Essential oils : your questions answered

Summary: Many people use essential oils regularly yet know very little about them. What exactly makes them “essential”? Can they really be used to treat ailments like infections, fevers, and sore throats? Is it safe to ingest them or use them around children and pets? How can you tell if a company selling essential oils is offering a low-quality product or engaging in shady business practices? This book answers these and many more questions about these popular yet often poorly understood products.Books in Greenwood’s Q&A Health Guides series follow a reader-friendly question-and-answer format that anticipates readers’ needs and concerns. Prevalent myths and misconceptions are identified and dispelled, and a collection of case studies illustrate key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. Each book also includes a section on health literacy, equipping teens and young adults with practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the internet—important skills that contribute to a lifetime of healthy decision-making.

Record details

ISBN: 9781440877841
ISBN: 144087784X
ISBN: 9781440877858
Physical Description: print
xxvii, 125 pages ; 25 cm.
Publisher: Santa Barbara, California : Greenwood, [2022]

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Series Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Guide to Health Literacy -- Common Misconceptions about Essential Oils -- Questions and Answers -- The Basics -- 1. What are essential oils? -- 2. What makes the oils "essential"? -- 3. Are essential oils 100 percent natural? -- 4. How are essential oils obtained from plants? -- 5. How are essential oils regulated in the United States? -- 6. Historically, how were essential oils (or plant-based scents) used? -- 7. Who uses essential oils today, and how common is essential oil usage in the United States and around the world? -- 8. How are essential oils used in religious practice? -- Uses and Benefits of Essential Oils -- 9. What does scientific research tell us about essential oils? -- 10. How is the research limited in what it can tell us about essential oils and their possible benefits? -- 11. Do essential oils have medicinal properties? -- 12. Should I believe claims that essential oils can cure diseases? -- 13. Should I use essential oils instead of prescribed medications? -- 14. What is an antimicrobial essential oil, and which essential oils have this property? -- 15. What is an antibacterial essential oil, and which essential oils have this property? -- 16. What is an antifungal essential oil, and which essential oils have this property? -- 17. What is an antioxidant essential oil, and which essential oils have this property? -- 18. What is an astringent essential oil, and which essential oils have this property? -- 19. What is a febrifuge essential oil, and which essential oils have this property? -- 20. Which essential oils are good for wound care? -- 21. What is a cephalic essential oil, and which essential oils have this property? -- 22. What other properties are attributed to essential oils, and is there science to back up these claims? -- Buying Essential Oils -- 23. How are essential oils sold? -- 24. What is a "therapeutic grade" or a "food grade" essential oil? -- 25. What is a multilevel marketing company, and should I buy essential oils from one? -- 26. How do I know if the essential oil I'm buying is 100 percent pure? -- 27. How do I know if an essential oil is organic? -- 28. What are essential oil blends, and are they more effective than single oils? -- 29. Why are some essential oils very expensive, while others are lower cost? -- 30. How is the marketing of essential oils changing, and what will this mean for consumers? -- Home Use -- 31. What are carrier oils, and why should I use them? -- 32. What are the different ways that essential oils can be used at home, and are certain methods better than others? -- 33. Can essential oils be taken internally? -- 34. What is the best way to store essential oils, and can they go bad or lose their potency? -- 35. What precautions should people take when using essential oils? -- 36. How long does it take for an essential oil to work? -- Essential Oils in Everyday Products -- 37. How are essential oils used in food? -- 38. How are essential oils used in cosmetics? -- 39. How are essential oils used in scented products like air fresheners? -- 40. How are essential oils used in skin care products? -- 41. How are essential oils used in hair care products? -- 42. How are essential oils used in medicine? -- 43. What new uses for essential oils are on the horizon? -- Potential Hazards and Side Effects -- 44. Are some essential oils toxic? -- 45. How can essential oils affect hormones? -- 46. Can essential oils be used with children? -- 47. Can essential oils be used with pets? -- 48. What should pregnant women know about using essential oils? -- 49. Can people be allergic to essential oils? -- 50. How much usage of an essential oil is too much? -- Case Studies -- Glossary -- Directory of Resources -- Index.