Essential oils can be a powerful addition to your kitchen. They add intense flavor to food while providing a range of health benefits.
Be sure to choose quality, distilled, food-grade oils. Also, do a patch test on your skin to check for any possible reactions. This is especially important when cooking with these highly concentrated oils.
Health Benefits
Essential oils can be used to add fragrance to a recipe, but they also have been touted as natural remedies for everything from headaches to colds. They’re made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant to extract its oils, which can be inhaled, added to a carrier oil for direct skin application or added to household products like cleaners and sanitizers.
Test-tube studies suggest that many of these oils, such as cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, linalool, limonene and myristicin, have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and innate immune response benefits, but more research in larger, human trials is needed to support those claims.
However, when used incorrectly, essential oils can be irritating or toxic, as well as cause allergic reactions. Choose pure oils with no extra ingredients and buy them from a reputable manufacturer. These oils are highly concentrated, so look for bottles that contain a tamper-proof seal and dark glass to prevent the oils from degrading or tainting over time.
Cooking with Essential Oils
Essential oils are most commonly associated with aromatherapy, perfumes, and cosmetics, but a growing number of people have begun to cook with them as well. When diluted correctly, essential oils can add flavor to both sweet and savory dishes, as well as boost the nutritional value of many common foods.
When cooking with essential oil, it’s important to remember that they are volatile and will evaporate quickly in high heat. It’s also best to add the essential oil at the end of a recipe, after the dish has been removed from heat.
Cooking with essential oils isn’t a new fad – it’s been used by many cultures for centuries. In addition to their culinary uses, essential oils can also offer a more convenient and economical alternative to fresh herbs and spices. Because they are so concentrated, you only need a small amount to achieve the same effect as a large quantity of whole or powdered herbs.
Safety Concerns
Although essential oils are natural, they’re not without safety concerns. Because the industry is unregulated, quality and purity vary widely, and many oils can be adulterated with lesser oils or chemicals that can cause unwanted reactions. It’s important to choose high-quality oils that have been rigorously tested.
It’s also crucial to educate yourself about proper usage, dilution and storage. Children should never be allowed to handle or ingest the oils, and pregnant women should talk with their doctors before using them. And, as with any product, it’s essential to follow all manufacturer guidelines for use and storage.
When in doubt, avoid applying the oils to the eyes or ears, and don’t expose the skin to sunlight within an hour of oil application. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep the oils out of reach of pets and young children, as they can’t tolerate the same dosages as adults. This will help to prevent accidental ingestion, which can be dangerous.
Recipes
Whether used in a diffuser, mixed into a carrier oil for direct application on the skin or added to household products, essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that can have positive physiological effects. The aromas of these volatile liquids can stimulate areas of the brain that control behavior, emotions, smell and long-term memory, and may help to relieve anxiety and stress.
The scent of citrus fruits can instantly brighten a room, while lavender’s antiseptic and relaxation properties promote restful sleep. This easy-to-make recipe blends these two ingredients for a soothing room spray.
This aromatic mixture can be used in a diffuser to promote relaxation, reduce inflammation and improve sleep quality. These oils contain sesquiterpenes, which have been shown to have antidepressant and sedative properties, as well as thymol, which is a powerful germicidal agent. The combination also contains eucalyptus oil, which has been shown to aid in respiratory function. This oil helps support the immune system and maintain clear breathing during seasonal allergies.
