75 Amazing Facts about Essential Oils

Essential oils are the outrageously popular way of treating just about every ailment these days. However, not everyone is familiar with everything about these oils. Here are some amazing facts about the oils you may or may not have already known about these powerful tools.

1. Essential oils are not necessarily oils. They are actually concentrated nutrients from plants.
2. There are many different parts of a plant that can be used for processing. Different parts might yield different properties than others. One example of this is the anise star essential oil versus the aniseed essential oil.
3. Many factors contribute to the quality of the oil produced, such as the plant environment which includes the soil, fertilizer used, weather, etc. This is why you will see different regions or countries listed in the oil’s name.
4. There are different strains of plants, as well as different ways of extraction, which can result in a different level of purity, color and the way the oil will work best.
5. Oils can start working within 20 minutes because they are lipid soluble, which means they are capable of going through cell walls.
6. Lower grade essential oils may not actually even be essential oils. Some of them are just essences or scents and are usually labeled as such.
7. One popular way to use essential oils is to diffuse them into the air. It can actually help increase atmospheric oxygen in the room.
8. When diffused, some oils have the ability to remove any toxins or metallic particles from the air.
9. Oils can be used in the body to help detoxify cells and blood.
10. These types of products have been around for thousands of years, even being mentioned in the Bible. Some listed include spikenard, frankincense, and myrrh.
11. Because oils are considered anti-viral, they can be used to prevent sickness, as well as treating illness.
12. When tested, oils have been shown to destroy any bacteria and viruses they came in contact with, so they are considered to be anti-microbial as well as antiseptic.
13. Sesquiterpenes are found in oils and have the ability to go through the blood brain barrier which helps treat brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, Parkinson’s, and even multiple sclerosis.
14. Antioxidants are powerful protections against free radicals in the body. Essential oils are natural antioxidants and are powerful against fighting these floating radical scavengers and promote health.
15. Mutations are another thing that antioxidants can fight against so the growth of fungus and oxidation in cells is prevented by using oils.
16. Nutritional deficiencies are treated by bringing nutrients with oxygen transporting them to the starving cells. Essential oils are high in oxygen and help to deliver it to cells, which boosts the immune system.
17. One pound of rose essential oil requires 4000 pounds of Bulgarian Roses.
18. Dr. Alan Hirsch conducted a study and found that those who smelled peppermint oil during the day consumed 23% less calories than those who did not.
19. Egyptians used essential oils in their embalming process.
20. Citrus oils are known for helping to enhance the mood as well as boost positive thoughts.
21. Testing the purity of your oil is best done by placing a drop on construction paper. If there is nothing left behind after 15 minutes, it is pure. If there is an oil ring, it is not pure.
22. Different oils can be combined to get a more potent effect. One example is in using lavender with chamomile to enhance chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties.
23. Not just the fruit and seeds are used for production. For instance, the orange tree has many different oils taken from every part including petitgrain oil from the leaves and neroli from the blossoms, while the actual orange oil is taken from the fruit.
24. In the Book of Exodus, Moses is given a recipe of essential oils referred to as ‘Holy Anointing Oil’ which contains myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia and olive oil.
25. For some plants, the time of year they are harvested will drastically alter what they are good for treating as well as the strength of the smell. A good example of this is thyme. If distilled during certain times, it can be highest in thymol, but if distilled during the mid-summer or fall, it is higher in carvacrol, which is more irritating to skin.
26. Storing the oils in dark glass bottles in a cool dark place is best to help maintain their purity and quality.
27. Oils are typically sold in smaller amounts because they can be very costly to buy by the pound.
28. One of the most expensive pure oils is the Melissa oil which sells for $9,000 to $15,000 per pound.
29. The perfume industry will process plants for their smells only so they process them faster. They do this with a distilling process that is much more high pressured and higher in temperature, destroying its chemical therapeutic properties. This is why some are so much less expensive but still smell as good.
30. Oils should not be used while in the first trimester of pregnancy and only selectively during the remainder.
31. Some oils can be toxic to children and should never be used on them unless very diluted and under medical advice.
32. Infusing oils can also purify air by increasing ozone and negative ions which can stop bacterial growth.
33. Oils have the ability to kill strong odors including mold, cigarettes and even animal smells.
34. The aromas of oils can do more than heal physically. They also promote emotional and spiritual healing.
35. Before taking a stressful test, smelling sandalwood or chamomile can help you relax. Diffusing it in your room can also be helpful in helping you get to sleep when you are feeling overly anxious.
36. Essential oils have a special bio-electrical frequency which is greater than most living things. Doing clinical research, oils were shown to quickly raise the frequency of the human body which helps to restore it to a normal, healthy level.
37. Some oils are so small on a molecular level that they absorb faster than others into the tissues of the skin.
38. Most essential oils are more effective by massaging the oil into the affected area of the body with the appropriate oil.
39. Oils are great for cleaning. The best ones to use are grapefruit, tea tree, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary.
40. While oils are absorbed into the body, they do not stay there and build up. After their healing properties are used, they are passed like everything else.
41. Smelling rosemary can help improve memory recall and therefore test performance. Lavender also can help in this area.
42. Because essential oils are wholly natural, they cannot be patented so there is very little profit in studying them.
43. Most of what is known about oils and their healing abilities is known through experience and knowledge passed down over the centuries.
44. Smelling oils like lavender, neroli, and rose can help during panic attacks.
45. Making one pound of lavender oil takes 100 pounds of plants.
46. Carrier oils, or ‘real’ oils, are waxes, alcohols, butters, or other mild oils like coconut oil, jojoba, olive, or sweet almond.
47. While these oils may look gentle, you should never use these at full strength on your skin.
48. Very few oils are safe to use undiluted with carrier oils and these are lavender, tea tree, German chamomile, sandalwood and rose geranium.
49. When going in for a job interview, you can literally smell of confidence with grapefruit, jasmine, rosemary, or orange.
50. Before using an oil for the first time, a small test should be done by mixing one drop with a 1/2 teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub the mixture onto the upper inner arm and watch the reaction over the next few hours. If there is no redness or itching, you are not sensitive to that oil.
51. Children have a thinner skin which is why they can be more sensitive to oils. Generally speaking, a half dosage of a recipe is usually enough for a child.
52. Oils should not be taken internally. Especially ones that are strong like wintergreen and eucalyptus.
53. There are several toxic essential oils and can cause damage even by touching them. They are not common and will most likely never be in the store.
54. Some essential oils can be diluted with toothpaste and promote oral health, but these are the only ones that should ever go in your mouth.
55. Peppermint and basil are both helpful when you are dealing with fatigue and exhaustion.
56. Always avoid contact of oil with your eyes.
57. Expensive does not always mean better for oils. If an oil is being used for something less therapeutic, like cleaning, then a less expensive oil will do.
58. There are a limited amount of distilleries in the world so this can mean there aren’t a lot of differences between brands that fluctuate a few pennies.
59. When selecting a carrier oil, be mindful of the essential fatty acids. While these are good for your body, they may not be good for your oils and can make them prone to faster rancidity.
60. One bottle could last 5 to 10 years because the concentration is so high that only a tiny amount is needed with each use.
61. Quality will hold true as long as the oil lasts with only the exception of the citrus oils which decrease in effectiveness after a year or two.
62. Vetiver, ylang ylang, neroli, petitgrain and Roman chamomile are all effective at helping with anger management.
63. Allergies hold true in oils. This means if you are allergic to safe, it will have a bad effect on you in the oil form as well.
64. Lavender, peppermint, chamomile, ylang-ylang, grapefruit and lemon oils will all help to produce a happy, joyous mood.
65. Too much Clary sage, commonly used for treating PMS, can cause intoxication.
66. The majority of essential oils in a supermarket are going to be safe because they are undiluted. Even when marked with 1 that contains natural oil, it will mostly likely just be lower quality.
67. In the world of essential oils, there is still debate about what each oil is good for.
68. Always do research on an oil before using it for the first time. If you have any question about the safety of the oil, just avoid it.
69. Carrier oils are generally odorless, but if they have one it will be a sweet, nutty aroma. If it is strong or bitter, it has probably gone bad.
70. Oils that are mint, citrus, and floral related are light and perfect for summer time uses when considering aromatic properties.
71. There are qualified aromatherapy practitioners that can be consulted for helpful medical information.
72. While many people say that oil can cure cancer, it should only be used while consulting a doctor about it.
73. When giving children dosages of oils, always start small.
74. Use citrus oils all through the year, especially during the winter months to decrease depression.
75. Anxiety can be treated with several different oils like frankincense, lavender, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage and geranium are just a few.

Since he started writing for Bulk Apothecary on natural living, essential oils and alternative health remedies, Joel Halstead has explored topics ranging from natural culinary ingredients to aromatherapy. When he isn’t writing, you’ll find him outside, hiking something, climbing stuff or just generally moving about.

75 Amazing Facts about Essential Oils

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As with all products, users should test a small amount prior to normal extended use. If pregnant or suffering from illness, consult a doctor before use.