Essential Oils Properties and Uses

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are volatile substances isolated through a process, such as distillation, from an aromatic plant that bears their name. They are stored as microdroplets in the oil glands of plants. After diffusing into the gland walls, the droplets spread to the plant’s surface before evaporating and filling the air with their fragrance. They are called essential because they are volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly, unlike synthetic fragrances.
The most common method of obtaining essential oils is distillation, which is divided into three main categories: water distillation (hydrodistillation), water and steam distillation, and steam distillation (this method is often used by the industry). When the raw material is flowers, stems, or leaves, the extraction technique is usually used to obtain the essential oils, while for nuts and citrus peels, crushing is used.

Chemical Composition

Essential oils are characterized by a wide chemical diversity. They contain volatile components ranging from 85-99%, which are a mixture of terpenic, terpenoid, and other aromatic and aliphatic compounds. Monoterpenes (hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, esters, etc.) are the most common component of essential oils and sometimes contribute up to 90% of their total composition, being responsible for their characteristic odors and flavors.
The chemical identity of aromatic plants, whether wild or cultivated, is determined by the amount of essential oil they produce and its qualitative and quantitative composition. They vary in the different parts of the plants that produce essential oil, the season of collection, and the geographical climatic diversity. Typically, flowers and leaves produce the largest quantities of oils, while stems produce the least. Additionally, the quantity is linked to the plant’s growth phase, which varies throughout the year. A high degree of variability has been recorded in the wild populations of aromatic plants depending on their distribution area. The most fragrant plants are found in tropical regions, where solar energy is the greatest.

Properties

Many essential oils have been used for centuries in folk medicine, and in recent years, their biological properties have been proven by numerous studies. Their insect-repellent and antioxidant actions have been confirmed, as well as their use in the treatment of pain, inflammation, various viral diseases, etc., and their ability to enhance the penetration of other drugs.
The main properties of essential oils are: antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, healing, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, hyperemic, sedative, antidepressant, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, immunostimulant, hormonal, insecticidal, repellent, expectorant, cosmetic, and deodorant.

Applications

Plant essential oils have various applications, primarily in aromatherapy, pharmacology, agriculture, and the cosmetics and food industries.

• Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses essential oils and other aromatic compounds to improve a person’s mood, cognitive function, or health. Essential oils are properly diluted and applied to the skin, through massage techniques, steam inhalation, or using an essential oil diffuser.
• In pharmacology, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities of essential oils are examined, as well as their mechanisms of action against various types of viruses. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of pathogens, the increase in the immunocompromised population, and the limitations of available antibiotics and drugs have prompted people to use alternative therapies, including the use of essential oils, either preventively or complementarily. Additionally, essential oils are currently a promising source for the development of new drugs, due to their chemical diversity and their ability to interact with various biological targets, affecting biological processes at the cellular and multicellular levels.
• In agriculture, the aromatic characteristics of essential oils provide various benefits to plants, such as attracting or repelling insects, protecting against heat or cold, and reducing the use of chemical components. They possess insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, effectively destroying many pests and pathogens.
• In the cosmetics and perfumery industry, essential oils are used for their active cosmetic and strong aromatic properties. They are primarily used in natural cosmetics due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. For example, numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the high effectiveness of Tea Tree essential oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia) in treating acne (topical use), as an adjunctive treatment for periodontitis (solution), and in addressing fungal skin infections (athlete’s foot, vaginal yeast infection, etc.). Additionally, many essential oils act as natural preservatives, extending the shelf life of cosmetic products. In perfumery, essential oils are used in products such as soaps, candles, and perfumes.
• In the food sector, essential oils, due to their numerous volatile and natural bioactive compounds, are often used by industries as the best natural preservative alternatives. In cooking, confectionery, and distilling, essential oils are widely used, but sparingly, to flavor sauces, sweets, and beverages. Just one drop of essential oil is enough to impart a strong aroma to a kilogram of sweets. For foods and sauces, dipping a toothpick into a bottle of essential oil and stirring the food with it is sufficient. Essential oils are also used in the animal feed industry, as they can replace various additives without significantly increasing the cost of feed and contribute to the production of high-quality livestock products.

Uses 

Essential oils are primarily used in three ways: application on the skin (massage, rubbing, compresses, patches, baths, care and grooming products), inhalation (burning devices, diffusers, nebulizers), and gargling or ingestion (diluted in water or as flavoring in meals). In all three cases, due to their potent composition, essential oils are used diluted, in very small quantities, and always according to the specified dosages.

When used as additives in cosmetic products, essential oils nourish the skin with valuable nutrients. To maximize the benefit, it is important to use the appropriate type of oil according to the skin type, age, and needs of each skin. For most skincare formulations, it is recommended that essential oils do not constitute more than 2% of the total weight or volume of the final product. When used on children or the elderly, the usage percentage is reduced to 1%.

When essential oils are used for inhalation by placing a few drops in a suitable diffuser, within minutes the room’s air is filled with cleansing and medicinal benefits. Diffusing essential oils for chest congestion, cough, or promoting restful sleep are some of the most common uses of diffusion in a child’s room. In recent years, more and more modern therapeutic institutions use devices to diffuse natural essential oils to promote well-being during their patients’ recovery.

Ingestible essential oils are taken either preventively to boost the body, as probiotics, or therapeutically in cases of viral infections, flu, or colds. Some essential oils are used for gargling, diluted in water, to treat sore throats, toothaches, oral infections, periodontitis, etc. They are also often used to flavor foods, sweets, candies, chocolates, sauces, and beverages. For example, citrus essential oils (orange, lemon, lime, etc.) can replace zest in cakes and sweets, while herbal oils (oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc.) can replace or enhance the dried herbs used in sauces and foods.

Household Uses

Essential oils are used for their antimicrobial and disinfectant properties as general cleaners, for disinfecting surfaces, removing unpleasant odors, scenting detergents, in laundry, dishwashing, freshening curtains, mopping, ironing, etc. They naturally provide freshness and cleanliness while also offering a long-lasting pleasant aroma.

Recommended Dosages

You need to know that each 10ml bottle contains approximately 200 drops of essential oil, and each drop corresponds to about 0.05ml.

Massage or Application
For example, if you want to add essential oils to a 100ml carrier oil, you calculate the drops to add as follows: 100 ml × 0.02 (2% usage rate for adults only) = 2 ml. Therefore, you need 2 ml of essential oils, which corresponds to 2 ÷ 0.05 = 40 drops.
Usage Rates by Age Group

• For ages 12-65 years, the usage rate is 2%.
• For ages 6-12 years, the usage rate is 1.5%.
• For ages 4-6 years and over 65 years, the usage rate is 1%.
• For ages 1-4 years, the usage rate is 0.5%.
• For infants and pregnant women, only with a doctor’s permission, the usage rate is 0.2%.

Bath
You can add essential oils only to a bathtub filled with water and not to the shower, with the following dosages:

• 7-12 drops of essential oils for ages 12-65 years.
• 4-6 drops of essential oils for ages 4-12 or over 65 years.
• 2-3 drops of essential oils for ages 1-4 years and for pregnant women only after doctor’s approval.

Aromatherapy Devices
The dosage for aromatherapy devices depends on various factors, such as the type of device (Oil Burners, Diffusers, Vaporizers), the size of the device, the size of the room where it will be used, and the age of the individuals in the room. A general rule for aromatherapy devices is to use 1-2 drops of essential oils per 10ml of water.

Precautions

Essential oils are highly effective and pleasant, but they require caution and great care in their use. They should never be used directly on the skin because they are highly concentrated. The use of undiluted essential oils on the skin can cause irritation, burns, and even allergic reactions. They should always be diluted in a carrier oil and at a concentration of no more than 2%.

Essential oils should be kept out of reach of children and should not be used without medical advice by pregnant women, especially during the first 5 months of pregnancy, by individuals with chronic illnesses, hypertension, nervous disorders, and by infants. Additionally, some essential oils may cause adverse reactions when used with other medications or supplements. For these reasons, it is recommended to always consult your doctor before using essential oils.

Not all essential oils are suitable for ingestion or for use in cosmetics or skin contact (massage). Edible essential oils intended for internal use should be food grade and approved by the FDA. They should not be used without medical advice and for prolonged periods. Also, some essential oils, such as those from citrus fruits, are photosensitive and should never be applied to the skin before sun exposure.

When essential oils are used to scent the atmosphere through a diffusion device, the room should be regularly ventilated. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of essential oils is prohibited, as it is associated with negative cardiac issues and lung symptoms. If you no longer smell the aroma from your device, it is because you have become accustomed to the scent after prolonged exposure. Turn off the device and ventilate the room well before using it again. Turn off the devices before going to bed.

When using essential oils as household cleaners, do not store them in plastic containers. Use glass spray bottles or containers. Plastics are made from petroleum-based materials, and essential oils react negatively, degrading the plastic and contaminating the contents.

Use only pure and not synthetic essential oils. Synthetic oils do not have therapeutic properties and are intended solely for room fragrance. Pure, plant-based essential oils list the official name of the plant from which they are derived and are tested and certified by official bodies for safe use.

Caution! Never use undiluted essential oils on the skin. In case of contact with the eyes, rinse with plenty of cold water. In case of ingestion, contact the poison control center or your doctor immediately.

We recommend treating essential oils with the same caution and care as medications, strictly following the indicated dosages.