Written by Armindah Meeuwisse

The use of essential oils is an ancient practice within human history. From Egyptian hieroglyphs to Chinese manuscripts, the use of these powerful essences for their beautifying and healing properties can be traced back thousands of years. So, despite the seemingly recent essential oil craze, it really has been around for ages. And with good reason!

Essential Oils: Origin

Essential oils are found in different parts of plants, such as flowers, stems, roots, and seeds. Their job is to protect the plants against environmental threats (which is the same stunning protection they give us when used with care and respect).

When grown in optimal soil, temperature and climate, and distilled with purity, potency and efficacy in mind these oils are incredibly powerful. Which is why it’s also incredibly important to know exactly where your oils are from and how they’re sourced. Often times those that are not certified pure can contain fillers or other elements which dilute and diminish the healthful qualities of the oils.

Essential Oils: Use

Essential oils give us the opportunity to be pro-active about our health and well-being, they provide holistic and empowering options when it comes to taking care of our physical and emotional health. As powerful and potent gifts of nature when we implement these oils into our lives we are really addressing 80% of our health goals and priorities in a natural way.

There are 3 ways to use essential oils, from single oils to beautiful complex blends:

Aromatically; diffused or inhaled. 

Diffusing essential oils can purify the air, get rid of unwanted odor as well as support emotional health. Some oils being uplifting while others being calming. I always have a diffuser running in my house, and I can no longer be without it. Whether I need a boost of energy with Wild orange and Cypress to get some work done, or Lavender and Balance (grounding blend) before bed. This is the most acute response as the molecules of the oils are carried straight through he nasal passages to the receptors in the brain that are responsible for our emotions.

Topically; massage or topical therapy.

Essential oils are easily absorbed in to the skin, which is of course the largest organ of the body. Diluted, you can use oils in skin care (I love adding lavender, geranium and frankincense to my face cream) you can treat burns, cuts, scrapes and irritations. Applying oils to the bottom of your feet will help them be absorbed almost instantly. For instance, applying OnGuard (protective blend) to the bottoms of your feet for immune support.

Internally; recipes, drinks or veggie caps. 

Great way to support a variety of health goals. Though this method is a highly debated one, I can only speak from my own experience of course, and using this method (always responsibly and conservatively) has supported me greatly. I love adding grapefruit to my glass bottle of water (always glass, the compounds of the oils when used in plastic can actually cause the toxicity of the plastic to seep into your water, and thus into your system… we don’t want that), lemon in warm water in the morning, or peppermint on my tongue for a natural and refreshing boost.

When used responsibly and respectfully, these oils are a stunning support to your lifestyle and daily habits. As you can probably tell by all the ways in which you can use them it’s incredibly important to know exactly where the oils are from and what’s in them before breathing them in, putting them on your skin or ingesting them. Which is why brand, company and transparency matter greatly.

An Oil Infused Lifestyle

I have been able to beautifully overhaul everything in my home, from the way I clean my house (yes, you can even keep your home clean the natural way with essential oils!) to the way I take care of my physical and emotional well-being. It’s incredibly liberating to be able to empower myself in this way, which is why I have made it part of my mission to empower others to do the same for themselves.

It would be an honor to serve you, and a joy to help in any way I can. Please feel absolutely free to reach out with any questions info@armindah.com or check out my website armindah.com.

Want to get your hands on these gorgeous gifts of nature? Check out your options HERE!

 About Armindah

Armindah Meeuwisse is a yoga teacher, who lives and works in Amsterdam. She grew up on the Island of Aruba. An Islandgirl at heart, she loves sharing her passion for nature, peace and living a healthy, balanced life. Check out her website for inspiring blogposts and her yoga schedule. If you live in the Amsterdam area you can practice yoga with Armindah at Sukha Yoga, Equal Yoga oost and Hot Flow Yoga in the Jordaan. Or sign up for one of her workshops, where yoga, essential oils and nurturing the body and soil all come together. You can also find Armindah on Instagram. She will share some of her knowledge and passion with us, in a series of blogposts, for Columns by Kari.

Photo by Moon Jansen fotografie