For those of you new to the world of essential oils and aromatherapy, I bet you have some questions!

Let’s start with some basics:

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential oils are the aromatic isolates of distilled plant material. Basically, they are the compounds that give plants their distinctive smell. Essential oils can come from just about any plant part, including the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, and roots.

Have you ever squeezed a fresh lavender flower with your fingers and noticed the aroma left on your hands? Or sliced a fresh orange and noticed the bright, juicy scent? Well, those are basically the essential oils!

HOW ARE THEY EXTRACTED?
There are a few ways to extract these precious, aromatic compounds from the plant. They include steam distillation, which uses water, heat, and pressure, as well as cold-pressing, which is the most common extraction method for citrus fruits. Most citrus essential oils are actually derived from the fruit’s rind.

Essential oils are potent and highly concentrated — you might be surprised just how concentrated they are!

-1 lemon produces approximately 5 drops of lemon essential oil
-1 pound of peppermint plant material produces about 15 ml of essential oil

HOW CAN YOU USE ESSENTIAL OILS?
There are three primary ways to use essential oils: aromatically, topically, and internally. At Ellia, we do not encourage or advocate the internal use of essential oils, so we can take that out of the conversation.

The safest and easiest way to use essential oils is aromatically. This can be done by diffusing them. Using a few drops of your essential oil in an Ellia diffuser helps your home smell better, but it can also offer an array of benefits for your mind and body. (Stay tuned for more on this!)

Our sense of smell is the only one of our senses linked directly to the emotional control centers of our brain. This means that what we smell can have a direct impact on our emotions! I encourage you to open up a bottle and inhale deeply. Notice how you respond. Do you like the smell? How does it make you feel? Citrus oils tend to be uplifting and bright. They’re great for creating a happy, cheerful vibe! Peppermint is expansive, crisp, and cooling, and encourages deep breathing.

Topical use requires dilution with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil or olive oil), as well as careful application. Stay tuned for a future blog post about this!

GETTING STARTED
If you’re brand new to essential oils, I recommend you start your journey by diffusing them. Try a single oil with a familiar scent you love — such as peppermint or lavender — or explore our signature blends, which I have crafted to provide specific benefits.

Most importantly, have fun! There’s so much to explore when it comes to essential oils.

 

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