Essential oils are volatile oils that occur naturally in plants. To be considered true essential oils, they must be collected in one of a number of ways, including distillation, expression and maceration/distillation.[1][3] They are not processed or diluted. They don't have additives or solvents either.[2] Essential oils are used extensively in aromatherapy.[3]
Uses, benefits and effectiveness
Some of the uses for essential oils are anxiety relief, blood pressure reduction, pain relief, respiratory infections and for treating coughs.[3, 10, 11] Uses, benefits and effectiveness vary depending on the individual, their health status and diagnosis, plus the oil used. Consult your doctor for advice about which oil would be best for your particular situation.
Types of essential oils
This list is not exhaustive, but contains some of the more popular oils for which we will have product listings:
Tamanu oil
Calophyllum inophyllum L.: The bark, seeds and leaves are used medicinally. The oil from the seeds and roots can be used as an anti-cancer, antimicrobial and antiviral agent. The oil has been used to treat a variety of wounds, including diabetic sores, abrasions and burns, as well as sore throat and sciatica. It also serves as a pain reliever. In Chinese medicine, tamanu is used to treat inflammation, skin infections and rheumatism. There isn't enough data to suggest a dosage. Consult your doctor.[6]
Wintergreen oil
Methyl salicylate topical: Wintergreen oil is used for muscle and joint pain. Use as directed or up to 4 times daily.[7]
Oregano oil
Oregano oil has been used for centuries for a variety of health issues, from wounds to respiratory problems and the promotion of menstruation. It is an anti-parasitic and anti-fungal agent. The usual dosage is 100mg three times a day (55% to 65% carvacrol).[8]
Basil oil
Basil oil has antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and insecticidal properties.
Ocimum basilicum L.: This oil is used as a flavoring for food and dental products and a fragrance in perfumes. It's also used in traditional medicine. It has antimicrobial, fungistatic (inhibits fungi growth without killing it), nematicidal (kills parasitic worms in plants) and insecticidal properties. European French basil is the highest quality, but there are also Egyptian, Reunion, Comoro, Bulgarian and Java basil oils.[9]
Hyssop oil
Hyssopus officinalis: Hyssop oil is used to for digestive, intestinal and respiratory problems, and urinary tract infections, circulation problems, HIV/AIDS, menstrual cramps, wounds, and skin irritations. There isn't enough evidence to support these uses, and the FDA does not regulate, endorse or support the use of essential oils. Hyssop oil is also used as flavoring in food and as a fragrance in perfume.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil for perfume
Blue gum, or eucalyptus oil, is used to treat variety of health issues, including respiratory infections, cough, asthma and fever. It's also used in dental sealers and solvents, and as a fragrance in perfumes. Eucalyptus oil is used as a mouthwash an antiseptic and in toothpaste. There isn't enough evidence to support its use for medicinal purposes. Interactions may occur if eucalyptus oil is taken with diabetes medications and medications metabolized in the liver. Dosage depends on your health, age and diagnosis. Consult your doctor for more information.[11]
Essential oil extraction
There are a few different ways to extract or distill essential oils from plants.
Water and/or steam
Extracting oils using water and steam involves steam entering from outside the still while the plant is held above the water in a grate. This method is used with herbs and leaves. Another form of distillation -- the most common -- uses only steam to break down the plant and retrieve the essential oils. During this process, steam is injected at a higher temperature and pressure than other methods.
Water
In water distillation, used mostly with flowers, the water touches the plant.
Percolation
Hydro-diffusion is similar to steam distillation except that steam enters through the top of the still and distillation time is shorter. It's used with tougher plant materials, such as wood and seed.[5]
Maceration/distillation
This method is used to extract oil by softening the plant in warm water. Onion, garlic and wintergreen are examples of plant oils accessed in this manner.[1]
Expression
Cold pressing is an extraction method used on citrus and involves soaking the zest or rind in warm water. The rind is then pressed with a sponge to soak up the oils, which are then squeezed into a container. Any remaining water is then removed from the mixture.[5]
Ecuelle a piquer
Essential oils can be accessed by prodding with spikes. Rinds are placed on a spiked platform that rotates within a container, which helps release the oils.
Machines are also used to access oils from fruit.[5]
Functions of essential oils in plants
Essential oils
Essential oils help plants in the following ways:[1]
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Pollinator attraction
-
Allelopathy (preventing competing vegetation from taking over its territory)
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Provides protection against fungi and bacteria
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Provides protection against insects and animals
Safety concerns and side effects
Side effects are not common if essential oils are used as directed.[3]
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Taking large amounts of essential oils orally can have adverse side effects.[3]
Taking large amounts of essential oils orally can have adverse side effects.
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Citrus oils may cause sun sensitivity.[3]
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Extended essential oil contact with skin could cause allergic reaction.[3]
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Avoid using eucalyptus, oregano, or tamanu oil when pregnant or breast feeding.[6, 8, 11]
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Tamanu oil could cause allergic contact dermatitis.[6]
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If you are allergic to plants in the Clusiaceae family, avoid tamanu oil.[6]
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Possible side effects of wintergreen oil include breathing problems, and face, tongue, throat and/or lip swelling. It can also cause burning, blistering and pain at the application site. You may need to seek medical care immediately. especially if airways become or at risk of becoming blocked.[7]
-
Don't use wintergreen oil on open wounds or irritated skin.
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Don't apply wintergreen to the eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid getting it on contact lenses and dentures.[7]
-
Talk to your doctor before using wintergreen oil if you have allergies or serious medical conditions.[7]
-
Do not administer wintergreen to children under 12 years old without consulting a doctor.
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Don't give oregano or eucalyptus oils to children since safety is not known.[7, 8, 11]
-
Wash your hands after applying essential oils. If you use them on your hands for medicinal purposes, wait 30 minutes before washing and use caution to avoid touching spreading the oil to other areas, including eyes and mouth.[7]
-
Don't bandage areas treated with wintergreen oil. Wearing clothing is okay.[7]
-
Avoid applying wintergreen oil following bathing or shaving.[7]
-
Store oils at room temperature in a dry, cool place and out of reach of children and pets.[7]
-
Essential oil from herbs can be toxic and cause an allergic reaction, even in small doses.[8]
-
You should not use oregano oil if you have severe liver and kidney disease.[8]
-
Hyssop oil may cause seizures. Do not use it if you have a history of seizures.[10]
-
Hyssop oil could cause miscarriage. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use during breastfeeding is not advised either.[10]
-
Do not administer hyssop oil to children. It could cause convulsions.[10]
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Eucalyptus must be diluted before use on the skin or orally.[11]
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Taking 3.5mL of undiluted eucalyptus oil can cause death.[11]
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Signs of eucalyptus poisoning include dizziness, stomach pain, muscle weakness, constricted pupils and breathing problems.[11]
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Eucalyptus oil may cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.[11]
Buying essential oils
To find the best deals on essential oils, check out PricePlow's buying guide. Our price comparisons make it easy to find the lowest prices from any health store on the web. You can save from 30% to 50% by buying through the listings on this page versus your local retail store.
The best essential oils
We typically recommend NOW Foods. No gimmicks or marketing hype, but a great value from a company you can trust. Plus, they are a cGMP-compliant facility. Their 100% pure and blended essential oils are labeled, so you can be confident about what you're buying. Because NOW Foods does not standardize their oils, batches can vary from one season to the next. NOW Foods analyzes their products with on-site equipment to make sure their products meet certain specifications. Their quality assurance and control departments follow essential-oil and flower-Industry standards.
Considerations
Aromatherapy
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Inhalation and diluted topical skin application are the most common forms of essential oil usage.[4]
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Oils made via chemical processes aren't considered true essential oils.[3]
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An oil's chemical composition may vary depending on the individual plant, species, harvest method and location.[3]
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Essential oils are highly volatile -- they're unpredictable by nature and can evaporate quickly at normal temperatures.[3]
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Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including herbs, over-the-counter, prescriptions, vitamins, minerals and alternative products.[7]
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Natural products aren't guaranteed safe. Use as directed and under the care of a physician or qualified natural medicine professional.[10]
Oils made via chemical processes aren't considered true essential oils.
References
- National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy; "What are Essential Oils?"
- NOW Foods; "Essential Oil FAQs"
- National Cancer Institute; Aromatherapy and Essential Oils; "Questions and Answers about Aromatherapy"
- National Cancer Institute; Aromatherapy and Essential Oils; "Overview"
- National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy; "How Are Essential Oils Extracted?"
- Drugs.com; "Tamanu Oil"
- Drugs.com; "Wintergreen Oil"
- NYU Langone Medical Center; "Oregano Oil;" Reviewed 2013
- Simon JE; Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Purdue University; "Basil: A Source of Essential Oils;" 1997
- WebMD.com; "Hyssop"
- MedlinePlus; "Eucalyptus;" Reviewed 2012
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