Essential Oils: Tips for First-Timers

The use of essential oils is incredibly popular nowadays. Aromatherapy, simply known as essential oil therapy is used to promote wellness. I am using these oils to make my home a relaxing haven and at the same time for therapeutic benefits. It alleviates stress and improve sleep quality too.

Here are some important points to bear in mind if you are using an essential oil for the first time:

Buy Only Authentic Essential Oils

There are a lot of essential oils to choose from, each with its unique scent and potential health benefits. Therefore, it is advisable to research carefully what you need and buy only the authentic ones from a trusted brand like CDL Naturals.  Most of Casa de Lorenzo Organic products are locally produced in various provinces in the Philippines, thus it is more affordable as it is locally made from locally sourced extracts like Calamansi, Dalandan, Black Pepper and more.

Never Overdo it

Ideally, it is advisable to do aromatherapy for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Inhaling essential oil even when diluted for prolonged periods can do more harm than good. Don’t use it too much or too often.

Less is more

Since these oils are pure, it may likely cause irritation and sensitization, so, you must use extreme caution when using it. Always remember that less is more when using essential oils.

Dilution

Read directions carefully. An essential oil is a concentrated solution, do not apply directly on your skin, use as directed in order to achieve its beautification benefits that can help minimize if not remove acne problems and other skin inflammatory issues. The rule of thumb when making a 2% dilution is by using the by-the drop method, i.e. add 12 drops of your preferred essential oil to 30 ml of your moisturizer or lotion, and adjust accordingly if you want to add it to something like a topical tincture, to enhance your product even further.

Aromatherapy through inhalation or diffusion

Decide which type of diffuser will work best for you – evaporative, nebulizing, ultrasonic, or heat diffusers. It is recommended to choose a diffuser that is easy to clean. A built-in timer is a plus so it will only release the right amount of oil.

In my case, I am only using a ceramic candle diffuser. It is cheaper and easier to clean and only uses a tealight candle to heat the oil to promote diffusion.

Types of Essential Oils Locally Produced in the Philippines

Calamansi Essential Oil
The scent of Calamansi has been suggested to help alleviate depression and anxiety. It is also among the few aromatics that not just masks bad smell, but completely neutralizes them, making the essential oil a great additive to cleaning products. It is also an excellent additive to skin toners/astringent or blended with other essential oils in a massage blend.

Dalandan Essential Oil 
Just like Calamansi, the sweet citrus of the Philippines’ oil is extracted from its peels via distillation. Unmistakably citrusy and sweet, Dalandan Essential Oil is among the all-time favorites. Aside from feeling really good after smelling Dalandan Essential Oil, this can also be used like the oil from Calamansi.

Elemi Essential Oil
A world renowned oil because of its benefits, Elemi Essential Oil has been popular to the rest of the globe but to us Filipinos, it seems we are just slowly being familiar inspite of the world’s supply coming from our country. There are 2 types of Elemi Essential Oil, the first one and the most popular, comes from the resin of the Canarium luzonicum tree or the Manila Elemi. The 2nd one comes from the resin of the Canarium ovatum tree or the Pili tree, which have yet to gain popularity as an alternative. Dubbed as “poor man’s frankincense,” Elemi Essential Oil is basically the more abundant and readily available substitute for Frankincense. Well known for its skin rejuvenation benefits, Elemi Essential Oil is also an amazing anti-inflammatory, a great additive for massaging strained or tired muscles, provides relief to respiratory troubles and a great stress reliever.

Almaciga Essential Oil
Known to the world as Manila Copal, its globally traded as an ingredient in making varnishes. Traditionally, Almaciga is used as fire starter, caulking for boats, smudge for mosquitoes and incense for religious ceremonies. There are documented evidences that the resin is burned and smoke is inhaled for asthma and other minor respiratory troubles. The Almaciga Essential Oil is extracted by distilling the resin from Agathis Philippinesis trees, which are native to the Philippines. Not much is known for the use of its essential oil because of its extreme uniqueness and it is virtually unknown up until its creation by CDL. The Almaciga Essential Oil’s aroma falls in-between Elemi and Frankincense making it another potential alternative to Frankincense.