Essential Oils

Aromatherapy Oils

Did you know that aromatherapy (essential oil therapy) refers to a range of traditional, alternative, or complementary therapies that use essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds and has been around for nearly 6,000 years? Indeed, aromatherapy is well-established and is offered in various therapeutic practices, including massage centres, yoga studios and spas, as well as in certain hospice settings and chiropractors' osteopaths' and reflexologists' offices.

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are highly concentrated natural extracts from the leaves, flowers, and stems of a wide variety of healing plants. The International Standards Organization (ISO) defined essential oils as “products obtained from vegetable raw material, either by distillation with water or steam, or from the epicarp of citrus fruits by a mechanical process, or by dry distillation.” 

Essential oils offer a wide range of therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, insecticidal, relaxant, sedative, and stomachic properties, among many others. Practitioners use and recommend essential oils for everything from lifting mood to improving mental performance, reducing stress, promoting healthy sleep, curbing your appetite, killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses, reducing anxiety and pain, modulating inflammation, calming nausea, and soothing migraines. They can be diluted and applied topically, inhaled or added to an aromatherapy essential oil diffuser. 

Essential oils are available in both single offerings or aromatherapy essential oil blends which mix oils together that work synergistically. 

Using Aromatherapy Oils

Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, including: 

• Diffusing a single oil or a combination of essential oils into the air
• Inhaling oils directly off of a cloth or cotton ball or from the bottle
• Integrating oils into massage therapy
• Soaking in an oil-infused bath
• Rubbing oils directly onto the skin
• Adding oils into shampoos and conditioners

Most Popular Aromatherapy Oils 

• Basil
• Bergamot
• Citronella
• Eucalyptus
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Sandalwood
• Tea Tree
• Thyme

Precautions When Using Essential Oils

Because they're strong and potent, aromatherapy oils are usually diluted in a carrier oil, such as almond, jojoba, or coconut oil, before being applied directly to the skin. In addition, essential oils are not always appropriate for children, older individuals, or anyone living with a chronic health condition or who is poly-medicated. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also abstain from using essential oils. Many essential oils are highly toxic to pets, so it's imperative to do a little research before diffusing essential oils in a home with animals. 

Where To Buy Essential Oils? 

You can shop the diverse range of essential oils at National Nutrition.ca