Oil Origins: Knowing Your Roots

When it comes time to talk about essential oils, there’s no better place to start than at the roots. Literally! Root essential oils are some of the most treasured of the bunch, with their sources having the deepest and most direct connection to the soil—they are truly gifts of the earth!

What Are Root Essential Oils?

These precious essential oils come from the roots—sometimes called the rhizomes—of the plants from which they are sourced. Once harvested and processed into essential oils, the result is a category of essential oils that share underlying earthy aromatic notes, yet fall into two main fields of use:
 

While the list of root essential oils is one of the shortest, the four essential oils that make it up are some of the most popular ones at doTERRA. We’ve gathered them all together in a single post so you can get to know each one better. While they do have some similarities, each root essential oil offers a distinct aroma, flavor, and collection of incredible benefits.

Ginger Oil

Ginger essential oil is a classic favorite among the root oils! The ginger root itself is a famous sweet-and-spicy cooking spice, and can be used as the raw root or the dried and ground spice. Ginger root is a thick, knotted root with soft fibrous flesh that can be harvested and eaten.
 

Steam distillation transforms the ginger root into Ginger essential oil, which has a bright aroma and holds a myriad of applications. Ginger essential oil has an inviting and energizing scent, can be warming to the skin when diluted, and of course lends a sweet, ginger flavor to your cooking and beverages.
 

Why choose Ginger oil?

Ginger oil has a much sweeter flavor than Turmeric oil, the only other internally approved root oil. In general, it has the sweetest aroma of all the roots, with sharper notes similar to Spikenard oil.

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Spikenard Oil

Spikenard essential oil is one of the most unique of the root oils, both for its name and the roots that produce it! The roots of the spikenard plant are thin and fibrous, but twist together underground like cords of rope. This kind of unseen strength speaks to the power Spikenard essential oil can bring into your life.
 

After being steam distilled, Spikenard essential oil has a spicy, woody, relaxing aroma that brings a grounding undertone to any perfume or diffuser blend. It also holds rich benefits for the skin and scalp, and can be used to amplify many areas of your self-care routines.
 

Why choose Spikenard oil?

While Turmeric oil and Vetiver oil also have benefits to skin, Spikenard oil has unique cleansing properties that can be applied to skin, hair and nails.

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Turmeric Oil

Turmeric essential oil comes from a root similar to ginger. It is a thick, knotted rhizome that’s soft and meaty like ginger, but with a more distinct and vibrant yellow color. When dried and ground into the famous cooking spice, turmeric root brings this same vibrant yellow color and an earthy, peppery flavor to recipes, especially in Indian cuisine.
 

Turmeric essential oil is extracted through steam distillation. While it can be used in place of ground or fresh turmeric root for its unique and soothing flavor in cooking, Turmeric essential oil also carries incredible benefits for the skin and brings a supportive, uplifting aroma to your home.

Why choose Turmeric oil?

Compared to Ginger oil, Turmeric oil offers a more mild, earthy flavor to your recipes. Turmeric oil also supports a healthy-looking complexion with a more subtle and earthy fragrance than the other stronger-scented root oils.

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Vetiver Oil

Vetiver essential oil is a true prize among the root oils. The roots of the vetiver grass reach deep into the earth, providing strength and stability that helps the plant thrive. The properties of Vetiver essential oil can take an equally supportive and empowering roll in your routines.  
 

The grounding, and calming aroma of Vetiver oil invites an environment of peace and relaxation when diffused. Vetiver oil also has benefits to the skin, particularly when used for the hands, face, and feet. Day or night, there are endless ways to take advantage of the rich properties of this root oil.

Why choose Vetiver oil?

Vetiver oil has a rich and grounding aroma that is particularly suited to massage and other routines of relaxation. Use Vetiver oil on its own, or pair it with the complementary aroma of Spikenard oil.

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Whether you are already familiar with these root essential oils or this was your first introduction, we hope we’ve given you more reasons than ever to love this unique group of essential oils. As is often the case in life, when you’re not sure where to turn, it may be best to simply return to your roots.