This article has been written to help inform and support you in learning more about essential oils, and the impact they have on our health, wellness and overall well-being.
So, let’s get started!
An introduction to essential oils
Welcome to the wide world of essential oils and aromatherapy. These highly concentrated, plant-derived compounds play an important role in the wellness of many people today, whether they are prioritizing products that are free of synthetic chemicals and artificial fragrances or because they are interested in using nature-derived products in place of pharmaceutical or cosmetic alternatives for their many purported health benefits.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the essence or ‘life force’ of a plant. Inside many plants are potent, highly concentrated chemical compounds; the common name for these naturally occurring compounds is essential oil. They are what creates the unique scent each plant offers, also referred to as their flavor or essence.
Prevalently used in aromatherapy, they are a form of alternative medicine that relies heavily on nature and plant-derived ingredients to help support the physical, mental and emotional needs of many people on their path to wellness and well-being. They also act to help protect plants from dangerous environmental conditions and work to provide protection from hazardous predators, among other important benefits and functions.
How do essential oils work?
Our friend Leigh Winters, a neuroscientist and natural beauty expert, shares the following in regards to how essential oils work: “Essential oils can enhance our wellbeing by creating a cascade of bodily reactions that affect our physiological and emotional states. When you smell essential oils, your brain responds by releasing endorphins (think: feel-good calm!), serotonin (think: boosted mood!) and even noradrenaline (think: stimulating and burst of energy!). What starts in the nose quickly travels to the brain and the rest of the body.
How to use essential oils
There are two primary ways that we suggest and recommend using essential oils to maximize their health benefits. The first is through inhalation, which means breathing them in through the nose and the mouth, and the second is through topical application, which means essential oils being applied directly to the skin.
Inhalation: when we breathe essential oils through the nose and mouth, this is a quick-acting way to begin to experience their health benefits. Our favorite way to experience oils through inhalation is via a diffuser. A diffuser is a device that breaks down water molecules and 100% pure essential oils into a fine, cool mist that not only creates a pleasant aroma in the air but also creates benefits for our mind, body and spirit like elevating our mood, helping us relieve stress, encouraging a sunny disposition and positive outlook and many more.
Topical application: when essential oils are applied directly to the skin, it takes a few minutes for them to penetrate through the layers of our skin so they can enter the bloodstream and travel to various parts of the body. When applied topically, they are thought to have a long-lasting and sustained effect that creates a positive impact on our overall well-being, particularly in regard to what purpose you’ve selected them for.
5 Essential oil benefits you should know more about
Essential oils have many beneficial properties that can have a profound effect on not only our physical health but the health of our emotions and spiritual state as well. Below we lean into five of the key benefits of essential oils and the impact they can have on your overall state of health and well-being.
#1. Essential oils can help you relieve stress and other unpleasant feelings
Stress is a common condition that affects us all at one point or another. Unmanaged stress can wreak havoc on all areas of our lives, from our energy levels in the daytime to our sleeping patterns at nighttime. When applied directly to the skin, using essential oils to relieve stress can offer health benefits such as helping you to feel calmed and at ease when you feel yourself under pressure.
Products we love to help relieve stress:
- Stress Release roll-on: reach for this grounding blend to ease stress and help you feel soothed. Licensed with Health Canada and listed as a Natural Health Product, Stress Release is carefully crafted to ease stressful feelings like overwhelm and nervousness and to support your well-being. We like to roll this floral and herbal blend along our forehead, neck, and shoulders to encourage relaxation and feelings of balance and harmony.
- Stress Release diffuser blend: let the soothing and tranquil notes of lavender, roman chamomile, sweet orange and geranium fill the air and support you in feeling at ease. Try 8-10 drops in your diffuser of choice and let your worries melt away.
#2. Essential oils can help aid in pain and recovery
No one likes being in pain; nagging aches, pains and strains can make us feel out of sorts and bring unnecessary stress and difficulty to our day-to-day activities. Choosing natural products formulated specifically to support pain relief is one of the ways you can continue to prioritize your wellness each day.
Products we love to help support pain relief & recovery:
- Extra Strength roll-on: ease sore muscles and roll on big relief with our largest and most powerful roll-on, designed to help relieve backaches, strains, and sprains through the warming and cooling effects of essential oils like sweet birch, peppermint, and clove. In a consumer study, 82% of participants reported feeling pain-free throughout the day after use. *
- Pain Release Joint & Arthritis Cream: find relief for sore joints and arthritis discomfort with this soothing cream, formulated with shea butter to deeply nourish the skin while essential oils of peppermint, copaiba and marjoram work to cool, relieve and ease muscle aches and pains. This cream is perfect for targeting stiffness and promoting mobility, helping to soothe areas that need extra care.
*Based on a consumer study involving 33 participants who used Extra Strength Roll-On three times in one day
#3. Essential oils can help promote restful sleep
Sleep is one of the most essential functions of our bodies each day. Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep each night sets the tone for optimal functioning of our other bodily systems like digestion, immune system support and overall mental and physical energy levels.
Products we love to help support rest and relaxation at nighttime:
- Sleep Well roll-on: our potent and powerful blend to support peace and calm at bedtime includes the well-known nervous system soother valerian root, blended with other grounding and comforting essential oils like lavender, jasmine, and neroli.
- Tranquility diffuser blend: a well-loved floral and herbal blend of peaceful marjoram, roman chamomile, sweet orange and lavender to help encourage you to breathe deeply and feel rested at nighttime.
#4. Essential oils can help you stay well during cough and cold season
No matter which way you slice it, feeling under the weather is a major downer. When applied directly to the skin, certain essential oils are known for their strengthening and fortifying properties, helping to support you in feeling better fast and getting back on your feet.
Products we love to help you feel better:
- Fortify roll-on: help ease symptoms of cold like cough with this soothing, restorative and nurturing blend of essential oils like clarifying tea tree, deep breathing superstar eucalyptus and warm, comforting cinnamon.
- Fortified Breeze diffuser blend: ease discomfort and feel soothed when breathing in the fortifying, renewing properties of eucalyptus, lemon, pine needle and thyme, blended to help you feel clarified and restored.
#5. Essential oils can support your mindfulness practices
Supporting your mental, emotional and spiritual health is top of mind for many people, and choosing pure, natural ingredients and products that are free from synthetic chemicals and artificial fragrances is one of the best ways to help top up your wellness and well-being.
Products we love to help support mindfulness and healthy habits:
- Pocket Farmacy - Mindful Edition: our best-selling collection of roll-ons to inspire those looking for expansion in their health and wellness practices. These roll-ons were formulated to support mental, emotional and spiritual health, offering options that can be used from day to night in support of a boosted mood, an increase in natural energy levels, the ability to unwind, quiet the mind and to help you feel deeply connected to yourself and to others.
- Present Moment diffuser blend: take a moment to pause and feel centered with this blend specifically formulated for calm and balance. Citrusy and sweet orange and grapefruit meet woody and earthy vetiver, sandalwood and frankincense for a truly harmonizing scent experience.
Safety considerations when using essential oils
Though the benefits and positive impact of using essential oils cannot be overstated, it’s important to remember that essential oils are highly concentrated and powerful plant compounds that should be regarded in the same way we treat household cleaning products or medicines; that is, to use with caution, care, informed guidance and under safe conditions.
Under most circumstances, it’s recommended that essential oils are blended with a carrier oil prior to being applied directly to the skin, to ensure proper dilution and reduced risk of sensitization or skin irritation.
When in doubt, we always recommend deferring to the guidance and supervision of a trusted healthcare professional, like your doctor or a licensed and certified aromatherapist. Though essential oils are safe for most people in most normal circumstances, you and your healthcare professional know your body best. Below are the articles we advise reading in regard to three specific topics:
- Usage And Safety Of Essential Oils With Babies And Children: here we address the perspectives of leading industry experts when it comes to the use of essential oils with babies and children
- Guidelines and Expectations For New And Expectant Mothers: common inquiries and frequently asked questions regarding essential oils and pregnancy
- Essential Oils And Pets: common sense guidelines for using essential oils around pets in your home
Using essential oils in your health and wellness routines and rituals is just one of the many ways you create a positive impact on your overall well-being.
Embrace the Power of Essential Oils in Your Wellness Journey
As you explore the world of essential oils, you'll discover that these powerful plant extracts offer a wide range of benefits for your health, wellness, and overall well-being. Whether you're looking to relieve stress, improve sleep, or simply create a peaceful environment, there’s an essential oil for every need. The key is to start small, experiment with different oils, and find the blends that resonate with you the most. Incorporating essential oils into your daily rituals is an easy and natural way to support your body and mind in their quest for balance.
Ready to enhance your wellness journey with essential oils? Explore our collection of 100% natural essential oils and diffuser blends, and find the perfect addition to your daily routine today! Shop Essential Oils Now!
