Essential Oils 101 – Poosh

Ahead of the launch of the Saje x Poosh Diffuser Kit this Monday (set your alarm for 9am PST), we wanted to take a deep dive into the benefits of using essential oils. Trevor Ellestad, Saje’s resident aromatherapist and educator, is here to share everything you need to know about incorporating aromatic extracts into your daily life. Read on to find out how to use them properly, what they can do for your mind and body, and why they work.

“Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts produced naturally by plants. These highly volatile compounds are found in flowers, leaves, resins, roots and other plant materials and are distilled or pressed to extract the essential oil. Essential oils help plants survive and grow and have therapeutic benefits for humans. Essential oils affect our mind, body and spirit in ways that go far beyond their chemical properties.”

“Typically, our essential oils and diffuser blends are designed to be diffused into the air using a Saje diffuser. Each bottle of oil blend has detailed instructions on how to use it properly. We recommend diffusing essential oils throughout your home by adding 10-15 drops to an ultrasonic diffuser, ceramic, or scent ball. Adjust the amount of oil you drop into your diffuser depending on your preference for the strength of the oil’s potency. If you are applying essential oils topically or in a bath, you should always dilute them with a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil or jojoba oil. Always use 100% essential oils in ultrasonic diffusers. Using a carrier oil to dilute essential oils may damage your diffuser.”

“Neither the US FDA nor Health Canada recommends ingesting essential oils, and neither do we. Our essential oils and essential oil blends are intended to be taken internally by anyone. While essential oils are believed to be beneficial for humans, you should personally research the ingredients in any oil before diffusing it around babies or pets.”

“Relieves pain: With recent studies showing that chronic pain is an issue for 20% of the world’s population, with a further 10% newly diagnosed each year, plant healing is becoming increasingly trusted by users and scientifically proven. Essential oils can also aid in recovery and pain relief as a soothing supplement to your daily life.

Sleep and relaxation: Essential oils can help you sleep better and relieve stress. Here are some common relaxing essential oils and what they do for you.
• Jasmine: relieves tension and has a relaxing effect
• Orange: Calms and balances the body
• Chamomile: Reduces restlessness and promotes sleep
• Valerian: Calming and soothing
• Vetiver: Relaxing and calming

Feeling better: While there’s no cure for the common cold, essential oils can help ease the symptoms. Our Fortify blends are designed to help relieve the harsh coughs and stuffy nose that come with the common cold. The oils in Fortify products are formulated with the opening and purifying properties of menthol, while tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils provide a fresh, clean feeling.

Relax and recover: Featuring the scents of lavender, sage, chamomile and marjoram, our Tranquility or Stress Release essential oil blend creates a calming atmosphere and encourages restful thoughts during a busy day – perfect for bedtime or any time you need a little extra rest.

Other uses: Aside from the aforementioned oil blends that can help ease pain and cold symptoms, there are a few other ways that essential oils can support your health. If you’re feeling under the weather, try lemon or basil-based essential oils to boost your energy. Similarly, fennel and juniper berry are great oils for rejuvenation. Essential oils containing geranium and clary sage can also have a balancing effect.”

“Ultrasonic diffusers use ultrasonically vibrating discs to break down essential oils and water into negative ions, producing a fine, cool mist. Electronically generated negative ions are similar to those found in nature, such as surrounding waterfalls or crashing waves. Diffusers allow you to freshen the air without the use of synthetic fragrances.”

Using essential oils in a diffuser not only allows you to customize the scent of your environment, but also provides the benefits of essential oils that are known to support wellness (stress relief, relaxation, energy, etc.) To experience the maximum benefits, place your diffuser in a location closest to where you are (e.g., your bedside table, desk, etc.).

“Just like plants, essential oils can be used to support and maintain health. They are useful tools to influence mood and access memories and emotions, and can trigger physiological and emotional changes that impact health. They work by creating a sort of domino effect, starting with inhaling aromatic molecules through the nose. These molecules bind to olfactory receptors and trigger chemical reactions that act as signals sent to the brain, which then trigger a cascade of physical and mental changes throughout the body.”

Physically, there is a lot of scientific evidence supporting the use of essential oils: for example, the use of lavender to treat burns dates back to 1910. It was also around this time that lavender was traditionally used for a variety of procedures, especially childbirth, due to its calming and pain-relieving properties for the mother.

Essential oils work synergistically when combined together to intensify and transform the end result you experience. Essential oils are natural agents and represent the complex relationships found in the natural world. Essential oils are more than just chemicals; they represent the complexity of life itself, which cannot be explained by chemistry alone.

“Plant-based medicines have been proven to help the body heal itself, which is why many of Saje’s essential oil blends are approved as natural health products in Canada and registered as OTC products in the United States. This means you can be confident in choosing a 100% natural option to address many common health concerns.”

Mark your calendars for the Saje x Poosh Diffuser Kit, which launches on September 30th at 9am PST.