11 ESSENTIAL OILS: THEIR BENEFITS AND HOW TO USE THEM

Alternative medicine enthusiasts  have subscribed to the power of essential oils for years. But with their increasing availability (and claimed health benefits), they’re going mainstream. Essential oils are highly concentrated natural extracts from the leaves, flowers, and stems of plants. Manufacturer of Menthol Crystals in England provides in this article  information on 11 essential oils, their benefits and how best to use them.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Plants are made of structural materials and phytochemicals. These chemicals have properties that not only benefit the plant but benefit people too. It takes a tremendous amount of plant material to make essential oils, which can make some of them expensive. For example:

1.      About 250 pounds of lavender flower make 1 pound  of lavender essential oil.

2.      About 5,000 pounds of rose petals or lemon balm make 1 pound of rose or lemon balm essential oils.

Benefits Of Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy, a kind of complementary medicine that uses smell to improve your health or applied topically to the skin.

Studies have shown that essential oils may help:

● Boost mood;

●Improve job performance through reduced stress and increased attentiveness;

●Improve sleep;

● Kill bacteria, funguses and viruses;

● Reduce anxiety and pain;

● Reduce inflammation;

● Reduce nausea.

● Relieve headaches

Here are some common essential oils and their benefits:

1.      Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has a lot of benefits. Try adding it to a bath or diffuser as aromatherapy, adding to water to make a room spray or body spritzer, or combining with a base oil to make body oil. Lavender  can help with stress, pain and sleep. Before the discovery of antiseptics, lavender was also used as a cleaning agent in hospitals. There have also been studies that show using lavender oil ( and tea tree oil) can potentially disrupt hormones in young boys.

2.      Tea Tree Oil

Most people use tea tree oil as an antiseptic, antimicrobial or antifungal. You can also use it to help with:

● Acne : Take a cotton swab and dip it into tea tree essential oil. Then, apply it directly on the acne-this is one exception where you don’t have to dilute it. It can help resolve acne faster.

●Athelete’s foot and ringworms: Dilute it with a carrier oil (a base or vegetable oil like coconut or jojoba oil that helps dilute essential oils and put the blend on the affected skin.

  3. Frankincense Oil

Known as the “king of oils,” frankincense can help with inflammation, mood and sleep. Studies have shown that it can also improve asthma and might prevent gum disease. Frankincense oil has a woody, spicy scent and can be used as  aromatherapy and can be found in skin creams. Makes sure you dilute frankincense oil before applying it to your skin.

 4.Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is known to :

●Be an anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial;

● Ease headaches;

●Fight fatigue;

● Lift mood;

● Reduce gut spasms;

● Support digestion;

● Support memory.

When using the oil topically , make sure you dilute it.

 

5. Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus is a great essential oil to have on hand during cold season. It soothes a stuffed –up nose by opening  your nasal passages so you can breathe easier. It can also relieve pain and fight against herpes simplex virus. Thanks to its antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties.Take precautions when using eucalyptus oil, making sure to dilute it before applying topically. It should not be ingested and can have dangerous  side effects on children and pets.

6. Lemon Oil

Extracted from the peel of lemons, lemon oil can be diffused into the air or applied topically to your skin with a carrier oil.

Lemon oil is known to:

● Reduce anxiety and depression;

● Reduce pain;

● Ease Nausea;

● Kill Bacteria.

A study also states that aromatherapy  of essential oils like lemon oil might improve the cognitive function of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Lemon oil is safe for aromatherapy and topical use. But there have been some reports that lemon oil  can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of sunburn. Avoid direct sunlight exposure after use. This includes lemon, lime, orange , grapefruit, lemongrass and bergamot oils.

7. Lemongrass oil

Lemongrass oil has a strong citrus scent and is known to help relieve stress, anxiety and depression. Its antibacterial properties make it a good natural remedy to heal wounds and kill bacteria. It has been shown to prevent the growth of fungus found in athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch.

A study found that using lemongrass oil can help reduce blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes.

Be sure to use a carrier oil before applying to your skin.

8. Orange Oil

Orange oil is made from the rinds of the citrus fruit. It can be diffused into air, topically on the skin ( with a carrier oil) or even used as a natural cleaner in your home. Orange oil is known to:

● Kill bacteria;

● Reduce anxiety;

● Reduce pain.

9. Rosemary Oil

You’ve probably reached for  rosemary to add flavor to some of your recipes. But using rosemary oil also has some additional benefits like improving brain function, promoting hair growth, reducing pain and stress, lifting your mood and reducing joint inflammation.

Rosemary oil is safe to use in aromatherapy and topically on the skin with a carrier oil. If you’re pregnant or have epilepsy or high blood pressure, it’s advised to avoid using rosemary oil.

 

10. Bergamot oil

This oil has a fruity and floral aroma, can be diffused or applied topically with a carrier oil but it can make your skin sensitive to the sun.

Bergamot oil is known to:

●Reduce anxiety;

●Lift mood;

●Lower blood pressure

11. Cedarwood Oil

Cedarwood oil, which has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, is a popular ingredient in insect repellent, shampoo and deodorant with its woodsy scent. But you can also use cedarwood oil to help with sleep and anxiety. You can use cedarwood oil  as aromatherapy as well as a topical treatment mixed with a carrier oil.