As many consumers shift to more natural, holistic lifestyles, essential oils are gaining in popularity.
When we think of essential oils, we tend to think of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy incorporates essential oils – oils that are extracted from stems, seeds, bark and flowers of plants. These oils are designed to work in harmony with the body, with some of the more popular aromatherapies known for stimulating calmness and reducing stress.
Essential oils are used a variety of ways for a variety of purposes, though, not just aromatherapy.
“I use them for daily health and wellness,” says Missy Kerner, Wellness Advocate for the DoTerra Corporation which carries an extensive line of essential oils. Kerner is also the Director of Education at Body Balance Studio (a yoga center) in Williamsburg, Virginia. “The oils can be diffused aromatically, taken orally, and/or applied topically on skin.”
Essential oils are extracted from plants in natural ways. They may be distilled with steam and/or water, or mechanically pressed. Know what you are buying, though, because some so-called essential oils are made with chemical processes – those are not considered true essential oils.
DoTerra oils, which are certified pure therapeutic grade, are steam distilled. “With steam distillation, water is boiled and the steam passes through the plant material,” Kerner explains. “The steam carries the aromatic compounds from the plant into a collecting tube, where the steam is cooled and condensed back into water. Then, the oil is separated from the water. It’s a very pure oil.”
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