Essential oils

Essential oils (EOs) are extremely complex mixtures of organic compounds, mostly carbon, hydrogen (hydrocarbon), oxygen, and occasionally nitrogen and sulfur.  Each plant species has a unique chemical structure of lipid-soluble volatile oils that are captured when making essential oils. A plants’ essential oil can 10s to 100s of different organic compounds.  In nature, the variety of compounds often serve a specific purpose (i.e. insect repellent, nutrient absorption), but for humans (and animals) the variety of compounds is what’s is attributed to the aromatic and therapeutic properties. Our bodies can absorb the active plant compounds via essential oils when applied topically, through ingestion, or inhalation.  Essential oils are extracted from plants using a variety of extraction methods such as co2 distillation, steam distillation, and solvent extraction. Steam extraction is used at Tahoe Petrichor, by using a traditional copper alembic still. Yields from 20 lbs of plant material oftentimes distill down to only 10mL essential oils, which offers an idea of just how potent essentials oils are (Essential Oils, 2015; Curtis, Thomas & Johnson, 2016; Schnaubelt, 2002; Klaassen & Watkins, 2015). 

Absorption 

Topical (transdermal) pathway

According to Klaassen & Watkins (2015), the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) is the key player in the body’s ability to absorb [essential oil] topically, although absorption also occurs in hair follicles and glands.  After contact, the permeable compounds pass through the other layers (strata) of the skin through passive diffusion. Beneath the stratum corneum, the epidermis, and the dermis, the compounds travel through the vascular pathways of the dermis. 

Rate of absorption

• Lipophilic compounds (lipid-soluble essential oils, carrier oils, butters, and waxes) are absorbed quicker than water-based products.

• The absorption also depends on diffusivity and the thickness of the localized area.  

• Factors such as the state of the skin (hydration and integrity), temperature (hot baths, vasodilation), solvent, and the molecular size of the permeable ingredients all influence the absorption. 

Techniques for essential oil safety

• Do your own research on the safety of each individual essential oil. 

• Choose reputable sources for essential oils.

  • Artisan distilleries offer a different quality product than commercial manufacturers.

  • Beware of adulterated or synthetic essential oils.

• Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy or take extra precautions.

  • Avoid abortifacient and emmenagogue essential oils completely. 

• Avoid using essential oils that are known allergens.

• Use half-strength for children and the elderly.

• Consult your doctor before using, especially if you have pre-existing conditions (hypertension, cardiac disease, cancer, etc.)

• For safety, only use essential oils topically

  • Herbal preparations teas, tinctures, capsules, and infusions are more appropriate for internal use. 

• Use caution with direct inhalation and diffusion of potentially toxic essential oils. 

Techniques for the application of essential oils

• Conduct a (24-hour) skin patch prior to use, especially with children. 

  • According to Petersen (2015), apply the blend (carrier oil and essential oil) to the inner elbow.  After 5 minutes, check for irritation.

• Due to the non-polar characteristic of oils, diluting essential oils in water will not properly dilute the essential oils. So, always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil or ethanol prior to use

• Follow recommended dosages. Only use a dilution of 1-3% per ounce of carrier oil. 

References:

Curtis, S., Thomas, P., & Johnson, F. (2016). Essential Oils. New York, NY: Penguin Random House. ISBN: 9781465454379

Essential Oils. (2015). Natural Remedies. Berkeley, CA: Althea Press. ISBN: 9781623154240

Klaassen, C. & Watkins, J. (2015). Essentials of Toxicology (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN: 9780071847087

Schnaubelt, K. (2002). How Essential Oils Are Made: Biology of Essential Oils. San Rafael, CA: Terra Linda Scent. Retrieved from: www.mapleholistics.com/blog/natural-vs-synthetic-essential-oils/#doc2

Petersen D. (2015). Aromatherapy Materia Medica Essential Oil Monographs.  American College of Healthcare Science. Portland, OR.

Our top 5 for herbs, teas, and natural healing.

Since we have full creative freedom to personalize the environment of our homes, we can choose to set the atmosphere of our lives.

When we want to feel healthier, we immediately want to think of hydration, food, and exercise. While I will never dispute these intrinsically important elements of health, I think it is important we search (our homes, work, behaviors, and habits) for areas that are subject to toxicity. Sometimes, we are just unsure about where to look.

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these small hacks can help detox your routine in a big way

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1. Eat foods we were designed to eat, which is not necessarily foods we want to eat.

2. Eat raw a couple of days a week or just skip meat a couple of days a week.

3. Feeling like you a need a body restart? Try a detox. We have created our own based off of current research, experience, and academia. We call it the “Combination Detox” and you can learn more here.

4. Try switching to green (matcha), black, white, yerba mate or oolong tea rather than coffee or energy beverages for cleaner feeling energy. Try switching to loose leaf or high-quality herbal teas instead of sodas, sugar-dense electrolyte drinks for a health boost (see our favorite local tea shops).

5. Move your body, every day. Doesn’t matter what time of day, or what sort activity, but get out there. Use Tahoe as an excuse to explore, hike, bike, and romp around. Even if you are local, there are still places out there you have never seen, go see them! Try stretching first or advance into some yoga classes. (yoga studios we love).

6. Try a new sport or hobby every month to stay active, learn something new, and challenge your body (and mind). There are plenty of places to rent mountain bikes, paddleboards, climbing gear, or try wakesufing, backpacking, camping, hiking, or biking.

7. Substitute chemical products with plant-based products, not only are they generally a lot more gentle for the air, surfaces, and your skin, but (depending on the source) they can come packed with benefits.

8. Turn off the TV and/or social media for a week, a month, a day even. This will give you more time to start a new hobby or complete the other things on this list!

9. Rather than spending time on the newest show on Netflix or taking personality quizzes on Facebook, listen to audiobooks and podcasts to get your knowledge growing (we have a list of them we think are pretty special

10. Integrate a morning routine, is it that you drink a glass of water or stretch as the first thing you do to greet your day? Or is it making a to-do list while sipping coffee? Whatever it is, you can find time for things you have been meaning to do, if you take some time to write out and organize your am/pm routines.