By: Joanna Rentz
Essential oils are everywhere. From spa treatments and body scrubs to aromatherapy and household cleaning products, essential oils have a wide range of uses and advantages. But sometimes navigating the world of essential oils can be overwhelming, especially if you have never ventured into it. That's why we created a simple, easy-to-follow beginner's guide to help walk you through it.
What are essential oils?
An essential oil is a concentrated liquid containing chemical compounds from plants. Basically, it's the oil derived from specific plants like rose, clove, citronella, and jasmine, for example. They are called "essential" because they are the essence, or character , of a particular plant's aroma. These aromatic gifts from heaven have been around for centuries, dating back to the 1100s when they were used as folk medicine. Research regarding the scientific and fact-based medicinal benefits of essential oils is ongoing, but as I mentioned earlier, they have a wide range of uses. The most common use of essential oils are for aromatherapy, a practice that claims to have physical and psychological benefits.
How do I use essential oils?
Here are a few different ways to incorporate essential oils into your daily routine:
- Add a few drops to a diffuser for a spectacularly fragrant environment.
- Keep a bottle of essential oil in your shower. Add a few drops before hopping in the shower or bath. The steam mixed with the oil will have your bathroom smelling like a spa vacation.
- Add the oil of your choice to body scrubs, shampoo, body wash, and lotion.
- Dab a few drops on your neck or wrists for a light perfume.
- Use as a decongestant by inhaling specific scents like eucalyptus and peppermint.
- Repel insects using lemon and eucalyptus oils. Furthermore, tea tree oil helps reduce the itch of bug bites.
- Keep a bottle of lavender essential oil on your desk at work. Take a few inhales to reduce stress. Chamomile, frankincense, and rose are other good options.
- Make your own room spray.
- Lightly spatter essential oils onto your pillows and cushions.
How do I know which oil to get?
Since you will be using essential oils on your body and in your home, make sure it is of the highest quality. Check the labels and do not purchase anything that is not 100% natural and pure essential oil. Also, make sure the oil is in a dark-colored bottle, not clear. Essential oils degrade more quickly when it is has been exposed to light.
Since you will be using essential oils on your body and in your home, make sure it is of the highest quality. Check the labels and do not purchase anything that is not 100% natural and pure essential oil. Also, make sure the oil is in a dark-colored bottle, not clear. Essential oils degrade more quickly when it is has been exposed to light.
As far as scents go, it is all personal preference. Check out the list below comprised of eight popular essential oils to get you started:
- Lavender : One of the most common, versatile, and popular essential oils is lavender. It offers relaxation, calm, and is most often used in spa treatments and massages. It gives a feeling of serenity and is the ultimate anti-stress essential oil.
- Lemongrass : This oil comes from the long sharp blades of the lemongrass bush. It has been widely used as an insect deterrent, wards off infection, and soothes an overactive mind.
- Eucalyptus : Very popular, eucalyptus essential oil is versatile and purifying. This particular oil promotes focus, clarity, and easy breathing. It is also a great oil to use in household products as its chemical compounds have behaviors that help cleanse and purify.
- Frankincense : Extracted from the sap of mature Frankincense trees, this earthy and complex smell contributes to peace of mind and tranquility.
- Peppermint : For centuries, peppermint has been used to relieve aches, pains, congestion, upset stomach, and a stressed mind. It has a strong, uplifting scent and leaves you feeling energized and awake. Great for your morning shower!
- Sweet Orange : Sweet orange is one of the happiest-smelling oils and extends a feeling of joy, contentment, and elation. It's sure to lift any mood. Additionally, its molecular makeup purifies and cleanses odors and germs.
- Rosemary : Derived from the common culinary herb, rosemary essential oil improves sharp thinking and memory.
- Tea Tree : Like rosemary, tea tree oil has been found to support clear thinking. But possibly more important, this oil has an affinity to clean and clear the skin and is commonly found in shampoos and body washes.
Plenty more oils are available than what I mentioned, and they all offer a variety of benefits and uses. Check with your doctor before using essential oils, and always read the label to learn how to properly dilute them.
How do you like to use essential oils?
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By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? 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In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. 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Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
