What You Should Know About Essential Oils Before You Use Them.

Gathering information about oils takes time. And the best time spent is speaking with essential oil experts. James Kelly is the former co-owner and head formulator of a major essential oil company (yes, you've probably heard of them). He has generously agreed to answer several of my questions.

What do you consider the most important thing a person should know before using essential oils? 

That's a very good question and it addresses concerns I have that have grown as the essential oil
industry has exploded over the last few years. With so many people wielding essential oils, and sorely lacking in knowledge on how to properly use them, I've seen issues that have arisen from this.

The first thing people should know is that essential oils are powerful and potent. For example, it takes upwards of a hundred pounds of Melissa (lemon balm) to produce three small 15 ml bottles of essential oil. This makes the constituents in the oil highly concentrated. Because of the concentrations, the oils can work wonders on various conditions. But there is a downside to this. If too much is used (especially if the oil is consumed--which I don't recommend), the effects can be devastating on the body. For example, Peppermint is high in menthol. Menthol is good for sore muscles, congestion, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. But too much menthol causes menthol poisoning, the symptoms of which can  lead to seizures, unconsciousness, and even death.

It's important to note that essential oils work, and because they work, there are unsafe limits. Like vitamins, essential oils are extremely beneficial in proper amounts, but can be dangerous--even deadly in large amounts.

Why are essential oils so expensive?

I'm going to let you in on a secret (and my former business associates are going to hate that I say this), but essential oils don't need to cost a lot to be of the highest quality. As a former owner of an essential oil company, I know the cost of oils as they are received from distillers. I also know that essential oils are often marked up hundreds and even sometimes thousands of percent over the cost value.

You may think, well, you get what you pay for. That's not always true with essential oils. I'm not saying there aren't low quality oils out there, but oils don't need to cost a fortune to be of the highest quality.

How do we know whether an essential oil company has quality oils?

There are several things that determine the quality of an oil and much of the evaluation is difficult for a layperson to understand. But there are signs you can follow that will let you know that a company is concerned with quality. The first thing to look for is Purity level. 100% pure means that the oil is free from chemicals and pesticides--it does not mean that it is not diluted. If you want to find out if an oil is undiluted, look for the word unadulterated. Forget the terms therapeutic grade, medicinal grade, or any other grade...there is no government oversight for essential oils, and thus there is no official grading of oils. Each essential oil company will grade their own oils and the essential oil companies have created their own terms for grading.

And then I look for GC/MS testing results that are available to the public. This is a laboratory analysis that tells you exactly what is in an oil--the purity level and content of the oil. It will also show warning signs that can lead you to suspect that the oil has been added to, changed, or otherwise tampered with. If an essential oil company has those tests available, you can assume that the company is open and honest about the oils they carry. If an essential oil company says it's "proprietary information", I would ask myself what do they have to hide?

Lastly, I would ask the oil company if they have a head formulator and/or chemist on staff. If they do not, then I would be concerned about their quality control. It takes knowledge and training to know when there is an issue with an essential oil. And then if they do not have original formulas, what do they truly have to offer you? Quality essential oils can be found in many places, but experts knowledgeable in formulations is more difficult to come by.

Any other thoughts or things you'd like people to know?

Essential oils are incredible. Yes there are risks for improper use, but the benefits are pretty darn amazing. I've seen people who were crushed by debilitating conditions who, when introduced to the correct essential oil formulation, were able to get off their pain medication and fully participate in life once again. I've seen lives changed. I've seen lives saved. All through the use of essential oils.

Beginner's Guide to Using Essential Oils

Essential oils have really grown in popularity over the last several years, but they have actually been around for thousands of years. The Bible mentions their use on many occasions. For example, Moses was directed by God to use cinnamon, calamus, cassia, myrrh, and olive oil to make a substance that would protect all whom he administered it to. Even before the time of Moses, the use of essential oils was legendary. Today, research has confirmed that essential oils truly are beneficial and support the body and the mind.

There are close to 300 oils that are used by massage therapist, aroma therapists, and home practitioners today--each oil with its unique and powerful use. Some of the characteristic benefits include antiviral, anti-inflamitory, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anticeptic, antineuralgic, antirheumatic, antispasmotic, antivenomous, antitoxic, antidepressant...and these are just from the list of the "A's". We haven't even delved into the other twenty-five letters of the alphabet.

Another great benefit of essential oils is that, unlike drugs, they do not remain the the body for long periods of time. They are excreted within six hours for a typical healthy body, and fourteen hours in an unhealthy/obese body. It's interesting to note that different oils will excrete in different ways. For example, Juniper is excreted in the urine, Garlic is excreted through exhalation, and Geranium is excreted through the skin. And this is regardless of how the body takes it it--through aroma or skin application.

Essential oils are wonderful in their use in a dilution with a carrier oil. A carrier oil is base oil such as vegetable oil that carries the essential oil to the skin. The ratio for most essential oils is 3-5% essential oil suspended in a carrier oil.  Essential oils diluted with a carrier are also called massage oils. They can be massaged into the skin, on the bottom of the feet, or on the hands to be absorbed into the body to be used. The hands and feet have reflexive points that lead to vital organs. When essential oils are applied to those points, they can go directly to the corresponding organ for direct benefit to that organ.
Caution should be used when using reflexology on children or infants. Some oils are not suitable for children and can actually cause harm.

Because of the wonderful aromatic qualities of essential oils, it is easy to assume that there is no "real" health benefit to the breathing in essential oils. Nothing could be further from the truth. Essential oils may smell appealing, but their chemical makeup is complex and the effect they have on the body is powerful. Let me explain what happens when you breath in an essential oil:

When you breath the aroma, molecules of the oil are taken into the lung and carried to small sacs called, aveoli, and there it is absorbed by the capilaries and brought into the blood stream. From there it circulates throughout the entire body and is picked up by systems that are lacking in the nutrients the essential oil provides and all the while it's doing this, it is also cleansing the body and neutralizing toxins. This is actually more efficient than taking the oil internally. In fact, it is not recommended that essential oils should be taken internally--except on rare occasions and only under the direction of a naturopathic doctor. Because of the potency of essential oils, taking them internally can be dangerous. It take an incredible amount of plant matter to make a small bottle of essential oil. Therefore, there is a real risk of overdose when consuming essential oils.

Below is a chart outlining the safe use of Essential Oils:

References: 

Jones, B. (2014) 1,001 ways to use essential oils.


Worwood, V.A. (1991) The complete book of essential oils & aromatherapy. San Rafael,

       CA: New World Library.

Throughout Time~A History of Thyme

Thyme has a long and surprisingly deep history. In ancient times, family and loved ones would give thyme to their soldiers before they headed into battle. The soldier would stuff the herb into pouches,and even attach the herb to clothing. The ancient Greeks would use the herb in their bath or burn the incense in their temples to increase bravery and courage. The Romans would give the herb as gifts as a sign of respect. And then the ancient Egyptians believed thyme would help a person who passes find the afterlife.

During the time the black death plagued the world, thyme was worn around the neck to ward off the illness. And for those who caught the disease, thyme would be made into a poultice and applied directly to the open sores. Though this was long before science substantiated this use, it's interesting to note that the main component in thyme is thymol--a powerful antiseptic.

In the Victorian times, thyme was given a fanciful spin. The presence of thyme was considered evidence that fairies were in the vicinity. Small girls would camp outside near a patch of thyme hoping to catch a glimpse of the magical creatures. Including thyme in the diet was also believed to help humans see past glamour--the magical energy that keeps the world of the supernatural hidden from our eyes.

Thyme today. Today, thyme is used for a wide variety of things. Many people use it to stimulate hair to grow. It has also been used to prevent or alleviate gout, arthritis, menstrual pain, nausea, symptoms of colds, oily skin, scars, athlete's foot, sores, and insect bites. The essential oil of thyme is also often diffused in order to calm the mind and increase memory. When used on the skin (properly diluted), thyme essential oil has been said to tone the skin and prevent acne. And then thyme used in a water and liquid soap dilution can be used in a garden to keep pests from destroying your crops. Sweet thyme is a wonderful oil to diffuse in homes where the flu is present.

Garden pest formula:

1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon peppermint
1/4 teaspoon rosemary
3 tablespoons liquid soap
1 gallon of water

Add all ingredients together. Mix gently and completely. Put in a sprayer bottle and spray the leaves of your garden plants.



Thyme essential oil (as with other essential oils) should only be used internally under the care of a naturopathic doctor or physician. When used topically, unadulterated thyme essential oil should be diluted at a 3% - 5% ratio (3% - 5% essential oil to 97% - 95% carrier oil). Do not use thyme essential oils with small children.