More and more people are turning to essential oils as a way to improve their quality of life. The benefits of essential oils are many and they can have a positive effect on your health. These oils are highly concentrated because they are the true essence of the plant or herb from which it was derived. Due to their high concentration, a few drops will go a long way.
Here are the main ways to use essential oils:
- In a diffuser
- Aromatherapy
- As a topical lotion
- Add to bathwater
- In a compress
- Massage oils
Essential oils benefits include the fact that they are all natural with few side effects when used responsibly. When searching for a natural alternative to medicine and other products that contain chemicals and other harmful ingredients, using these oils is an excellent place to start. However, if you’ve never used essential oils before, then you have to ask the question, do they really work?
Do Essential Oils Work?
Each essential oil has its own unique fragrance. There’s no denying the fact that they smell wonderfully and fill your home with a heavenly scent but do they have any real benefits? Do they really work to help improve your health and well-being? To answer these questions, let’s take a closer look at what essential oils are.
In a sense, essential oils are the lifeline of the plant from which it is derived. They are the essence or the chemical composition of the plant. Health Impact News has this to say about these oils, “Essential oils act as plant hormones, regulating plant functions and orchestrating the production of vitamins and enzymes. They act as messengers and supervisors within the plant that help coordinate and initiate vital plant activities.” In simpler terms, the essential oil within the plant is what makes the plant healthy so it can grow and flourish.
It is believed that these oils do the same thing for your body, when used correctly. Since they are all natural, they are healthier to use than medications, lotions, creams and even beauty products made from synthetic materials. They don’t contain any chemicals or other ingredients that can cause serious side effects. However, that does not mean they are completely safe to use.
Essential oils are extremely potent so it only takes a few drops to get results. Some oils should not be used on children and others could even be fatal if ingested. It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to one or more of these oils, so they should be used with caution. Do your research to learn about the different oils and when and how to use them properly to ensure your safety.
Having said that, the bottom line is that essential oils do naturally contain properties that, when used correctly, can improve your overall health and well-being. For example, these oils contain antibacterial, antibiotics, antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help improve the symptoms associated with many health issues.
Different oils affect the body differently, so you have to choose your oils based the results you hope to achieve. Below is a look at some of the medicinal benefits associated with essential oils.
Medicinal Benefits of Essential Oils
One of the main benefits of essential oils is their ability to treat all types of medical problems. They can help relieve the symptoms of many illnesses and help cure many others. They are a great natural alternative to traditional medicines. Here are a few of the most common health issues that you can treat using essential oils along with a list of the most popular oils used in each case.
Common Cold and Flu Symptoms
When you feel a cold coming on or begin seeing flu symptoms, you need relief as soon as possible. Essential oils can help break up the congestion so you can breathe easier. Some of the best oils to use for colds and flu symptoms include pine, tea tree, lavender, lemon, thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus and peppermint.
Infections
Many essential oils have anti-infective properties, which mean they help to cure a variety of infections. Some even work to cure infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Some of the most common essential oils used to treat infections include lavender, oregano, roman chamomile, tea tree and eucalyptus.
Autoimmune Disorders
An autoimmune disorder is any disease caused by the body’s responding negatively or abnormally to natural substances found in the body. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Crohn’s disease and thyroid disorders. The most common essential oils used to treat autoimmune disorders include clary sage, roman chamomile, cajeput, ginger, valerian root, cypress, cinnamon, juniper berry and laurel leaf.
Asthma
Asthma is a disease that affects the respiratory system. The bronchial passages become swollen or clogged with mucous making it hard to breathe. It can also cause coughing and wheezing. Many different things such as stress, allergens and even over exercising can cause an asthma attack and antispasmodics essential oils such as roman chamomile and bergamot can help. Other oils that are good for treating asthma include peppermint, tea tree, oregano, frankincense, lavender, thyme, eucalyptus and clove.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease caused by ticks. Symptoms include fever, rashes, headaches and chills. If not treated, Lyme diseases can cause serious medical problems that include neurological conditions and cardiac symptoms. Essential oils used to treat this disease include frankincense, cinnamon, clove, marjoram, tea tree, thyme, oregano, geranium, lavender, rose and rosemary.
Parkinson’s Disease
This is a progressive disease that affects the body’s ability to move. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. However, you can treat this disease and slow the progression with essential oils such as clary sage, helichrysum, lavender, frankincense, marjoram, vetiver and cinnamon.
Sinusitis
A sinus infection can make you feel horrible. The congestion makes it difficult to breath and this condition is often accompanied by a fever and headaches. Certain essential oils can break up and help get rid of the infection so you can feel better. The best oils to use include ginger, clove, benzoin, aniseed, nutmeg, cinnamon, rosemary, pine, peppermint, hyssop, camphor, marjoram and myrtle.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes and trachea become inflamed. It can be difficult to breath and is usually accompanied by chest pains. Once you get bronchitis, it tends to reoccur every time you get a cold or the flu. Some of the best essential oils to use for bronchitis include eucalyptus, immunity, rosemary, oregano, lemon, peppermint, sandalwood, frankincense, myrtle, helichrysum, thyme, cypress lemongrass and birch.
Premature Hair Loss
Men and women both suffer from premature hair loss. Some of the causes include diseases, stress and even traumatic events. Some types of essential oils can stimulate the blood vessels on the scalp, which increases the blood flow and promotes hair growth. The best oils for premature hair loss include rosemary, lavender, thyme, cedarwood and sweet basil.
Eczema
Eczema affects men, women and children of all ages. It occurs as patches of dry, flaky skin that turns red and itches. It can even cause swelling and the skin can break open and bleed. Some of the best oils to treat eczema include tea tree, lavender, thyme, frankincense, helichrysum, geranium, melrose, cedarwood and roman or german chamomile.
ADHD
Children who suffer with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder tend to be impulsive, hyperactive and they have a hard time paying attention. Some of the essential oils that can help calm ADHD patients and help them focus include cilantro, cedarwood, lavender, melaleuca, frankincense, cypress, vetiver and rosemary.
This is a short list of the many medicinal benefits essential oils have to offer. In addition to treating these medical conditions, you can also use essential oils to treat a variety of mental and emotional problems.
Mental and Emotional Essential Oils Benefits
Essential oils smell great but inhaling the aroma has many health benefits, too. The aroma from many of these oils naturally improves your mental and emotional state, which ultimately improves your overall health and well-being. Here are some mental and emotional problems that you can treat using essential oils, along with a list of the most popular oils used for each one.
Stress
Stress is a normal part of life but sometimes it can become overwhelming and consume your life. Essential oils such as lavender, sandalwood and chamomile can help uplift your mood and create a relaxing environment that helps to relieve stress.
Depression
Depression can take over your life when not treated. It affects how you feel about yourself and others. It interferes with your sleep and can make you overeat or skip meals altogether. It can be caused by everything from stress to a chemical imbalance in the brain and it can be treated with essential oils such as bergamot, clary sage, lavender, ylang ylang, jasmine, rose, sandalwood and neroli.
Anxiety or Panic Attacks
Having anxiety occasionally is normal but when you stay anxious or start having panic attacks, it can become a serious problem. You can experience dizziness, shortness of breath, chills, nausea and it can even impair your ability to think rationally. You may even feel like you’re having a heart attack. Essential oils such as bergamot, clary sage, lavender, sweet orange and cedarwood all help to relieve anxiety and panic attacks.
Insomnia
Insomnia can have a drastic effect on your health and well-being. When you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep during the night, there are a few essential oils that can help you get a good night sleep. These include lavender, chamomile, rose, ylang ylang, marjoram, sandalwood, valerian and clary sage.
Mental or Physical Fatigue
If you suffer from chronic mental or physical fatigue it can be difficult pushing through each day. In addition to adjusting your schedule to allow your body and mind more time to rest, you can use essential oils to help combat fatigue. Some of the best essential oils to use include peppermint, basil, citrus, rosemary, marjoram, eucalyptus, lemon and geranium.
A great way to use essential oils to treat these conditions is with a diffuser because they disperse the oils throughout the room where you can inhale them directly into the lungs. In addition to the many health benefits, aromatherapy offers many skincare benefits as well.
Skincare Benefits Associated with Essential Oils
Professionals have used aromatherapy in the beauty industry for years due to all of the benefits essential oils have to offer. They are used in spas and in certain types of make-ups, lotions and hair products but there are also many DIY recipes available to help you create your own beauty products.
Essential oils will help make your skin softer and more radiant. They can help improve skin tone and help clear up certain skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. They stimulate cell growth and nourishes the skin leaving it young and healthy looking.
Below are eight of the most popular essential oils used in skincare, along with how they help keep your skin young and healthy looking according to allwomenstalk.com:
- Eucalyptus – great for clearing up acne, relieves skin redness and irritation
- Rose – great for sensitive skin and reducing signs of aging because it helps repair broken capillaries, diminishes scars, fades stretch marks and clears up acne
- Bergamot – a fragrant oil with antiviral properties that helps to reduce oil and bacterial found on the skin, making it a great choice for treating acne
- Geranium – promotes cell growth, fades age spots and scars and eliminates body odor
- Clary Sage – helps the body produce the right amount of oil, revitalizes the skin and decreases inflammation
- Jasmine – softens and soothes the skin, fades stretch marks and scars
- Rosehip -reduces fine lines and other signs of aging, moisturizes and softens the skin, regenerates skin cells
- Sandalwood – regenerates skins, reduces fine lines and heals scar tissue
These are just a sample of the many oils used for skincare to give you an idea of how beneficial essential oils are. You can use them individually or as a blend to treat specific problems. There are many recipes available to help you make your own skincare products.
Essential Oils Provide Many Benefits for Your Hair
Did you know that essential oils are great for your hair? They can help with many problems like dandruff or oily scalp. Certain oils will help heal dry, damaged hair and others will add luster and shine to dull, lifeless hair. Essential oil benefits are different depending on which oils you use, so it’s always a good idea to research the different types of oils to find out which ones are best suited for your particular needs.
Here is a list of essential oils that are good for your hair, along with some of the benefits they provide to help you get started:
- Cedarwood – stimulates the scalp and helps your hair grow
- Clary Sage – soothes and cleans inflamed or oily scalp, stimulates the scalp and promotes hair grow
- Bergamot – soothes the scalp, promotes hair growth and makes your hair shiny
- Chamomile – soothes the scalp, softens the hair and adds shine
- Sandalwood – restores moisture, helps dry ends and adds shine to your hair
- Almond – moisturizes and soothes the scalp, great for dry, damaged hair
- Geranium – strengthens the hair so it’s great for dry, brittle hair
- Lemon – minimizes dandruff, adds shine, strengthens hair by stimulating oil glands so it’s great for dry, curly hair
- Rosemary – stimulates the roots of the hair to increase circulation and promotes hair growth
- Carrot root – promotes hair growth and rejuvenates the skin
- Cypress – cleans oily scalp and promotes hair growth
- Lavender – helps control dandruff, conditions dry hair and leaves it shiny
Essential oils have many benefits that are hard to ignore. They help treat a long list of diseases and illnesses including mental and emotional problems. They make excellent skincare products that will help you achieve younger, healthier looking skin and they’re great for your hair. They help your body heal itself and restore balance naturally so you can live a happier, healthier life when used responsibly.
Always mix the essential oil of your choice with a carrier oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil to prevent irritation because these oils are very potent. They should never be applied directly to the skin or used to treat any type of medical condition undiluted.
If you’re tired of subjecting your body to the harsh chemicals used in many skin and hair care products, essential oils are a great alternative. The same is true if you’re searching for natural ways to treat many medical problems or to help improve your mental and emotional state. Not only do these oils have many health benefits but when used in a diffuser, they will make your home smell clean and fresh.
