Essential Oils 101: A Beginner's Guide
Essential oils have become a staple for people looking for holistic paths to wellbeing. At Yougi we work with pure plant oils and nothing else, so it is worth understanding what they are, what they do, and how to use them safely. Here is a beginner's guide to the world of essential oils.
What are essential oils?
At their core, essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds extracted from plants. They capture the essence of the plant, preserving its aroma and its therapeutic properties. From calming lavender to invigorating peppermint, each oil has its own character and its own benefits.
The Yougi difference
- Purity: no adulterants and no synthetic fragrances, just 100% pure essential oil.
- Sustainable sourcing: each drop is ethically sourced, protecting both the environment and the plant species.
- Expert distillation: the extraction process is refined to capture the most potent and therapeutic essence of each plant.
You can find the single oils we work with in our collection of pure essential oils.
Therapeutic benefits
Essential oils are not merely fragrances. Used with intention, they support how you feel:
- Uplift mood: citrus oils like lemon and bergamot are known for their mood-enhancing properties. Our Happy candle is built around exactly this kind of brightness.
- Promote relaxation: lavender and chamomile soothe the senses and help you rest. The Soothe candle is the one to reach for at the end of a long day.
- Boost energy: oils like peppermint and eucalyptus refresh and clear the mind.
Ways to use essential oils
- Diffusers: a popular method where oils are dispersed into the air, filling the room with their aromatic properties. Our reed diffusers do this continuously, with no flame and no electricity.
- Topical application: diluted with a carrier oil, essential oils can be applied to the skin for targeted benefits.
- Bath and body: a few drops in the bath turn an ordinary soak into something restorative.
Safety first
Essential oils are natural, but they are potent. It is important to:
- Always dilute before topical application.
- Keep them away from children.
- Consult a professional, or patch test, if you are prone to allergies.
A community of wellness
Beyond the products, Yougi is a place to learn. Our workshops in the London studio walk you through blending oils by hand, so you understand why a scent works rather than simply enjoying that it does.
Essential oils bring together old plant knowledge and what we understand today about scent and the body. If you want to know exactly what goes into a Yougi blend, every oil we use is listed in the Oil Library.
