Are you also passionate about essential oils ?
So many diferents way to use them
I was introduced to them several times during my studies, learning about their benefits. However, my true passion for them began when I started working with 'AVEDA' 12 years ago and received a deep training about Ayurveda (Indian medicine) from an amazing woman in Barcelona, Melanie Clark, who is fondly referred to as 'The Queen of Essential Oils.'
There is something key to understand about essential oils.
Just because I love orange essential oil and find it amazing doesn't mean you'll have the same reaction.
Scents are deeply linked to memories and emotions. If a particular smell reminds you of something unpleasant or uncomfortable, you won't be able to enjoy its benefits, and that's perfectly fine! Always trust your instincts when choosing essential oils.
Essential oils can help contribute to a healthy lifestyle, create an optimal environment for sleep, beautify the skin and hair, create a soothing massage, repel insects naturally, cleanse surfaces around the home, and more. Cooking, eating, and drinking are such intrinsic parts of everyday life, so it should be no surprise that essential oils are effective in cooking
In Ayurveda (Indian medicine), individuals are classified into different Doshas (types), and each Dosha is associated with specific essential oils.
You will probably get tired of me about this topic ahaha
I decided to add this content with Nutrition but if you are more interested about theirs use in Beauty this one talk about " How to prepare a personalised body oil to sleep"
By the way do you know your DOSHA ? Will do a full article about Ayurveda medicine soon.
But some examples of the Doshas and theirs essentials oils.
Essential Oils for Vata
The qualities of vata dosha are cold, dry, rough, mobile or changing and irregular. To balance this, choose oils that are earthy or grounding, warming, calming and sweet.
For a carrier oil choose sesame or almond oil.
Earthy: cinnamon, fennel seed, ginger
Bright + Warming: orange or citrus
Calming + Sweet: lavender, ylang ylang, vanilla.
Essential Oils for Pitta
The qualities of pitta dosha are hot, sharp, light, quick and a little oily. To balance, choose oils that are calming, cooling, flowery & sweet.
Pittas may have sensitive skin so choose a light carrier oil like coconut or sunflower
Calming + Cooling: lavender, peppermint, vetiver, sandalwood
Flowery + Sweet: rose, jasmine, honeysuckle or any floral
Essential Oils for Kapha
The qualities of kapha are cool, slow, grounded, heavy, cloudy, oily. To balance this, choose oils that are warming, stimulating, uplifting, strong or pungent.
Choose a light neutral oil for a carrier such as flaxseed, sunflower, or mustard oil.
Stimulating + Uplifting: grapefruit, bergamot, rosemary, sage
Strong: black pepper, cedar or pine, eucalyptus, camphor, musk, patchouli
Now, how to use it with food and why ?
Cooking methods often depend on diet and personal preferences, but anyone can enjoy the benefits of cooking with essential oils. Not only will they give any meal a powerful flavor, but essential oils also allow you to enjoy any internal health benefits they may provide. Plus, they offer a safe, natural way to flavor your food and are convenient when fresh ingredients aren’t available.
To do it safely, stick to essential oils that have been generally recognized as safe for culinary purposes by the FDA ( food grade ) limit yourself to one or drops.
I buy mine in Amazon.
Never ingest essential oils in their pure form.Not All Essential Oils Are Internally Safe while many essential oils can be enjoyed internally, not all of them are approved for this kind of use. Because of their chemical makeup, some essential oils should never be added to food or used internally in any amount. Always check labels and instructions to ensure the essential oil is meant for internal use
- They Offer Added Flavor
Essential oils are naturally potent and powerful because they’re highly concentrated and taken directly from natural sources. The purity and potency of essential oils make them perfect for adding flavor to any dish. Because they’re so powerful, it doesn’t take much to add an extra kick of flavor to your favorite entrées, beverages, meats, desserts, and more. - They Provide Internal Benefits
Frequently used for their internal benefits, essential oils provide a straightforward way to promote wellness in the body.* Depending on the product, you can use essential oils to promote healthy digestion, cleanse the body, support healthy function of bodily systems, and provide the body with antioxidants, among other internal benefits.* When you add an essential oil to your food or drink, not only will you experience its powerful flavours, but you can also enjoy any internal benefits it has to offer.
Cooking with heat can evaporate essential oils, so Add the essential oil at the end of the recipe or after the dish has had time to cool, if possible
Is Cooking with Essential Oils Safe?
While some people are skeptical about consuming essential oils, the practice has been around for centuries and isn’t a new fad. The key to proper use is following safety guidelines. Like anything you put in your body, essential oils only present risks when used improperly or disproportionally.
Cooking with essential oils is so convenient because it takes far less of an essential oil to flavor your food than you’d need if you were using dry seasonings, spices, or flavoring agents. Because essential oils are so potent, even the tiniest amount can add serious flavor to your dish. Even a single drop of an essential oil can be overpowering, especially if it’s particularly strong.
Essential Oil Flavor Guide
Citruses: Citrus oils add a refreshing touch to beverages, baked goods, and dips. They replace zest in recipes and come from fruit peels, not juice. Essential oils like Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, and Wild Orange offer bright and tangy flavors.
Spices: Spicy oils like Black Pepper, Ginger, Fennel, and Cinnamon Bark enhance dishes. Use them sparingly due to their potency. They work wonders in enhancing natural flavors, meat marinades, and sweet and savory recipes.
Herbs: Essential oils such as Basil, Cilantro, Oregano, and Rosemary can substitute for fresh or dry herbs. They're perfect for Italian dishes, soups, and marinades. Be cautious as they are intense; use the toothpick method to avoid overpowering your dish.
Florals: While primarily used in beauty products, Lavender and Geranium oils can add a subtle floral twist to desserts and teas. They balance citrus flavors and are incredibly potent, so use them sparingly.
Mints: Peppermint and Spearmint oils add a cool, refreshing element to desserts, beverages, and certain meats. They have a strong flavor, so use a toothpick to control the intensity. Enjoy their minty, refreshing taste in your recipes
Some receipe
Water
Adding essential oils ( agrume zest, full fruit cut ) to beverages is one of the easiest ways to enjoy their potent, refreshing flavors. But please you need to use 100% organic agrumes if you want to do it otherwise you will diffuse also all the pesticides on your beverage
Enhance Your Culinary Creations with Essential Oils
Salads: Elevate any salad by adding a refreshing twist with essential oils. Whether it's a green salad, chicken, pasta, quinoa, or potato salad, a drop of essential oil can transform it. For homemade dressings, blend olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey Dijon mustard, Himalayan salt, and a toothpick of Basil essential oil. Toss with your salad and serve immediately, for a milder flavor, add oils just before serving.
Marinades: Essential oils like Basil, Black Pepper, Ginger, Lemon, and more can enhance marinades for meats, seafood, and vegetables. Start with one drop, adjusting to taste, considering marinating time and liquid quantity. Experiment with oils like Cilantro, Oregano, or Rosemary for exciting new flavors in your dishes.
The following essential oil infused marinades work well with chicken, fish, beef, pork, shrimp, vegetables, and more.
• Basil • Black Pepper • Cardamom • Cilantro • Cumin • Fennel • Ginger • Lemon • Lime • Marjoram • Oregano • Rosemary
