What is all of the buzz over essential oils? What are they? Are the they harmful or beneficial? Over the last few months I feel like there has been a surge in people using essential oils and selling them. I have been using them personally for years, but now I am starting to use them more in products, not just for their smell, but also for their aroma therapy benefits. I realize that I have a wealth of information after years and years of research and thought I would share it for those of you who aren't familiar with them or perhaps even use them already and aren't aware of their effects. Do to FDA regulations here in the states, I cannot state that the oils have any therapeutic uses. You can do a simple search online to find out what oils are used for different reason. I can offer somethings you must be aware of when using essential oils. Here are three things you should know.
1. Essential oils are very concentrated.
It takes approximately 60,000 roses to create a single ounce of rose essential oil, hence why it is so expensive. Essential oils are the result of distilling flowers and plants into a concentrated oil form. Depending on the plant or flower, depends on how much is needed to create it. Essential oils like lemon and orange much more economical to extract oil from, hence lower price. But concentration is not contingent upon the price point. Essential oils are meant to be used sparingly, often only a few drops in products that will stay on the skin. Even then, because it is so concentrated, it can cause adverse reactions, which brings me to my second point.
2. Essential oils can be potent to pets, children, pregnant/nursing women, and create or impact health issues.
Depending on the type essential oil, use, even in low concentrations can have adverse effects and can even be fatal depending on age, pregnancy, and if you have health issues. For example, rosemary is forbidden from use for women who are pregnant, as it is said to cause contractions to the uterus, resulting in a terminated pregnancy. This is why it is critical to do research before using any essential oil and to adhere to the usage rates. If your essential oil does not have any recommended usage rates nor listed side effects, you should contact the manufacturer. Some oils are permitted for pets, children, etc, but those also have usage rates that must be followed. Some sources will say all essential oils are safe for everyone in low doses, but I personally wouldn't take that risk with myself or my loved ones.
3. Essential oils can be effective via inhalation or application.
Essential oils can be used as simple aroma therapy or in skin care products. The same rules apply in terms of safety and usage. Make sure your have the appropriate usage rates. A daycare center in Idaho learned the hard way. When applying essential oils to the skin, NEVER apply them directly to the skin. ALWAYS use a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, etc. Also, when using essential oils on skin, make sure it is will NOT cause photo sensitivity if it is a stay-on product like lotion or body oil. Photo sensitive essential oils can exponentially increase your chances of burning.
Once you have done your research and have found out which essential oils are suitable for you and/or those in your household, you will probably fall in love with them. My favorites include lemongrass because I feel so uplifted after smelling it, and rosemary because it blends well with other scents and you only need a little to leave a big impact. Check out some of our products that use essential oils below.
Lemongrass Delight
Orange-Cranberry Sunshine
Autumn Sky
Mauve in Manayunk
Beer Shampoo Bar
Bees on Bainbridge
Key Lime Pie
Rose Clay Strawberries 'n Cream Facial Bar
Roses on Roosevelt
Dog Shampoo Bar
Marquita Bell is soaper-in-chief and the owner of The Body Buffet where foodie meets beauty. Based out of Philadelphia, The Body Buffet aims to cultivate beauty inside and out from foodie adventures, self-care tips, and via handmade artisan soap, shampoo bars, facial bars, laundry soap and more. They use local ingredients when possible and have aimed to make conditioning skin-loving, hair-loving, clothes-loving soap since 2009.
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