There can be contaminants, dilutions, adulterants, and more depending on how the essential oil is grown, harvested, extracted and processed. Learn more about Great Bear Rainforest Essential Oils quality here.7. Essential oils may have the power to benefit your mind and body
Traditionally the people of the Pacific Coast have been harnessing the power of essential oils to heal and awaken the senses for thousands of years, and for good reason. The olfactory system (which deals with smell) is directly linked to the emotional amygdala, which is the emotional core of the brain. It also connects to the limbic system, which controls your memories, breathing, and stress levels to name a few. This means that certain essential oils may be able to affect your body and mind in a matter of moments.8. Not sure where to begin with essential oils? Try a starter kit
One of the best ways to introduce yourself to the world of essential oils is to buy a few at a time so you can mix, match, and find your favourites. We’ve gathered our top three most popular essential oils together in a Gift Kit that’s great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.9. Before applying essential oils all over your body, be sure to do a spot test
Essential oils interact with each body uniquely, so what works for your best friend might not make your skin as happy. To play on the safe side, be sure to do a small test spot on your wrist first, and always dilute with a carrier oil.
10. Keep all essential oils out of the reach of young children – and avoid contact with your eyes
While essential oils can reap many benefits for the body and mind, it’s best to keep them out of reach of children. And be careful not to rub your eyes after applying essential oils to your skin.
11. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different scents until you find the ones you like
You might not love the first scent you try, even though your friend might be raving about it. That’s completely normal! We all have different experiences with scents and so it’s good to keep an open mind and experiment.12. Use your allergies as a guide
Since essential oils are the most concentrated form of the plant, you’ll want to steer clear of any oil that relates to an allergy to that specific tree or plant.
13. Essential oils have a long shelf life
One bottle can last up to five years or more, and essential oils are so concentrated that you only need a few drops to get the intended benefits. This makes the cost per use very attainable.
14. Don’t use on damaged or inflamed skin
Damaged skin and essential oils do not mix well. Even a diluted essential oil will absorb into the skin more deeply and can cause unwanted skin reactions.
15. You don’t need every single essential oil out there to benefit from them
In the growing world of essential oils, abundance is everywhere. This doesn’t mean you need to feel pressured to try every single oil and oil blend out there. We at Great Bear Rainforest Essential Oils have five products that we have perfected over time, because we believe quality is more important than quantity.
The world of essential oils is exciting and abundant with possibility. Now all that’s left is to get started! If you’d like more ideas on how to use your essential oils, be sure to follow us on Facebook where we share tips, tricks, and recipes.
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