If you want to use essential oils for the first time you may want to understand what essential oils are.
Essential oils are natural plant extracts known for their unique aromatic and therapeutic properties. Most people use them in aromatherapy and as home remedies for various health benefits.
They are extracted from various parts of plants such as leaves, flowers, bark, and roots through cold pressing or via a steam distillation process( or water).
The oils are concentrated and contain powerful chemical compounds that are responsible for their medicinal properties.
Each essential oil has its own unique chemical composition and this affects its smell, health benefits, and effects on your body.
Read on to see the health benefits of essential oils and how they affect the human body.
How do essential oils work?
Image by Rommel Diaz from Pixabay
Essential oils are popular for their health and wellness benefits. People use them for alternative medicine in aromatherapy to get relief and manage physical and mental ailments.
To understand how essential oils work, you need to first understand aromatherapy. You see most essential oils absorb into your system through your nose(inhalation) and skin application.
Most people believe that inhaling essential oils is more effective than topical application. But are they right? Inhalation may provide an immediate response because it triggers a response by the olfactory cells at the back of your nose.
The good news is this triggers an emotional response because there is direct access between your brain and bloodstream via olfactory nerves.
Topical application on the other hand allows the plant chemicals to interact with receptors on your body to stimulate therapeutic properties.
However, more research needs to be done in this area to better understand potential absorption from applying in different areas.
The diversity of essential oil use provides a variety of ways in which the oil can interact with your body to provide relief from congestion, headaches, and even depression.
It’s safe to say the aromatic compounds of essential oils have great medicinal benefits.
Essential Oils Research
Researchers have taken an interest in essential oils over the years due to their potential effects on the body.
Studies demonstrate that lavender and tea tree oil have endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are chemical substances that can alter normal endocrine system function, leading to a wide range of health issues.
Even more important, clinical research suggests that topical use of certain essential oils may lead to gynecomastia, or male breast tissue development, in prepubescent boys.
Benefits of Essential Oils
Image by lifestyle hack from Pixabay
Essential oils are becoming more popular but little is known about their health benefits.
For example, people are using them now at home for aromatherapy to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Plus for their therapeutic benefits.
Here are some of the benefits of essential oils:
Sleep and Insomnia
Some essential oils also have sedative properties, making them effective for treating insomnia.
For example, inhaling lavender improves sleep quality and reduces insomnia in postpartum women. The oil also reduces anxiety in patients with heart disease.
Relieves Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are two of the most common health issues in the United States.
About 43% of people who struggle with stress and anxiety use alternative therapy to help relieve their symptoms. And studies show people who use aromatherapy show are able to quell anxiety with no adverse effects.
The smell of some essential oils can work alongside traditional therapy to treat anxiety and stress. However, it’s hard to conduct blinded studies and rule out biases because of the oil’s scents. Thus, many reviews on the stress- and anxiety-relieving effects of essential oils have been inconclusive.
Also using essential oils during massage may help relieve stress, although the effect doesn’t last long.
Essential oils like lavender essential, bergamot, and chamomile are known for their calming properties. They can help reduce stress, and anxiety, and promote relaxation.
Antimicrobial and Antibiotic
Many essential oils have antimicrobial activity, meaning they can help kill or inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Some of the most effective antimicrobial essential oils include tea tree oil, oregano oil, and thyme oil.
The oils are also, anti-inflammatory. Essential oils such as frankincense oil and turmeric oil have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and support immune function.
It gets better essential oils such as lemon oil and grapefruit oil are rich in antioxidants, making them effective at supporting immune function.
It’s therefore safe to say that essential oils can boost your immune system and support your immune system.
Improves Skin Health
Essential oils like tea tree, rosehip, and frankincense are known for their skincare benefits. They can help improve skin health, reduce inflammation, and promote skin rejuvenation.
Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines are common medical conditions that are difficult to treat. However, there may natural options for those seeking relief from their symptoms.
A pair of small studies conducted in the 1990s discovered that wiping a mixture of peppermint oil and alcohol on the forehead, temples, and neck reduced headache pain in participants.
More recently, researchers have also found evidence to suggest that applying peppermint and/or lavender oil directly to the skin can soothe headache pain with similar effectiveness.
It gets better, chamomile and sesame oil are also potential remedies for headaches and migraines, based on an old Persian medicinal practice.
Although anecdotal evidence supports a positive influence on head-related ailments, more rigorous studies are needed.
Nevertheless, these applications provide some much-needed relief for people struggling with frequent headaches or migraines.
Reducing inflammation
EOs are gaining attention as a potential natural remedy for reducing inflammation. A few test-tube studies suggest that essential oils have anti-inflammatory effects and some animal studies have found promising results.
For instance, the ingestion of a combination of thyme and oregano essential oils was associated with inducing the remission of colitis in mice while caraway and rosemary oils showed similar effects in rats.
However, keep in mind that there are no human clinical trials researching the effectiveness and safety of essential oils when it comes to inflammatory diseases.
Therefore, more research is necessary before we can conclude if they are suitable treatments for inflammation.
Until then, it’s important to talk to medical professionals about any other alternatives for managing inflammation to avoid adverse reactions.
Other uses for essential oils
Beyond aromatherapy and therapeutic benefits, essential oils have many other uses. People use them to scent and improve the fragrance of their homes. Also, you can use add them to your homemade cosmetic products to get their natural scents. And also in your laundry.
Furthermore, EOs have been suggested as an alternative to man-made mosquito repellents such as DEET due to their ability to provide a safe and eco-friendly way of keeping pests at bay.
Nevertheless, research into the efficacy of these oils against mosquitoes has delivered mixed results. Some studies show that certain types of oil such as citronella may repel mosquitoes for up to two hours.
Throughout history, people have been using EO for various purposes, including but not limited to aromatherapy, personal care, healthcare practices, religious ceremonies, beauty treatments, and even food preparation.
Yet, these findings are yet to be adopted for mass application.
Choosing the Right Essential Oils
Due to their unregulated industry, the quality and composition of essential oils vary with certain oils being of inferior quality than others.
To ensure you’re using the highest standard of essential oil, there are a few key considerations when selecting an oil–purity, and quality.
For purity, opt for an oil that contains aromatic plant compounds and is devoid of any additives or synthetic products, or oils.
You can easily tell if an oil is pure by looking at its label; usually, companies list the plant’s botanical name (such as Lavandula officinalis) rather than generic terms such as “essential oil of lavender”.
Moreover, the best quality oil has the least amount of changes during the extraction process.
With these considerations taken into mind, you can choose high-quality oils for both aroma therapy and overall well-being.
How to Use Essential Oils
Photo by Mikhail Nilov
Essential oils can be used in various ways to experience their therapeutic benefits. Here are some ways to use essential oils:
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a popular way to use essential oils. It can Improve your mood and reduce anxiety levels quickly.
When you diffuse oils, tiny oil particles are dispersed throughout your space, stimulating your central nervous system and creating an emotional response.
An essential oil diffuser, allows the oils to mix with water and to disperse into the air. Breathing in these aromatic molecules is one of the ways you can relax and get a stress-free feeling in no time.
Diffusers are not just effective for relaxation; they also improve mental clarity, focus, and concentration. Each oil has unique properties that work synergistically with your body and senses during aromatherapy sessions.
They are also great natural remedies because of their odorless quality, making them a perfect addition to any home or office environment.
Choose from popular scents like lavender and peppermint or more obscure varieties like sandalwood and jasmine, depending on your personal preference. And get all the benefits of aromatherapy today with the help of an easy-to-use essential oil diffuser.
Inhale and relax
Topical Application
Did you know that applying essential oils directly onto your skin can have a multitude of benefits? From stress relief to supporting healthy skin maintenance and aromatherapy, it’s no wonder why this method is popular.
However, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks that come with this practice. To avoid skin irritation, dilute oils with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil before application.
Using a rollerball bottle is an easy and efficient way to apply your essential oil blend onto your skin.
This method ensures an even distribution of products and allows for controlled application.
Plus, it eliminates worries about over-application or missing sensitive areas like the forehead or under-eye area.
Just remember to cleanse your face properly afterward to remove any excess oils.
Rolling oils directly onto your skin is a simple and effective way to reap the benefits of aromatherapy and support healthy skin.
Just make sure to follow expert advice and dilute your oils with a carrier oil before use.
This method is great for skin care, massage, and pain relief.
Ingestion
Some essential oils can be ingested but only under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Experts advise against ingesting them due to their potency, as large amounts can cause harm, including burning of the mouth lining.
Only ingest oils that have been properly dosed and labeled by trained professionals. While some food recipes may call for essential oils, read and instructions carefully.
Topical use of the oils offers medicinal properties, but ingestion should only be done under the guidance of a qualified specialist. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the ingestion of the oils
Never use essential oils in children, pregnant women, the elderly, or people with a weak immune system as some oils may be harmful to the liver.
Also, use high-quality, pure oils and follow dosage guidelines.
What Makes Essential Oils Effective?
Photo by Anna Shvets
Essential oils possess a variety of natural properties that soothe, tone, ground, energize, warm, and renew.
This means you can personalize their use to address specific needs rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all solution.
With a broad range of options available, you can use them to address a wide range of concerns, including skincare issues and improving one’s mood.
The diverse array of scent profiles in the oils makes them an attractive option for natural beauty and health solutions.
People love that they can choose from various types of oils with different results, instead of having to purchase multiple products.
Moreover, these natural concoctions add joy to our lives as their pleasant aromas provide wonderful experiences for us to enjoy every day.
From uplifting scents to calming ones, they are perfect for relaxation. The oils are an effective and excellent natural solution for anyone looking to enhance their overall well-being.
Conclusion
Essential oils are popular as natural health treatments. And people consider them safe for inhalation and topical application.
However, it’s essential to note that scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited, and their effectiveness is often exaggerated.
Inhaling or applying the oils topically is safe when you dilute with a base oil.
For minor health concerns, essential oil therapies may offer some benefits without harm.
If you’re managing a more serious health condition or taking medication, consult your healthcare provider first to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Always use the oils responsibly and cautiously for a safe and healthy experience.
2 thoughts on “What are Essential Oils”