
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the plant’s “essence,” or its natural scent and flavor.
These oils are extracted through distillation or other processes, such as cold pressing. Then, they are combined with a carrier oil to be ready for use.
Tremendous Benefits
The most common use of essential oils is in aromatherapy, where their unique aroma is utilized in healing practices owing to their great healing properties.
Essential oils can be inhaled or applied topically to the skin to get their health benefits.
Many studies have shown that essential oils can be helpful in boosting mood, reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, relieving headache and migraine, relieving nausea, treating bacterial and fungal infections, reducing pain, and reducing inflammation.
Popular Essential Oils
There are more than 90 types of essential oils; each of them has a distinctive scent and potential health benefits.
The most popular essential oils include peppermint, lavender, sandalwood, bergamot, rose, chamomile, ylang-ylang, tea tree, jasmine, and lemon.
Lavender Oil
In addition to its pleasant fragrance, lavender has a lot of benefits. It can help in reducing stress and relieving pain. It can also be used to encourage sleep.
To use it as aromatherapy, you may mix it with a base oil to create body oil, add it to water to make a room or body spray, or add it to bath or diffuser.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has many known health benefits. It is used to boost energy, ease headache, fight fatigue, lift mood, aid digestion, support memory, fight inflammation and microbes.
It can be diluted and used topically. Also, peppermint tea can be used to improve digestion and settle stomach in case of irritable bowel syndrome or gastric irritation.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is used as an antiseptic, antimicrobial or antifungal to fight infections and boost immunity.
Moreover, it can be helpful in curing acne by applying it directly on the acne without dilution. It also helps in healing fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworms.
Other Uses
Essential oils have many uses other than aromatherapy. Their fragrant and pleasant smell makes them perfect for scenting homes or freshening up laundry.
Furthermore, essential oils can be used as a natural and safe alternative to man-made mosquito repellents. They are also added to cosmetics and natural products to add a sweet scent.
Potential Side Effects
Although they are natural products and are generally considered safe, essentials oils can have diverse effects for some people, especially when applied directly to the skin or ingested.
The most common side effects include rashes, asthma attacks, headaches and allergic reactions. In some cases, they may cause hormonal imbalance.
Pregnant women must consult a doctor before using essential oils. Also, essential oils must be kept away from children and pets because their bodies may not tolerate them.