9 Trending Questions on Essential Oils For Beginners

Hey guys, if you’re new to essential oils, this post is for you, as we’ll be answering the top 9 questions people are asking on the internet to help them kick start their journey with essential oils.  

Being a beginner, you’re probably unaware of the plethora of benefits essential oil offers and how essential it has become to have essential oils in your home, at the office, while you travel, meditate, for mental, physical, and spiritual health, and whatnot. Moreover, if you’re buying a USDA Certified Organic brand, you’ll have the best investment already and if not, after reading the answers below, you’ll probably not think even once to get your hands on your favorite essential oil bottle. Let’s get started! 

1. What are essential oils?  

Essential oils are strongly concentrated essences of plant compounds that are all organic and can help in maintaining good health in the long run. They are extracted either using the steam distillation, process tapping resins, or cold-pressing method to sustain the quality of the extracted oil to the maximum level.  

2. How do we use essential oils?  

Essential oils have numerous applications, but the broader categories include aromatic, topical, or internal. Whatever usage it may be, as these are concentrated essences, they need to be diluted and for that, the product labels are the best place to find more information on a specific essential oil as not all oils have the same dilution ratios or applications.  

3. Can we use essential oils as serums?  

Essential oils can serve as the best natural serums you’ll find in the market, BUT YOU CANNOT APPLY THEM DIRECTLY TO YOUR SKIN. Like essential oils, there are carrier oils that are used to dilute essential oils in a manner that helps in amplifying the impact of the essential oil without harming its properties. Again, the product label is your best friend   

4. Do essential oils expire?  

Well, essential oils have a longer shelf life as their usage is mostly generally measured in drops and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil is equivalent to 1 Full Tbsp of Mint so you always use less as it's more. Generally, they last up to 3 years, only if they’re stored properly, in a cool dark place with a tight lid on. If you leave them lying around in the sun which promotes the process of oxidation, and it probably will make your oils go thick and cloudy which means they’ve gone bad. So, it all depends on how you store them. Some may even last up to 10 years. 

5. Are there any specific areas on the body where essential oils work faster?  

First, good question! And the answer is YES. Like acupuncture, there are certain points on your body which when touched, provide relief to the other parts of the body. Similar is the case with essential oils, they work great with cupping palms for inhaling, on temples, soles of your feet, pillowcases, the crown of your head, behind the ears, and to your neck. Each oil has different applications so consider learning more about a specific oil through 101 blogs like  

https://www.zongletherapeutics.com/blogs/oils-101  

6. Can essential oils stain clothes?  

It should not unless you’re using a dark-colored oil. If you are using a transparent oil and it is still staining, that means it has been adulterated with vegetable oil and it's not 100% pure.  

7. If essential oils are so strong, are they safe for kids?  

We would say No if you’re a beginner. But there are some oils like grapefruit and Lavender essential oils that are gentle and can be used. If you plan on using them, just make sure you dilute them generously to be on the safe side. Every child will respond differently to essential oil and so try and test some out first before using them in a full swing. 

(Recommended Age to start using essential oils for kids is 8 and above)  

8. Are they safe for pregnant women/breastfeeding moms?  

Just like using essential oils with kids, pregnancy and breastfeeding also need precaution. Some oils are not at all safe (Like Clary Sage, Sage, Wintergreen, Fennel, etc.) while some are considered safe to use (Lavender, Frankincense, Peppermint) but again not all can be used aromatically, topically, or internally. So you need to research thoroughly and if you’re confident then start with a drop in a diffuser in a  spacious room to see your tolerance and then move ahead.   

(If you're pregnant or breastfeeding try consuming a small amount aromatically only)  

9. Which is the best brand of essential oils?  

This question is the most important question when buying essential oils for the first time. As your first purchase will either win or lose your trust in this product category for life. Don’t get hooked on a company’s internal claims. These are not Third Party Certified. Check for the USDA Certified Organic seal, which is tough to get and follows a rigorous method to assess the quality of the brand. If yours is USDA Certified Organic, you’re definitely in good hands. Keep an eye out for our next blog post which will further explain the important points you must know before purchasing an essential oil!  

We hope this will be helpful, in getting your first bottle and making the purchase journey easy for you. In case you have more questions feel free to ask!