When people hear ‘essential oils’, they mostly think of aromatherapy, but these powerful tools have other uses, too. Skillful manipulation of essential oils for medicinal and cooking dates back thousands of years. Did you know that clary sage helps with hormonal shifts, peppermint oil increases immunity, and lemon can be used as an energizer in your daily life?
Knowing which essential oils are right for you can be overwhelming when you first begin, but don’t let that stop you from delving into these earthy ingredients! Essential oils are particularly important for people who are looking to aid their personal wellness journey in a natural and safe way.
When cooking with essential oils, there are two things to remember: dilute and delay.
Say what? Let’s break it down like this:
Dilute
Essential oils are a highly concentrated substance and very powerful on their own. Depending on how you use them, they will need to be diluted with water (for diffusing), base oils (for cooking or massage), or into another liquid or cuisine when ingesting. As a guideline, a drop of essential oil replaces a teaspoon of powder. You should not require more than 1-2 drops of oil per recipe.
Delay
Something to note is that essential oils will lose their benefits when they are exposed to high heat. Because they are a liquid, they can also evaporate. Therefore, it is best, when cooking with essential oils, to wait until the end of the recipe (when heating) to add the drops.
Say It With Me: Not All EO’s Are Created Equally
Not all essential oils you find in stores are the highest and safest quality. Look on the label to see it it is Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG). Many oils you will see on the shelves are not organic and contain fillers in order to keep them at a certain price point. While it is not necessary to buy the most expensive brand on the shelf, it is important to make sure you get a good oil if you plan to ingest it. You might think pure essential oils are pricey upon initial purchase, but remember, they have a longer shelf life than plants and powders so they are more economical in the long run.
Now that you have the basics down, here’s a list of essential oils you need in your pantry pronto.
Anise *Note: anise has a strong licorice flavor and is not to be used daily.
Benefit: Aids digestion.
Try it in: cookies, marinades, soups, and ethnic recipes.
Cardamom
Benefit: Strong antioxidant that has digestive benefits and aids in nausea relief.
Try it in: desserts.
Citrus
Benefit: Helps boost energy levels and is said to aid in weight loss.
Try it in: beverages, salad dressings, and dips.
Cilantro
Benefit: Antioxidant with digestive benefits.
Try it in: salad dressings, salsa, dips, and seafood cuisines.
Coriander
Benefit: Antioxidant with digestive benefits.
Try it in: sauces and vegetables.
Ginger
Benefit: Anti-inflammatory digestive aid that helps protect the stomach and nausea.
Try it in: marinades, sauces, drinks, and desserts.
Lavender
Benefit: Digestive aid and antiviral.
Try it in: desserts, beverages, and breads.
Peppermint
Benefit: Aides respiratory and digestive problems.
Try it in: desserts and beverages.
Thyme
Benefit: Immune stimulant that helps fight illnesses
Try it in: meats, soups, and stews.
To learn more about essential oils, and how to incorporate them into your daily life, contact us today!