Oil Origins: Honorable Herbs

It’s finally ‘thyme’ to introduce you to the doTERRA herb essential oils. Discover for yourself what makes each one unique as we honour them all individually in a single post. By the end, you’ll know that this group of herbaceous oils are absolutely ‘mint’ to be added to your essential oils collection.

What Are Herb Essential Oils?

This bunch of essential oils come from the leaves and sometimes the flowers of some of the best-known herb plants in the world. Each of the parent plants goes through the extraction process of steam distillation, where a combination of heated steam and gentle pressure is used to produce these highly aromatic essential oils.

Say hello to the herbs: Basil oil, Cilantro oil, Marjoram oil, Oregano oil, Rosemary oil, and Thyme oil. Each one can enhance your favourite recipes with their delicious herbal flavour, but while their sources are alike, each herb essential oil offers its own distinct aroma and remarkable uses and benefits. Read on to learn how you can delight in the versatility of these honourable herb essential oils every day. 

Basil Oil

The basil plant originated in Asia and is famed for its flavourful green leaves, which branch from the stem and will occasionally produce bundles of white flowers. Like all of its herbal relatives, the tender leaves of this perennial plant are commonly used fresh or dried as a culinary seasoning and are steam distilled to produce Basil essential oil.

When bottled as an essential oil, Basil oil produces a warm, spicy, herbal flavour and energizing aroma. Like its leafy counterpart, Basil oil can be used expertly in the kitchen, especially for Italian-style cooking. Basil essential oil can also be admired for its fresh aroma when diffused as well as enjoyed topically for its benefits to the skin.

Why choose Basil oil? Because it contains high levels of the chemical constituent, linalool, Basil essential oil can provide a skin-soothing sensation when used topically. Delight in the invigorating yet relaxing aroma of Basil oil by applying it to the back of the neck or behind the ears and gently massage for a skin-soothing experience.

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Cilantro Oil

Also called coriander, the cilantro plant is recognized around the world for its flavourful and potent small, green, feather-like leaves which are steam distilled and bottled as the cherished Cilantro essential oil.

Whether in its fresh or essential oil form, Cilantro has a distinct, slightly sweet, herbal taste, perfect for flavouring your favourite dips, salsas, or guacamole. You can also appreciate the striking, fresh aroma of Cilantro oil by adding it to your personal care routine or when diffused with citrus oils.

Why choose Cilantro oil? Similar to Basil oil, Cilantro essential oil contains high contents of linalool, which provide powerful topical cleansing benefits. Other unique constituents give Cilantro oil a cooler and crisper aroma and amplify its cleansing properties. Cilantro oil can be used to help moisturize dry skin, clean your cuticles, and provide a cooling sensation to the skin during a massage.

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Marjoram Oil

Marjoram is a member of the mint family that grows best in warmer parts of the world like the Mediterranean and western Asia. Like other herb oils, Marjoram essential oil is made through steam distillation of the herb’s smooth, fragrant, ovate green leaves.

Marjoram essential oil produces a warm, herbaceous aroma and is valued for its topical soothing properties. Delight in this energizing aroma as you use it topically or enjoy its delicious herbal flavour when infused with olive oil for salad dressings, marinades, or bread dips.

Why choose Marjoram Oil? Marjoram essential oil is perfect to use when you’re in need of a soothing massage. Simply apply to the desired areas on your body and savour the warm, invigorating aroma. This pleasant scent can also be enjoyed when diffused or when mixed with water and Lavender oil for a tranquil and restfully scented linen spray.

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Oregano Oil

The Oregano herb comes from a bush-like perennial plant that requires a medium amount of moisture and thrives in full sunlight. Oregano oil is extracted through steam distillation from the fragrant, rounded leaves of the Oregano plant, which also produces tiny, pinkish-purple or white flowers.

Oregano essential oil is known for having a powerful and invigorating aroma when diffused and a strong, herbal flavour when used in cooking. Because of its chemical properties, Oregano oil makes a great all-purpose cleaner when added to a glass spray bottle of water. Remember to dilute with Fractionated Coconut Oil before using on the skin.

Why choose Oregano oil? Oregano essential oil provides a fresh, herbal flavour to all your favourite dishes that call for Oregano. Outside the kitchen, Oregano oil can also do wonders for your nails. Simply dilute one drop of Oregano oil with a carrier oil and apply to your cuticles and nailbeds for healthy-looking fingernails and toenails.

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Rosemary Oil

Native to the Mediterranean and a member of the mint family, the evergreen rosemary shrub is easily distinguished by its thin, green, brush-like leaves. The leaves and flowers of this herb plant are steam distilled and bottled as the fragrant Rosemary essential oil.

The slightly minty, herbal taste of Rosemary essential oil pairs well with your favourite vegetable and entrée recipes. Aromatically, Rosemary oil produces an invigorating, sharp, clean aroma that can be paired with a personal massage, a warm bath soak, or diffused.

Why choose Rosemary oil? Rosemary is unique among the other herb essential oils for its haircare benefits. Thanks to its high α-pinene content, Rosemary essential oil provides an invigorating sensation to the scalp, nourishes for softer looking hair, and helps keep hair looking thick and healthy when added to your shampoo.

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Thyme Oil

The small, perennial thyme plant is made up of many woody stems and ovate leaves that are slightly rolled at the edges. Like its fellow herbal relatives, the leaves of the thyme plant go through a steam distillation process to create the treasured Thyme essential oil.

Thyme essential oil has a warm, herbaceous, powdery aroma and is a strong topical cleanser, especially when used on the skin and hair. The delightful, herbal flavour of Thyme oil makes the perfect substitute for your favourite dishes that call for fresh or dried thyme.

​​​​​​​Why choose Thyme oil? Thyme essential oil has great surface cleansing benefits similar to other herb essential oils. When added to your personal care routine, Thyme oil can nourish and promote youthful-looking hair, help cleanse the skin when diluted with a carrier oil, freshen your breath, and improve the appearance of your feet when added to a warm footbath.

Learn More About Thyme Buy Thyme Now

There is so much to admire about our humble herb-inspired oils, and we hope you enjoyed getting to know each one better. May your days be ‘rosemary’ and bright as you add this harmonious group of oils to your collection.