We have always heard about essential oils and know that they have various benefits. But, have you ever stopped and really thought about how exactly these oils can help you? What are they made of and are you sure that you are using the right oil for the right purpose?
In this article, you will learn a lot about these oils and know more about how to use them and when to use them. So, read on and get to know these essential oils better!
Essential Oils: What they are and how they are made
Essential oils are natural oils obtained through the process of distillation. They have the distinct scent or aroma of the plant or other sources from which they are derived.
In plants that produce essential oils, the extract normally comes from the stem, roots, flowers or leaves. These oils are uniquely fragrant because of the “essence” captured from the plants.
There are traditional ways that these oils are produced such as distillation by water, steam or both. Cold pressing is also another way to extract the essence from plant parts which are later on combined with a carrier oil to create ready-to-use products. And to keep the oils truly natural, they should be made through a chemical-free process.
How do you use essential oils?
Essential oils can be used in two ways: by inhaling their scent or by applying them on the body.
Some oils work when applied to the skin because the particles that provide medicinal benefits are absorbed by the skin. Although not yet proven by research, it is believed that by adding heat, these essential oils become even more effective.
On the other hand, some oils work by inhaling their unique scent. That’s because inhaling the aroma from essential oils can trigger the limbic system of the brain, or the part that is believed to have an effect on certain unconscious physiological functions of our body. These parts of our brain affect our blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate.
The limbic system is also the part of our brain that is linked to long-term memory, emotions, behaviors and senses of smell, which might be the reason why some smells can trigger certain memories associated with them.
Here’s a list of the 10 Most Common Types of essential oils
Essential oils are used for various purposes. Read on to know what essential oil should be used for certain conditions.
1. Peppermint
Feeling down and having issues with digestion lately? Peppermint oil might be the solution to your worries. It’s used to boost energy and help with digestion. All you need to do is to inhale the aroma of this essential oil to help improve your energy levels and ease indigestion or an upset stomach.
2. Lavender
The scent of lavender oil is very helpful for people who are stressed and would like to get relief. Its relaxing fragrance can calm your nerves and your mind during a stressful situation.
3. Sandalwood
Another useful oil to calm the nerves is sandalwood. Plus, it also helps a person become more focused on tasks at hand.
4. Bergamot
Eczema is a skin condition where the skin becomes really dry and inflamed, leading to irritation and pain. Bergamot oil can help in promoting healthier skin and therefore is great for managing eczema.
5. Rose
If you are in a bad mood lately and you feel like your anxiety is starting to get the best of you, then using rose oil might be the solution you are looking for. It can help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
6. Chamomile
Just like the essential oils derived from roses, chamomile oil helps improve mood to achieve relaxation.
7. Ylang-Ylang
You might not be too familiar with Ylang Ylang essential oil but if you suffer from headaches and nausea, this oil is exactly what you need. Another plus is that you can use it to treat some skin conditions, too.
8. Tea Tree
Tea tree oil is certainly useful because it helps in fighting infections and boosting our immunity. With a stronger immune system, contacting viral diseases such as colds and coughs are prevented.
9. Jasmine
Apparently, jasmine is not only best to have as a tea but its essential oils are also beneficial, too. Jasmine oil can be used to help with depression, childbirth, and even a low libido.
10. Lemon
Essential oils from lemon are useful in helping with digestion issues, mood improvement, and headaches. It has multiple purposes and is a must to keep around the house.
The benefits of using essential oils
Essential oils are not exactly conclusive in terms of effectiveness for treating certain conditions. However, a lot of people have testified to the usefulness of these products in their lives.
-
Essential oils can help treat anxiety, manage stress and depression
Though inconclusive, the use of essential oils to combat depression and manage stress has been claimed to be effective by users. The use of these aromatic oils during massages adds to the stress-relieving factor. And while further research is needed initial studies have received positive feedback.
What are some benefits of using essential oils?
-Essential oils help treat headaches and migraines
In traditional Persian medicine, mixing sesame oil and chamomile oil and applying it on the temples has long been considered as a remedy to alleviate a headache. It may still need additional and more in-depth research, but this alternative treatment for headaches and migraines is worth a try. Peppermint and lavender oils can also be great sources of pain relief from headaches.
-Essential oils help reduce inflammation
A study with tests made on mice has found that certain oils like oregano and thyme can be useful in reducing inflammation. However, this is not fully proven yet and testing on humans is still necessary to find conclusive evidence.
-Essential oils have antimicrobial properties
Some bacteria have been found to be resistant to antibiotics and therefore, scientific studies are now geared towards finding other means to fight them. Essential oils are being considered to have antimicrobial properties and are currently undergoing further studies.
-Essential oils aid in treating insomnia
Getting the right amount of sleep is important. For new parents, getting good quality sleep after staying up really late can be very difficult. Some studies have shown that some women who just underwent childbirth got better quality of sleep after smelling lavender oil. Doing this to aid in treating insomnia is worth a try.
How to choose the perfect essential oil for your needs?
Choosing essential oils that are best for you is like choosing any other product on the market. You have to have certain criteria to follow when selecting the best product around.
A lot of companies claim that their products are pure or free of chemicals. But, not all may be telling the truth. So, what do we need to consider in order to find the best essential oils?
-
Quality
In buying any product, looking for great quality is a must. For essential oils, the lesser the modification during the extraction phase, the higher quality it is. Oils derived from cold pressing or mechanical procedures are always best. Do not buy essential oils derived with the use of chemicals.
-
Purity
How do we make sure that we get “pure” essential oils? Take a good look at its ingredients! Make sure that your essential oil has only plant-based compounds. Usually, these oils include plant scientific names instead of just saying “essence of” certain plants.
-
Brand reputation
A trusted brand is always the better choice. Once you find a brand of essential oil that you know is pure and high-quality, you want to stick to that brand. If you are a beginner, you can search for brands that are proven with great customer feedback and research the number of years they’ve been manufacturing.
What do you need to be aware of when using essential oils?
From what we know thus far, the effectiveness of essential oils are yet to be fully proven. However, the people who use these oils claim that they indeed make a difference. These may work for you so trying them for yourself is worth considering.
On the other hand, there are people who can be allergic to certain substances and since some essential oils are applied on the skin, it might be wise to try a small amount on a small area of your skin first before going all-out in your trial.
Furthermore, reading the ingredients carefully and checking for materials that you could be allergic to is also a wise move.
Always be mindful of what you use to treat health conditions. Essential oils are meant to improve our quality of health and this can be achieved if we use them the right way and for the right purpose.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
