The use of essential oils for culinary purposes is controversial and uncommon, all that comes to mind when talking about essential oils is their medicinal, aromatic and cosmetic properties or their use in aromatherapy.

Plant Spirit

Essential oils are natural oily compounds characterized by their strong concentration and pungent smell and some call them "plant spirit" because they are oils that are extracted from the sap of roots, stems, leaves and flowers by distillation or cold pressing, including eucalyptus, mint, sandalwood, sage, cloves, cinnamon, bergamot, marjoram and others.

But does simply extracting essential oils from natural sources make it safe to use in the kitchen? And what is the correct way to use it?

Dr. David Kiefer, a faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine, says, "Essential oils are not safe just because they are natural oils, getting drops of them requires a lot of plant parts," for example, 45 lemons are used to produce 15 milliliters of lemon essential oil and a thousand pounds of rose petals are used to make one pound of rose essential oil.

Essential oils are not safe just because they are natural oils (Shutterstock)

Why do some prefer to cook with essential oils?

On the other hand, some consider essential oils a suitable option in cooking some foods and desserts in which herbs or juices are one of the most important ingredients, in order to obtain strong and distinctive flavors for their dishes or be an alternative to cutting fresh herbs or adding large amounts of dried herbs, as only two drops of essential oil are equivalent to a full bottle of dried herbs.

Some tend to use these oils to provide flavors that are difficult to find, for example, lavender flowers are hard to get while lavender essential oil is affordable.

These oils are also easy to use, and a refreshing lemon or mint drink can be prepared by adding a drop of their essential oils to a glass of water or getting a hot drink by simply adding one drop of cinnamon oil with honey to the hot water.

The right way to use essential oils in cooking

Essential oils are not intended for oral administration because their contact with the skin or oral tissues irritates it, and some types are inherently toxic, even in very small doses.

The entire recipe does not need more than one drop of essential oil and another drop can be added to enhance the strong flavor and aroma, but the taste cannot be fixed when added, so it is recommended to use toothpicks to add the least possible amount by dipping the oud in the essential oil and then stirring it in the food.

Essential oils are known for their poor solubility in water, so it is preferable to dilute them in a fatty substance such as chicken broth or yogurt or mix them with a vegetable oil such as coconut oil or olive oil to ensure safety and distribution of the oil throughout the recipe.

The appropriate timing must be taken into account to add essential oils to food, and it is preferable to add them after the end of cooking hot recipes to retain the flavor as easily volatile oils, and two drops can be added with pastries and baked goods to ensure that the flavor remains with heat.

Essential oils should not be mixed with other ingredients in plastic containers to avoid chemical reactions, preferably using tools made of ceramic, glass or stainless metal.

Essential oils should not be mixed with other ingredients in plastic containers to avoid chemical reactions (Guinea)

Benefits of cooking with essential oils

The website "providence" mentioned a number of benefits of cooking with essential oils:

  • Thyme, garlic, rosemary, basil and oregano oils reduce the growth of bacteria, fungi and viral pathogens in food products, according to scientific studies, and this explains why they were used in the past in food preservation.
  • The flavor and aroma of essential oils such as lavender, mint and lemon improve digestive health and support body functions.
  • Using essential oils in a healthy diet - while adhering to exercise - helps in weight loss due to the ability of essential oils to improve mood.

Some essential oils reduce the growth of bacteria, fungi and viral pathogens (Shutterstock)

Essential oils suitable for cooking

There are a group of essential oils that are safe for cooking purposes when used with caution and in small quantities, including:

  • Lemon oil: It adds a strong and distinctive flavor to fish and chicken, helps to relax and boosts immunity.
  • Peppermint Oil: Boosts digestion and adds a strong and refreshing mint flavor to baked goods and ice cream.
  • Lavender oil: helps to relax and overcome insomnia and is characterized by its distinctive floral flavor in different dishes.
  • Thyme oil: Some prefer it in soups dishes, and scientific research indicates its role in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
    Rosemary oil: Used in salad dishes and meat seasoning, a scientific study conducted on a sample of 53 high school students found that it improves mental performance and enhances mental focus after students were able to remember pictures and numbers better when spraying the test room with rosemary oil.
  • Citrus oils: characterized by their antioxidant properties, used with juices and cold drinks.
  • Ginger oil: Some tend to use it to cook the same recipes that rely on fresh ginger such as french fries and pickles if not enough time to peel and chop fresh ginger.

Some tend to use ginger oil in cooking recipes like french fries and pickles (Getty Images)

Guidelines before buying essential oils:

The Earl E. Bakken Center at the University of Minnesota has set a set of guidelines when buying essential oils for cooking:

  • The Latin name of the plants used in the manufacture of essential oil should be traced, and ensure that the oil is 100% pure and not mixed with other ingredients.
  • It is preferable to buy the oil from a reliable source and be packaged in dark-colored glass containers because it is highly susceptible to heat and light.
  • It is advisable to read the essential oil label and follow the instructions before you start using it.
  • You must make sure that the essential oil is suitable for cooking, as there are unfit and highly toxic types such as wintergreen oil, sage and eucalyptus.

The potential risks of taking essential oils are increasing, especially since they are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so they should be used with great caution with children and people with chronic diseases, and pregnant women are advised to consult a doctor before using them because they may stimulate miscarriage, especially in the first months of pregnancy, and after childbirth reduce some types of breast milk in the mother.