You’ve probably already used essential oils for multiple reasons: aromatherapy, cosmetics, and even to help you sleep. But we bet many of you have never thought to use them in the kitchen. While that may seem like a crazy idea, the reality is that there is a whole world of incredible flavors just waiting for you if you’re willing to try. So, here is what you need to know about using essential oils in the kitchen.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the extracts from plants that we get through distilling or pressing. Different essential oils have different effects on the body and have different scents too if you’re using them for aromatherapy, etc.
Can You Consume Essential Oils? Are They Safe?
Giving a straight answer to these questions is a little more difficult because the answer is really ‘it depends’.
There are certainly some that are safe to consume, and the FDA even has a list available here, which will take you through a ton of different products. Look out for the acronyms ESO (essential oils) CPTG and GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and you should be fine to use them in the kitchen.
The FDA also insists that essential oils that are safe for consumption should use different labels than those that are not safe, so keep an eye out for that from the essential oil brand you use.
Health Benefits Of Essential Oils
There are plenty of health benefits that essential oil brands are already recognizing and making clear to their customers. We couldn’t possibly list every benefit, but below are some benefits that most brands agree on when using essential oils for internal use:
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They support immune system function
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You get more antioxidants
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They help with better digestion
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They support cardiovascular and respiratory systems
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Help calm the nervous system
What Are Essential Oils Used For In Food And Beverages?
There’s plenty of use for essential oils in food and beverages, but just like their health benefits, we may use different essential oils for different things. The main two reasons are for preservation (essential oils have been proven to extend the shelf life of products) and to add flavor (those that are safe for consumption obviously have different flavors).
What Are Some Examples Of Recipes/Drinks That Use Essential Oils?
There are many exciting food and beverage recipes that include essential oils, here are some of my favorites:
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Chai latte
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Ginger cookies
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Cupcakes
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Tea
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Lemonade
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Guacamole
So long as the essential oils you’ve picked up are marked as being safe for consumption by the FDA, then you can experiment and use them in lots of different recipes to find what works for you.
Summary
Essential oils are not just for relaxation during aromatherapy, or for great looking skin in beauty products. So long as you’re confident that the oil is safe to consume, then you should start using them in recipes and drinks to get some of the amazing health benefits we’ve already listed throughout this article. Be sensible, double-check the FDA agree they are safe, and then have fun experimenting with flavors and health benefits until you find something that works for you!