Recently, it seems essential oils have become some sort of a new fad, and everyone knows at least someone who is trying to sell them to everyone they know. Although it may feel like a new fad, the use of essential oils for their health benefits has been around for ages, and isn’t just some recent trend. While I am all for more people implementing the use of essential oils into their lives, it is important that people are truly educated on how to properly use them and research the quality of the oils.
I personally DO NOT feel comfortable with any company that claims they have created their own, more stringent, better version of quality checks, and that’s why they don’t have other stamps of quality control on their products. Purchasing quality organic essential oils is important, and I wouldn’t trust just any random bottle from an unknown random source. There is a wide range in how essential oils are made, where they are sourced, chemicals used to extract them, and carrier oils or water or alcohol added to the mix. You should try to find USDA Certified Organic Pure Essential Oils, whenever possible.
My favorite company for purchasing essential oils and herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs. They have been in business for quite some time, and their business practices appear to be mindful, ecofriendly, and their products are very high quality. When my mother opened her Holistic Health Center over 15 years ago, she did extensive research before deciding to use Mountain Rose Herbs as our go to vendor for all things oils and herbs. We used them in our massage and bodywork treatments, and we created custom blends of body, hair, and skincare products using their products for our ingredients.
Another brand I tend to use is the organic options offered by NOW, and I either buy them at my local Co Op or on Amazon. One of my favorite products I’ve purchased from the NOW brand is an all organic mini set of some of my favorites, and a couple of the favorite essential oils recommended later in this post (find the affordable set containing 4 quality organic essential oils at this link https://amzn.to/3K25oNN).
Joyful Roots
I also have a local friend named Kimberly Kling, who I happened to meet initially as one of the members of a breastfeeding/early parenting support group when my daughter was a newborn. Her entire vibe and energy instantly attracted me to her as a new friend and a support system for me as a new mom. After a few years, I eventually learned she had developed a strong passion for all things related to herbs and essential oils. As she explains it, she had a health crisis that led her to find healing through herbs, and eventually was introduced to the magic of essential oils, as well.
Kim now grows her own herbs, has a vegetable garden, and makes essential oils, tinctures, body oils, body sprays, etc, with ingredients from her own backyard. She sells them from her website https://www.joyfulroots.com/, and at our local Farmers Market and Co Op. You should absolutely check out her website to see if any of her products interest you (if you decide to make a purchase, make sure to enter my discount code MINDFUL to get 10% off your order), or check out her blog posts or newsletter to learn even more about the magic of herbs and essential oils from a person who truly cares and has deeply studied the topic. She suggests starting here http://www.joyfulroots.com/plantmagic/ to learn more about the magic of plants and seasonal living.
While I have learned a bit about essential oils while attending massage school and aesthetics school, as well as doing quite a bit of my own research over the years, I decided to go to a true subject matter expert with a passion for this topic to get her top recommendations for introducing high performing oils and herbs into our daily lives. I interviewed Kim, an Herbalist with a Master’s in Landscape Architecture. She is the “creatrix” behind Joyful Roots, I call her my herb and oil guru, and an excellent resource to get us some insider recommendations from an abundantly trusted source.
Top 3 Favorite Essential Oils & Why
- Lavender: It is such a commonly used and known scent/oil for a reason. The majority of people find the aroma quite appealing, plus it has several benefits when used properly. It’s best known for its relaxing qualities, and is an excellent option for using right before bed as a natural sleep aid. Kim also pointed out it has skin soothing, healing, and antibacterial properties, and mentioned that, “it is often used in skincare products because it soothes the nervous system, smoothes fine lines, and calms irritated skin”. https://amzn.to/3LBpnDI
- Sweet Orange: It is best known as an uplifting, citrus aroma. As Kim mentioned, smelling this oil can offer you an “instant pick-me-up” and leave you feeling “more cheerful”. However, it also has been reported to have a calming effect on the nervous system, and “can be diffused in the air to brighten a stale room”. Kim suggested using it in a diffuser as an easy option for introducing it into your daily routine. https://amzn.to/3IXoJ1t
- Tea Tree Oil: Is another commonly used essential oil, and my mother who has been working in the wellness industry for over 40 years is also a big believer in it’s many healing qualities and benefits. There have been many studies confirming the beneficial properties found in this particular essential oil. Kim explained, “it is antifungal and antimicrobial, benefitting skin, hair, and nails, and is excellent at cleansing and can neutralize unwanted odors”. It can be found as an ingredient in many hair and skincare products, and can be used to make your own products at home. Just remember this is considered a “hot” oil, meaning it’s very potent and can irritate and burn the skin if not properly diluted. Always add it to a quality carrier oil, prior to applying it, I tend to use organic coconut oil. https://amzn.to/3DxImME For a product that contains all 3 of these essential oils follow this link provided by Joyful Roots https://www.joyfulroots.com/product/kids-germ-zapper-aromatherapy-roll-on/.
Top 3 Favorite Herbs & Why
Kim explains her reason for choosing the three herbs that she shared with me by stating how they, “are relatively accessible in commerce or easy to grow, and…gentle enough for most people to use”. However, she points out that “it is important to do your own research and also talk to any healthcare providers you may have, especially if you are pregnant or on medications” prior to adding any new herbs to your routine. Always remember to “listen to your body and what it needs, and also find information from multiple sources, including your own experiences and intuition”.
- Echinacea: Is a relatively well-known, common herb used for centuries for its many health benefits. I always start drinking a ton of organic echinacea tea the minute I start to feel under the weather. Kim shared that echinacea “has been traditionally used to help with common colds, snakebites, toothache (numbing action), burns, venereal diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and even rabies… and is also traditionally used in sweat lodges to help endure the extreme temperatures”. Due to its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, immunomodulating, alterative, and analgesic abilities, it is an excellent option to use for supporting the immune system, and even to use topically for burns and insect bites. Kim urges anyone purchasing echinacea “to buy cultivated herb only, as it is an at-risk plant in the wild”. However, it is generally pretty easy to grow your own, and all parts of the plant can be used. “The most common preparations are infusions (teas), decoctions (simmering roots and woody parts), tinctures, or powders”, Kim explained. https://amzn.to/371yM8q
- Thyme: Is an effective, yet gentle herb, and is easy to grow in a variety of climates. It is well-known for its antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and it helps protect against infections. In fact, Kim shared how “the active constituents of thyme, Thymol, is used in disinfecting products such as hand sanitizer, acne medication, and mouthwash”. You should be sure to dilute the essential oil version of thyme prior to applying it topically. Kim warns that “it may stimulate the uterus, do not use this herb in therapeutic doses when pregnant”. Some common uses for this herb include applying it topically, in infusions, tinctures, and burned to create smoke. You can find Thyme as one of the ingredients listed in Vital Breath made by Joyful Roots https://www.joyfulroots.com/product/vital-breath-respiratory-support-herbal-tea/ or follow this link on Amazon for another option https://amzn.to/3LwWb0n
- Ginger: Is another commonly known and used herb, especially in cooking and beverages. It is considered a warming herb. Ginger helps “stimulate circulation and promotes energy movement throughout the body. This action can aid digestion, circulation, immune health, and the reproductive system”. Drinking ginger tea can not only help warm you up when feeling chilled, but it also helps induce sweating and can be beneficial to cool your body down when you have a fever. Ginger is antiviral, and is also probably most known for it’s ability to sooth an upset stomach, nausea, and motion sickness. Kim warns, “do not use more than 2 grams of ginger a day if you are pregnant. Ginger may interact with certain medications like warfarin, and medications for diabetes and high blood pressure, and may increase risk of bleeding if taken in high doses”. Ginger can be ingested as a food or beverage, made into a tincture, infusion, or decoction. I personally have used it mostly as a tea, drinking ginger ale when under the weather, or as an ingredient when eating sushi or cooking Asian inspired dishes. Here is a link for an organic tea I like to use https://amzn.to/3NHZBPG and a link to a supplement I found beneficial that includes ginger, turmeric, and black pepper that all work in harmony to be more effective https://amzn.to/3LDFY9X
Advice For Making Herbs & Essential Oils a Simple Addition to Your Daily Life
“Most herbs are very safe to use, so pick something you know does not have any contraindications for you and commit to a daily practice of working with this herb for at least two weeks. You can create a practice around ingesting the herb, perhaps by drinking a tea, rubbing on an essential oil, using a flower essence of the plant, or simply sitting with the plant itself. It’s helpful to keep a journal during this time to write down things you are experiencing in your daily life while working with this herb… Keep track of the things that surface each day and after two weeks you will notice you have gotten to know this herb on a new level. You will probably also notice more confidence around working with herbs in general, especially after doing this practice with several herbs.”
“You are your own best healer. Nobody and no thing has the sole power to heal you, but they can give you the tools or open channels of healing so that you and your body, mind, and soul can heal itself. Our bodies want to heal. It’s what they are designed to do and as long as we work with the life force of nature and remove any barriers to healing, the possibilities are vast. I believe that each of us already have what we need inside of us, although we can call upon herbs, tools, and guides to bring forth the healing that exists within. It is incredibly empowering to know that the living world around you is filled with allies ready to support you, it’s just a matter of tuning in”.
Author: Kimberly Kling, Herbalist & Owner of Joyful Roots
Final Thoughts
I have experienced the amazing benefits of including organic essential oils and herbs into my daily life, and feel good choosing gifts from nature to naturally heal and improve my quality of life. I hope you found some great tips for introducing some of these beneficial gifts from Earth into your mindful lifestyle. Please feel free to comment, and share your experiences with using any of the essential oils or herbs mentioned here, or even mention one that wasn’t listed that you love and share why you love it. We appreciate learning more everyday, and look forward to hearing from all of you. xoxo
There’s definately a great deal to learn about this issue.
I really like all of the points you have made.